JP2001196875A - Power amplifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power amplifier whose power consumption can be reduced while keeping the performance of an amplifier element is maintained even when a matching condition of an amplifier means is fluctuated. SOLUTION: The power amplifier is provided with a gain variable means 3 that adjusts the gain for a high frequency input signal, an amplifier means 4a that amplifies the signal whose gain is adjusted, a plurality of output matching means 8a, 8b that are placed in parallel, match outputs of the amplifier means 4a and provide an output, changeover means 6a, 6b that select either of a plurality of the output matching means and connects the selected output matching means to the amplifier means 4a, and a control means 5a that provides an output of a signal to control the gain of the gain variable means, a signal to control an operating current of the amplifier means and a signal to control the switching of the changeover means. Even when the matching condition of the amplifier means is fluctuated, selecting an output matching means suitable for an operating current of the amplifier means can keep an optimum load to reduce the power consumption.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power amplifying device used for a wireless device, and a transmitting device and a wireless transmitting / receiving device having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a power amplifying device used by changing an output level, a device for reducing power consumption has been proposed.
The configuration shown in FIG. 18 was general (hereinafter, referred to as a conventional example). According to FIG. 18, input terminal 1
After the signal input from is adjusted by the variable gain element 3, the signal is amplified by the amplification means 4. At this time, an operating current switching signal for switching the operating current of the amplifying means 4 is output from the control means 5a to the amplifying means 4 to control the output power of the amplifying means 4. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplification means 4 is output to the output matching circuit 7.
Thus, impedance matching is maintained and output from the output terminal 2. In such a power amplifying device, the output matching circuit is fixed despite the change in output matching due to the change in output power.

As an output power control circuit capable of reducing current consumption in a low output mode of a power amplifier, a circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-17562 is known. According to the present invention, by using the switching signal of the switching signal generator and switching the gate bias voltage for the power amplifier in conjunction with the switching of the transmission output setting, the efficiency of the power amplifier in the low output mode is improved. ing.

Further, as a power amplifying circuit of a radio transmitter capable of reducing current consumption when the output is reduced, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-70473 is known. According to the present invention, when switching the output power level, the gate bias voltage applied to the amplifying element is controlled to be switched to an appropriate voltage according to the output power level, so that the maximum output power is required as the output power. In this case, apply a gate bias voltage that matches the maximum output power.If the output power can be small, apply a gate bias voltage that matches the required output power to reduce current consumption at low output. It is possible to reduce it.

On the other hand, as a power amplifying device capable of maintaining the matching even when the output power is changed, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-145748 is known. According to the present invention, by having two or more power amplifying elements having a variable input / output matching circuit and a switch for switching between them, by selecting an operation amplifying element according to the transmission output, and by also switching the variable input / output matching circuit An attempt is made to realize a power amplifying device which maintains the consistency and has good power efficiency especially at low output.

[0006]

By the way, in wireless terminal devices such as portable wireless telephones, miniaturization of batteries, that is, reduction of power consumption, has been required in recent years with the aim of further miniaturization. Therefore, in a wireless terminal device such as a portable wireless telephone, the transmission output should be switched so that the reception electric field strength of the base station becomes constant as the relative position between the terminal and the base station changes every moment. Thereby reducing power consumption.

