US007260367B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US 7,260,367 B2

McMorroW et a]. (45) Date of Patent: Aug. 21, 2007

(54) EDGE POWER DETECTOR/CONTROLLER 5,408,197 A 4/1995 Miyake

5,590,408 A * 12/1996 Weiland et a1. ............. .. 455/69
Inventors: Robert J_ MQMOITOW’ Concord’ 5,655,220 A * 8/1997 et a1. 455/69
(Us); Eamon Nash, Some/Wine, MA 5,826,177 A * 10/1998 Uno ..... .. 455/126
(Us) 6,026,284 A * 2/2000 Seo 455/115.1
6,118,988 A * 9/2000 Choi 455/115.1
. _ . 6,128,477 A * 10/2000 Freed ...... .. 455/115.1
(73) Asslgnee' Analog Devlces’ Inc" Norwood’ MA 6,370,358 B2* 4/2002 Liimatainen 455/67.1l
(Us) 6,526,266 B1 * 2/2003 Obara ......... .. 455/126
7,085,544 B2* 8/2006 Takan tal. ............ .. 455/102
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 0e
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
U.S.C. 154(b) by 290 days. EP 0 535 669 Al M1993
_ WO WO99/39449 8/1999
(21) Appl' NO" 10/055’577 WO WO99/67893 12/1999
(22) Filed: Jan. 23, 2002 * Cited by examiner
(65) Prior Publication Data Primary ExamineriSonny Trinh
Us 2003/0139153 A1 Jul‘ 24’ 2003 (74) Attorney, Agent, or FzrmiGauthler & Connors LLP

(51) Int- Cl- (57) ABSTRACT

H04B 1/02 (200601) Described is a closed-loop poWer detector/controller for
H04B 17/00 (2006.01) . . .
_ _ W1reless systems employmg a non-constant amplltude enve
(52) US. Cl. ....... ...... 455/108, 455/126, 455/115.1 lope modulation Scheme Any AM Component in the feed_
(58) Field of Classi?cation Search .............. .. 455/ 108, back Signal resulting from nomconstam amplitude envelope
455/126’ 1271’ 115-1: 23> 24’ 69> 71’ 2401’ signals is eliminated via feed-forward cancellation of the
455/102>110; 330/125’ 14133238066 envelope signal. Generally, a signal representative of the
_ _ _ 2 AM variation in the non-constant amplitude envelope sig
See aPPhCaUOn ?le for Complete Search hlstory- nals prior to ampli?cation is obtained. This AM variation
(56) References Cited signal is then used to cancel any AM component in the
feedback signal resulting from the non-constant envelope to
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS create a poWer ampli?er control signal Without any AM
4,990,803 A 2/1991 Gilbert
variation, only the desired ramp pro?le.
5,193,223 A * 3/1993 WalcZak et a1. ....... .. 455/115.1
5,287,555 A * 2/1994 Wilson et a1. ......... .. 455/115.1 33 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets

400

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1 2
EDGE POWER DETECTOR/CONTROLLER signal 302 is applied at the input. As shoWn in FIG. 3, the
voltage 300 output by demodulating log amp 104 has a
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION voltage ripple component that results from the non-constant
amplitude envelope, in addition to the constant DC voltage
The invention relates to the ?eld of RF power detectors component. The resulting voltage ripple results in as much
and controllers, and in particular to RF poWer detectors and as a 20 dB variation in amplitude. Because the DC voltage
controllers used in mobile handset terminals for Wireless is varied according to the AM component, the negative
applications. feedback of the closed loop system Will Work to eliminate
The rollout of the neW 2.5 and 3G Wireless systems the AM information in the EDGE signal.
presents unique challenges to mobile handset designers. In Several methods for solving this problem have been
order to reap the full bene?t of expanded capacity and data proposed. First, two different ?lters could be used. A fast
bandWidth, the neW handsets must Work on both the neW ?lter is used for the poWer ramping section of the signal, and
systems as Well as the old. One of these neW systems is the a second, sloWer ?lter is sWitched in When the AM modu
so-called Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution lation begins. This solution Will still alloW some AM varia
(EDGE). The EDGE standard is an extension of the Global tion to leak into the loop since the ?lter Will require some
System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard. amount of time to create an average and settle. Another
EDGE increases the data rate over that available With approach is to remove the second ?lter and simply hold the
GSM by sending more bits per RF burst. More bits are sent DC To voltage constant during the AM modulation phase.
in EDGE by using a modulation scheme based on 8-phase This track and hold function Will not have the same problem
shift keying (8-PSK), Which provides an increase over 20 With settling time and no AM ripple Will leak into the loop.
