Method and apparatus for power detection and sensing in a coupled antenna structure with multiple states

Abstract

Method and apparatus are provided for the power detector using one or more correction factors for improved accuracy. In one novel aspect, a correction factor is used to remove the errors due to the parasitic variation. In one embodiment, the power detector obtains and applies a correction factor based on a difference of the operating frequency and the nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table. In one embodiment, the off peak correction factor table is generated based on the antenna pattern for a phased-array. In another novel aspect, the power detector uses the active impedance as a function of the antenna pattern and obtains and applies a resistance correction factor. In one embodiment, the power detector obtains a resistance correction factor based on the antenna pattern and a beam pattern of the phased-array.

Description

KII-007-PCT PATENT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER DETECTION AND SENSING IN A COUPLED ANTENNA STRUCTURE WITH MULTIPLE STATES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from U.S. Provisional Application Number 63 / 568,129 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Power Detection and Sensing in a Coupled Antenna Structure with Multiple States,” filed on March 21, 2024, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate generally to power detectors, and, more particularly, to power detection and sensing in a coupled antenna structure with multiple states. BACKGROUND

[0003] In modern power detection systems, the efficiency and accuracy of power measurement are critical parameters. One of the primary challenges faced in these systems is the coupler loss, which significantly reduces the signal output power and, consequently, decreases the overall power efficiency. The accuracy of power detection is inherently dependent on the precision of the power measurement process. High coupling loss necessitates the use of an amplifier to boost the signal level before it reaches the power detector. However, this additional amplification step introduces further inaccuracies in power detection, thereby compromising the reliability of the system.KII-007-PCT PATENT Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing the performance and accuracy of power detection systems.

[0004] Figure 1 (prior art) illustrates a conventional power detection structure. Power detection system 100 receives signal input 101 and is applied to an amplifier 103. A coupler 110 has a through port 111 to output the signal output 102 and a coupling port 112 for power detector 120. There are issues with this structure. First coupler loss at coupler 110 reduces the signal output power and decreases the overall power efficiency. Second, the accuracy of the power detection depends on the accuracy of the power detection. If coupling loss is large, an amplifier might be required to boost the signal level before the power detector which adds to the inaccuracy in power detection.

[0005] A power detector with improved accuracy is desired. SUMMARY

[0006] Method and apparatus are provided for the power detector using one or more correction factors for improved accuracy. In one novel aspect, a correction factor is used to remove the errors due to the variations of the parasitic, such as parasitic capacitance. In one embodiment, the power detector for a power amplifier obtains a first output power of the power amplifier based on a detected dynamic current using a power detector table of output power Poutversus average dynamic current IDfor a given active impedance of the power amplifier, determines an operating frequency of the power amplifier, wherein the power amplifier has a nominal designed resonant frequency, and the power detector obtains and applies a correction factor to the first output power based on a difference ofKII-007-PCT PATENT the operating frequency and the nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the given active impedance. In one embodiment, the power detector measures a quiescent current from the power amplifier, and measures an average operating current from the power amplifier, and determines the detected dynamic current based on a difference of the average operating current and the quiescent current. In one embodiment, the power amplifier is for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern, and wherein the power detector table and the off peak correction factor table are generated based on the antenna pattern. In one embodiment, the given active impedance is based on a beam pattern of the phased-array. In one embodiment, the power detector table and the off peak correction factor table are generated using simulation or lab measurement.

[0007] In another novel aspect, the power detector uses the active impedance as a function of the antenna pattern and obtains and applies an equivalent resistance. In one embodiment, the power detector obtains an equivalent resistance Requivalentfor a given active impedance, wherein the power amplifier is for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern, obtains a Requivalentfor the given active impedance,wherein the Requivalentis based on the antenna pattern and a beam pattern of the phased-array. In one embodiment, the equivalent resistance for the given active impedance is stored in a Requivalenttable that is indexed by an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in theKII-007-PCT PATENT phased-array. In one embodiment, the offset peak correction factor is expressed as ∆Requivalent, an effective equivalent resistance, Requivalent+ ∆Requivalent, for a center antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all antenna elements of the phased-array. In another embodiment, the offset peak correction factor is expressed as ∆Requivalent, an effective equivalent resistance, Requivalent+ ∆Requivalent, for an edge antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all edge antenna elements of the phased-array.