Here, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, an example of characteristics of a conventional power amplifier will be described. FIG.
Shows the load fluctuation characteristics of the third-order distortion output intercept point (hereinafter abbreviated as OIP3) when the output is 20 dBm and the current consumption is 190 mA. Where OIP
3, as indicated by a thick dotted line in FIG. 5, an output level at which the signal component and the third-order intermodulation distortion component (hereinafter abbreviated as IM3) have the same level is virtually obtained. FIG.
The dotted line extending obliquely from the level of IM3 (black point) shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an output of 10 dBm and a current consumption of 40 m.
4 shows the load fluctuation characteristics of OIP3 in the case of A. FIG.
Indicates the load fluctuation characteristics in the high output mode, and O
IP3 = 42 dBm, which is the smallest distortion. At this time,
IM3 is 44 dB. When the output matching circuit 7 is set so that the output load becomes the point A, in the low output mode in which the output is reduced by 10 dB, since the IM3 only needs to be 44 dB, the operation can be performed at OIP3 = 32 dBm. For this reason, as shown in FIG.
= 32 dBm, the control voltage can be reduced. FIG. 6 summarizes the current consumption reduction effect in this case.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the conventional example, the control voltage is selected and the current consumption is switched between 190 mA in the high output mode and 40 mA in the low output mode, whereby the current consumption can be reduced by about 80% at the low output mode. . However, merely changing the output of the amplifying means 4 not only makes it impossible to achieve output matching, but also degrades distortion, so that there has been a problem that power consumption cannot be reduced sufficiently. In addition, by providing two or more series circuits including an operating transistor and a variable input / output matching circuit, it was possible to maintain matching even when the output changed, but the wireless terminal device was increased due to an increase in the number of components. However, there is a new problem that the size and size of the device become large, and further, loss and distortion occur when the signal passes through the switch circuit.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an electric power amplifying apparatus capable of reducing power consumption while maintaining the performance of the amplifying means even when the matching condition of the amplifying means fluctuates. To provide.

[0011]

A power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention is arranged in parallel with an amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by a gain varying means, and outputs the matched output of the amplifying means. A plurality of output matching means, a switching means for selecting one of the plurality of output matching means and connecting to the amplifying means, a signal for controlling a gain of the gain varying means, and an operating current of the amplifying means; A control means for outputting a signal and a signal for controlling switching of the switching means is provided. With this configuration,
Power output can be reduced by selecting an output matching means suitable for the operating current of the amplifying means.

The power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises an amplifying means for amplifying the high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by the gain varying means, and first and second means arranged in parallel for matching and outputting the outputs of the amplifying means. Output matching means, switching means for turning on / off the connection of one of the first and second output matching means to the amplifying means, a signal for controlling the gain of the gain variable means, and an operating current of the amplifying means. It has a configuration including control means for outputting a control signal and a signal for controlling the operation of the switching means. With this configuration, the loss caused by passing through the switch is reduced.

The power amplifying device according to the present invention includes an amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by a gain varying means, a three-terminal output matching means for matching and outputting an output of the amplifying means, and the three-terminal output matching means. A plurality of output matching means arranged in parallel between the output matching means and ground; a switching means for selecting any one of the plurality of output matching means and connecting to the three-terminal output matching means; A control means for outputting a signal for controlling the gain of the means, a signal for controlling the operating current of the amplifying means, and a signal for controlling the switching of the switching means. With this configuration, not only the loss caused by passing through the switch is reduced, but also the number of components can be reduced.

The power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by a gain varying means; a three-terminal output matching means for matching and outputting the output of the amplifying means; First and second output matching means arranged in parallel between the output matching means and ground;
Switching means for turning on / off the connection of the first and second output matching means to one of the three-terminal output matching means;
A control means is provided for outputting a signal for controlling a gain of the gain varying means, a signal for controlling an operating current of the amplifying means, and a signal for controlling switching of the switching means. With this configuration, not only the loss caused by passing through the switch is reduced, but also the number of components can be reduced.

The power amplifying device according to the present invention comprises: an amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by the gain varying means; an impedance varying means for matching and outputting the output of the amplifying means; And a control unit for outputting a signal for controlling a gain, a signal for controlling an operation current of the amplifying unit, and a control signal for changing an impedance of the impedance varying unit. With this configuration, the number of components of the output matching unit can be reduced.

The power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention includes an amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by a gain varying means, a three-terminal output matching means for matching and outputting the output of the amplifying means, and the three-terminal output matching means. A varactor diode arranged between the output matching means and ground, a variable voltage source for changing a positive voltage applied to the varactor diode, a signal for controlling the gain of the gain variable means, and an operating current of the amplifying means And a control means for outputting a signal for controlling the output voltage of the variable voltage source. With this configuration, the output matching unit can be made simple.

The power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention includes a variable voltage source for applying a control voltage to the amplifying means and continuously changing its operating current, and the control means applies an output voltage to the variable voltage source. Is output. With this configuration, an optimal load can be selected according to a continuous change in output level, and distortion and current consumption can be reduced.