GSM’s Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modula HoWever, the system Will be running open-loop While the
tion format. In the EDGE modulation scheme, the 8-PSK hold function is engaged. Thus, no corrections can be made
constellation is rotated 375/8 radians every symbol period to to the PA output poWer during the RF burst to compensate
avoid the problems associated With Zero crossings. In con for external in?uences (battery ?uctuations, temperature,
trast to GMSK’s constant amplitude envelope, the added 25 etc.). The ?nite nature of the data is another problem. Only
rotation factor in the EDGE modulation scheme results in a 102 symbols of data are transmitted per frame. This small
non-constant amplitude envelope. This non-constant ampli sample siZe means that there Will be variations in the number
tude envelope presents some dif?culties With regard to RF and type of phase transitions per frame thus changing the
poWer control. These problems are exacerbated by the desire peak to average ratio of the signal and the resulting average
to have one transmitter that can be used for both the GSM 30 poWer per frame. An open loop system Will not be able to
and EDGE standards. adjust for these variations.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art poWer detection and control
system 100 for GSM systems. GSM constant envelope SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
signals are input to and ampli?ed by a poWer ampli?er (PA)
102. Signals output by poWer ampli?er 102 are coupled by 35
The present invention provides a poWer detector/control
a directional coupler 108 into some form of demodulating ler for signals having modulation scheme With a non
detector 104, typically a logarithmic ampli?er (log amp), constant amplitude envelope. The poWer detector/controller
Which translates the poWer of the output signals into a comprises a poWer ampli?er, an output demodulating detec
voltage. FIG. 2 shoWs the output 200 of demodulating log tor and a summing junction. The poWer ampli?er has an
amp 104 When a GSM signal 202 is applied at the input. As 40
input to receive an input signal With non-constant amplitude
shoWn in FIG. 2, the voltage 200 output by log amp 104 is envelope and an output to output an ampli?ed input signal.
a DC voltage because GSM signals have a constant ampli A poWer ampli?er control signal controls either output
tude envelope. The DC output of log amp 104 is then poWer or gain of the poWer ampli?er. The output demodu
compared to a ramp control signal using a high gain, lating detector is coupled to the output of the poWer ampli
frequency limited dilferential ampli?er 106. Based upon the 45
?er to generate a feedback signal proportional to the ampli
comparison, dilferential ampli?er 106 outputs an error sig ?ed input signal’s poWer. The feedback signal includes an
nal, Which is ?ltered by a ?lter capacitor 107 (ampli?er 102 AM variation due to the non-constant amplitude envelope.
is con?gured as an integrator) to create a PA ramp voltage The summing junction receives the feedback signal, a ramp
that is used to control the poWer output of PA 102. This control signal that indicates either a target gain or target
creates a closed loop system that Will set the output poWer 50
output poWer of the poWer ampli?er, and an AM variation
to a level de?ned by the ramp control signal. The system is signal that represents the AM variation in the poWer of the
de?ned by the poWer control slope in dB/V and the 0V input signal due to the non-constant amplitude envelope.
intercept point in dBm. The frequency response of this The summing junction combines the feedback signal, the
closed loop system must be fast enough to provide an ramp control signal and AM variation signal to produce the
adequate rise time, and sloW enough to avoid ringing or 55
poWer ampli?er control signal such that the poWer ampli?er
instability. control signal substantially free of any AM variation due to
Some unique problems arise When an EDGE signal hav the non-constant envelope.
ing a non-constant amplitude envelope is applied to the
GSM control loop 100. The EDGE system standard requires BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
that PA 102 ramp up and doWn With the same speed as for 60
GSM (28uS). Thus, the loop must have a response faster
FIG. 1 shoWs a prior art poWer measurement and control
than 35 kHZ. HoWever, unlike the GSM signal, the EDGE
signal contains an AM component resulting from the non system for GSM systems.
constant amplitude envelope. Logarithmic ampli?er 104 Will FIG. 2 shoWs the output of a demodulating log-amp With
detect this modulation and vary the output DC voltage 65 a GSM signal applied.
accordingly. This is illustrated in FIG. 3, Which shoWs the FIG. 3 shoWs the output of a demodulating log-amp With
output 300 of demodulating log amp 104 When an EDGE an EDGE signal applied.
 US 7,260,367 B2
3 4
FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a power detector/ controller Summing junction 405 also receives the ramp control
according to the present invention. signal. The ramp control signal is proportional to either the
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a poWer detector/ target gain of PA 402 or the target output poWer of PA 402,
controller according to the present invention. depending upon Whether PA 402 is poWer controlled or gain
FIG. 6 shoWs another embodiment of a poWer detector/ controlled. Any PA can be subject to gain control or poWer
controller according to the present invention. control depending on hoW the detectors are con?gured.
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a poWer detec In addition to the feedback signal and ramp control signal,
tor/controller according to the present invention. summing junction 405 receives an AM variation signal that
FIG. 8a illustrates an implementation of the embodiment represents the AM variation in the input signal poWer
shoWn in FIG. 7 using an AD8315 log ampli?er/controller. resulting from the non-constant envelope. Any envelope
FIG. 8b illustrates a schematic of the AD8315 log ampli variation that is present on the detected signal at the output
?er/controller. of PA 402 is also present on the input signal to the PA 402.
