Radio transmitter

Abstract

A radio transmitter has: a port configured to receive a transmission signal; a first power amplifier connected to the port; a second power amplifier connected to the port; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of the first supply voltage terminal or the second supply voltage terminal to one of the supply terminal of the first power amplifier or the supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; and a control unit configured to control the power switch based on the transmitter power requirement to provide an amplified transmit signal based on the transmit signal at one of the first antenna output terminal or the second antenna output terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to transmitters for radio devices. Background Art

[0002] Low-power networked devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, require energy efficiency. A large network of battery-operated low-power IoT devices is limited by their battery usage. Battery-operated transmitters trade off between range and battery life. Summary of the invention

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] In an embodiment, a transmitter includes: a port configured to receive a transmit signal; a first power amplifier connected to the port; a second power amplifier connected to the port; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of a first supply voltage terminal or a second supply voltage terminal to one of a supply terminal of the first power amplifier or a supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; and a control unit configured to control the power switch based on a transmitter power requirement to provide an amplified transmit signal based on the transmit signal at one of the first antenna output terminal or the second antenna output terminal.

[0005] In an embodiment, a radio device includes: an antenna port; a modulator configured to generate a transmit signal; a transmit-receive switch connected to the antenna port; a receiver connected to the transmit-receive switch; a transmitter connected to the transmit-receive switch and including: a first power amplifier connected to the modulator; a second power amplifier connected to the modulator; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of a first supply voltage terminal or a second supply voltage terminal to one of a supply terminal of the first power amplifier or a supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a control unit configured to control the power switch based on a transmitter power requirement; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; and a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; and a processor configured to control the transmit-receive switch to switch between the following modes: a transmit mode, in which the transmitter is connected to the antenna port; and a receive mode, in which the receiver is connected to the antenna port.

[0006] In an embodiment, a system includes: a module connecting a first supply voltage terminal of a transmitter to a supply terminal of a first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify a transmit signal so as to generate an amplified transmit signal at a first antenna output terminal; a module connecting a second supply voltage terminal of the transmitter to a supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal so as to generate an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and a module connecting the second supply voltage terminal to a supply terminal of a second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal so as to generate an amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0007] In an embodiment, a method includes: connecting a first supply voltage terminal of a transmitter to a supply terminal of a first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify a transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at a first antenna output terminal; connecting a second supply voltage terminal of the transmitter to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and connecting the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of a second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0008] In order to achieve the aforementioned and related purposes, the following description and the attached drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and embodiments. These only indicate some of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. When considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, other aspects, advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a component block diagram of a radio device according to some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a transmitter according to some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an integrated multi-gain power amplifier according to some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a power switch according to some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 5 is an illustration of an exemplary method for controlling gain in an amplifier according to some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 6 Exemplary embodiments of computer readable media in accordance with some embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to refer to like elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it may be apparent that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other examples, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate description of the claimed subject matter.

[0016] It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments should not be understood in a limiting sense. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the embodiments or drawings described below, which are understood to be illustrative only. The accompanying drawings should be considered as schematic illustrations, and the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. On the contrary, the various elements are represented so that their functions and general purposes become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0017] All numerical values ​​in the detailed description and claims herein are modified by "about" or "approximately" to indicate the value, and take into account experimental error or variations that would be expected by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0018] In some embodiments, the transmitter includes a multi-gain power amplifier. The power switch allows different supply voltages to be provided to one or more power amplifiers to provide different gain levels. The power amplifier and the power switch can be integrated onto a single semiconductor die, thereby providing reduced footprint and cost.