The power amplifying device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the amplifying means has a characteristic of decreasing the gain as the current consumption decreases, and the output level is varied by the amplifying means without using the gain varying means. are doing. With this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced.

In the power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention, an output signal level detecting means is connected to an output of the power amplifying apparatus, and an output level of the power amplifying apparatus detected by the output signal level detecting means is input to the control means. And perform negative feedback control. With this configuration, it is possible to select an output matching unit suitable for the operating current in accordance with the output signal level.

A transmitting apparatus according to the present invention has a configuration including the power amplifying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. With this configuration, power consumption can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting / receiving apparatus.
Wherein the receiving means comprises a receiving signal level detecting means for detecting a receiving signal level of a signal received from the outside, and a receiving signal level detected by the receiving signal level detecting means is inputted to the control means. It is configured to perform control. With this configuration, it is possible to select an output matching unit suitable for the operating current in accordance with the received signal level.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.
The first to eleventh embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. (First Embodiment) First, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, an input terminal 1 inputs an external signal, an output terminal 2 outputs an amplified and matched signal, and a gain variable element (AGC) 3 as a gain variable means is controlled by a control means 5a. The signal input from the terminal 1 is gain-adjusted, and the gain-adjusted signal is amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The control means 5a controls the variable gain element (AGC) 3, the amplifying means 4a, and the switching means 6a and 6b of the output matching circuit 7a. The output matching circuit 7a as the output matching means is connected in parallel and connected to the amplifying means. Two-terminal circuits 8a and 8b as output matching means for maintaining the matching of the signal from 4a, and switching means 6a for switching the output signal of the amplifying means 4a to the one having the optimum load among the two-terminal circuits 8a and 8b. , 6b. The command for the control of the control means 5a is issued by an external control means (not shown). Further, the switching means 6a, 6b may be one which switches either the amplifying means 4a side or the output terminal 2 side of the two-terminal circuits 8a, 8b. May be used.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the operation of the power amplifier configured as described above in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. After the signal input from the input terminal 1 is adjusted in gain by the variable gain element 3, it is amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplifying unit 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5a to amplify the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying unit 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7a. At this time, the signal passing through the output matching circuit 7a is
Switching means 6a and switching means 6b controlled by control means 5a
Switching, the two-terminal circuit 8a or the two-terminal circuit 8b
By selecting and passing the optimum two-terminal circuit among them, it is possible to approach an appropriate load even when the output power changes.

Next, the effects of the present invention in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 2 shows an output of 20 dBm and a current consumption of 1
The graph shows the load fluctuation characteristics of the third-order distortion output intercept point (hereinafter abbreviated as OIP3) at 90 mA. Here, the OIP3 is obtained by virtually obtaining an output level at which the signal component and the third-order intermodulation distortion component (hereinafter, abbreviated as IM3) have the same level as indicated by a thick dotted line in FIG. . IM3 levels shown in FIG. 5 (black dots)
A dashed line extending obliquely from indicates a way of increasing the distortion component. FIG. 3 shows a load variation characteristic of the OIP 3 in the conventional example when the output is 10 dBm and the current consumption is 40 mA. FIG. 4 shows the load fluctuation characteristics of the OIP 3 when the output is 10 dBm and the current consumption is 17 mA. here,
An output of 20 dBm is called a high output mode, and an output of 10 dBm is called a low output mode.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the load fluctuation characteristics in the high-power mode. In the vicinity of the point A, OIP3 = 42 dBm and the distortion is minimized. At this time, IM3 is 44 dB. When the output matching circuit 7a is set so that the output load is at the point A, in the low output mode in which the output is reduced by 10 dB, the IM3 only needs to be 44 dB. Therefore, as described above, the operation can be performed at OIP3 = 32 dBm. it can.

When the output matching circuit 7a is not switched as in the conventional example shown in FIG. 3, OIP3 = 32 dB
By adjusting the control voltage to be m, the current consumption was reduced to 40 mA. However, when the control voltage is reduced, the load fluctuation characteristics of the OIP 3 change, and the point A is not the point with the smallest distortion. Therefore, the output matching circuit 7a is switched, and as shown in FIG. 4, the output matching circuit 7a is set so that the output load becomes the point B. At the point B, IM3 is 44 dB, that is, OIP3 = 32.
When the control voltage is adjusted to be dBm, the current consumption can be reduced to 17 mA.