FIG. 9 illustrates an implementation of the embodiment Thus, by obtaining the AM variation in the input signal
shoWn in FIG. 7 using an AD8302. poWer, the AM variation can be cancelled from the feedback
FIG. 10 illustrates another implementation using discrete signal obtained from the output.
log-amps. To obtain the AM variation of the input signal poWer, an
FIG. 11 shoWs an embodiment of the present invention input demodulating detector 414 is used. Input demodulat
Where the AM variation of the envelope is provided from the ing detector 414 and output demodulating detector 404 are
base-band processor, Which eliminates the need for the input balanced detectors. They can be logarithmic detectors or
demodulating detector. 20 linear detectors. Input demodulating detector 418 receives a
portion of the input RF signal from coupler 418 via phase
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE shifter 416. Phase shifter 416 adds a delay to the coupled
INVENTION input signal so that the AM variation from the input signal
is aligned With the AM variation from the output signal to
The present invention provides a closed-loop poWer 25 ensure cancellation of the AM variation. Input demodulating
detector/controller for Wireless systems employing a non detector 414 receives the delayed, coupled input signal and
constant amplitude envelope modulation scheme. Any AM translates it into a signal proportional to the poWer in the
component in the closed loop feedback signal is eliminated input RF signal. Demodulating detector 414 outputs this AM
via feed-forWard cancellation of the envelope signal. Gen variation signal to summing junction 405.
erally, a signal representative of the AM variation in the 30 As an alternative to using an input demodulating detector
non-constant amplitude envelope signals prior to ampli?ca 414 to obtain the AM variation, the AM variation signal is
tion is obtained. This AM variation signal is then used to obtained directly from the base-band processor.
cancel any AM component in the feedback signal resulting At summing junction 405, conditioning of the AM varia
from the non-constant envelope so that a PA control signal tion signal is performed, if needed for the control loop type
that has no AM component, only the desired ramp pro?le, 35 (i.e., poWer or gain control). Conditioning circuitry in sum
can be created. ming junction 405 removes the DC component from the AM
In addition to setting the output poWer, this control circuit variation signal depending upon Whether gain or poWer is
also improves the linearity of the PA. Some amplitude controlled. When poWer control is desired, the DC compo
distortion may be present due to non-linearities present in nent is removed to effectuate a poWer control loop. When
the PA. The difference betWeen the input AM component 40 gain control is desired, the DC component is not removed.
and the output AM component is knoWn as the amplitude It should be noted that poWer control can also be elfectuated
distortion. Even though the AM component in the feedback Without removal of the DC component, as Will be further
signal due to a non-constant envelope is cancelled by described beloW. To remove the DC component, the output
feedforWard, this amplitude distortion is not, and is therefore of demodulating detector 414 is ac-coupled, or otherWise
introduced as negative feedback at the PA. Thus, the cor 45 high-pass ?ltered.
rective signal to the PA Will respond to the amplitude Also, conditioning of the AM variation signal is per
distortion, resulting in some degree of improvement in the formed at summing junction 405 if needed to ensure can
linearity of the PA. This side bene?t of the detector can be cellation. For instance, if necessary to ensure cancellation,
further exploited by those familiar With polar loop feedback conditioning circuitry adjusts the amplitude of the AM
systems to create a highly linear ampli?er from otherWise 50 variation in the output of demodulating detector 414. When
saturated, or non-linear ampli?ers. HoWever, even if this balanced demodulating detectors 404 and 414 are logarith
residual AM ripple is not further exploited for lineariZation, mic ampli?ers, the amplitude of the AM variation output by
its presence Will not interfere With the operation of the both is substantially the same regardless of the gain of the
closed loop poWer control. PA. In this case, the amplitude does not need adjusting.
A poWer detector/controller 400 according to the present 55 HoWever, When the demodulating detectors 404 and 414 are
invention is conceptually illustrated in FIG. 4. As shoWn in linear detectors then the amplitudes are not substantially the
FIG. 4, a PA 402 ampli?es input RF signals. PA 402 is either same and the amplitude of the AM variation in the signal
a gain controlled PA or a poWer controlled PA. When PA 402 output by demodulating detector 414 needs adjusted to
is a poWer controlled PA, its output poWer is controlled by ensure amplitude cancellation.
a control signal, Vapc. When it is a gain controlled PA, its 60 After any necessary conditioning, the conditioned AM
gain is controlled by the control signal Vapc. variation signal, ramp control signal, and feedback signal are
An output coupler 408 couples a portion of the output RF then combined in summing junction 405 so as to cancel any
signal to an output demodulating detector 404. Demodulat AM variation in the signals that results from the AM
ing detector 404 translates the coupled output RF signal into component in the input signals, and to produce an error
a feedback signal proportional to the poWer in the RF output 65 signal, Which is ?ltered to create a PA control signal, Vapc,
signal. This feedback signal is output to summing junction that is used to control the output of PA 402. It should be
405. noted that, in practice, it is dif?cult to achieve a perfect
 US 7,260,367 B2
5 6
phase and amplitude match between the AM variation signal detectors. The operation of this embodiment is essentially
and the AM variation in the feedback signal for cancellation. the same as that of FIG. 5, except, hoWever, for Where the
However, it is not necessary for the match to be exact, and AM variation is removed.
