Power amplifier and differential power amplifier

Abstract

A power amplifier and a differential power amplifier are provided. The power amplifier includes an input matching circuit configured to receive an input signal from a signal source. An amplifier circuit is connected to the input matching circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to receive the input signal from the input matching circuit and amplify the input signal to generate an output signal. An output matching circuit is connected to the amplifier circuit. The output matching circuit is configured to receive the output signal from the amplifier circuit and provide the output signal to a load connected to the output matching circuit. A feedback circuit is connected to at least one of the input matching circuit, the amplifier circuit, and the output matching circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to power amplifier, especially power amplifier and the method for amplifying input signal applied to above -mentioned power amplifier. BACKGROUND

[0002] A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier converts a low power RF signal into a larger signal with high power. Examples of applications of RF power amplifiers include driving another high power signal source, driving a transmission antenna, and exciting a microwave cavity resonator. Among these applications, driving a transmission antenna is a widely used application. For example, power amplifiers are commonly used in wireless devices and amplify signals for transmission.

[0003] A power amplifier can include a gain stage to amplify a signal to a desired power level and output to a load (e.g., an antenna from which the amplified signal is transmitted). Performance criteria for power amplifiers include high efficiency, high output power compression, good output and input return loss, good gain, and good thermal dissipation characteristics. In some applications (e.g., wireless devices), power amplifiers with good performance at relatively low supply voltages are desired. SUMMARY

[0004] According to examples of embodiments, a power amplifier includes an input matching circuit, an amplifier circuit, an output matching circuit, and a feedback circuit. The input matching circuit is configured to receive an input signal from a signal source. The amplifier circuit is connected to the input matching circuit, where the amplifier circuit is configured to receive the input signal from the input matching circuit and amplify the input signal to generate an output signal. The output matching circuit is connected to the amplifier circuit, where the output matching circuit is configured to receive the output signal from the amplifier circuit and provide the output signal to a load connected to the output matching circuit, and where the output matching circuit is further configured to match a first impedance of the amplifier circuit to a second impedance of the load. The feedback circuit is connected to at least one of the input matching circuit, the amplifier circuit, and the output matching circuit, where the feedback circuit is configured to assist in at least one of matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to the second impedance of the load and matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to a third impedance of the signal source.

[0005] In an embodiment, the power of the output signal is greater than the power of the input signal.

[0006] In an embodiment, the feedback circuit is connected across the amplifier circuit.

[0007] In an embodiment, the feedback circuit includes an energy storage device, a plurality of transmission lines, a plurality of capacitors in series, and a plurality of resistors in parallel, or a plurality of capacitors in series and a plurality of switches in parallel.

[0008] In an embodiment, the feedback circuit is connected between an output of the amplifier circuit and an input of the input matching circuit, between an output of the output matching circuit and an input of the amplifier circuit, or between an output of the output matching circuit and an input of the input matching circuit.

[0009] In an embodiment, the amplifier circuit includes a transistor.

[0010] In various examples of embodiments of the present disclosure, a differential power amplifier includes a differential input matching circuit, a differential amplifier circuit, a differential output matching circuit, and at least two feedback circuits. The differential input matching circuit is configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal from one or more signal sources. The differential amplifier circuit is connected to the differential input matching circuit, wherein the differential amplifier circuit is configured to receive the first input signal and the second input signal from the differential input matching circuit and amplify a differential between the first input signal and the second input signal to generate a first output signal and a second output signal. The differential output matching circuit is connected to the differential amplifier circuit, wherein the differential output matching circuit is configured to receive the first output signal and the second output signal from the differential amplifier circuit and provide the first output signal and the second output signal to one or more loads connected to the differential output matching circuit, and wherein the differential output matching circuit is further configured to match a first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to a second impedance of the one or more loads. The at least two feedback circuits are connected to at least one of the differential input matching circuit, the differential amplifier circuit, and the differential output matching circuit, wherein the at least two feedback circuits are configured to assist in at least one of matching the first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to the second impedance of the one or more loads and matching the first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to a third impedance of the one or more signal sources.

[0011] In an embodiment, a first feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a first output terminal and a first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit, and wherein a second feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a second output terminal and a second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit.

[0012] In an embodiment, a first feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a second output terminal and a first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit, and wherein a second feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a first output terminal and a second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit.

[0013] In one embodiment, each of the at least two feedback circuits includes at least one passive element or at least one active element. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The complete disclosure is based on the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in accordance with the general practice of the industry, the illustrations are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of components may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for clarity. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are illustrative examples of embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier having a feedback circuit, according to some embodiments.