[0008] In another novel aspect, obtains a first correction factor for an active impedance based on a beam pattern of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern, and the detected output power for a power amplifier for an antenna of the phased-array, obtains a second correction factor based on an operating frequency of the power amplifier, applying the first correction factor and the second correction factor to determine an accurate output power. In one embodiment, an active impedance is determined based on the beam pattern of the phased-array. In one embodiment, the first correction factor is obtained and applied by looking up an active impedance correction factor table that is indexed by an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array.

[0009] Other embodiments and advantages are described in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.KII-007-PCT PATENT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 (prior art) illustrates a conventional power detection structure.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates exemplary circuits of a power amplifier.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary circuit for a power amplifier with resonant tank.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary power detector to derive the output power by measuring the current of the amplifier.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates exemplary diagrams for off peak correction factor for the power detector.

[0015] Figure 6A illustrates exemplary diagrams for power detectors for antenna elements with coupled antenna elements of a phased-array antenna to obtain and apply equivalent resistance for power detection.

[0016] Figure 6B illustrates an exemplary diagram to define edge elements for equivalent resistance.

[0017] Figure 7 illustrates exemplary diagrams for power detectors for antenna elements with coupled antenna elements of a phased-array antenna to apply equivalent resistance by looking up a power detector table.

[0018] Figure 8 illustrates exemplary diagrams for power detectors for antenna elements with coupled antenna elements of a phased-array antenna to obtain and apply equivalent resistance using computational method.

[0019] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for the power detector to obtain and apply the off peak correction factor.

[0020] Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for the power detector to obtain and apply the off peak correction factor as a change in Requivalent.KII-007-PCT PATENT

[0021] Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary diagram for an enhanced power detector to obtain and apply a correction factor for active impedance and the off peak correction factor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates exemplary circuits of a power amplifier with the driving transistor. Circuit design 210 and 220 are exemplary circuits for power amplifier with driving transistor. Circuits 210 and 220 include several key components essential for power amplification and signal detection. Circuit 210 is an exemplary power amplifier with the driving transistor configured as common source transistor. Circuit 220 is an exemplary power amplifier with driving transistor configured in cascode configuration.

[0024] Circuits 210 and 220 also include a resonant circuit, which is designed to select a specific frequency or range of frequencies for amplification. This resonant circuit typically consists of inductors (L) and capacitors (C) that work together to create a tuned circuit, allowing the amplifier to operate efficiently at the desired frequency. Quality factor Q is defined by resistance R, inductor L and capacitance C in the form of: ^^^ ^^ ^ The powera nominal designed resonant frequency of: f= ^^KII-007-PCT PATENT

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary circuit for a power amplifier with resonant tank. Power amplifier 310 has a resonant tank 311. Input Vin301 is applied to power amplifier 310. An exemplary termination is antenna 340. Power detector 330 detects the output power of power amplifier 310. At the resonant frequency fr,the power produced by the power amplifier 310 is Iout2* Requivalent,where Requivalentis the equivalent resistance in the resonant tank 311 and the termination 340. Power amplifier 310 can be biased at Class A, Class AB, Class B, Class C or others. For a MOSFET device, when VGS> Vthand VDS≥ (VGS– Vth), the transistor is in saturation or active mode. The dynamic current is: µ^ ^^^ ^= ^^^ ^^^^ − ^^ !^^1 + $^^%!The MOSFET(^& = ^ =2^^ =2^^' (^^^ ^^^ − ^^ ^)*Where the Vovis called the overdrive voltage. The amplifier bias current is defined as follows: • the quiescent current IQis the average bias current of the amplifier when there is no input signal • The operating current IOis the average bias current of the amplifier when there is input signal. • The dynamic current IDis the difference between the operating current and the quiescent current. When there is no input signal, VGSis fixed, the quiescent current of the amplifier varies, following the variation of the threshold voltage Vth. The dynamic current is quasi- invariant to the variation of threshold voltage for a given signal power level.KII-007-PCT PATENT

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary power detector to derive the output power by measuring the current of the amplifier. Power amplifier 410 has a resonant tank 411. Input Vin401 is applied to power amplifier 410. An exemplary termination is antenna 440. At the resonant frequency fr,the power produced by the power amplifier 410 is Iout2* Requivalent,where Requivalentis the equivalent resistance in the resonant tank 411 and the termination 440.