cancellation on the order of —IO dB is adequate. As shoWn, directional coupler 618 couples the input
It should also be noted that even though Vapc is shoWn as signal to input demodulating detector 614 via phase shifter
a DC voltage, this is illustrative to indicate the AM variation 616, Which delays the input signal to align it to the output
has been removed. As a result of the ?ltering in practice, a signal, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5. Input demodu
ramped pro?le Will actually result. The ramped pro?le lating detector 614 translates the poWer of the input signal
typically takes the form of a raised cosine. into a voltage that includes any voltage ripple resulting When
Advantageously, a poWer detector/controller according to input signals have a non-constant amplitude envelope.
the present invention supports not only non-constant enve While not shoWn, as With the embodiment of FIG. 5,
lope signals, such as those in EDGE, but also constant appropriate circuitry removes any DC component subse
envelope signals, such as those in GSM. Hence, only a quent to input demodulating detector 614 and the amplitude
single poWer detector/ controller according to the present of the ripple voltage is adjusted to ensure cancellation. The
invention needs to be used in Wireless handsets designed to resulting signal is then combined With the ramp control
operate on both GSM and EDGE systems. voltage at multiplication node 610 to generate a composite
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a poWer detector/ ramp control/AM variation signal. This composite signal is
controller 500 according to the present invention in Which provided to positive input of differential ampli?er 606.
the summing junction comprises a differential ampli?er 506, A directional coupler 608 couples the output of PA 602 to
a sum node 510, a ?lter capacitor 507, an ac-coupling 20 output demodulating detector 604. Output demodulating
capacitor (not shoWn), and a variable gain ampli?er (VGA) detector 604 translates the poWer of the output signal into a
512. In this embodiment, demodulating detectors 514 and voltage that includes any voltage ripple resulting When input
504 are linear detectors. signals have a non-constant amplitude envelope. This signal
The input and output of a PA 502 are respectively coupled is applied to the negative input of differential ampli?er 606.
to balance demodulating detectors 514 and 504 respectively. 25 Differential ampli?er 606 generates the PA control, Vapc,
A directional coupler 518 couples the input-to-input signal by subtracting the poWer signal output by output
demodulating detector 514 via a phase shifter 516. Phase detector 604 from the composite ramp control/AM variation
shifter 516 adds a delay to the input signal to align the input signal to generate an error signal Without AM variation.
and output signals so that an AM variation signal determined Differential ampli?er 606 is set up as an integrator With ?lter
from the to input and a feedback signal determined from the 30 capacitor 607 to ?lter the error signal to produce a ramped
output are aligned. A directional coupler 508 couples the pro?le, Which is applied as the PA control, Vapc.
output-to-output demodulating detector 504. FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a poWer detec
Demodulating detector 514 translates the poWer of the tor/controller 700 according to the present invention in
input signal into a voltage that includes any voltage ripple Which the summing junction comprises a differential ampli
resulting When input signals have a non-constant amplitude 35 ?er 706, a sum node 710, and a ?lter capacitor 707, and an
envelope. While not shoWn, the output of input detector 514 ac-coupling capacitor 720. In this embodiment, demodulat
is ac-coupled to VGA 512 With an ac-coupling capacitor to ing detectors 714 and 704 are logarithmic ampli?ers.
remove the DC component from the voltage. In this con In the same manner as described above, a 30 dB direc
?guration, the circuit provides poWer control. HoWever, if tional coupler 718 couples the input signal to input log amp
the initial, un-ampli?ed DC component of the signal from 40 714 via phase shifter 716, Which delays the input signal to
detector 514 Were preserved in the signal output by VGA align it to the output signal. Input log amp 714 translates the
512, then the circuit Would provide gain control. VGA 512 poWer of the input signal into a voltage that includes any
adjusts the amplitude of the ripple voltage according to the voltage ripple resulting When input signals have a non
ramp control signal to ensure amplitude cancellation. The constant amplitude envelope. The output of input log amp
VGA 512 outputs the conditioned AM variation signal to 45 714 is ac-coupled via capacitor 720 to remove its dc com
sum node 510. ponent. This signal is then added to the ramp control signal,
Similarly, output demodulating detector 504 translates the VSEZ, at summing node 710 to create a composite ramp
poWer of the output signal into a voltage that also includes control/AM variation signal. The composite signal is then
any voltage ripple resulting When input signals have a applied to the positive input of differential ampli?er 706,
non-constant amplitude envelope. This feedback voltage is 50 Which is con?gured as a difference integrator.
input to the negative input of differential ampli?er 506, A 30 dB directional coupler 708 couples the output to 30
While the ramp control signal is input to the positive input. dB attenuator 722, Which attenuates the output signal before
The differential ampli?er 506 outputs an error signal for providing it to output log amp 704. While not necessary,
controlling PA 502, Which, hoWever, still contains the volt When using balance logarithmic demodulating detectors, it is
age ripple due to the AM component. 55 advantageous to use attenuator 722 to make the amplitudes
The AM variation signal from VGA 512 is added to the of the signals input to demodulating detectors 716 and 722
error signal from differential ampli?er 506 at sum node 510 similar in magnitude. Thus for example, When the maximum
to eliminate the voltage ripple from the error signal. Filter output poWer of PA 702 is 30 dB, a 30 dB attenuator is used
capacitor 507 ?lters the output of sum node 510, Which for attenuator 722 to make the inputs similar in magnitude.