[0016] Figure 2 As shown in some embodiments Figure 1 An example of a circuit diagram for a power amplifier.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier with a feedback circuit according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit includes multiple transmission lines.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier having a feedback circuit according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit includes a plurality of capacitors connected in series and a plurality of resistors connected in parallel.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier having a feedback circuit according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit includes a plurality of capacitors connected in series and a plurality of switches for matching tuning.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier having a feedback circuit according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit is connected between the output node of an output matching circuit and the input node of an amplifier circuit.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier having a feedback circuit according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit is connected between the output node of an amplifier circuit and the input node of an input matching circuit.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier having a feedback circuit according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit is connected between the output node of an output matching circuit and the input node of an input matching circuit.

[0023] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a differential power amplifier having multiple feedback circuits according to some embodiments.

[0024] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a differential power amplifier having differential feedback circuits according to some embodiments.

[0025] Figure 11 A multi-stage power amplifier 300 having a single-stage feedback circuit according to some embodiments is shown.

[0026] Figure 12 A multi-stage power amplifier 300 having multiple feedback circuits according to some embodiments is shown.

[0027] Figure 13 A flowchart of a method 400 according to some embodiments, where the method 400 is used to amplify an input signal.

[0028] Wherein the reference numerals are explained as follows:

[0029] 100: power amplifier

[0030] 102: amplifier circuit

[0031] 104, 304: input matching circuit

[0032] 106, 306: output matching circuit

[0033] 108, 308: feedback circuit

[0034] 110: first node

[0035] 112: second node

[0036] 120: transistor

[0037] 122: first energy storage device

[0038] 124: second energy storage device

[0039] 126: first inductor

[0040] 128: second inductor

[0041] 130: third inductor

[0042] 132: fourth inductor

[0043] 134: third energy storage device

[0044] 140: fourth energy storage device

[0045] VG : gate voltage

[0046] V D : drain voltage

[0047] 200: differential power amplifier

[0048] 202: differential amplifier circuit

[0049] 2021: first transmission line

[0050] 202 N : Nth transmission line

[0051] 204: differential input matching circuit

[0052] 206: differential output matching circuit

[0053] 2081: first feedback circuit

[0054] 2082: second feedback circuit

[0055] 2101: first capacitor

[0056] 2102: second capacitor

[0057] 210 N-1 : (N-1)th capacitor

[0058] 210 N : Nth capacitor

[0059] 2121: first resistor

[0060] 2122: second resistor

[0061] 212 N : Nth resistor

[0062] 2201: first switch

[0063] 2202: second switch

[0064] 220 N : Nth switch

[0065] 300: multi-stage power amplifier

[0066] 302: multi-stage amplifier circuit

[0067] 3021: first stage amplifier circuit

[0068] 302 N : Nth stage amplifier circuit

[0069] 3081: first feedback circuit

[0070] 3082: second feedback circuit

[0071] 308 N : Nth feedback circuit

[0072] 3101: first multi-stage matching circuit

[0073] 400: method

[0074] 410, 420, 430, 440: block

[0075] input+: first input signal

[0076] input-: second input signal

[0077] output+: first output signal

[0078] output-: second output signal DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] The following detailed description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the application. Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the application. Thus, the present application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0080] In addition, spatially relative terms are used herein for ease of description to illustrate different positions and orientations of a device in the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, these spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions and orientations of a device in use or operation, including different positions and orientations of a device in use or operation in different environments. Thus, a device can be positioned in a first position in one environment and in a second position in another environment, and the spatially relative terms used herein are intended to encompass such different positions and orientations of a device in different environments.

[0081] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a power amplifier 100 with a feedback circuit according to some embodiments is shown. The power amplifier 100 receives a first signal or an input signal with a first power at an input terminal as input. The power amplifier 100 converts the first signal into a second signal or an output signal with a second power. The power amplifier 100 provides the second signal to an output terminal as output. Here, the second power is higher than the first power.

[0082] As shown, the power amplifier 100 includes an amplifier circuit 102 (also referred to as a gain circuit), an input matching circuit 104, an output matching circuit 106, and a feedback circuit 108. An output terminal of the input matching circuit 104 is connected to an input terminal of the amplifier circuit 102 at a first node 110. An output terminal of the amplifier circuit 102 is connected to an input terminal of the output matching circuit 106 at a second node 112. In some examples, the first node 110 is an input node of the amplifier circuit 102, and the second node 112 is an output node of the amplifier circuit 102. The feedback circuit 108 is connected between the first node 110 and the second node 112. Thus, the feedback circuit 108 is connected between the output node and the input node of the amplifier circuit 102. Figure 1

[0083] The input matching circuit 104 receives the input signal from a signal source (not shown) and provides the input signal to the input terminal of the amplifier circuit 102. In addition, the input matching circuit 104 matches an impedance of the amplifier circuit 102 (also referred to as an amplifier impedance) to an impedance of the signal source of the input signal (also referred to as a signal source impedance). Thus, the input matching circuit 104 minimizes a return loss between the signal source of the input signal and the input matching circuit 104.

