Linear power amplifier with configurable feedforward error correction circuits

• Main Author: LEFFEL MICHAEL DAVID
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.07.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AMPLIFIERS; BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; ELECTRICITY

A linear power amplifier having one or more feedforward correction loops automatically reconfigures itself for single loop operation based on a power reduction condition. The power reduction condition may be a function of the input power of the linear power amplifier, a current draw of stages within the linear power amplifier, power consumption levels of feedforward error correction amplifiers, the time of day, or any other suitable condition. The linear power amplifier includes a main amplifier circuit (12) and at least a first feedforward error correction circuit (14). A control circuit (16) removes or reduces power from the power amplifier (26) in the main amplifier circuit (12) and reconfigures the feedforward error correction circuit (14) to serve as a temporary main amplifier circuit. This may be done, for example, at predetermined points where the linear power amplifier does not require the feedforward error correction circuit to obtain a desired level of linearity.