results in a control signal, V With a ramped pro?le that 60 Of course, other set points can be used, and, ideally, attenu
controls the gain of PA 502. ator 722 Would exactly attenuate the poWer of the signal
FIG. 6 shoWs another embodiment of a poWer detector/ from directional coupler 708 by the same amount that PA
controller 600 according to the present invention in Which 702 is outputting.
the summing junction comprises a differential ampli?er 606, Output log amp 704 translates the poWer of the output
a multiplication node 610, and a ?lter capacitor 607 and 65 signal into a voltage that includes any voltage ripple result
appropriate conditioning circuitry (not shoWn). In this ing When input signals have a non-constant amplitude enve
embodiment, demodulating detectors 604 and 614 are linear lope. This signal is applied to the negative input of differ
 US 7,260,367 B2
7 8
ential ampli?er 706. Differential ampli?er 706 then from output log amp 1004 minus the voltage from input log
compares the composite signal to the output of log amp 704. amp 1014. If the output from input log amp 1014 changes,
Any differences in these signals Will result in a corrective the output of ampli?er 1025 Will change (changing the gain
signal Vapc being applied to the PA’s Vapc input. set point) but the voltage from output log amp 1004 Will
FIG. 8a illustrates an implementation of the embodiment remain the same, thereby keeping the output poWer constant.
shoWn in FIG. 7 using an AD8315 log ampli?er/controller Some ?ltering of the signal fed to ampli?er 1025 from
from Analog Devices. As shoWn in FIG. 8b, the AD8315 log output log amp 1004 is needed to prevent the op-amp from
ampli?er/ controller 804 incorporates a logarithmic ampli?er responding to the fast changes in the envelope of the output
RF detection subsystem and an error ampli?er/integrator signal. Therefore, loW pass ?lter 1026 ?lters this signal
section 805. The AD8315 is, therefore, is used to implement before it is input to ampli?er 1025. Filter 1026 introduces a
output log amp 704 and ampli?er/integrator 706. As shoWn delay in the signal from detector 1004 to op-amp 1025,
in FIG. 8a, the sum of the ramp control signal, VSEZ, and the Which causes the initial response of the circuit to set the gain
ac-coupled signal from input log amp 814, is applied to the of the ampli?er. The second control loop, formed by loW
VSET input ofthe AD8315. The output ofthe AD8315 (Vapc) pass ?lter 1026 and op-amp 1025, takes over after a delay
drives the Vapc input of the PA. proportional to the bandWidth of ?lter 1026 and corrects the
The embodiment of FIG. 7 can also be implemented using output poWer level. Filter 1026 is disabled during ramping
an AD8302 Gain-Phase detector from Analog Devices. An in order to speed the response of the poWer control When no
AD8302 comprises tWo log amps and a sum node. FIG. 9 AM signal is present and enabled during burst transmission.
illustrates an implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 7 Therefore, in this implementation, the summing junction
using an AD8302. The input signal to PA 902 and the output 20 comprises operational ampli?er 1025, sum node 1030, loW
signal from PA 902 are sampled using 30 dB directional pass ?lter 1026 and error ampli?er/integrator 1028.
couplers 918 and 908, respectively. The coupled input signal In another embodiment of the present invention, the input
is delayed by phase shifter 916 so as to align the AM demodulating detector is eliminated by obtaining a signal
variation in the input of PA 902 to the AM variation in the representative of the AM variation directly from the base
output of PA 902. The delayed input signal is provided from 25 band signal. A poWer detector/controller 1100 according to
phase shifter 916 to input log amp 914 of AD8302 820. Log this embodiment is shoWn in FIG. 11. The AM variation of
amp 914 translates the poWer of the delayed input signal into the signal is provided by the base-band processor in the
a current, llogl, that includes any current ripple resulting Wireless handset and summed With the ramp control signal
When input signals have a non-constant amplitude envelope. at summing node 1110. OtherWise, poWer detector/ controller
Attenuator 922 attenuates the coupled output signal by 30 30 1100 operates the same as poWer controller/detector 600 of
dB to facilitate input signal balancing to the AD8302 920. FIG. 6. The signal from the base-band processor should be
The attenuated output signal is provided from attenuator 922 properly conditioned to compare correctly With the output
to output log amp 904 of AD8302 920. Log amp 904 detected signal. That is, if a logarithmic detector is used at
translates the poWer of the attenuated output signal into a the output, then the baseband processor should provide a
current, I logz, that includes any current ripple resulting When 35 logarithmic signal, and if a linear detector is used, then the
input signals have a non-constant amplitude envelope. baseband processor should provide a linear signal With the
The ramp control voltage, Which corresponds to the appropriate scaling.
desired gain of PA 902, is applied to the VSET input of Although the present invention has been shoWn and
AD8302 920. This voltage is converted to a current, I Set, by described With respect to several preferred embodiments
a voltage-to-current converter 924 inside AD8302 920. This 40 thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the
current, I SE], is summed at node 930 With the currents, 11081, form and detail thereof, may be made therein, Without
and llogz, from the input log amps 914 and 904. Node 930 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While
sinks ISET and 11081, While sourcing 11082. This causes the some signals have been described as voltages, and others as
simultaneous the subtraction of 11082 (i.e., output poWer currents, one of skill in the art Would appreciate that the
signal) from the sum of I10g1 and I SET (i.e., the AM variation 45 signals described could be either and are not limited to the
and ramp control signal). This causes cancellation of the AM form described.
