Power amplifier with feedback impedance for stable output

The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/292,124 for “PA Close-Loop Stability Analysis and Solution” filed Jan. 4, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Particular embodiments generally relate to power amplifiers.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a power amplifier (PA) 100 . Power amplifier (PA) 100 is coupled to a wideband transformer 101 that includes a transformer 102 and a load 104 . Power amplifier 100 may be part of a wireless transmitter. In one example, a signal from power amplifier 100 is coupled through transformer 102 and transmitted through an antenna.

Power amplifier 100 includes a first amplifier 108 a , an inductor-capacitor (LC) resonant tank 110 , a second amplifier 108 b , and a resistor R 1 in a feedback loop. Power amplifier 100 may become unstable. An input circuit 106 provides an input signal to power amplifier 100 .

A dominant pole is introduced by amplifier 108 a and LC resonant tank 110 . This introduces a phase shift of around 90° (at a unity gain point) at for the signal output by power amplifier 100 . Also, a phase shift introduced by amplifier 108 b and transformer 102 may be less, such as 30°. To have a stable power amplifier, a total phase shift for power amplifier 100 should be less than 180°. Thus, a phase shift introduced by the feedback loop should be less than 60°.

The input impedance is shown as impedance Z_input and in this case, is a parasitic capacitance of a transistor in amplifier 108 a . The parasitic capacitance is modeled as a parasitic capacitor Cp. Because the feedback impedance Z_feedback is a resistance, the resistor-capacitor combination may introduce a phase shift that is greater than 60°. This may cause power amplifier 100 to be unstable and the signal may oscillate. Also, the resistor-capacitor combination may create a pole that is within the working bandwidth of the wireless transmitter. This may alter the gain characteristics for power amplifier 100 .

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an amplifier circuit having a phase shift. The amplifier circuit amplifies a signal for wireless transmission. A feedback circuit is coupled to the amplifier circuit and includes a capacitor. An input impedance to the amplifier circuit has a same impedance characteristic as a feedback circuit impedance of the feedback circuit. A total phase shift of the signal for the amplifier circuit and the feedback circuit is less than a threshold.

In one embodiment, the phase shift for the amplifier circuit comprises a first phase shift and a second phase shift. The amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier stage associated with the first phase shift and a second amplifier stage associated with the second phase shift. The total phase shift of the signal for the first amplifier stage, the second amplifier stage, and the feedback circuit is less than the threshold.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a resonant tank circuit and a transformer. The first amplifier stage and the resonant tank circuit introduce the first phase shift and the second amplifier stage and the transformer introduce the second phase shift.

In another embodiment, a system includes a first amplifier stage configured to amplify a signal for wireless transmission. A resonant tank circuit receives the signal from the first amplifier stage. The first amplifier stage and the resonant tank circuit introduce a first phase shift in the signal. A second amplifier stage amplifies the signal from the resonant tank circuit. A transformer receives the signal from the second amplifier stage. The second amplifier stage and the transformer introduce a second phase shift in the signal. A feedback circuit is coupled to the second amplifier stage and includes a capacitor. An input impedance to the first amplifier circuit has a same impedance characteristic as a feedback circuit impedance of the feedback circuit. A total phase shift of the signal transferred through a feedback loop is less than a threshold, the feedback loop including the first amplifier stage, resonant tank circuit, second amplifier stage, and the feedback circuit.

In one embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal for wireless transmission through an amplifier circuit and coupling the signal through a feedback circuit coupled to the amplifier circuit. The feedback circuit includes a capacitor, wherein an input impedance to the amplifier circuit has a same impedance characteristic as a feedback circuit impedance of the feedback circuit. A total phase shift of the signal for the amplifier circuit and the feedback circuit is less than a threshold.

In one embodiment, the amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage. The method further includes coupling the signal through the first amplifier stage; coupling the signal through a resonant tank circuit; coupling the signal through the second amplifier stage; and coupling the signal through a transformer.

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide a more detailed understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a power amplifier (PA).

FIG. 2 a depicts an example of a power amplifier according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 b depicts a more detailed example of the power amplifier according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 a depicts an example of a power amplifier with a current input driver according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 b shows a more detailed example of the current input driver shown in FIG. 3 a according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a power amplifier using a voltage input driver according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an additional example of the power amplifier using an inductor-capacitor-resistor circuit according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a simplified flowchart of a method for amplifying a signal according to one embodiment.

Described herein are techniques for a power amplifier. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Particular embodiments as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein.

FIG. 2 a depicts an example of a power amplifier (PA) 200 according to one embodiment. Power amplifier 200 drives an antenna (not shown) through a wideband transformer 201 , which includes a transformer 204 and a load 202 . For example, power amplifier 200 amplifies a signal from an input circuit 210 for wireless transmission through a wideband wireless transmitter. However, power amplifier 200 may be part of other systems.