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a simplified block diagram of a radio device 100 according to some embodiments. The radio device 100 may support one or more communication protocols, such as Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, or some other communication protocol. The radio device 100 includes a host interface 105, a processor 110, a modem 115, a transceiver 120, and an antenna 125. The radio device 100 may communicate with other devices (e.g., a host computer) using the host interface 105. The modem 115 includes a modulator 130 and a demodulator 135. The transceiver 120 includes a transmitter 140, a receiver 145, and a transmit-receive (TR) switch 150. The TR switch 150 is connected to the antenna 125 at an antenna port 155. The transmitter 140 is configured to transmit a signal provided by the modulator 130, and the receiver 145 receives the modulated signal and provides the modulated signal to the demodulator 135 in the modem 115 for processing. In addition, the radio device 100 may also include multiple bandpass filters, amplifiers, multiplexers, demultiplexers, converters, error correction units, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), or other circuits located within the antenna 125 and components of the communication system and through which signals are transmitted between the antenna 125 and components of the communication system.

[0020] The processor 110 implements software or firmware applications that control communications performed by the radio device 100. The processor 110 includes one or more processors, microprocessors, data processors, coprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), controllers, programmable logic devices, chipsets, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific instruction set processors (ASIPs), systems on a chip (SoCs), central processing units (CPUs) (e.g., one or more cores), microcontrollers, and / or some other type of component that interprets and / or executes instructions and / or data. The processor 110 may be implemented as hardware (e.g., a microprocessor, etc.) or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., SoCs, ASICs, etc.), and may include one or more memories (e.g., caches, random access memories (RAMs), dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), caches, read-only memories (ROMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), single in-line memory modules (SIMMs), dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), flash memory, and / or some other suitable type of memory).

[0021] In one embodiment, the components of the host interface 105, the processor 110, the modem 115, and the transceiver 120 are integrated or combined on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. The antenna 125 may also be integrated on the same IC chip, or formed on a separate chip or substrate that is packaged in a single multi-chip IC package with an IC chip that includes the host interface 105, the processor 110, the modem 115, and the transceiver 120. Alternatively, the antenna 125 and other components of the radio device 100 may be separately implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the IC chip including the host interface 105, the processor 110, the modem 115, and the transceiver 120 is attached.

[0022] Processor 110 controls TR switch 150 to switch between transmit and receive modes, so that transmitter 140 is connected to antenna 125 during transmit mode and receiver 145 is connected to antenna 125 during receive mode. Radio device 100 may include Figure 1 Fewer components, additional components, different components, and / or a different arrangement of components than those shown in FIG.

[0023] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing components of a transmitter 140 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the transmitter 140 comprises a multi-gain power amplifier 200, a control unit 205 and a transmit antenna switch 210. The transmit antenna switch 210 is connected to antenna terminals ANT1, ANT2 of the power amplifier 200.

[0024] The modulator 130 generates a transmit signal, such as a radio signal encoded with data. For example, the processor 110 may generate or receive data to be transmitted by the radio device 100. The processor 110 may provide the data to the modem 115, which processes the data in the modulator 130 to generate a transmit signal to be transmitted using the antenna 125 according to a communication protocol implemented by the radio device 100.

[0025] In some embodiments, the multi-gain power amplifier 200 includes a low-gain power amplifier 200L, a high-gain power amplifier 200H, and a power switch 200S. Depending on the gain requirement of the transmitter 140, the power switch 200S selectively increases the low supply voltage V at the low voltage supply terminal 215L to DD1 or the high supply voltage V at the high voltage supply terminal 215H DD2 Connected to power amplifiers 200L, 200H. In some embodiments, the use of a low supply voltage enables the low-gain power amplifier 200L to be used for low-gain applications (e.g., 0 dB or 4 dB), the use of a high supply voltage enables the low-gain power amplifier 200L to be used for medium-gain applications (e.g., 13 dB), and the use of a high supply voltage enables the high-gain power amplifier 200H to be used for high-gain applications (e.g., 20 dB). Depending on the gain required by the transmitter 140, the control unit 205 controls the power switch 200S to connect the appropriate supply voltage terminals 215L, 215H to the appropriate power amplifiers 200L, 200H. Other structures and / or configurations of the multi-gain power amplifier 200 are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the number of power amplifiers and the supply voltage can vary.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an integrated multi-gain power amplifier 200 according to some embodiments. In the case of a frequency modulated signal, the transmit signal is received from the modulator 130 at the amplifier driver 300, or in the case of an amplitude modulated signal (e.g., a signal including an in-phase component and an orthogonal component), the transmit signal is received from the modulator 130 at the mixer 305. An input matching network 310 is connected to the amplifier driver 300 and the mixer 305 for impedance matching. The input matching network 310 is connected to the low gain power amplifier 200L and the high gain power amplifier 200H to facilitate amplification of the transmit signal.