[0084] The power amplifier 102 receives the input signal at its input terminal, amplifies the input signal to generate the output signal, and provides the input signal through its output terminal to the output matching circuit 106. The output matching circuit 106 receives the output signal from the amplifier circuit 102 and provides the output signal through an output terminal of the output matching circuit 106 to an antenna or a load (not shown). In addition, the output matching circuit 106 matches the amplifier impedance to an impedance of the antenna or the load (also referred to as a load impedance). The input matching circuit 104 and the output matching circuit 106 are provided to minimize the return loss and efficiently send the signal into or out of the amplifier circuit 106.

[0085] ​Feedback circuit 108 provides output conjugate matching between the antenna and the input signal source. In some examples, feedback circuit 108 compensates for parasitic impedance observed between the input and output of amplifier circuit 102. In other examples, feedback circuit 108 and output matching circuit 106 together provide output impedance matching and reverse isolation. Therefore, feedback circuit 108 can improve amplifier efficiency, reverse isolation, and output return loss without sacrificing the output power performance of power amplifier 100.

[0086] Figure 2 This is an example of a circuit diagram for a power amplifier 100 described according to some embodiments. For example... Figure 2 As shown, amplifier circuit 102 includes a transistor 120. Although amplifier circuit 102 is shown as having only one transistor, it may also include more complex circuits with multiple transistors. The gate of transistor 120 is connected to a first node 110. The drain of transistor 120 is connected to a second node 112, and the source is connected to ground. However, transistor 120 is symmetrical. That is, the source of transistor 120 can be used as the drain, and vice versa. Transistor 120 is a semiconductor device, for example, it may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistor, a silicon on insulator (SOI) transistor, a gallium nitride (GaN) transistor, etc.

[0087] The input matching circuit 104 includes a first energy storage device 122, a second energy storage device 124, a first inductor 126, and a second inductor 128. The first terminal of the first energy storage device 122 is the input terminal of the power amplifier 100. The second terminal of the first energy storage device 122 is connected to the first terminal of the first inductor 126. The second terminal of the first inductor 126 is connected to a first node 110. The first terminal of the second energy storage device 124 is connected to the second terminal of the first energy storage device 122. Therefore, the second terminals of the first energy storage device 122, the first terminals of the second energy storage device 124, and the first terminal of the first inductor 126 are connected to a first common node. The second terminal of the second energy storage device 124 is connected to ground. The first terminal of the second inductor 128 is connected to a first reference voltage (also known as the gate voltage V). G) to the first node 110. In various examples, the combined impedance of the first energy storage device 122, the second energy storage device 124, the first inductor 126, and the second inductor 128 can be equal to the output impedance of the signal source of the input signal at an operating frequency of the power amplifier 100. In some examples, the first energy storage device 122 and the second energy storage device 124 are capacitors.

[0088] The output matching circuit 106 includes a third inductor 130, a fourth inductor 132, and a third energy storage device 134. The first end of the third inductor 130 is connected to the second node 112. The second end of the third inductor 130 is connected to the first end of the third energy storage device 134. The first end of the fourth inductor 132 is connected to a second reference voltage (also referred to as a drain voltage V D ). The second end of the fourth inductor 132 is connected to the second end of the third inductor 130. Thus, the second end of the third inductor 130, the second end of the fourth inductor 132, and the first end of the third energy storage device 134 are connected to a second common node. The second end of the third energy storage device 134 is the output of the power amplifier 100. In various examples, the combined impedance of the third inductor 130, the fourth inductor 132, and the third energy storage device 134 can be equal to the input impedance of a load connected to the output of the power amplifier 100 at an operating frequency of the power amplifier 100. In some examples, the third energy storage device 134 is a capacitor.

[0089] The feedback circuit 108 includes a fourth energy storage device 140. The first end of the fourth energy storage device 140 is connected to the first node 110, and the second end of the fourth energy storage device 140 is connected to the second node 112. In some examples, the fourth energy storage device 140 is a capacitor. However, in accordance with various examples of some embodiments, the feedback circuit 108 can include one or more active elements, such as an inductor, a transmission line, a capacitor, a resistor, a transformer, etc. In accordance with some other embodiments, the feedback circuit 108 can include one or more passive elements, such as a transistor, a diode, etc. In accordance with some other embodiments, the feedback circuit 108 can include a combination of one or more active elements and one or more passive elements.