Power amplifier 200 includes an amplifier circuit 206 and a feedback circuit 208 . A feedback loop is from an output of amplifier circuit 206 , through feedback circuit 208 , and into an input of amplifier circuit 206 . The total phase shift of the feedback loop should be less than a threshold, such as 180°. The threshold may be determined where a phase shift above the threshold may cause power amplifier 200 to become unstable. For example, the output of power amplifier 200 may oscillate if the phase shift is greater than 180°. Also, feedback circuit 208 should not create a pole within a bandwidth range, such as the working bandwidth of the transmitter. A pole within the working bandwidth might change the gain characteristics of power amplifier 200 .

A feedback factor β is analyzed to determine if a pole is created or an undesirable amount of phase shift is caused. The feedback factor β is defined as:

β = Z_input Z_input + Z_feedback ,

where Z_input is the input impedance looking into an input node between amplifier circuit 206 and input circuit 210 and Z_feedback is the feedback impedance of feedback circuit 208 . As will be described in more detail below, in particular embodiments, the impedance Z_feedback has the same impedance characteristic as the impedance Z_input. For example, the impedance Z_feedback is equivalent to a capacitance and the impedance Z_input is equivalent to a capacitance. By having the same impedance characteristic, a pole may not be created by the feedback loop. Also, the phase shift caused by the feedback loop is less than the threshold in which power amplifier 100 may become unstable. For example, the phase shift (or no phase shift) caused by feedback circuit 208 when combined with the phase shift of amplifier circuit 206 is less than a threshold of, e.g., 180 degrees.

FIG. 2 b depicts a more detailed example of power amplifier 200 according to one embodiment. Amplifier circuit 206 includes a first amplifier 302 a , a resonant tank circuit 304 and a second amplifier 302 b . Resonant tank 304 includes an inductor L 1 and a capacitor C 1 . Other examples of resonant tanks may also be used. Transformer 204 and load 202 are also included in wideband transformer 201 . Feedback circuit 208 includes a capacitor Cfb. A parasitic capacitance of first amplifier 302 a is modeled by a capacitor Cp.

First amplifier 302 a and resonant tank circuit 304 may have a high quality factor (Q). For example, the quality factor may be greater than 10. Second amplifier 302 b and transformer 204 may have a low quality factor. For example, the quality factor of amplifier 302 b and transformer 204 is lower than the quality factor of amplifier 302 a and resonant tank circuit 304 . The lower Q of amplifier 302 b and transformer 204 allows power amplifier 200 to have a higher loop gain while the loop is still stable. Also, the higher the Q of amplifier 302 a means the higher loop gain can be achieved while still having the loop be stable. Also, in one embodiment, it is desirable to have a low impedance coupled to transformer 204 and the antenna. Amplifier 302 b provides the low impedance in part because of the low quality factor.

Amplifier 302 a and resonant tank circuit 304 provide a dominant pole in the frequency response of power amplifier 200 . Amplifier 302 b and transformer 204 provide another pole that is less dominant. When described herein, amplifier 302 a may be described as introducing the dominant pole and amplifier 302 b as introducing another pole. It will be understood that the poles may be introduced by a combination of amplifier 302 a with resonant tank circuit 304 or amplifier 302 b with an inductor of transformer 204 . Other combinations may also be used to amplify the signal.

Amplifier 302 a also introduces a larger phase shift than introduced by amplifier 302 b . For example, the phase shift of amplifier 302 a may be around 90°. The second pole introduced by amplifier 302 b may not be dominant. Due to a frequency response that is not as sharp, the phase shift introduced by amplifier 302 b may be around 30°.

In one embodiment, the total phase shift of power amplifier 200 should be less than a threshold to have a stable amplifier with the gain desired. For example, a total phase shift may be less than 180°. Thus, the feedback circuit should cause less than a 60° phase shift if the phase shift for amplifier 302 a is 90° and the phase shift for amplifier 302 b is 30°.

The phase shift of feedback circuit 208 may be determined based on the feedback factor, β. The feedback factor β may be as follows:

The feedback factor does not cause any phase shift in the signal. This is because the impedances Z_feedback and Z_input have the same impedance characteristics, and a resistor-capacitor circuit is not being introduced in feedback circuit 208 . Rather, the impedance characteristic of feedback circuit 208 is capacitor Cfb and the impedance characteristic of Z_input is capacitor Cp. This does not introduce a pole and a phase shift by the feedback factor.

The closed loop gain may be different based on input circuit 210 . The following will describe different input circuits 210 .

FIG. 3 a depicts an example of power amplifier 200 with a current input driver according to one embodiment. Input circuit 210 includes a third amplifier 302 c . In one embodiment, a third amplifier 302 c includes a transductance of Gm3. First amplifier 302 a includes a transductance of Gm1 and second amplifier 302 b includes a transductance of Gm2. Amplifiers 302 a - 302 c may be transductance amplifiers (Gm amplifiers) that output a current proportional to the input voltage. The loop gain of power amplifier 200 is:

Loop_Gain= A ( j ω)*β.

The feedback factor is:

β = Cfb Cfb + Cp .