Referring to FIG. 6, the effect of reducing the current consumption of the present invention and the effect of the conventional example will be described in comparison. In the low output mode, in the conventional example, the current consumption was reduced by about 80% in the low output mode by switching the current consumption from 190 mA in the high output mode to 40 mA. On the other hand, in the present invention, the output matching circuit 7
a, the current consumption in the low output mode is reduced from 40 mA of the conventional example to 17 mA, and is further reduced by approximately 6 mA.
It can be reduced by 0%. Therefore, according to the present invention, the current consumption can be reduced by about 90% in the low output mode as compared with the high output mode.

As described above, in the power amplifying device of the first embodiment, power consumption can be reduced by switching to an appropriate load in accordance with the output power. In addition,
Although the case where two types of output matching circuits are selected has been described as the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained even if three or more types of output matching circuits are selected. Since it is possible to respond flexibly, the effect of reducing the current consumption is increased.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the power amplifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a variable gain element 3, amplifying means 4a
And a control means 5b for controlling the switching means 6c and 6d of the output matching circuit 7b. The output matching circuit 7b is connected in parallel with two-terminal circuits 8c and 8d for maintaining signal matching from the amplifying means 4a. Switching means 6c and 6d for turning on / off the two-terminal circuit 8d under the control of the control means 5b. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The switching means 6c and 6d may turn on / off the two-terminal circuit 8c.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifier configured as described above, the input terminal 1
The gain of the input signal is adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplification unit 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5b, and amplifies the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying unit 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7b. At that time, the signal from the amplifying means 4a passing through the output matching circuit 7b is switched by the switching means 6c and 6d under the control of the control means 5b to cut off the circuit of the two-terminal circuit 8d in the high output mode.
By passing through only the terminal circuit 8c and passing through the parallel circuit composed of the two-terminal circuit 8c and the two-terminal circuit 8d in the low output mode, it is possible to approach an appropriate load even if the output power changes.

As described above, in the power amplifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the power consumption can be reduced by switching to an appropriate load in accordance with the output power. Further, in the high output mode, since the output signal is not passed through the switching means, there is no loss occurring in the switching means, and power consumption can be reduced as compared with the power amplifying apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. Instead, the generation of the distorted wave in the switching means can be suppressed, and a better spurious characteristic can be obtained as compared with the power amplifying device of the first embodiment. Although the second embodiment of the present invention has been described in connection with the case where two types of output matching circuits are selected and switched, the same effect can be obtained by selecting and switching three or more types of output matching circuits. However, the greater the number of switching types, the greater the effect of reducing current consumption.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, a power amplifying device according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a variable gain element 3, amplifying means 4a
And a control means 5c for controlling the switching means 6e of the output matching circuit 7c. The output matching circuit 7c matches the signal from the amplifying means 4a and connects the output terminal 2 to the three-terminal circuit 9a as the output matching means. And two-terminal circuits 8e and 8f arranged in parallel between the three-terminal circuit 9a and the ground, and one of the two-terminal circuits 8e and 8f is controlled by the control means 5c between the three-terminal circuit 9a and the ground. And switching means 6e connected to the switching means. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifier configured as described above, the input terminal 1
The gain of the input signal is adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplification unit 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5c, and amplifies the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying unit 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7c. At this time, the signal output from the amplifier 4a and passing through the output matching circuit 7c is 3
Although the signal passes through the terminal circuit 9a, the circuit connecting the three-terminal circuit 9a and the ground is selected from the two-terminal circuit 8e or the two-terminal circuit 8f by switching the switching means 6e under the control of the control means 5c. . With this configuration, it is possible to approach an appropriate load even if the output power changes.