[0090] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a power amplifier 100 having a feedback circuit 108 in accordance with some embodiments, in which the feedback circuit 108 includes transmission lines, such as a first transmission line 2021,..., and an Nth transmission line 202 NEach of the aforementioned transmission lines is connected in series between the first node 100 and the second node 112, wherein the first end of the first transmission line 2021 is connected to the first node 110, and the Nth transmission line 202... N The second end is connected to the second node 112.

[0091] In some examples, the multiple transmission lines of the feedback circuit 108 form a step impedance filter, including multiple high-impedance transmission lines and multiple low-impedance transmission lines interleaved in series. In some embodiments, the transmission lines form a low-pass filter or a slow-wave filter. Figure 3 The feedback circuit 108 can improve the impedance matching of the power amplifier 100. In some examples, a certain number of transmission lines in the feedback circuit 108 can be changed to adjust the impedance of the feedback circuit 108.

[0092] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier 100 with a feedback circuit 108 according to some embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit 108 includes a plurality of capacitors connected in series and a plurality of resistors connected in parallel. Figure 4 The feedback circuit 108 includes multiple capacitors, such as a first capacitor 2101, a second capacitor 2102, ..., an (N-1)th capacitor 210 N-1 And an Nth capacitor 210 N Each of the aforementioned capacitors is connected in series with each other and between the first node 110 and the second node 112, wherein the first terminal of the first capacitor 2101 is connected to the first node 110, and the Nth capacitor 210... N The second end is connected to the second node 112.

[0093] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, the feedback circuit 108 also includes multiple resistors, such as a first resistor 2121, a second resistor 2122, ..., and an Nth resistor 212. N Each of the aforementioned resistors is connected in parallel with each other and has an associated capacitor. For example, the first resistor 2121 is connected between the second terminal of the first capacitor 2101 and ground. Similarly, the second resistor 2122 is connected between the second capacitor 2102 and ground. Finally, the Nth resistor 212... N Connected to the (N-1)th capacitor 210 N-1 Between and the land. Figure 4 The configured feedback circuit 108 can be used to improve the reliability of the power amplifier 100. In some examples, a certain number of series capacitors and parallel resistors in the feedback circuit 108 can be changed to adjust the impedance of the feedback circuit 108.

[0094] Figure 5A schematic diagram of a power amplifier 100 having a feedback circuit 108 according to some embodiments, in which the feedback circuit 108 includes a plurality of series capacitors and a plurality of parallel switches. As shown, Figure 5 the feedback circuit 108 includes a plurality of capacitors, e.g., a first capacitor 2101, a second capacitor 2102,..., a (N-1)th capacitor 210 N-1 , and an Nth capacitor 210 N . Each of the capacitors is connected in series with each other and between a first node 110 and a second node 112, where a first end of the first capacitor 2101 is connected to the first node 110 and a second end of the Nth capacitor 210 N is connected to the second node 112.

[0095] Further, and as shown, Figure 5 the feedback circuit 108 also includes a plurality of switches, e.g., a first switch 2201, a second switch 2202,..., and an Nth switch 220 N . Each of the switches is connected in parallel with each other and has one of the associated capacitors. For example, the first switch 2201 is connected between a second end of the first capacitor 2101 and ground. Similarly, the second switch 2202 is connected between a second end of the second capacitor 2102 and ground. Finally, the Nth switch 220 N is connected between a second end of the (N-1)th capacitor 210 N-1 and ground. Each of the switches can be a semiconductor device, e.g., a transistor. Figure 5 One or more of the plurality of switches of the feedback circuit 108 can be turned on or off to match a tune of the power amplifier 100. In some examples, a number of series capacitors and parallel switches in the feedback circuit 108 can be changed to adjust an impedance of the feedback circuit 108.

[0096] According to some examples of the embodiments, although Figures 1 to 5 the feedback circuit 108 is shown connected between an input node and an output node of the amplifier circuit 102, the feedback circuit 108 can also be connected between any node of any element of the power amplifier 100. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a power amplifier 100 having a feedback circuit 108 is shown, in which the feedback circuit 108 is connected between an output node of the output matching circuit 106 and an input node of the amplifier circuit 102. For example, and as shown, Figure 6 a first end of the feedback circuit 108 is connected to the first node 110 (i.e., the input node of the amplifier circuit 102) and a second end of the feedback circuit 108 is connected to an output of the output matching circuit 106 (i.e., the output node of the output matching circuit 106).