variation. Any residual error current at node 930 Will either
charge or discharge ?lter capacitor 907 Which Will either What is claimed is:
increase or decrease the voltage Va 6 signal output by 1. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that
voltage buffer 928 to PA 902. This embodiment results in the 50 use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude
dB gain of PA 902 being proportional to the voltage of the envelope, the poWer detector/controller comprising:
VSET signal. a poWer ampli?er having an input to receive a input signal
FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment using discrete log With non-constant amplitude envelope and an output to
amps in Which poWer control is provided instead of gain output an ampli?ed input signal, Wherein either output
control. This embodiment provides a means for poWer 55 poWer or gain of the poWer ampli?er is controlled by a
control Without having to AC couple the detected input poWer ampli?er control signal;
signal. an output demodulating detector coupled to the output of
For gain control only circuits, if the input poWer to the PA the poWer ampli?er to generate a feedback signal
is Well controlled, then the output poWer Will also be Well proportional to the ampli?ed input signal’s poWer, the
controlled. HoWever, if the input poWer varies, the output 60 feedback signal including an AM variation due to the
poWer Will also vary. Therefore, it is advantageous to non-constant amplitude envelope;
perform poWer control. a summing junction to receive the feedback signal, a ramp
Output poWer control is achieved by tapping off the signal control signal that indicates either a target gain or target
from output log amp 1004 before it is applied to sum node output poWer of the poWer ampli?er, and an AM
1030 and comparing it to the ramp control signal, Vset, using 65 variation signal that represents the AM variation in the
an operational ampli?er 1025. The output of ampli?er 1025, poWer of the input signal due to the non-constant
When the system is in equilibrium, is equal to the voltage amplitude envelope; and
 US 7,260,367 B2
10
the summing junction combining the feedback signal, the is operatively coupled to the input demodulating detector via
ramp control signal and AM variation signal to produce an AC-coupling capacitor that removes any DC component
the poWer ampli?er control signal such that the poWer in the AM variation signal.
ampli?er control signal substantially free of any AM 8. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that
variation due to the non-constant envelope. use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude
2. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that envelope, as per claim 2, Wherein the input and output
use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude demodulating detectors are logarithmic detectors and the
envelope, as per claim 1, further comprising: summing junction comprises:
an input demodulating detector coupled to the input of the a sum node operatively coupled to the input demodulating
poWer ampli?er to generate the AM variation signal detector to add the AM variation signal With the ramp
received by the summing junction. control signal to produce a composite AM variation/
3. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that ramp control signal; and
use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a
envelope, as per claim 2, Wherein the input demodulating negative input and to receive the composite signal on a
detector is coupled to the input via a phase shifter. positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter
4. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an
use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude output of the differential ampli?er, the differential
envelope, as per claim 2, Wherein the summing junction ampli?er producing the poWer ampli?er control signal
comprises: that is substantially free of any AM variation due to the
a variable gain ampli?er operatively coupled to the input 20 non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
demodulating detector to receive the AM variation ramp control signal.
signal and adjust the amplitude of the AM variation 9. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that
signal; use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude
a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a envelope, as per claim 8, Wherein the sum node is opera
negative input and to receive the ramp control signal on 25 tively coupled to the input demodulating detector via an
a positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter AC-coupling capacitor that removes any DC component in
capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an the AM variation signal.
output of the differential ampli?er, the differential 10. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that
ampli?er producing an error signal from the feedback use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude
signal and ramp control signal; and 30 envelope, as per claim 2, Wherein the input and output
a sum node to receive the AM variation signal from the demodulating detectors are logarithmic detectors and the
variable gain ampli?er and to receive the error signal, summing junction comprises:
the sum node combining the received AM variation a loW pass ?lter to ?lter the feedback signal;
signal and error signal to produce the poWer ampli?er an operational ampli?er to receive the ?ltered feedback
control signal that is substantially free of any AM 35 signal on a negative input and to receive the ramp
variation due to the non-constant envelope. control signal on a positive input, the differential ampli
?er producing a gain error signal from the ?ltered
5. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that
feedback signal and ramp control signal;
use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude
a sum node to combine the AM variation signal, the
envelope, as per claim 4, Wherein the variable gain ampli?er
is operatively coupled to the input demodulating detector via
40 feedback signal from the output demodulating detector,
and the gain error signal to produce a combined signal
an AC-coupling capacitor that removes any DC component
substantially free of any AM variation due to the
in the AM variation signal.
non-constant envelope; and
6. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that an error ampli?er/ integrator to receive the combined
use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude 45 signal and produce the poWer ampli?er control signal
envelope, as per claim 2, Wherein the summing junction substantially free of any AM variation due to the
comprises: non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
a variable gain ampli?er operatively coupled to the input ramp control signal.