[0027] Current measurement 430 of the power detector measures current of power amplifier 410. By measuring the current of the amplifier, it is possible to derive the +,-. based on the I versus Pout characteristic of the amplifier. In one novel aspect, the output power Poutis derived based on the I versus Poutcharacteristics of amplifier 410. The threshold voltage Vthresholdof the transistor can vary from transistor to transistor. Thus, the operating current is not a good indicator of the +,-.. The dynamic current ID= IO- IQis much better indicator for the output power +,-.

[0028] In one embodiment 431, if the amplifier is operating in linear region, a proposed power detector / 0123&14 +,-. ∝ / 0123&14 (^ ^^ ∗ ^89:;<=>8^^)where the ^89:;<=>8^^is a pre-determined value of circuit design. Therefore, a power detector with current measurement 430 can determine the output power of the amplifier by measuring and determining the dynamic current ID.For amplifier 410 operating in the nonlinear region, the above approximation is still a good approximation near an operating point. In another embodiment, the output power Pout is determined using a look-up table. A power detector look-up table of IDversus Poutis generated via simulation or lab measurement to allow IDmeasurement to beKII-007-PCT PATENT converted to Pout.Determining the output power based on dynamic current provides advantages over the traditional power detector since there is no degradation of the output power, no reduction in the power efficiency.

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates exemplary diagrams for off peak correction factor for the power detector. Due to the variation in parasitics, primarily parasitic capacitance, the realized peak frequency shifts. As a result, the power at the desired frequency (the design peak frequency) also has small changes. Diagram 501 illustrates the peak gain shift in frequency. To improve accuracy of the power detector, an off peak correction factor is obtained to improve the accuracy of the power detection. In one embodiment, the power detector obtains the resonant frequency, which is the frequency of the peak amplifier gain, determines an operating frequency, and obtains and applies a correction factor, CF (peak frequency offset), to determine the output power. The off peak correction factor is based on the difference of the resonant frequency and the operating frequency. In one embodiment, the off peak correction factor is obtained via factory or lab calibration and measurement of the peak gain frequency offset. In another embodiment, the power detector for an antenna of the phased-array, further measures the peak frequency offset (this can be done via foreground calibration a priori).

[0030] In other embodiments, the power detector is for an amplifier for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern. The power detector obtains and applies the correction factor to improve the accuracy of the power detector for the antenna in the phased-array. At step 531, from circuit and / orKII-007-PCT PATENT electromagnetic simulation or laboratory measurement, a lookup table of Pout versus averaged IDis generated for a given active impedance for the antenna element and the antenna pattern. At step 532, an Off Peak Correction Factor Table is generated from circuit and / or electromagnetic simulation or laboratory measurement for a given active impedance for the antenna element and the antenna pattern. At step 533, the power detector obtains the operating frequency Fpeak gainfor the amplifier and compares with the nominal design resonant frequency Fpeak gainfor each antenna element for the selected antenna pattern. This is used to obtain the off peak correction factor. At step 534, the power detector obtains or measures the quiescent current from the amplifier for each antenna element for the selected antenna pattern. At step 535, the power detector obtains and / or measures the averaged operating current from the amplifier and computes the IDfrom the difference of the operating current and the quiescent current for each antenna element for the selected antenna pattern. At step 536, Poutis obtained from the power detector lookup table with average IDas input for each antenna element for the selected antenna pattern.

[0031] Figure 6A illustrates exemplary diagrams for power detectors for antenna elements with coupled antenna elements of a phased-array antenna to obtain and apply equivalent resistance for power detection. Exemplary terminations, such as antennas 631 and 632 are exemplary antennas of a phased-array with multiple antennae and an antenna pattern. Each antenna in the phased-array, such as antenna 631 and 632 has a power amplifier, such as 611 and 612, respectively. The antenna receives input, such as 601 and 602 for antenna 631 and 632, respectively. In oneKII-007-PCT PATENT embodiment, the power detector for the amplifier of the antenna uses a current monitor, such as current monitor 621 and 622. Each power amplifier has a resonant tank with Requivalentby design. An array with the phase shifter adjustments and the amplitude adjustments for a specific beam direction or beam pattern for each antenna element, called a weight vector, is used to form a beam pattern.