[0097] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates a power amplifier 100 with a feedback circuit 108 connected between the output node of amplifier circuit 102 and the input node of input matching circuit 104. For example, and as... Figure 7 As shown, the first terminal of the feedback circuit 108 is connected to the first terminal of the input matching circuit 104 (i.e., the input node of the input matching circuit 104), while the second terminal of the feedback circuit 108 is connected to the second node 112 (i.e., the output node of the amplifier circuit 102).

[0098] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a power amplifier 100 with a feedback circuit 108 is shown, wherein the feedback circuit 108 is connected between the output node of the output matching circuit 106 and the input node of the input matching circuit 104. For example, and as... Figure 8 As shown, the first terminal of the feedback circuit 108 is connected to the input terminal of the input matching circuit 104 (i.e., the input node of the input matching circuit 104), while the second terminal of the feedback circuit 108 is connected to the output terminal of the output matching circuit 106 (i.e., the output node of the output matching circuit 106).

[0099] According to various embodiments of the present invention, as described above, there are several examples. Figures 3 to 8 The feedback circuit 108 shown can be applied to a differential amplifier. Figure 9 This is a differential power amplifier 200 with multiple feedback circuits shown according to some embodiments. The differential power amplifier 200 includes a first input terminal for receiving a first input signal (labeled input+) and a second input terminal for receiving a second input signal (labeled input-). The differential power amplifier 200 amplifies a difference between the first and second input signals and outputs a first output signal (labeled output+) at a first output terminal and a second output signal (labeled output-) at a second output terminal. In some examples, the differential power amplifier 200 differentially amplifies the input signals (i.e., subtracts and multiplies). The output signal provided by the differential power amplifier 200 has higher power than the input signal.

[0100] The differential power amplifier 200 includes a differential amplifier circuit 202, a differential input matching circuit 204, and a differential output matching circuit 206. The differential power amplifier 200 also includes a first feedback circuit 2081 and a second feedback circuit 2082.

[0101] The differential input matching circuit 204 matches the impedance of the differential amplifier circuit 202 to the impedance of a signal source of the first and second input signals. The differential input matching circuit 204 also provides the first and second input signals received from one or more signal sources to the inputs of the differential amplifier circuit 202. The differential input matching circuit 204 includes a first input that is also a first input of the differential power amplifier 200, and a second input that is also a second input of the differential power amplifier 200. The differential input matching circuit 204 further includes a first output and a second output. The differential input matching circuit 204 receives the first and second input signals at the first and second inputs, respectively, and provides the first and second input signals to the first and second outputs, respectively. The differential input matching circuit 204 can have a function or configuration similar to the input matching circuit 104 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0102] The differential amplifier circuit 202 includes a first input connected to the first output of the differential input matching circuit 204, and a second input connected to the second output of the differential input matching circuit 204. The differential amplifier circuit 202 receives the first and second input signals from the differential input matching circuit 204 at the first and second inputs, respectively, and amplifies (e.g., subtracts and multiplies) the first and second input signals to generate a first output signal and a second output signal. The first and second output signals are provided to the first and second outputs, respectively.

[0103] The differential output matching circuit 206 receives the first and second output signals from the differential amplifier circuit 202, and provides the first and second output signals to one or more antennas or loads (not shown). In addition, the differential output matching circuit 206 matches the impedance of the differential amplifier circuit 202 to the impedance of the one or more antennas or loads. The differential output matching circuit 206 includes a first input connected to the first output of the differential amplifier circuit 202, and a second input connected to the second output of the differential amplifier circuit 202. The differential output matching circuit 206 can have a function and configuration similar to the output matching circuit 106 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0104] The differential output matching circuit 206 also includes a first output terminal that is also a first output terminal of the differential power amplifier 200, and a second output terminal that is also a second output terminal of the differential power amplifier 200. The differential output matching circuit 206 receives the first output signal and the second output signal from the differential amplifier circuit 202 at the first input terminal and the second input terminal, respectively, and provides the first output signal and the second output signal to the first output terminal and the second output terminal, respectively.

[0105] The first feedback circuit 2081 is connected between the first input terminal and the first output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202, while the second feedback circuit 2082 is connected between the second input terminal and the second output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202. For example, and as shown in Figure 9 the first end of the first feedback circuit 2081 is connected to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202, while the second end of the first feedback circuit 2081 is connected to the first output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202. In addition, the first end of the second feedback circuit 2082 is connected to the second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202, while the second end of the second feedback circuit 2082 is connected to the second output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202.