demodulating detector to receive the AM variation 11. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that
signal and adjust the amplitude of the AM variation 50 use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude
signal; envelope, as per claim 1, Wherein the Wireless handsets also
a multiplication node to multiply the AM variation signal use a modulation scheme having a constant amplitude
from the variable gain ampli?er With the ramp control envelope.
signal to produce a composite AM variation/ramp con 12. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
trol signal; and 55 tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a amplitude envelope, the Wireless handset comprising:
negative input and to receive the composite signal on a a poWer detector/controller to control the poWer level of
positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter output RF bursts, the poWer detector/controller com
capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an prising:
output of the differential ampli?er, the differential 60 a poWer ampli?er having an input to receive a input signal
ampli?er producing the poWer ampli?er control signal With non-constant amplitude envelope and an output to
that is substantially free of any AM variation due to the output an ampli?ed input signal, Wherein either output
non-constant envelope from the composite signal and poWer or gain of the poWer ampli?er is controlled by a
ramp control signal. poWer ampli?er control signal;
7. A poWer detector/controller for Wireless handsets that 65 an output demodulating detector coupled to the output of
use a modulation scheme having a non-constant amplitude the poWer ampli?er to generate a feedback signal
envelope, as per claim 6, Wherein the variable gain ampli?er proportional to the ampli?ed input signal’s poWer, the
 US 7,260,367 B2
11 12
feedback signal including an AM variation due to the output of the differential ampli?er, the differential
non-constant amplitude envelope; ampli?er producing the poWer ampli?er control signal
a summing junction to receive the feedback signal, a ramp that is substantially free of any AM variation due to the
control signal that indicates either a target gain or target non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
output poWer of the poWer ampli?er, and an AM ramp control signal.
variation signal that represents the AM variation in the 18. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
poWer of the input signal due to the non-constant tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
amplitude envelope; and amplitude envelope, as per claim 17, Wherein the variable
the summing junction combining the feedback signal, the gain ampli?er is operatively coupled to the input demodu
ramp control signal and AM variation signal to produce lating detector via an AC-coupling capacitor that removes
the poWer ampli?er control signal such that the poWer, any DC component in the AM variation signal.
ampli?er control signal substantially free of any AM 19. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
variation due to the non-constant envelope. tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
13. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys amplitude envelope, as per claim 13, Wherein the input and
tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant output demodulating detectors are logarithmic detectors and
amplitude envelope, as per claim 12, further comprising: the summing junction comprises:
an input demodulating detector coupled to the input of the a sum node operatively coupled to the input demodulating
poWer ampli?er to generate the AM variation signal detector to add the AM variation signal With the ramp
received by the summing junction. control signal to produce a composite AM variation/
14. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys 20 ramp control signal; and
tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a
amplitude envelope, as per claim 13, Wherein the input negative input and to receive the composite signal on a
demodulating detector is coupled to the input via a phase positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter
shifter. capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an
15. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys 25 output of the differential ampli?er, the differential
tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant ampli?er producing the poWer ampli?er control signal
amplitude envelope, as per claim 13, Wherein the summing that is substantially free of any AM variation due to the
junction comprises: non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
a variable gain ampli?er operatively coupled to the input ramp control signal.
demodulating detector to receive the AM variation 30 20. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
signal and adjust the amplitude of the AM variation tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
signal; amplitude envelope, as per claim 19, Wherein the sum node
a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a is operatively coupled to the input demodulating detector via
negative input and to receive the ramp control signal on an AC-coupling capacitor that removes any DC component
a positive input, the differential ampli?cr having a ?ltcr 35 in the AM variation signal.
capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an 21. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
output of the differential ampli?er, the differential tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
ampli?er producing an error signal from the feedback amplitude envelope, as per claim 13, Wherein the input and
signal and ramp control signal; and output demodulating detectors are logarithmic detectors and
a sum node to receive the AM variation signal from the 40
the summing junction comprises:
variable gain ampli?er and to receive the error signal, a loW pass ?lter to ?lter the feedback signal;
the sum node combining the received AM variation
a differential ampli?er to receive the ?ltered feedback
signal and error signal to produce the poWer ampli?er
signal on a negative input and to receive the ramp
control signal that is substantially free of any AM
control signal on a positive input, the differential ampli
variation due to the non-constant envelope. 45
?er producing a gain error signal from the ?ltered
16. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
feedback signal and ramp control signal;
tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
a sum node to combine the AM variation signal, the
amplitude envelope, as per claim 15, Wherein the variable
gain ampli?er is operatively coupled to the input demodu feedback signal from the output demodulating detector,
lating detector via an AC -coupling capacitor that removes 50
and the gain error signal to produce a combined signal
any DC component in the AM variation signal. substantially free of any AM variation due to the
17. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys non-constant envelope; and
tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant an error ampli?er/ integrator to receive the combined
amplitude envelope, as per claim 13, Wherein the summing signal and produce the poWer ampli?er control signal
junction comprises: substantially free of any AM variation due to the
a variable gain ampli?er operatively coupled to the input non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
demodulating detector to receive the AM variation ramp control signal.