[0032] In a phased-array, the antenna elements are coupled electromagnetic (EM) structures due to the limited distance between antenna elements. The amplifiers are driven by the same signals but with different phases and amplitudes (controlled by the phase-shifters and variable amplifiers). Depending on phase shifts, the adjacent amplifier output signal can couple and flow into the amplifier output. This alters the amplifier output impedance and thus the Requivalentand affects the power detector accuracy. Due to the coupled electromagnetic structure of the phased-array antenna aperture (with multiple antenna elements), the actual output impedance of the amplifier changes based on the beam direction. For each beam pattern (or beam direction), a set of predetermined phase shifter settings are applied for antenna elements, and the output impedances as seen by the amplifiers are called the active impedance (i.e., beam pattern dependent impedance). The active impedance as seen by the amplifier for each beam pattern or beam direction is predictable and can be pre-determined for each antenna element within the phased-array. Given the pre-determined phase shifts and amplitudes adjustments for the array antenna, the output impedance depends on the coupling between the adjacent antenna elements with known phase shifts and amplitudes adjustments. More accurateKII-007-PCT PATENT output impedance can be pre-computed, measured based on the driving vector.

[0033] In one novel aspect, such as steps 651 and 652 for current monitor 621 and 622, respectively, the power detector obtains and applies a Requivalentand an offset correction factor for the given active impedance.The offset correction factor may be expressed as ∆Requivalent. In one embodiment, for each beam pattern or beam direction, the power detector obtains the corresponding active impedance. This active impedance is the result of the input phase shifter and amplitude settings for all the antenna elements (a state) for the given beam pattern or beam direction. The Requivalentand the peak frequency for a state can be derived via measurements or simulation a priori.

[0034] Figure 6B illustrates an exemplary diagram to define edge elements for equivalent resistance. In one embodiment, the offset peak correction factor is expressed as ∆Requivalent, an effective equivalent resistance, Requivalent+ ∆Requivalent, for a center antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all antenna elements of the phased-array. In another embodiment, the offset peak correction factor is expressed as ∆Requivalent, an effective equivalent resistance, Requivalent+ ∆Requivalent, for an edge antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all edge antenna elements of the phased- array. In one embodiment, an antenna element is predefined or preconfigured as a center or an edge antenna when it is positioned at proximate to the center or to the edge of the phased-array based on predefined criteria. In one embodiment, the predefined criteria is based on the mutual coupling between antenna elements. Antenna elements thatKII-007-PCT PATENT have less coupling than a threshold may be treated as edge elements. Antenna elements that have coupling above a threshold may be treated as center elements. Zone A 681 is the center elements, zone B 682 has elements that have coupling above the threshold and are treated as center elements. Zone C 683 elements have coupling below the threshold and can be treated as edge elements. In general, the approximation could have more graduations than center and edge, but the two regions, center and edge, may be sufficient for many applications.

[0035] Figure 7 illustrates exemplary diagrams for power detectors for antenna elements with coupled antenna elements of a phased-array antenna to apply equivalent resistance by looking up a power detector table. Antennas 731 and 732, the terminations for power amplifiers 711 and 712 respectively, are exemplary antennas of a phased-array with multiple antennae and an antenna pattern. Each antenna in the phased-array, such as antenna 731 and 732 has a power amplifier, such as 711 and 712, respectively. The antenna receives input, such as 701 and 702 for antenna 731 and 732, respectively. In one embodiment, the power detector for the amplifier of the antenna uses a current monitor, such as current monitor 721 and 722. Each power amplifier has a resonant tank with Requivalentby design. An array with the phase shifter adjustments and the amplitude adjustments for a specific beam direction or beam pattern for each antenna element, called a weight vector, is used to form a beam pattern. Each antenna pattern can be indicated as an antenna pattern ID, such as pattern ID 750. There are finite number of antenna pattern IDs (states) in use in practical application.KII-007-PCT PATENT

[0036] In one embodiment, as illustrated in 751 and 752, the power detector uses pre-stored look up table to apply the Requivalent. In one embodiment, the power detector pre- stores the Requivalent(antenna pattern ID, antenna element) for subsequent computation during measurement of Pout. For the nonlinear operation, a look up table for Poutversus IDcan be pre-stored for the subsequent use during measurement of Pout. In one embodiment, the pre-stored Requivalent, indexed by antenna pattern ID and antenna element, are used for subsequent computation during measurement of Pout. For the nonlinear operation, a look up table for Poutversus IDcan be pre-stored for the subsequent use during measurement of Pout.