[0106] The combination of the first feedback circuit 2081 and the second feedback circuit 2082 improves the operation of the differential power amplifier 200 in a manner similar to that of the feedback circuit 108 shown above Figures 1 to 8 In addition, the first feedback circuit 2081 and the second feedback circuit 2082 can each include one or more active elements, passive elements, or a combination of active and passive elements, i.e., in a form similar to that of the feedback circuit 108 shown above Figures 2 to 8

[0107] In some examples, multiple feedback circuits of the differential power amplifier 200 can be connected to provide differential feedback. Figure 10 A differential power amplifier 200 having differential feedback circuits in accordance with some embodiments is shown in Figure 10 the first end of the first feedback circuit 2081 is connected to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202, while the second end of the first feedback circuit 2081 is connected to the second output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202. In addition, the first end of the second feedback circuit 2082 is connected to the second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202, while the second end of the second feedback circuit 2082 is connected to the first output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 202.

[0108] Although the feedback circuits of the differential power amplifier 200 are shown Figure 9 and Figure 10 ​The circuit is shown as being connected between the input and output terminals of the differential power amplifier 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, and similar to the above... Figures 6 to 8 The feedback circuit 108 shown is configured such that the feedback circuit of the differential power amplifier 200 can be connected between any output and input of any differential amplifier circuit 202, differential input matching circuit 204, and differential output matching circuit 206.

[0109] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the feedback circuit can be provided to one or more stages of a multi-stage power amplifier. Figure 11 A multi-stage power amplifier 300 with a single feedback circuit is shown according to some embodiments. For example... Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the multistage power amplifier 300 includes a multistage amplifier circuit 302, an input matching circuit 304, and an output matching circuit 306. Furthermore, the multistage power amplifier 300 may include a feedback circuit 308. The input matching circuit 304 may have a similar design to the one described above. Figures 1 to 8 The function and configuration of the input matching circuit 104 are shown. Similarly, the output matching circuit 306 may have a similar configuration as described above. Figure 11 The function and configuration of the output matching circuit 106 shown.

[0110] The multi-stage amplifier circuit 302 may include multiple stage amplifier circuits, such as a first-stage amplifier circuit 3021, ..., an Nth-stage amplifier circuit 302. N Furthermore, the multi-stage amplifier circuit 302 includes multiple multi-stage matching circuits, such as a first multi-stage matching circuit 3101. The aforementioned single-stage amplifier circuits are connected in series, and a multi-stage matching circuit is provided between every two adjacent single-stage amplifier circuits. For example, and as... Figure 11 As shown, the input terminal of the first-stage amplifier circuit 3021 is connected to the output terminal of the input matching circuit 304. The output terminal of the first-stage amplifier circuit 3021 is connected to the input terminal of the first multi-stage matching circuit 3101. The output terminal of the first multi-stage matching circuit 3101 is connected to the input terminal of a second-stage amplifier circuit (not shown), and so on. Finally, the Nth-stage amplifier 302... N The output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the output matching circuit 306.

[0111] In several examples, each multistage matching circuit can be a two-ended circuit connecting two single-stage amplifier circuits via a coupling network. Each multistage matching circuit minimizes signal reflections between the two single-stage amplifiers connected on either side of the multistage matching circuit and maximizes power transfer.

[0112] like Figures 1 to 8As shown, the feedback circuit 308 is connected to the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302. N Between the two ends. That is, the first end of the feedback circuit 308 is connected to the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302. N The input terminal of the feedback circuit 308 is connected to the second terminal of the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302. N The output terminal. The feedback circuit 308 may have a similar design to the one described above. Figure 11 The function and configuration of the feedback circuit 108 shown.

[0113] Although the feedback circuit 108 is in Figure 11 The circuit shown is connected across the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302. N The feedback circuit 308 can also be connected across the two ends of any single-stage amplifier circuit. Furthermore, although the multi-stage power amplifier 300... Figure 12 The circuit is shown as including only one feedback circuit 308. The multistage power amplifier 300 may also include more than one feedback circuit, wherein each feedback circuit spans both ends of either the single-stage amplifier circuit or the multistage matching circuit described above.

[0114] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a multi-stage power amplifier 300 with multiple feedback circuits. For example, and as... Figure 13 As shown, the multi-stage power amplifier 300 includes multiple feedback circuits, namely, a first feedback circuit 3081, a second feedback circuit 3082, ..., and an Nth feedback circuit 308. N The first feedback circuit 3081 is connected across the first-stage amplifier circuit 3021. That is, the first terminal of the first feedback circuit 3081 is connected to the input terminal of the first-stage amplifier circuit 3021, and the second terminal of the first feedback circuit 3081 is connected to the output terminal of the first-stage amplifier circuit 3021. Similarly, the second feedback circuit 3082 is connected across the first multi-stage matching circuit 3101. That is, the first terminal of the second feedback circuit 3082 is connected to the input terminal of the first multi-stage matching circuit 3101, and the second terminal of the second feedback circuit 3082 is connected to the output terminal of the first multi-stage matching circuit 3101. Finally, the Nth feedback circuit 308... N Connected to the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302 N The two ends of. That is to say, the Nth feedback circuit 308 N The first terminal is connected to the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302 N The input terminal of the Nth feedback circuit 3081 is connected to the second terminal of the Nth stage amplifier circuit 302. N The output terminal.