[0027] In some embodiments, an amplifier driver 315 and an interstage matching network 320 are connected between the input matching network 310 and the high gain power amplifier 200H to provide additional amplification and impedance matching. Output matching networks 325L, 325H are provided at the outputs of the power amplifiers 200L, 200H to provide impedance matching and convert different signals from the power amplifiers 200L, 200H into single-ended signals. The output matching network 325L is connected to the antenna terminal ANT1, and the output matching network 325H is connected to the antenna terminal ANT2.

[0028] The power switch 200S includes a first switch element 330 connected to the low voltage power supply terminal 215L to switch V DD1 The power supply voltage is connected to the power supply terminal of the low gain power amplifier 200L; the second switch element 335 is connected to the high voltage power supply terminal 215H to DD2 The power supply voltage is provided to the power supply terminal of the low gain power amplifier 200L; and a third switching element 340, the third switching element 340 is connected to the high voltage power supply terminal 215H to V DD2 The power supply voltage is supplied to the power supply terminal of the high-gain power amplifier 200H.

[0029] The control unit 205 controls the power switch 200S to close the first switch element 330 in the low gain mode. In some embodiments, the low gain power amplifier 200L can use a supply voltage V of about 0.9V. DD1 Provides a gain of about 0 dB or 4 dB. The control unit 205 controls the power switch 200S to close the second switch element 335 in the medium gain mode. In some embodiments, the low gain power amplifier 200L can use a supply voltage V of about 2.5 V. DD2 The control unit 205 controls the power switch 200S to close the third switch element 340 in the high gain mode. In some embodiments, the high gain power amplifier 200L can use a supply voltage V of about 2.5V. DD2 Provides approximately 20dB of gain.

[0030] Figure 4is a schematic diagram of a power switch 200S according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the power switch 200S is integrated on the same semiconductor die as the transmitter 140. In some embodiments, a low voltage low dropout regulator (LVLDO) 400 and a high voltage low dropout regulator (HVLDO) 405 are connected to the power switch 200S to provide a supply voltage to the transmitter 140. The LVLDO 400 and the HVLDO 405 can be integrated on the same semiconductor die as the power switch 200S, or integrated on a circuit board external to the power switch 200S. In some embodiments, the LVLDO 400 receives a first supply voltage V DD1 (e.g., 1.0V), and generates a regulated low supply voltage V of about 0.9V based on the first supply voltage REG In some embodiments, HVLDO 405 receives a second external supply voltage (e.g., from a battery, V BAT ), and generate a second supply voltage V DD2 .

[0031] In some embodiments, the first switch element 330 includes a low voltage switch 330A, a high voltage switch 330B, and a simple switch 330C. The low voltage switch 330A and the high voltage switch 330B may include a p-type transistor device. The simple switch 330C may include a p-type transistor device or an n-type transistor device. The low voltage switch 330A and the simple switch may have a configuration suitable for a voltage of about 1.0V, and the high voltage switch 330B may have a configuration suitable for a voltage of about 2.5V. For example, the low voltage switch 330A and the high voltage switch 330B may each support a maximum voltage stress suitable for the voltage domain at their terminals. The low voltage switch 330A receives a regulated low supply voltage V REG , and the high voltage switch 330B provides a regulated low supply voltage V to the power amplifier 200L REG In this arrangement, the low voltage switch 330A connects the power amplifier 200L to the first supply voltage V via the LVLDO 400. DD1 .