[0037] Pattern ID 750, look up table 751, and look up table 752 each may be stored on a memory or other storage. Examples of such memory include computer-readable media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, optical disk storage, and magnetic storage devices. The memory storing the pattern ID and look up tables may be connected to a processor that is connected to at least one of current monitor 721 and current monitor 722. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device.

[0038] In one embodiment, the power detector obtains or measures the dynamic current IDduring operation. The pre- stored Requivalenttable is used to obtain the Requivalentfor the active impedance. The detected power for each antenna element with an antenna pattern is:KII-007-PCT PATENT / 0123&14 +,-.(3@.1@@3 A3..12@ ^B, 3@.1@@31D1E1@.)= F ∗ G^ ^^ ∗ ^B !H

[0039] In another embodiment, the power detector obtains or measures the dynamic current IDduring operation. The pre-stored power detector table is used to get the Pout,and the table is indexed by an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array. / 0123&14 +,-.(3@.1@@3 A3..12@ ^B, 3@.1@@31D1E1@.) =N3OD1 ^,,F PA ^2,E ^^ + CF(peak frequency offset)

[0040] Figure 8 illustrates exemplary diagrams for power detectors for antenna elements with coupled antenna elements of a phased-array antenna to obtain and apply equivalent resistance using computational method. Exemplary terminations, such as antennas 831 and 832 are configured for power amplifiers 811 and 812 respectively, are exemplary antennas of a phased-array with multiple antennae and an antenna pattern. Antennas 831 and 832, the terminations for power amplifiers 811 and 812 respectively, are exemplary antennas. Each antenna in the phased-array, such as antenna 831 and 832 has a power amplifier, such as 811 and 812, respectively. The antenna receives input, such as 801 and 802 for antenna 831 and 832, respectively. In one embodiment, the power detector for the amplifier of the antenna uses a current monitor, such as current monitor 821 and 822. Each power amplifier has a resonant tank with Requivalentby design. An array with the phase shifter adjustments and the amplitude adjustments for a specificKII-007-PCT PATENT beam direction or beam pattern for each antenna element, called a weight vector, is used to form a beam pattern.

[0041] For the antenna of the phased-array, if the correlation matrix 861 of the correlated antenna elements are known, the active impedance for can be computed from the driving vector, such as driving vectors 871 and 872 for antennae 831 and 832, respectively. As illustrated, the correlation vector 861 is known as abb^^ b^^c, driving vector, ^^ b^^such as 871 and 872 are hjkli1 mé jklnù ^1ú ú ú û In one embodiment, 852 for the powerdetectors, the active impedance is obtained. Subsequently, in steps 853 and 854, the power is computed analytically based on the corresponding active impedance, the ID, and the driving vector. Steps 851 through 854 may be performed by a processor connected to the current monitor. Examples of a processor that may perform steps 851-854 include a general- purpose processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device. The active impedance, driving vector, and computed power may all be stored on a memory that is connected to the processor.

[0042] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for the power detector to obtain and apply the off peak correction factor. At step 901, the power detector obtains a first output power of the power amplifier based on a detected dynamic current using a power detector table of output power Poutversus average dynamic current IDfor a given active impedance of the power amplifier. At step 902, theKII-007-PCT PATENT power detector determines an operating frequency of the power amplifier, wherein the power amplifier has a nominal designed resonant frequency. At step 903, the power detector obtains and applies a correction factor to the first output power based on a difference of the operating frequency and the nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the given active impedance.

[0043] Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for the power detector to obtain and apply the equivalent resistance and off peak correction factor expressed as ∆Requivalent. At step 1001, the power detector of a power amplifier obtains an equivalent resistance Requivalentfor a given active impedance, wherein the power amplifier is for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern. At step 1002, an off peak correction factor is obtained, which may also be referred to as ∆Requivalent.The off peak correction factor, or ∆Requivalent, is based on a difference between the operating frequency and the nominal designed resonant frequency. At step 1003, an effective equivalent resistance is determined based on the sum of Requivalentand ∆Requivalent.The method may be performed using any of several techniques involving any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. For example, software code running on electronics including a processor, computer or other processor arrangement within the power detection system may facilitate the measurements, determinations, and other functions.

