Low-cost high-power dual-channel power amplifier

Abstract

The utility model provides a low-cost high-power double-channel power amplifier, which comprises a power divider, a first driving amplifier, a second driving amplifier, a first directional coupler, a second directional coupler, a third directional coupler, a fourth directional coupler, a fourth directional coupler, a fifth directional coupler and a sixth directional coupler, wherein the first driving amplifier and the second driving amplifier are respectively connected with two output ports of the power divider; the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier are respectively connected with two ports of the first directional coupler; and the second directional coupler is respectively connected with an output port of the first power amplifier and an output port of the second power amplifier. According to the utility model, different driving amplifiers are controlled to work so as to select different channel outputs, and high-speed on or off of the driving amplifiers can be realized through various means so as to realize high-speed switching between channels; according to the utility model, the same power level module is used, and the power level module can realize high-power output through power synthesis, so that the cost rise caused by the use of different power level modules by different channels is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrical components, in particular to a low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier. Background Art

[0002] Limited by the power density of current semiconductor materials and thermal management technologies, modern electronic transceiver systems typically combine power using transistor die or power MMICs to achieve a specified output power level. This power combining module, referred to as module A, has an integer N number of combining paths and an output power level of P. As modern electronic transceiver systems become increasingly complex, power amplifiers are increasingly required to meet diverse requirements, including low cost, high power, high efficiency, and multiple channels.

[0003] Traditional high-power amplifiers usually use two solutions to achieve dual-channel output (single-channel output power level is P). The RF link block diagram of solution one is shown in the attached Figure 1 , is to connect a single-pole double-throw switch to the output of the power amplifier, module A, to achieve dual-channel output. This solution requires a total of N power MMICs; the RF link block diagram of solution 2 is attached. Figure 2 , connects a single-pole double-throw switch to the common terminal after the driver amplifier, and connects two identical modules A after the single-pole double-throw switch to achieve dual-channel output. This solution requires a total of 2N power MMICs. Solution 1 is limited by the performance specifications of the single-pole double-throw switch, mainly including the power handling and channel switching speed. Semiconductor switches have extremely high channel switching speeds, but their power capacity is limited. Mechanical switches have extremely high power capacity, but their channel switching speed is several orders of magnitude lower than that of semiconductor switches. Therefore, Solution 1, whether using semiconductor or mechanical switches, cannot simultaneously meet the high channel switching speed and high power requirements of modern electronic transceiver systems. Solution 2 moves the single-pole double-throw switch before the power stage module. This generally does not reach the power capacity bottleneck, but uses 2N power MMICs to achieve an output of power level P, significantly increasing system cost.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an amplifier that can achieve high channel switching speed and high-power dual-channel output at a relatively low cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the problem of channel switching speed and cost compatibility, and provides a low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier. Different channel outputs are selected by controlling the operation of different driver amplifiers. The driver amplifiers can be turned on or off at high speed through various means, thereby achieving high-speed switching between channels. The present invention uses the same power stage module, which can achieve high-power output through power synthesis, avoiding the cost increase caused by using different power stage modules for different channels.

[0006] The utility model provides a low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier, comprising a power splitter, a first driver amplifier and a second driver amplifier respectively connected to two output ports of the power splitter, a first directional coupler respectively connected to the output ports of the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier, a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier respectively connected to two ports of the first directional coupler, and a second directional coupler respectively connected to the output port of the first power amplifier and the output port of the second power amplifier;

[0007] The first directional coupler and the second directional coupler each include a port A, a port B, a port C, and a port D;

[0008] The output end of the first driver amplifier is connected to port A of the first directional coupler, the output end of the second driver amplifier is connected to port D of the first directional coupler, the input end of the first power amplifier is connected to port B of the first directional coupler, and the input end of the second power amplifier is connected to port C of the first directional coupler;

[0009] The output end of the first power amplifier is connected to the port C of the second directional coupler, the output end of the second power amplifier is connected to the port B of the second directional coupler, and the port A and port D of the second directional coupler are output ports.

[0010] In the low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier described in the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, the first directional coupler and the second directional coupler both output two out-of-phase radio frequency signals.

[0011] In the low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier described in the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, the through-end and the coupled end of the first directional coupler and the second directional coupler both have a 90° phase difference.

[0012] In the low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier described in the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, the first directional coupler and the second directional coupler are both Lange coupling bridges or branch line directional couplers.

[0013] In the low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier described in the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, the coupling degrees of the first directional coupler and the second directional coupler are both 3dB.