[0032] The high voltage switch 330B connects the low voltage switch 330A to the power amplifier 200L when the second switch element 335 is closed to provide a high supply voltage V DD2 The simple switch 330C is connected between the voltage source V MID and a node between the low voltage switch 330A and the high voltage switch 330B to provide protection for the low voltage switch 330A when the low voltage switch 330A is turned off (ie, disconnected). MIDThe voltage source may be received from an external power source or generated on a semiconductor die including the power switch 200S. When the first switching element 330 is closed, the low voltage switch 330A and the high voltage switch 330B are closed, and the simple switch 330C is open. When the first switching element 330 is open, the low voltage switch 330A and the high voltage switch 330B are open, and the simple switch 330C is closed.

[0033] In some embodiments, the power switch 200S includes a simple switch 410. When the third switch element 340 is closed to provide a high supply voltage V to the power amplifier 200H, DD2 When the first switch element 330 is closed to provide the regulated low supply voltage V to the power amplifier 200L, the simple switch 410 grounds the input of the power amplifier 200L. REG Or the second switch element 335 is closed to provide a high supply voltage V to the power amplifier 200L DD2 When , simple switch 415 grounds the input of power amplifier 200H.

[0034] Figure 5 is an illustration of an exemplary method 500 for controlling gain in an amplifier according to some embodiments. At 502, a first supply voltage terminal of a transmitter 140 is connected to a supply terminal of a first power amplifier 200L to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier 200L to amplify a transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at a first antenna output terminal. At 504, a second supply voltage terminal is connected to a supply terminal of the first power amplifier 200L to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier 200L to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal. At 506, a second supply voltage terminal is connected to a supply terminal of a second power amplifier 200H to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier 200H to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0035] Figure 6An exemplary embodiment 600 of a computer-readable medium 602 according to some embodiments is shown. One or more embodiments relate to a computer-readable medium including processor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more of the techniques presented herein. Embodiment 600 includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium 602 (e.g., a CD-R, DVD-R, flash drive, a platter of a hard drive, etc.) on which computer-readable data 604 is encoded. The computer-readable data 604 in turn includes a set of processor-executable computer instructions 606, which, when executed by a computing device 608, are configured to facilitate operations according to one or more principles set forth herein, the computing device 608 including a reader 610 for reading the processor-executable computer instructions 606 and a processor 612 for executing the processor-executable computer instructions 606. In some embodiments, the processor-executable computer instructions 606, when executed, are configured to facilitate the execution of a method 614 (e.g., at least some of the foregoing methods). In some embodiments, the processor executable computer instructions 606, when executed, are configured to facilitate the implementation of a system (e.g., at least some of the one or more aforementioned systems). Those of ordinary skill in the art may design many such computer readable media that are configured to operate according to the techniques presented herein.

[0036] The term "computer-readable medium" may include communication media. Communication media typically contains computer-readable instructions or other data in a "modulated data signal" such as a carrier wafer or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" may include a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.

[0037] In an embodiment, a transmitter includes: a port configured to receive a transmit signal; a first power amplifier connected to the port; a second power amplifier connected to the port; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of a first supply voltage terminal or a second supply voltage terminal to one of a supply terminal of the first power amplifier or a supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; and a control unit configured to control the power switch based on a transmitter power requirement to provide an amplified transmit signal based on the transmit signal at one of the first antenna output terminal or the second antenna output terminal.

[0038] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the power switch: connect the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmission signal, thereby generating an amplified transmission signal at the first antenna output terminal; connect the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmission signal, thereby generating an amplified transmission signal at the first antenna output terminal; and connect the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmission signal, thereby generating an amplified transmission signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0039] In an embodiment, the power switch includes: a first switching element, which is connected between a first power supply voltage terminal and a power supply terminal of a first power amplifier; a second switching element, which is connected between a second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and a third switching element, which is connected between the second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the second power amplifier.