[0044] The functions performed by current measurement 430 in Figure 4 may alternatively be executed by a current monitor or a processor. Similarly, the functions performed by power detector 330 in Figure 3 may alternatively beKII-007-PCT PATENT executed by a processor. The functions performed by current monitors 621, 622 in Figure 6A, current monitors 721, 722 in Figure 7, and current monitors 821, 822 in Figure 8 may be executed as part of the functions of a processor. In other words, a processor may also perform the functions of current monitors 621, 622, 721, 722, 821, and 822. The functions shown in Figures 9 and 10, either in whole or in part, may be executed by a processor. Examples of a processor include a general-purpose processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device.

[0045] Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary diagram for the enhanced power detector to obtain and apply an active impedance correction factor and the off peak correction factor. A signal input 1101 is applied to an amplifier 1103. A coupler 1110 has a through port 1111 to output the signal output 1102 and a coupling port 1112 for power detector 1120. Power detector 1120 produces a signal, typically a voltage, proportional to the signal input 1101 that is amplified by amplifier 1103. In one embodiment, the power detector is for a power amplifier for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern. The signal produced by power detector 1120 is received by processor 1170. Processor 1170 calculates the detected output power from the signal received from power detector 1120. Processor 1170 sends a query to active impedance correction table 1151. In one embodiment, the active impedance correction table contains the active impedance correction factor versus detected output power for all antenna patterns and beam shapes for each antenna element. Processor 1170 receives a response with the impedance correction factor. The processor queryKII-007-PCT PATENT to the active impedance correction table 1151 includes the detected output power, the beam steering direction or beam pattern. In one embodiment, the processor query to the active impedance correction factor table 1151 includes the detected output power, an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array. The processor sends a query including the detected output power and the frequency of operation to the offset peak correction table 1161. The processor receives a response with the offset peak correction factor to improve the accuracy of the power measurement by taking parasitics, primarily capacitance, into account. In one embodiment, the offset peak correction table contains offset correction peak correction factors versus detected output power for every active impedance for each antenna element. In an embodiment the processor sends a query including the detected output power, the frequency of operation, and the beam steering direction or beam pattern to the offset peak correction table 1161. In another embodiment the processor query to the offset peak correction factor table 1161 includes the detected output power, the frequency of operation, an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array. After calculating the detected power, receiving the active impedance correction factor and the offset peak correction factor, at step 1180, the processor determines the output power Pout,which has a high accuracy using one or more correction factors.KII-007-PCT PATENT

[0046] The enhanced power detector may also include a memory 1175, which is coupled to at least one of the power detector 1120 and the processor 1170. In one embodiment, signals detected by power detector 1120 are stored on memory 1175 before being sent to processor 1170. In another embodiment, the active impedance table 1151 and / or the offset peak correction table 1161 may be stored in memory 1175.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

KII-007-PCT PATENT CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: measuring, by a power detector for a power amplifier, a quiescent current from the power amplifier; measuring an average operating current from the power amplifier; determining a detected dynamic current based on a difference of the average operating current and the quiescent current; and determining a first output power of the power amplifier based on the detected dynamic current using a power detector table of output power Poutversus average dynamic current IDfor a given active impedance of the power amplifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power amplifier is for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern, and wherein the power detector table is generated based on the antenna pattern.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining the given active impedance based on a beam pattern of the phased-array.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the power detector table is generated using simulation or lab measurement.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: 1KII-007-PCT PATENT determining an operating frequency of the power amplifier, wherein the power amplifier has a nominal designed resonant frequency; and obtaining and applying a correction factor to the first output power based on a difference of the operating frequency and the nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the given active impedance.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the off peak correction factor table is generated using simulation or lab measurement.

7. A power detector for a power amplifier, comprising: a memory; and a processor, the processor is configured to measure a quiescent current from the power amplifier; measure an average operating current from the power amplifier; determine a detected dynamic current based on a difference of the average operating current and the quiescent current; and determine a first output power of the power amplifier based on a detected dynamic current using a power detector table of output power Poutversus average dynamic current IDfor a given active impedance of the power amplifier.

8. The power detector of claim 7, wherein the power amplifier is for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern, and wherein the power detector table and the off peak 2KII-007-PCT PATENT correction factor table are generated based on the antenna pattern.

9. The power detector of claim 8, is configured further to determine the given active impedance based on a beam pattern of the phased-array.