[0115] ​A flowchart of a method 400 for amplifying an input signal according to some embodiments is shown. Although the method 400 is described with reference to the power amplifier 100, the method 400 can also be performed using the differential power amplifier 200 and the multi-stage power amplifier 300.

[0116] In a block 410 of the method 400, the input matching circuit 104 receives an input signal from a signal source. The input signal can be a radio frequency signal having a first power. The input signal is received at the input of the input matching circuit 104.

[0117] In a block 420 of the method 400, the amplifier circuit 102 connected to the input matching circuit 104 amplifies the input signal. In some examples, the operation of amplifying the input signal includes receiving the input signal from the input matching circuit by the amplifier circuit 102, and amplifying the input signal by the amplifier circuit 102 to generate an output signal. In some examples, the output signal has a signal power that is greater than the signal power of the input signal. The ratio between the signal power of the input signal and the output signal can depend on the amplifier circuit 102. In some examples, the amplifier circuit 102 can be programmed to amplify the signal power of the input signal by a preset value to generate the output signal.

[0118] In a block 430 of the method 400, the output matching circuit 106 provides the output signal to a load connected to the output matching circuit 106. As described above, the input of the output matching circuit 106 is connected to the output of the amplifier circuit 102 and receives the output signal from the amplifier circuit 102. The output matching circuit 106 provides the output signal to the load through the output connected to the load.

[0119] In a block 440 of the method 400, the feedback circuit 108 is connected to at least one of the input matching circuit 104, the amplifier circuit 102, and the output matching circuit 106. The feedback circuit 108 is configured to assist in matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to the second impedance of the load, and to assist in matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit 102 to a third impedance of the signal source. For example, the feedback circuit 108 can change the impedance of the amplifier circuit 102 when connected in parallel to the amplifier circuit 102 to match the impedance of a load connected to the output of the output matching circuit 106 and / or to match the impedance of a signal source connected to the input matching circuit 104. The impedance of the feedback circuit 108 can be changed based on the signal source and the load.

[0120] According to examples of embodiments, a power amplifier includes: an input matching circuit configured to receive an input signal from a signal source; an amplifier circuit connected to the input matching circuit, wherein the amplifier circuit is configured to receive the input signal from the input matching circuit and amplify the input signal to produce an output signal; an output matching circuit connected to the amplifier circuit, wherein the output matching circuit is configured to receive the output signal from the amplifier circuit and provide the output signal to a load connected to the output matching circuit, and wherein the output matching circuit is further configured to match a first impedance of the amplifier circuit to a second impedance of the load; and a feedback circuit connected to at least one of the input matching circuit, the amplifier circuit, and the output matching circuit, wherein the feedback circuit is configured to assist at least one of matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to the second impedance of the load and matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to a third impedance of the signal source.

[0121] According to examples of embodiments, a power of the output signal is greater than a power of the input signal. Wherein the feedback circuit is connected across the amplifier circuit. Wherein the feedback circuit includes an energy storage device. Wherein the feedback circuit includes transmission lines. Wherein the feedback circuit includes capacitors in series and resistors in parallel. Wherein the feedback circuit includes capacitors in series and switches in parallel.

[0122] According to examples of embodiments, wherein the feedback circuit is connected between an output of the amplifier circuit and an input of the input matching circuit. Wherein the feedback circuit is connected between an output of the output matching circuit and an input of the amplifier circuit. Wherein the feedback circuit is connected between an output of the output matching circuit and an input of the input matching circuit. Wherein the amplifier circuit includes a transistor.

[0123] In various examples of various embodiments of the present disclosure, a differential power amplifier includes: a differential input matching circuit configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal from one or more signal sources; a differential amplifier circuit connected to the differential input matching circuit, wherein the differential amplifier circuit is configured to: receive the first input signal and the second input signal from the differential input matching circuit, and amplify a difference between the first input signal and the second input signal to generate a first output signal and a second output signal; a differential output matching circuit connected to the differential amplifier circuit, wherein the differential output matching circuit is configured to: receive the first output signal and the second output signal from the differential amplifier circuit, and provide the first output signal and the second output signal to one or more loads connected to the differential output matching circuit, and wherein the differential output matching circuit is further configured to match a first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to a second impedance of the one or more loads; and at least two feedback circuits connected to at least one of the differential input matching circuit, the differential amplifier circuit, and the differential output matching circuit, wherein the at least two feedback circuits are configured to assist in at least one of: matching the first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to the second impedance of the loads, and matching the first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to a third impedance of the one or more signal sources.