As described above, in the power amplifying apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the power consumption can be reduced by switching to an appropriate load in accordance with the output power. Also, since the output signal does not pass directly through the switching means,
As compared with the power amplifying devices of the first and second embodiments, the loss is small, the power consumption can be further reduced, and the generation of the distorted wave in the switching means is suppressed. Even better spurious characteristics can be obtained as compared with the power amplifying device of the embodiment. In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the output matching circuit is selected from two types and switched, but the same effect can be obtained by selecting and switching from three or more types of output matching circuits.
The greater the number of types of switching, the greater the effect of reducing current consumption.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifier according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, the power amplifying device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a variable gain element 3, amplifying means 4a
And a control means 5d for controlling the switching means 6f of the output matching circuit 7d. The output matching circuit 7d matches the signal from the amplifying means 4a and connects it to the output terminal 2 with the three-terminal circuit 9b.
A two-terminal circuit 8g connected between the three-terminal circuit 9b and the ground, and a two-terminal circuit 8g connected in series with the switching means 6f and connected in parallel with the two-terminal circuit 8g between the three-terminal circuit 9b and the ground. Controlled by the terminal circuit 8h and the control means 5d;
And a switching means 6f for turning on / off the terminal circuit 8h. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifier configured as described above, the input terminal 1
The gain of the input signal is adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplifying means 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control means 5d to amplify the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7d. At this time, the signal passing through the output matching circuit 7d passes through the three-terminal circuit 9b, but the switching between the three-terminal circuit 9b and the ground is performed by the switching of the switching means 6f under the control of the control means 5d. By connecting only the two-terminal circuit 8g and connecting a parallel circuit composed of the two-terminal circuit 8g and the two-terminal circuit 8h in the low output mode, it is possible to approach an appropriate load even if the output power changes.

As described above, in the power amplifying device according to the fourth embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced by switching to an appropriate load in accordance with the output power. Also,
Since the output signal does not directly pass through the switching means and the ground current does not pass through the switching means in the high output mode, the loss is smaller and the power consumption can be further reduced as compared with the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a case has been described in which the two-terminal output matching circuit is selected from two types and switched, but it is also possible to select and switch from three or more types of two-terminal output matching circuits. The same effect is obtained, and the effect of reducing current consumption increases as the number of types of switching increases.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, the power amplifying apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has a variable gain element 3, an amplifying means 4a, and a control means 5e for controlling an impedance variable element 10 as an impedance variable means of the output matching circuit 7e. The output matching circuit 7e is composed of a variable impedance element 10 composed of a circuit including active elements such as diodes and transistors.
Is a circuit in which the impedance of the circuit can be changed by changing the bias condition of the active element. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifying device configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is gain-adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplification unit 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5e, and amplifies the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7e. At this time, the signal passing through the output matching circuit 7e passes through the variable impedance element 10, but the impedance of the variable impedance element 10 is changed under the control of the control means 5e so that even if the output power changes, it approaches an appropriate load. Can be.

As described above, in the power amplifying device of the fifth embodiment, power consumption can be reduced by switching to an appropriate load in accordance with the output power. Also,
Since there is no switching means, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, the number of components of the output matching circuit can be reduced by using the variable impedance element.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, the power amplifying apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a variable gain element 3, an amplifying means 4a, and a control means 5f for controlling a variable voltage source 11a of an output matching circuit 7f. 7f is a three-terminal circuit 9c for matching the signal from the amplifying means 4a and connecting to the output terminal 2, a varactor diode 13 provided between the three-terminal circuit 9c and the ground, and a varactor diode 1c.
3 and a variable voltage source 11a for adjusting the output voltage under the control of the control means 5f. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, an operation of the power amplifying device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifying device configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is gain-adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplification unit 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5f, and amplifies the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7f. At this time, the amplification means 4
a, which passes through the output matching circuit 7f, passes through the three-terminal circuit 9c. However, the output voltage of the variable voltage source 11a is adjusted by the control of the control means 5f, and the three-terminal circuit 9c
Varactor diode 13 provided between
, The load of the output matching circuit 7f can be changed, and even if the output power changes, the load can be approximated to an appropriate load.