[0014] In the low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier described in the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier are respectively connected to a high-speed MOS switch for controlling power supply.

[0015] The low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier described in the present invention can, as an optimal embodiment, use a single-pole double-throw switch instead of a power divider, wherein the two output ports of the single-pole double-throw switch are respectively connected to the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier.

[0016] The utility model provides a low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier, which can select different channels to output power of the same magnitude according to a control signal, and can also be used as a power amplification module of the transmitting part of various electronic transceiver systems.

[0017] In response to the requirements of low cost, high power, high channel switching speed, and dual channels for power amplifiers, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: the RF input signal of the power amplifier is connected to two driver amplifiers through a splitter or switch. The two driver amplifiers are denoted as driver 1 and driver 2. After the two driver amplifiers, there is a four-port directional coupler. The four ports of the directional coupler are denoted as A, B, C, and D, respectively. Port A is the input port, port B is the pass-through port, port C is the coupling port, and port D is the isolation port. Driver 1 is connected to port A of the directional coupler, and driver 2 is connected to port D of the directional coupler. After the directional coupler, there are two power amplifiers, denoted as power amplifier 1 and power amplifier 2. Port B of the directional coupler is connected to the input port of power amplifier 1, and port C of the directional coupler is connected to the input port of power amplifier 2. The output ports of the two power amplifiers are then connected to a directional coupler. The output port of power amplifier 1 is connected to port C of the directional coupler, and the output port of power amplifier 2 is connected to port B of the directional coupler. Ports A and D of the directional coupler serve as the dual-port outputs of the power amplifiers.

[0018] The principle behind this scheme is that, based on the reciprocity of the four ports of a directional coupler, different ports are selected as inputs to achieve different outputs. By controlling the operation or shutdown of different driver amplifiers, different ports of the directional coupler are selected, and thus different ports of the power amplifier are output.

[0019] The utility model has the following advantages:

[0020] Compared with the traditional solution one, the present invention adopts the method of controlling the operation of different driving amplifiers to select different channel outputs. Through various means, the driving amplifier can be turned on or off at high speed, thereby realizing high-speed switching between channels, avoiding the bottleneck of existing switching technology; compared with the traditional solution two, the present invention uses the same power level module regardless of which channel is selected for power output. The power level module can achieve high power output through power synthesis while avoiding the cost increase caused by using different power level modules for different channels in the traditional solution two. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1This is the block diagram of the dual-channel power amplifier solution of traditional solution 1;

[0022] Figure 2 This is the block diagram of the dual-channel power amplifier solution of traditional solution 2;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a structural block diagram of embodiment 1 of a low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of embodiment 2 of a low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier.

[0025] Reference numerals:

[0026] 1. Power divider; 2. First driver amplifier; 3. Second driver amplifier; 4. First directional coupler; 5. First power amplifier; 6. Second power amplifier; 7. Second directional coupler; 8. Single-pole double-throw switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, a low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier comprises a power divider 1, a first driver amplifier 2, a second driver amplifier 3, a first directional coupler 4, a first power amplifier 5, a second power amplifier 6, and a second directional coupler 7. The input terminals of the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3 are the common terminal of the power divider 1. The two output ports of the power divider 1 are connected to the input ports of the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3, respectively. The output port of the first driver amplifier 2 is connected to the A port of the first directional coupler 4, and the output port of the second driver amplifier 3 is connected to the D port of the first directional coupler 4. The B port and C port of the first directional coupler 4 are connected to the input ports of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6. The output ports of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6 are connected to the C port and B port of the second directional coupler 7. The A port and D port of the second directional coupler 7 serve as the output terminals of the power amplifiers.

[0030] like Figure 3As shown, the RF input signal is split into two equal-amplitude, in-phase RF signals by a Wilkinson power splitter 1, which then enter a first driver amplifier 2 and a second driver amplifier 3, respectively. High-speed MOS switches control the power supply to the first and second driver amplifiers 2 and 3, thereby enabling rapid power-on and power-off of the first and second driver amplifiers 2 and 3. The RF signal amplified by the first and second driver amplifiers 2 and 3 is injected into a first directional coupler 4 and split into two equal-amplitude, out-of-phase RF signals, respectively. These signals are then injected into a first power amplifier 5 and a second power amplifier 6, respectively. After amplification by the first and second power amplifiers 5 and 6, the RF signal enters a second directional coupler 7 for power combination and output.