[0124] According to various examples of various embodiments, a first feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a first output terminal and a first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit, and wherein a second feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a second output terminal and a second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit.

[0125] According to various examples of various embodiments, each of the at least two feedback circuits includes at least one passive element. According to various examples of various embodiments, each of the at least two feedback circuits includes at least one active element.

[0126] According to various examples of various embodiments, a first feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a second output terminal and a first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit, and wherein a second feedback circuit of the at least two feedback circuits is connected between a first output terminal and a second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit.

[0127] The utility model discloses many embodiments, make the person skilled in the art can understand the utility model from various aspects better. The person skilled in the art should understand, and can easily design or modify other processes and structures based on the utility model, and achieve the same purpose and / or achieve the same advantages as the embodiments introduced herein. The person skilled in the art should also understand that these equivalent structures do not deviate from the inventive concept and scope of the utility model. Without deviating from the inventive concept and scope of the utility model, various changes, substitutions or modifications can be made to the utility model.

Claims

1. A power amplifier, characterized by, The system comprises: an input matching circuit configured to receive an input signal from a signal source; an amplifier circuit connected to the input matching circuit, wherein the amplifier circuit is configured to: receive the input signal from the input matching circuit; and amplify the input signal to generate an output signal; an output matching circuit connected to the amplifier circuit, wherein the output matching circuit is configured to receive the output signal from the amplifier circuit and provide the output signal to a load connected to the output matching circuit, and wherein the output matching circuit is further configured to match a first impedance of the amplifier circuit to a second impedance of the load; and a feedback circuit connected to at least one of the input matching circuit, the amplifier circuit, and the output matching circuit, wherein the feedback circuit is configured to assist in at least one of: matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to the second impedance of the load; and matching the first impedance of the amplifier circuit to a third impedance of the signal source.

2. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein, The power of the output signal is greater than the power of the input signal.

3. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein, The feedback circuit is connected across the amplifier circuit.

4. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein, The feedback circuit comprises an energy storage device, a plurality of transmission lines, a plurality of capacitors in series, a plurality of resistors in parallel, or a plurality of capacitors in series and a plurality of switches in parallel.

5. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein, The feedback circuit is connected between an output of the amplifier circuit and an input of the input matching circuit, between an output of the output matching circuit and an input of the amplifier circuit, or between an output of the output matching circuit and an input of the input matching circuit.

6. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein, The amplifier circuit comprises a transistor.

7. A differential power amplifier, characterized by The system comprises: a differential input matching circuit configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal from one or more signal sources; a differential amplifier circuit connected to the differential input matching circuit, wherein the differential amplifier circuit is configured to: receive the first input signal and the second input signal from the differential input matching circuit; and amplify a difference between the first input signal and the second input signal to generate a first output signal and a second output signal; a differential output matching circuit connected to the differential amplifier circuit, wherein the differential output matching circuit is configured to receive the first output signal and the second output signal from the differential amplifier circuit and provide the first output signal and the second output signal to one or more loads connected to the differential output matching circuit, and wherein the differential output matching circuit is further configured to match a first impedance of the differential amplifier circuit to a second impedance of the one or more loads; and at least two feedback circuits connected to at least one of the differential input matching circuit, the differential amplifier circuit, and the differential output matching circuit, wherein the at least two feedback circuits are configured to assist in at least one of: matching said first impedance of said differential amplifier circuit to a third impedance of said one or more signal sources. matching said first impedance of said differential amplifier circuit to a third impedance of said one or more signal sources.

8. The differential power amplifier of claim 7, wherein, a first feedback circuit of said at least two feedback circuits is connected between a first output terminal and a first input terminal of said differential amplifier circuit, and wherein a second feedback circuit of said at least two feedback circuits is connected between a second output terminal and a second input terminal of said differential amplifier circuit.

9. The differential power amplifier of claim 7, wherein, a first feedback circuit of said at least two feedback circuits is connected between a second output terminal and a first input terminal of said differential amplifier circuit, and wherein a second feedback circuit of said at least two feedback circuits is connected between a first output terminal and a second input terminal of said differential amplifier circuit.

10. The differential power amplifier of claim 7, wherein, each of said at least two feedback circuits comprises at least one passive element or at least one active element.

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