As described above, in the power amplifying device according to the sixth embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced by changing the load to an appropriate load according to the output power. Also,
Since there is no switching means, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, the circuit can be simplified by using a varactor diode.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, the power amplifying device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes a variable gain element 3, amplifying means 4a, and a control means 5g for controlling the variable current source 12 of the output matching circuit 7g. 7 g is amplifying means 4
a three-terminal circuit 9d for matching the signal from a and connecting to the output terminal 2, a PIN diode 14 provided between the three-terminal circuit 9d and the ground, and a control means 5g connected to the PIN diode 14 and controlled by the control means 5g. And a variable current source 12 for adjusting the output current. Other components are
This is the same as the case of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifying device configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is gain-adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplifying unit 4a changes the operating current and the output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5g, and amplifies the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4a is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7g. At this time, the amplification means 4
The signal output from the output matching circuit 7g and passing through the output matching circuit 7g passes through the three-terminal circuit 9d, but the output current of the variable current source 12 is adjusted by the control of the control means 5g to connect the three-terminal circuit 9d with the ground. By changing the resistance value of the provided PIN diode 14, the load of the output matching circuit 7g can be changed, and even if the output power changes, the load can be made closer to an appropriate load.

As described above, in the power amplifying device of the seventh embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced by changing the load to an appropriate load according to the output power. Also,
Since there is no switching means, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, the circuit can be simplified by using a PIN diode.

(Eighth Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, a power amplifying device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention includes a variable gain source 3, a variable voltage source 11b, a control unit 5h for controlling the variable impedance source 10 of the output matching circuit 7e, and a variable voltage source 11b. Amplifying means 4a for amplifying the signal from the variable gain element 3 under the control of the above. The output matching circuit 7e comprises a variable impedance element 10 constituted by a circuit including an active element such as a diode or a transistor. The element 10 enables the impedance of the circuit to be changed by changing the bias condition of the active element. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifying device configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is gain-adjusted by the variable gain element 3 and then amplified by the amplifying means 4a. The amplifier 4a amplifies the input high-frequency signal by continuously changing the operating current and the output power under the control of the gate bias voltage supplied from the variable voltage source 11b under the control of the controller 5h. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4a passes through the output matching circuit 7e so that the signal is
Output from At this time, the signal output from the amplifying means 4a and passing through the output matching circuit 7e passes through the variable impedance element 10. However, even if the load of the variable impedance element 10 is changed under the control of the control means 5h, the output power changes. Appropriate load can be approached.

As described above, in the power amplifying device according to the eighth embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced by changing the load to an appropriate load according to the output power. Also,
Since there is no switching means and the output level can be changed continuously, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, the number of components of the output matching circuit can be reduced by using the variable impedance element.

(Ninth Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, the power amplifying device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 5i for controlling the amplifying unit 4b and the variable impedance element 10 of the output matching circuit 7e, and a control unit 5i for controlling the input terminal 1 Amplifying means 4b for amplifying the input signal; and the output matching circuit 7e is composed of an impedance variable element 10 composed of a circuit including an active element such as a diode or a transistor. Other components are the same as those of the power amplifying device according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the power amplifying device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power amplifier configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is amplified by the amplifier 4b. The amplifying unit 4b changes the operating current, gain, and output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5i to amplify the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4b is output from the output terminal 2 while being matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7e. At this time, the signal output from the amplifying unit 4b and passing through the output matching circuit 7e passes through the variable impedance element 10. However, even if the load of the variable impedance element 10 is changed by the control of the control unit 5i, the output power changes. Appropriate load can be approached.

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, an example of the characteristics of the amplifying means 4b used in the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the operating current and the gain of the amplification means 4b. According to FIG. 15, it can be seen that the gain decreases as the operating current decreases. Due to this characteristic, in the ninth embodiment, the output power can be changed without using a variable gain element by controlling the operating current.

As described above, in the power amplifying device according to the ninth embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced by changing the load to an appropriate load according to the output power. Also,
Since there is no switching means, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, not only the output power can be changed without using the variable gain element, but also the number of components of the output matching circuit can be reduced by using the variable impedance element.