10. The power detector of claim 7, is configured further to determine an operating frequency of the power amplifier, wherein the power amplifier has a nominal designed resonant frequency; and obtain and apply a correction factor to the first output power based on a difference of the operating frequency and the nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the given active impedance.

11. A method, comprising: measuring, by a power detector for a power amplifier, a quiescent current from the power amplifier, wherein the power amplifier is for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern; measuring an average operating current from the power amplifier; determining a detected dynamic current based on a difference of the average operating current and the quiescent current; and obtaining an equivalent resistance Requivalentfor a given active impedance; and determining an output power of the power amplifier based on the Requivalentand the detected dynamic current. 3KII-007-PCT PATENT 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the equivalent resistance for the given active impedance is stored in a Requivalenttable that is indexed by an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein an Requivalentfor a center antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all antenna elements of the phased-array.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein an Requivalentfor an edge antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all edge antenna elements of the phased- array.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining an offset peak correction factor correction factor in the form of ∆Requivalentbased on a difference of an operating frequency and a nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the given active impedance; and determining an effective equivalent resistance, wherein the effective equivalent resistance is Requivalent +∆Requivalent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining of the output power of the amplifier is further based on the ∆Requivalent. 4KII-007-PCT PATENT 17. The method of claim 15, wherein an effective Requivalentfor a center antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all antenna elements of the phased-array.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein an effective Requivalentfor an edge antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all edge antenna elements of the phased- array.

19. A power detector, comprising: a memory; and a processor, the processor is configured to measure an average operating current from the power amplifier, wherein the power detector detects output power for a power amplifier for an antenna of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern; determine a detected dynamic current based on a difference of the average operating current and the quiescent current; obtain an equivalent resistance Requivalentfor a given active impedance; determine an output power of the power amplifier based on the Requivalentand the detected dynamic current.

20. The power detector of claim 19, wherein the equivalent resistance Requivalentfor the given active impedance is stored in an Requivalenttable that is indexed by an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array. 5KII-007-PCT PATENT 21. The power detector of claim 20, wherein an Requivalentfor a center antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all antenna elements of the phased-array.

22. The power detector of claim 20, an Requivalenttable for an edge antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all edge antenna elements of the phased- array.

23. The power detector of claim 19 is further configured to determine an offset peak correction factor correction factor in the form of ∆Requivalentbased on a difference of an operating frequency and a nominal designed resonant frequency using an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the given active impedance; and determine an effective equivalent resistance, wherein the effective equivalent resistance is Requivalent +∆Requivalent.

24. An enhanced power detector, comprising: a memory; power detector; and a processor, the processor is configured to obtain a signal from the power detector proportional to the output power of a power amplifier, and calculate a detected output power; obtain a first correction factor for an active impedance based on a beam pattern of a phased-array that has multiple antenna elements with an antenna pattern, wherein the power detector detects an output power for a power amplifier for an antenna of the phased-array; 6KII-007-PCT PATENT determine the output power based on the detected output power and first correction factor.

25. The enhanced power detector of claim 24, wherein an active impedance is determined based on the beam pattern of the phased-array.

26. The enhanced power detector of claim 24, wherein the first correction factor is obtained and applied by looking up an active impedance correction factor table that is indexed by an antenna pattern identifier (ID) and an antenna element ID, wherein the antenna pattern ID corresponds to the antenna pattern and the antenna element ID identifies the antenna in the phased-array.

27. The enhanced power detector of claim 24, wherein the first correction factor is computed and applied by the processor from the active impedance.

28. The enhanced power detector of claim 27, wherein an active impedance correction factor for a center antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all antenna elements of the phased-array.

29. The enhanced power detector of claim 27, wherein an active impedance correction factor for an edge antenna element of the phased-array is used as approximation for all edge antenna elements of the phased-array.

30. The enhanced power detector of 24, wherein the processor is further configured to 7KII-007-PCT PATENT obtain a second correction factor based on an operating frequency of the power amplifier; and determine the output power based on a detected output power, the first correction factor and the second correction factor.

31. The enhanced power detector of claim 30, wherein the second correction factor is based on a difference of the operating frequency and a nominal designed resonant frequency of the power amplifier.

32. The enhanced power detector of claim 30, wherein the power detector obtains the second correction factor by looking up an off peak correction factor table containing correction factors for the active impedance. 8

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