[0040] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to: close the first switch element to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; close the second switch element to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and close the third switch element to provide a third gain level greater than the second level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0041] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to connect the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide one of a first gain level or a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal.

[0042] In an embodiment, a transmitter comprises a mixer connected to a port and an input matching network having a first input connected to the mixer and outputs connected to a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier.

[0043] In an embodiment, a transmitter includes a first driver connected to a port and an input matching network having a first input connected to the first driver and outputs connected to a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier.

[0044] In an embodiment, the transmitter includes: a second driver connected to an input matching network; and an interstage matching network having an input connected to the second driver and an output connected to the second power amplifier.

[0045] In an embodiment, the transmitter comprises: an output matching network connected to at least one of the first power amplifier or the second power amplifier, wherein the output matching network is configured to receive a differential input signal and generate an amplified transmit signal as a single-ended output signal.

[0046] In an embodiment, the power switch comprises: a first switch connected to a first power supply voltage terminal; a second switch connected to the first switch at a node and connected to a power supply terminal of a first power amplifier; and a third switch connected to the first power supply voltage terminal and the node, wherein the first power supply voltage terminal is connected to a body terminal of the first switch, the second power supply voltage terminal is connected to a body terminal of the second switch, and the control unit is configured to close the third switch when the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

[0047] In an embodiment, the power switch comprises: a fourth switch connected to the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and a fifth switch connected to the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the second power amplifier.

[0048] In an embodiment, a radio device includes: an antenna port; a modulator configured to generate a transmit signal; a transmit-receive switch connected to the antenna port; a receiver connected to the transmit-receive switch; a transmitter connected to the transmit-receive switch and including: a first power amplifier connected to the modulator; a second power amplifier connected to the modulator; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of a first supply voltage terminal or a second supply voltage terminal to one of a supply terminal of the first power amplifier or a supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a control unit configured to control the power switch based on a transmitter power requirement; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; and a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; and a processor configured to control the transmit-receive switch to switch between the following modes: a transmit mode, in which the transmitter is connected to the antenna port; and a receive mode, in which the receiver is connected to the antenna port.

[0049] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the power switch: connect the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmission signal, thereby generating an amplified transmission signal at the first antenna output terminal; connect the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmission signal, thereby generating an amplified transmission signal at the first antenna output terminal; and connect the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmission signal, thereby generating an amplified transmission signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0050] In an embodiment, the power switch includes: a first switching element, which is connected between a first power supply voltage terminal and a power supply terminal of a first power amplifier; a second switching element, which is connected between a second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and a third switching element, which is connected between the second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the second power amplifier.

[0051] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to connect the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide one of a first gain level or a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal.

[0052] In an embodiment, the transmitter includes: a mixer connected to a modulator; a first driver connected to the modulator; and an input matching network having a first input connected to the mixer and the first driver and an output connected to a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier.

[0053] In an embodiment, a radio device includes: a first driver, the first driver connected to a modulator; an input matching network, the input matching network having a first input connected to the first driver and an output connected to a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier; a second driver, the second driver connected to the input matching network; and an interstage matching network, the interstage matching network having an input connected to the second driver and an output connected to the second power amplifier.

[0054] In an embodiment, the power switch includes: a first switch, the first switch is connected to a first power supply voltage terminal; a second switch, the second switch is connected to the first switch at a node and is connected to a power supply terminal of a first power amplifier; a third switch, the third switch is connected to the first power supply voltage terminal and the node; a fourth switch, the fourth switch is connected to the second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and a fifth switch, the fifth switch is connected to the second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the second power amplifier, wherein the first power supply voltage terminal is connected to a main terminal of the first switch, the second power supply voltage terminal is connected to a main terminal of the second switch, and the control unit is configured to close the third switch when the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

[0055] In an embodiment, a method includes: connecting a first supply voltage terminal of a transmitter to a supply terminal of a first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify a transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at a first antenna output terminal; connecting a second supply voltage terminal of the transmitter to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and connecting the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of a second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

[0056] In an embodiment, the method comprises providing a fourth gain level greater than the first gain level and less than the second gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal.

