US 12,191,827 B2
System, method, and outphasing power amplifier having vector generator and IQ modulators
Timothy L. Kean, Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Assigned to Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Filed by Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/576,291.
Prior Publication US 2023/0231524 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. H03F 3/24 (2006.01)
CPC H03F 3/245 (2013.01) [H03F 2200/336 (2013.01); H03F 2200/451 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
an input amplifier configured to: receive a radio frequency (RF) drive from an exciter; amplify the RF drive; and output an amplified RF drive, wherein the RF drive includes phase and envelope information of a modulated signal;
an input limiter configured to: receive the amplified RF drive; cap the amplified RF drive to no more than a predetermined voltage; and output a capped amplified RF drive;
a first in-phase component signal (I) and quadrature component signal (Q) modulator (IQ modulator) configured to: receive the capped amplified RF drive; receive an I and a Q; based at least on the I and the Q, produce a zero degree to ninety degree variable phase shifted output signal that changes relative to an input envelope of an RF drive waveform of the RF drive; and output the zero degree to ninety degree variable phase shifted output signal;
a first amplifier path configured to: receive the zero degree to ninety degree variable phase shifted output signal; and output a first phase modulated signal;
a second IQ modulator configured to: receive the capped amplified RF drive; receive the I and a negative Q (−Q); based at least on the I and the −Q, produce a zero degree to negative ninety degree variable phase shifted output signal that changes relative to the input envelope of the RF drive waveform of the RF drive; and output the zero degree to negative ninety degree variable phase shifted output signal;
a second amplifier path configured to: receive the zero degree to negative ninety degree variable phase shifted output signal; and output a second phase modulated signal, wherein the second phase modulated signal is complementary to the first phase modulated signal; and
a vector generator configured to: generate at least the Q and the −Q; output the Q to the first IQ modulator; and output the −Q to the second IQ modulator.