An
RF circuit having a transcoupler, a multifunctional RF-circuit element that can operate both as an
impedance inverter and as a
signal coupler. When connected to a fixed load impedance, the transcoupler can also operate as an
impedance transformer. The impedance-
transformer /
inverter functionality of the transcoupler can be used, e.g., to modulate the load of a power
amplifier. The
signal coupler functionality of the transcoupler can be used, e.g., to generate a corresponding feedback
signal indicative of phase and / or amplitude distortions in the
amplifier. The use of various embodiments of the transcoupler in an
RF circuit can be advantageous, for example, because the transcoupler has a lower
insertion loss than a
cascade consisting of a prior-art
impedance inverter and a prior-art directional coupler, occupies a relatively small area on the
printed circuit board, and helps to reduce the per-unit fabrication and operating costs.