[0057] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

[0058] As used in this application, the terms "component", "module", "system", "interface", etc. are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, i.e., hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. One or more components can be localized on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers.

[0059] In addition, the claimed subject matter can be implemented as a method, device or article of manufacture that uses standard programming and / or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. As used herein, the term "article of manufacture" is intended to include a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to this construction without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.

[0060] Various operations of the embodiments are provided herein. In one embodiment, one or more of the operations described may constitute computer-readable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media, which, if executed by a computing device, will cause the computing device to perform the described operations. The order in which some or all of the operations are described should not be understood to imply that these operations must be sequence-dependent. Those skilled in the art who benefit from this specification will recognize alternative sequencing. In addition, it will be understood that not all operations must appear in each embodiment provided herein.

[0061] Any aspect or design described herein as an "example" or the like is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word "example" is intended to present one possible aspect and / or implementation that may relate to the techniques presented herein. Such an example is not required for such techniques, or is not intended to be limiting. Various embodiments of such techniques may include such examples (alone or in combination with other features), and / or the examples shown may be altered and / or omitted.

[0062] As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, "X adopts A or B" is intended to mean any arrangement in the natural inclusive arrangement. That is, if X adopts A; X adopts B; or X adopts both A and B, then "X adopts A or B" is satisfied in any of the aforementioned instances. In addition, the article "one" used in this application and the appended claims can generally be interpreted as meaning "one or more", unless otherwise specified or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. Moreover, unless otherwise specified, "first", "second", etc. are not intended to imply time aspects, spatial aspects, ordering, etc. On the contrary, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. of features, elements, objects, etc. For example, the first element and the second element generally correspond to element A and element B, or two different or two identical elements, or the same element.

[0063] Moreover, although the present disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more embodiments, those skilled in the art will think of equivalent changes and modifications based on reading and understanding this specification and the attached drawings. The present disclosure includes all such modifications and changes and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. Specifically with respect to the various functions performed by the above-mentioned components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), unless otherwise specified, the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond to any component (e.g., functionally equivalent) that performs the specified functions of the described components, even if they are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structures that perform the functions described in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure herein. In addition, although the specific features of the present disclosure may be disclosed only with respect to one embodiment in several embodiments, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, which may be desirable and advantageous for any given or specific application. In addition, with respect to the terms "including", "having", "having", "with" or other variations thereof used in the specific embodiments or claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "including".

[0064] Although the subject matter has been described with reference to the illustrative embodiments, this specification is not intended to be interpreted in a limiting sense. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent after reference to the specification. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A transmitter, comprising: a port configured to receive a transmit signal; a first power amplifier connected to the port; a second power amplifier connected to the port; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of a first supply voltage terminal or a second supply voltage terminal to one of a supply terminal of the first power amplifier or a supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; as well as A control unit is configured to control the power switch based on a transmitter power requirement to provide an amplified transmit signal based on the transmit signal at one of the first antenna output terminal or the second antenna output terminal.

2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein The control unit is configured to control the power switch: connecting the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; connecting the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and The second supply voltage terminal is connected to the supply terminal of the second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

3. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein: The power switch comprises: a first switching element connected between the first supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; a second switching element connected between the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and A third switching element is connected between the second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the second power amplifier.

4. The transmitter according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit is configured to: closing the first switch element to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; closing the second switch element to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and The third switch element is closed to provide a third gain level greater than the second level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

5. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is configured to connect the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide one of a first gain level or a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal.

6. The transmitter according to claim 1, comprising: a mixer connected to the port; as well as An input matching network has a first input connected to the mixer and outputs connected to the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier.

7. The transmitter according to claim 1, comprising: a first driver connected to the port; as well as An input matching network has a first input connected to the first driver and outputs connected to the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier.