signal and adjust the amplitude of the AM variation 22. A Wireless handset for a mobile communication sys
signal; tem that uses a modulation scheme having a non-constant
a multiplication node to multiply the AM variation signal 60 amplitude envelope, as per claim 12, Wherein a modulation
from the variable gain ampli?er With the ramp control scheme having a constant amplitude envelope is also used.
signal to produce a composite AM variation/ramp con 23. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a
trol signal; and modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a the RF poWer ampli?er module comprising:
negative input and to receive the composite signal on a 65 a poWer ampli?er having an input to receive a input signal
positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter With non-constant amplitude envelope and an output to
capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an output an ampli?ed input signal, Wherein either output
 US 7,260,367 B2
13 14
power or gain of the power ampli?er is controlled by a positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter
poWer ampli?er control signal; capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an
an output demodulating detector coupled to the output of output of the differential ampli?er, the differential
the poWer ampli?er to generate a feedback signal ampli?er producing the poWer ampli?er control signal
proportional to the ampli?ed input signal’s poWer, the that is substantially free of any AM variation due to the
feedback signal including an AM variation due to the non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
non-constant amplitude envelope; ramp control signal.
a summing junction to receive the feedback signal, a ramp
control signal that indicates either a target gain or target 29. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a
output poWer of the poWer ampli?er, and an AM modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
variation signals that represents the AM variation in the as per claim 28, Wherein the variable gain ampli?er is
poWer of the input signal due to the non-constant operatively coupled to the input demodulating detector via
amplitude envelope; and an AC-coupling capacitor that removes any DC component
the summing junction combining the feedback signal, the in the AM variation signal.
ramp control signal and AM variation signal to produce 30. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a
the poWer ampli?er control signal such that the poWer modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
ampli?er control signal substantially free of any AM as per claim 24, Wherein the input and output demodulating
variation due to the non-constant envelope. detectors are logarithmic detectors and the summing junc
24. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a tion comprises:
modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope, 20 a sum node operatively coupled to the input demodulating
as per claim 23, further comprising: detector to add the AM variation signal With the ramp
an input demodulating detector coupled to the input of the control signal to produce a composite AM variation/
poWer ampli?er to generate the AM variation signal ramp control signal; and
received by the summing junction. a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a
25. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a 25
negative input and to receive the composite signal on a
modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope, positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter
as per claim 24, Wherein the input demodulating detector is capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an
coupled to the input via a phase shifter. output of the differential ampli?er, the differential
26. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a ampli?er producing the poWer ampli?er control signal
modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope, 30
that is substantially free of any AM variation due to the
as per claim 24, Wherein the summing junction comprises: non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
a variable gain ampli?er operatively coupled to the input ramp control signal.
demodulating detector to receive the AM variation
signal and adjust the amplitude of the AM variation 31. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a
signal; 35
modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a as per claim 30, Wherein the sum node is operatively coupled
negative input and to receive the ramp control signal on to the input demodulating detector via an AC-coupling
a positive input, the differential ampli?er having a ?lter capacitor that removes any DC component in the AM
capacitor connected betWeen the negative input and an variation signal.
output of the differential ampli?er, the differential 40 32. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a
ampli?er producing an error signal from the feedback modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
signal and ramp control signal; and as per claim 24, Wherein the input and output demodulating
a sum node to receive the AM variation signal from the detectors are logarithmic detectors and the summing junc
variable gain ampli?er and to receive the error signal, tion comprises:
the sum node combining the received AM variation 45 a loW pass ?lter to ?lter the feedback signal;
signal and error signal to produce the poWer ampli?er a differential ampli?er to receive the ?ltered feedback
control signal that is substantially free of any AM signal on a negative input and to receive the ramp
variation due to the non-constant envelope. control signal on a positive input, the differential ampli
27. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a ?er producing a gain error signal from the ?ltered
modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope, 50 feedback signal and ramp control signal;
as per claim 26, Wherein the variable gain ampli?er is a sum node to combine the AM variation signal, the
operatively coupled to the input demodulating detector via feedback signal from the output demodulating detector,
an AC-coupling capacitor that removes any DC component and the gain error signal to produce a combined signal
in the AM variation signal. substantially free of any AM variation due to the
28. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a 55
non-constant envelope; and
modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
an error ampli?er/integrator to receive the combined
as per claim 24, Wherein the summing junction comprises:
a variable gain ampli?er operatively coupled to the input signal and produce the poWer ampli?er control signal
demodulating detector to receive the AM variation substantially free of any AM variation due to the
signal and adjust the amplitude of the AM variation 60
non-constant envelope from the composite signal and
signal; ramp control signal.
a multiplication node to multiply the AM variation signal 33. An RF poWer ampli?er module for signals having a
from the variable gain ampli?er With the ramp control modulation scheme With a non-constant amplitude envelope,
signal to produce a composite AM variation/ramp con as per claim 23, Wherein a modulation scheme having a
trol signal; and 65 constant amplitude envelope is also used.
a differential ampli?er to receive the feedback signal on a
negative input and to receive the composite signal on a