[0031] When the present invention is working, only one of the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3 is working. By selecting different driver amplifiers to work, the radio frequency signal amplified by the driver amplifier enters different ports of the first directional coupler 4, and generates signals with different phases at the B port and the C port of the first directional coupler 4, and finally outputs at different ports of the second directional coupler 7.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the first directional coupler 4 and the second directional coupler 7 must have the following characteristics: a 3dB coupling degree and a 90° phase difference between the through-end and the coupled end. A Lange coupling bridge or a branch-line directional coupler can be used. The power of the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3 is approximately 1W, and the power of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6 is approximately 50W.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, a low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier comprises a single-pole double-throw switch 8, a first driver amplifier 2, a second driver amplifier 3, a first directional coupler 4, a first power amplifier 5, a second power amplifier 6, and a second directional coupler 7. The input terminals of the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3 are connected to the common terminal of the single-pole double-throw switch 8. The two output ports of the single-pole double-throw switch 8 are connected to the input ports of the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3. The output port of the first driver amplifier 2 is connected to the A port of the first directional coupler 4. The output port of the second driver amplifier 3 is connected to the D port of the first directional coupler 4. The B port and C port of the first directional coupler 4 are connected to the input ports of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6. The output ports of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6 are connected to the C port and B port of the second directional coupler 7. The A port and D port of the second directional coupler 7 serve as the output terminals of the power amplifiers.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the RF input signal enters one of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6 after passing through the single-pole double-throw switch 8. The first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6 are both kept in the powered state. The direction of the RF signal is controlled by the control signal of the single-pole double-throw switch 8. The rapid switching of the control signal realizes the rapid selection of the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6. The RF signal amplified by the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3 is injected into the first directional coupler 4 and divided into two equal-amplitude and out-of-phase RF signals, which are respectively injected into the two first power amplifiers 5 and the second power amplifier 6. After being amplified by the first power amplifier 5 and the second power amplifier 6, the RF signal enters the second directional coupler 7 to realize power synthesis and output. When the utility model is working, the first driver amplifier 2 and the second driver amplifier 3 are both in the powered state, but only one has the RF input signal and is in normal working state. By selecting different driver amplifiers to work, the RF signal amplified by the driver amplifier enters different ports of the first directional coupler 4, and generates signals of different phases at the B port and the C port of the first directional coupler 4, and finally outputs at different ports of the second directional coupler 7.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the first directional coupler 4 and the second directional coupler 7 need to have the following characteristics: a coupling degree of 3dB, a 90° phase difference between the through end and the coupled end. A Lange coupling bridge or a branch line directional coupler can be used.

[0037] The above is only a preferred specific implementation method of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to this. Any technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can make equivalent replacements or changes based on the technical solution and utility model concept of the present invention, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier, characterized by: The invention comprises a power divider (1), a first driver amplifier (2) and a second driver amplifier (3) respectively connected to two output ports of the power divider (1), a first directional coupler (4) respectively connected to the output ports of the first driver amplifier (2) and the second driver amplifier (3), a first power amplifier (5) and a second power amplifier (6) respectively connected to two ports of the first directional coupler (4), and a second directional coupler (7) respectively connected to the output port of the first power amplifier (5) and the output port of the second power amplifier (6); The first directional coupler (4) and the second directional coupler (7) both include port A, port B, port C and port D; The output end of the first driver amplifier (2) is connected to port A of the first directional coupler (4), the output end of the second driver amplifier (3) is connected to port D of the first directional coupler (4), the input end of the first power amplifier (5) is connected to port B of the first directional coupler (4), and the input end of the second power amplifier (6) is connected to port C of the first directional coupler (4); The output end of the first power amplifier (5) is connected to port C of the second directional coupler (7), the output end of the second power amplifier (6) is connected to port B of the second directional coupler (7), and port A and port D of the second directional coupler (7) are output ports.

2. The low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first directional coupler (4) and the second directional coupler (7) both output two out-of-phase radio frequency signals.

3. The low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier according to claim 2, characterized in that: There is a 90° phase difference between the through end and the coupled end of the first directional coupler (4) and the second directional coupler (7).

4. The low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first directional coupler (4) and the second directional coupler (7) are both Lange coupling bridges or branch line directional couplers.

5. The low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling degrees of the first directional coupler (4) and the second directional coupler (7) are both 3 dB.

6. The low-cost, high-power, dual-channel power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first driving amplifier (2) and the second driving amplifier (3) are respectively connected to a high-speed MOS switch for controlling power supply.

7. A low-cost, high-power dual-channel power amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The power divider (1) can also be replaced by a single-pole double-throw switch (8), and the two output ports of the single-pole double-throw switch (8) are respectively connected to the first drive amplifier (2) and the second drive amplifier (3).

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