(Tenth Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 16, the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.
The power amplifying apparatus according to the first embodiment has a control means 5j for controlling the amplifying means 4b and the variable impedance element 10 of the output matching circuit 7e, and an output as an output signal level detecting means for detecting the output signal level of the output terminal 2. And a signal level detection element 15. The other components are the same as those of the power amplifier according to the ninth embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 16, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation of the power amplifying device according to the embodiment will be described.
In the power amplifier configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is amplified by the amplifier 4b. The amplifying unit 4b, whose gate bias voltage is controlled by the control unit 5j, changes the operating current, gain, and output power to amplify the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, amplifying means 4b
The signal amplified by is output from the output terminal 2 while maintaining the matching by passing through the output matching circuit 7e.
At this time, the output signal level detecting element 15 detects the output signal level of the output terminal 2 and supplies it to the control means 5j. The control means 5j controls the gate bias voltage of the amplifying means 4b and the load of the variable impedance element 10 based on the output signal level detected by the output signal level detection element 15. The output matching circuit 7e output from the amplifying means 4b
The signal passing through the variable impedance element 10 passes through the variable impedance element 10, but the load of the variable impedance element 10 can be changed under the control of the control means 5j, so that the load can be brought close to an appropriate load even if the output power changes.

As described above, in the power amplifying apparatus of the tenth embodiment, the output load can be controlled based on the output signal level, and the load condition of the amplifying means 4b can be optimized according to the output power. Power consumption can be further reduced.

(Eleventh Embodiment) Next, a configuration of a power amplifying device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.
The power amplifying apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 5k for controlling the variable impedance element 10 of the amplifying unit 4b and the output matching circuit 7e, and a duplexer 18 for transmitting and receiving signals.
And an antenna 19 connected to the duplexer 18 and a receiving circuit 16 as a receiving means including a received signal level detecting element 17 as a received signal level detecting means connected to the duplexer 18 and detecting a signal level of a received signal. Be composed. The other components are the same as those of the power amplifier according to the ninth embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 17, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation of the power amplifying device according to the embodiment will be described.
In the power amplifier configured as described above, the signal input from the input terminal 1 is amplified by the amplifier 4b. The amplifying unit 4b changes the operating current, gain, and output power by controlling the gate bias voltage by the control unit 5k, and amplifies the input high-frequency signal. On the other hand, the signal amplified by the amplifying means 4b is kept matched by passing through the output matching circuit 7e, and the duplexer 18
Is transmitted from the antenna 19 via the.

A received signal is received by the antenna 19 and supplied to the receiving circuit 16 through the duplexer 18. The reception signal level detection element 17 detects the reception signal level input to the reception circuit 16, and supplies the detected reception signal level to the control unit 5k. The control unit 5k controls the gate bias voltage of the amplifying unit 4b and the load of the variable impedance element 10 based on the reception signal level detected by the reception signal level detection element 17. Also, the signal passing through the output matching circuit 7e is
0, but the load of the variable impedance element 10 is changed under the control of the control means 5k, so that even if the output power changes, an appropriate load can be approached.

As described above, in the transmission / reception apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment, the required transmission level can be obtained from the received signal level, and the gain of the amplifying element can be determined based on the required transmission level. Can be sent,
Power consumption can be further reduced. Further, the power amplifying device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a transmitting device, a portable wireless telephone, a wireless information communication device, and a wireless communication base station other than those described above. Can be planned.

[0061]

The power amplifying apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above, and even when the output is changed, the output of the amplifying means is changed, and the output matching circuit is switched to maintain the optimum load to maintain the optimum load. Power consumption can be reduced while maintaining performance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing load fluctuation characteristics in a high-power mode of the power amplifier.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing load fluctuation characteristics in a low power mode of a conventional power amplifier.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing load fluctuation characteristics in a low output mode of the power amplifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an O of the power amplifying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
A graph showing the relationship between IP3 and IM3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a current reduction effect of the power amplification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power amplification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power amplification device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a characteristic example of the power amplifier according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power amplification device in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input terminal 2 Output terminal 3 Variable gain element 4a, 4b Amplification means 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5
h, 5i, 5j, 5k control means 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f switching means 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g output matching circuits 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h 2
Terminal circuit 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 3 terminal circuit 10 Impedance variable element 11a, 11b Variable voltage source 12 Variable current source 13 Varactor diode 14 PIN diode 15 Output signal level detecting element 16 Receiving circuit 17 Received signal level detecting element 18 Duplexer 19 Antenna