As discussed above, the feedback factor β does not introduce a phase shift or pole. The closed loop gain may be as follows:

FIG. 3 b shows a more detailed example of the current input driver shown in FIG. 3 a according to one embodiment. As shown, input circuit 210 includes a capacitor Cin and a transistor T. In one example, transistor T is a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) but other types of transistors may be used.

The closed loop gain is a function of the transductance Gm3 of transistor T and frequency. Particular embodiments make Gm3 be a function of the capacitance Cin. For example, Gm3 may be Vin/(impedance of Cin). In this case, the closed loop gain may be equal to:

In the above cases, when the capacitance of capacitor Cp changes, the closed loop gain may be affected. A voltage input driver may be used to maximize loop gain.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of power amplifier 200 using a voltage input driver according to one embodiment. Input circuit 210 may include a capacitor Cin. In this case, Cp is kept sufficiently small such that capacitor Cin is greater than capacitor Cp (e.g., Cin>>Cp). In this case, the feedback factor β is maximized and a higher loop gain is achieved for the closed loop gain.

The loop gain is:

Loop_Gain= A ( j ω)*β.

The feedback factor is:

β = Cfb Cfb + Cp + Cin .

With Cin>>Cp, the closed loop gain may be as follows:

Also, in this case, feedback factor β also does not introduce a phase shift or pole.

FIG. 5 shows an additional example of power amplifier 200 using an inductor-capacitor-resistor circuit according to one embodiment. As shown, feedback circuit 208 includes an inductor L 2 , a capacitor Cfb, and a resistor R 2 . Input circuit 210 includes a resistor R 1 , inductor L 1 , and capacitor Cin.

The loop gain is:

Loop_Gain= A ( j ω)*β.

The feedback factor is:

β = R ⁢ ⁢ 1 R ⁢ ⁢ 1 + R ⁢ ⁢ 2 .

The closed loop gain may be as follows:

The closed loop gain is a factor of resistors R 2 and R 1 . This is because the feedback factor β is not a function of frequency because inductor L and capacitor C cancel each other out if Cp is small. Thus, a closed loop gain is a function of the ratio of resistor R 2 to resistor R 1 . The feedback factor also does not introduce a phase shift or pole.

The linear performance of power amplifier 200 may be about a 27 dB gain using conventional power amplifiers. Particular embodiments may provide a loop gain of 30 dB for a 3 dB improvement due to feedback circuit 208 not adding a pole in the frequency response. The gain is also more linear as changes in gain result in more linear performance changes.

In one example, the following may be used to determine Gm1 and Gm2 for a highest loop gain. Quality factor Q 1 is a quality factor of amplifier 302 a and resonant tank circuit 304 . Quality factor Q 2 is a quality factor for amplifier 302 b and transformer 204 . For amplifier 302 a , when the phase shift is the only function of resonant tank circuit 304 Q 1 , and resonant tank circuit 304 impedance is function of L when quality factor Q 1 is fixed. For amplifier 302 b , the phase shift is a function of quality factor Q 2 of transformer 204 and the impedance is a function of the resistance seen by transformer 204 .

Thus, for power amplifier 200 with 60 decibel phase margin, the following is found:

Gm 1 *Z 1( jω,Q 1 ,L )* Gm 2 *Z 2( jω,Q 2,6Ω)*β*α=1

Phase Z 1( jω,Q 1)+phase Z 2( jω,Q 2)=120 dec

where Z 1 is the impedance of resonant tank 302 and Z 2 is the impedance of transformer 204 . α is also a variable based a capacitance of resonant tank 302 . Also known is:

1 Gm ⁢ ⁢ 1 * Z ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ ⁢ GHz ) * α * Gm ⁢ ⁢ 2 * β ⁢ << 6.25Ω

This means that the impedance of amplifier 200 less than 6.25Ω. The highest loop gain for 60 phase margin is:

LoopGain= Gm 1 *Z 1(2 GHz, Q 1 ,L )* Gm 2* Z 2(6.25Ω)*β*α

The Gm1 and Gm2 are chosen based on above equation. For a certain phase margin, the highest loop gain is function of Q 1 .

FIG. 6 depicts a simplified flowchart 600 of a method for amplifying a signal according to one embodiment. At 602 , a signal is coupled through input circuit 210 . At 604 , the signal is amplified by amplifier 302 a . At 606 , the signal is coupled through resonant tank circuit 304 . Amplifier 302 a and resonant tank circuit 304 introduce a phase shift into the signal.

At 608 , the signal is amplified by amplifier 302 b . At 610 , the signal is coupled through transformer 204 for wireless transmission. Amplifier 302 a and transformer 204 introduce a second phase shift into the signal.

At 610 , the signal is coupled through feedback circuit 208 . Feedback circuit 208 includes a capacitor and does not introduce a phase shift into the signal or introduces a phase shift where a total phase shift is less than a threshold for stable operation.

Accordingly, particular embodiments use a capacitor or inductor-capacitor-resistor feedback circuit. This results in a minimal phase shift in feedback circuit 208 and a power amplifier gain output that does not oscillate and is stable. The phase shift of the entire loop is less than 180°, which means power amplifier 200 is stable.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The above description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Based on the above disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.