8. The transmitter according to claim 7, comprising: a second driver connected to the input matching network; as well as An interstage matching network has an input connected to the second driver and an output connected to the second power amplifier.

9. The transmitter according to claim 1, comprising: an output matching network connected to at least one of the first power amplifier or the second power amplifier, wherein: The output matching network is configured to receive a differential input signal and generate the amplified transmit signal as a single-ended output signal.

10. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein: The power switch comprises: a first switch connected to the first supply voltage terminal; a second switch connected to the first switch at a node and connected to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and a third switch connected to the first supply voltage terminal and the node, wherein: the first supply voltage terminal being connected to a body terminal of the first switch; the second supply voltage terminal is connected to a body terminal of the second switch; and The control unit is configured to close the third switch when the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

11. The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein: The power switch comprises: a fourth switch connected to the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and A fifth switch is connected to the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the second power amplifier.

12. A radio device comprising: Antenna port; a modulator configured to generate a transmit signal; a transmit-receive switch connected to the antenna port; a receiver connected to the transmit-receive switch; a transmitter connected to the transmit-receive switch and comprising: a first power amplifier connected to the modulator; a second power amplifier connected to the modulator; a power switch configured to selectively couple one of a first supply voltage terminal or a second supply voltage terminal to one of a supply terminal of the first power amplifier or a supply terminal of the second power amplifier; a control unit configured to control the power switch based on a transmitter power requirement; a first antenna output terminal connected to the first power amplifier; and a second antenna output terminal connected to the second power amplifier; and A processor is configured to control the transmit-receive switch to switch between: a transmit mode, in which the transmitter is connected to the antenna port; and a receive mode, in which the receiver is connected to the antenna port.

13. The radio device according to claim 12, wherein: The control unit is configured to control the power switch: connecting the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; connecting the second supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; and The second supply voltage terminal is connected to the supply terminal of the second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the second antenna output terminal.

14. The radio device according to claim 12, wherein: The power switch comprises: a first switching element connected between the first supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; a second switching element connected between the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and A third switching element is connected between the second power supply voltage terminal and the power supply terminal of the second power amplifier.

15. The radio device of claim 12, wherein: The control unit is configured to connect the first supply voltage terminal to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide one of a first gain level or a second gain level greater than the first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal.

16. The radio device according to claim 12, wherein: The transmitter comprises: a mixer connected to the modulator; a first driver connected to the modulator; and An input matching network has a first input connected to the mixer and the first driver and an output connected to the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier.

17. The radio device according to claim 12, comprising: a first driver connected to the modulator; an input matching network having a first input connected to the first driver and outputs connected to the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier; a second driver connected to the input matching network; as well as An interstage matching network has an input connected to the second driver and an output connected to the second power amplifier.

18. The radio device according to claim 12, wherein: The power switch comprises: a first switch connected to the first supply voltage terminal; a second switch connected to the first switch at a node and connected to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; a third switch connected to the first supply voltage terminal and the node; a fourth switch connected to the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the first power amplifier; and a fifth switch connected to the second supply voltage terminal and the supply terminal of the second power amplifier, wherein: the first supply voltage terminal being connected to a body terminal of the first switch; the second supply voltage terminal is connected to a body terminal of the second switch; and The control unit is configured to close the third switch when the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

19. A method comprising: connecting a first supply voltage terminal of the transmitter to a supply terminal of a first power amplifier to provide a first gain level in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating an amplified transmit signal at a first antenna output terminal; connecting a second supply voltage terminal of the transmitter to the supply terminal of the first power amplifier to provide a second gain level in the first power amplifier that is greater than the first gain level to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal; as well as The second supply voltage terminal is connected to a supply terminal of a second power amplifier to provide a third gain level greater than the second gain level in the second power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at a second antenna output terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19, comprising: A fourth gain level greater than the first gain level and less than the second gain level is provided in the first power amplifier to amplify the transmit signal, thereby generating the amplified transmit signal at the first antenna output terminal.

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