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akitaka Takeuchi 2-1-1, Hikosancho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Kanazawa Research Institute Co., Ltd. No.3-1, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5J091 AA01 AA41 AA53 CA36 CA75 FA18 HA19 KA00 KA07 KA11 KA29 SA14 TA01 TA02 5J092 AA01 AA41 AA53 CA36 CA75 FA18 HA19 KA00 KA07 KA11 A01 TA01 BB00 BC06 CA11 DA06 EA02 FA01

Claims (11)

[Claims] Amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by a gain varying means; a plurality of output matching means arranged in parallel for matching and outputting an output of said amplifying means; and a plurality of output matching means. Switching means for selecting any of the means and connecting to the amplifying means, a signal for controlling a gain of the gain variable means, a signal for controlling an operating current of the amplifying means, and a signal for controlling switching of the switching means. And a control means for outputting a signal. Amplifying means for amplifying the high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by the gain varying means; first and second output matching means arranged in parallel for matching and outputting the outputs of said amplifying means; Switching means for turning on / off the connection of one of the first and second output matching means to one of the amplifying means; a signal for controlling a gain of the gain varying means; a signal for controlling an operating current of the amplifying means; And a control means for outputting a signal for controlling the operation of the means. 3. Amplifying means for amplifying the high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by the gain varying means, three-terminal output matching means for matching and outputting the output of the amplifying means, and three-terminal output matching means and ground. A plurality of output matching means disposed in parallel between the plurality of output matching means, a switching means for selecting one of the plurality of output matching means and connecting to the three-terminal output matching means, and controlling a gain of the gain variable means. A power amplification device comprising: a control unit that outputs a signal, a signal for controlling an operation current of the amplification unit, and a signal for controlling switching of the switching unit. 4. Amplifying means for amplifying the high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by the gain varying means, three-terminal output matching means for matching and outputting the output of the amplifying means, and three-terminal output matching means and ground. And turning on / off the connection of the first and second output matching means to one of the three-terminal output matching means.
Switching means for turning off, and a control means for outputting a signal for controlling a gain of the gain variable means, a signal for controlling an operating current of the amplifying means, and a signal for controlling switching of the switching means. Power amplifying device. 5. An amplifying means for amplifying a high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by a gain varying means, an impedance varying means for matching and outputting an output of said amplifying means, and a signal for controlling a gain of said gain varying means. A power amplifying apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a signal for controlling an operation current of the amplifying unit and a control signal for changing an impedance of the impedance varying unit. 6. An amplifying means for amplifying the high-frequency input signal whose gain has been adjusted by the gain varying means, a three-terminal output matching means for matching and outputting the output of the amplifying means, and a three-terminal output matching means and a ground. A varactor diode disposed between the varactor diode, a variable voltage source for changing a positive voltage applied to the varactor diode, a signal for controlling a gain of the gain varying means, a signal for controlling an operating current of the amplifying means, and And a control means for outputting a signal for controlling an output voltage of the variable voltage source. 7. A variable voltage source for applying a control voltage to the amplifying means and continuously changing an operation current thereof, wherein the control means outputs a signal for controlling the output voltage to the variable voltage source. The power amplifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said amplifier has a characteristic of decreasing a gain with decreasing current consumption, and the output level is varied by said amplifier without using said gain varying means. 8. The power amplifying device according to any one of 1 to 7. 9. An output signal level detecting means is connected to an output of the power amplifying apparatus, and an output level of the power amplifying apparatus detected by the output signal level detecting means is input to the control means to perform negative feedback control. The power amplifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power amplifying device is configured as described above. 10. A transmitting device comprising the power amplifying device according to claim 1. 11. The receiving apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: receiving means for detecting a receiving signal level of a signal received from the outside in said receiving means, wherein said receiving means detects said receiving signal level by said receiving signal level detecting means. A wireless transmission / reception device wherein a signal level is input to the control means to perform control.