JP5965618B2 - Power amplifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power amplifying device, and more particularly to a power amplifying device capable of improving power conversion efficiency.

[Description of Prior Art]
A transmission power amplifying apparatus used in a radio device amplifies a high-frequency signal to a required transmission power, and is the portion that consumes the most power in most radio devices.
The power consumed by the power amplifying device is not only converted into a high-frequency output but also released as heat that causes internal loss. Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption and improve reliability, it is required to increase the power conversion efficiency of the power amplifying apparatus and suppress useless internal loss.

  By the way, in order to amplify a signal having a high peak power ratio (PAPR: Peak to Average Power Ratio), such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), It is necessary to make the amplifier saturation level higher than the average output power (take backoff). However, if the backoff is used, the efficiency of the amplifier decreases.

For example, a simple class B amplifier has a theoretical maximum efficiency of 78% during saturation operation, but a maximum theoretical efficiency of 26% during operation with a backoff of 10 dB.
In a high-power amplifier for base stations that amplifies signals such as CDMA and OFDM, it is necessary to amplify a signal with a large peak power ratio with low distortion, so a large back-off must be taken, resulting in low efficiency. End up.

[Related technologies]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-55515 (Applicant: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd., Patent Document 1) is known as a prior art related to an amplifying apparatus that improves efficiency.
Patent Document 1 describes that in a Doherty amplifier including a plurality of peak amplifiers, outputs from the amplifiers are combined on a line.

JP 2009-55515 A

  However, the conventional power amplifying apparatus has a problem in that, when a signal having a high PAPR is amplified, such as CDMA or OFDM, a large back-off must be taken, resulting in low power conversion efficiency. It was.

  In Patent Document 1, the output impedances of a plurality of amplifiers are set to the same value, and at the synthesis point, the phase adjustment line adjusted so as to be opened when the amplifier is not operating, and the amplifier are operating. In some cases, it is not described that the output line is adjusted so as to be the output impedance of the amplifier and is synthesized with low loss.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power amplifying apparatus capable of improving power conversion efficiency when a signal having a high ratio of peak power to average power is amplified. .

The present invention for solving the problems of the above-described conventional example is a power amplifying apparatus that amplifies a high-frequency signal, and amplifies a high-frequency signal input from an input terminal and outputs the amplified signal to an output terminal. A plurality of amplifiers that input signals of power levels in different specific ranges and amplify the input signals of the power levels in a state close to saturation, a branching device that branches a signal input from an input terminal, and a branching device The detector that detects the power level of one of the signals that was split in the above and the other signal that was split by the branch operate in one of multiple amplifiers that is close to saturation at the detected power level. Compare the power level detected by the detector with a predetermined threshold value so that it is output to the amplifier. A signal division processing unit including a comparison unit that connects any one of a plurality of switches based on the comparison result, and a plurality of units that are provided corresponding to each amplifier and adjust the phase of the output signal from the corresponding amplifier A phase adjustment line, a synthesis point for synthesizing outputs from a plurality of phase adjustment lines, an output line connected to the synthesis point and the output terminal, and adjusting an impedance when the output terminal side is viewed from the synthesis point and a signal combining unit, the plurality of amplifiers, a state in which the high-frequency signal is not performing an amplification operation is not inputted and if the amplifier is not operating, a state in which the high-frequency signal is performing an amplifying operation is input amplifier As for the multiple amplifiers, the output impedance when the amplifier is operating is set to the same value, and the characteristic impedances of the multiple phase adjustment lines and output lines are The same value as the output impedance when the amplifier is operating, adjusted to the impedance of the phase adjustment line is, the corresponding amplifier to open the impedance when viewed the amplifier side from the combining point when not operating It is characterized by being.
The present invention also relates to a power amplifying apparatus that amplifies a high-frequency signal input from an input terminal and outputs the amplified signal to an output terminal. a plurality of amplifiers for amplifying the respective levels of the input signal in a state close to saturation, and detecting a power level of the envelope of the input signal from the input terminal, the input signal in response to the power level of the hull絡線A signal division processing unit that distributes and outputs to any one of a plurality of amplifiers, a plurality of phase adjustment lines that are provided corresponding to each amplifier and adjust the phase of an output signal from the corresponding amplifier, and a plurality of phase adjustments with a combining point for combining the output from the line, connected to the combining point and an output terminal, and a signal synthesizing unit and an output line for adjusting the impedance when viewing the output terminal side from the combining point, a plurality of amplifiers Therefore, a state where the amplifier is not operating when the high frequency signal is not input and the amplification operation is not performed, and a state where the amplifier is operating when the amplifier is operating when the high frequency signal is input are a plurality of The amplifier has the same output impedance when the amplifier is operating, the characteristic impedance of the multiple phase adjustment lines and output lines is the same value as the output impedance when the amplifier is operating, and the phase adjustment impedance of the line is, it is characterized in that the corresponding amplifier is adjusted to open the impedance when viewed the amplifier side from the combining point when not operating.

According to the present invention, there is provided a power amplifier device for outputting a high-frequency signal inputted from the input terminal to the amplifier and an output terminal, the input power level of signals of different specific ranges from each other, the input signal of the power level A plurality of amplifiers that respectively amplify the signals near saturation, a branching device that branches the signal input from the input terminal, a detector that detects the power level of one signal branched by the branching device, and a branching device A plurality of switches arranged corresponding to each amplifier so that the other branched signal is output to an amplifier operating near saturation at the detected power level in any one of the plurality of amplifiers. And a comparison unit that compares the power level detected by the detector with a predetermined threshold value and connects any one of a plurality of switches based on the comparison result. A signal division processing section was provided corresponding to the respective amplifiers, and a plurality of phase adjustment line for adjusting the phase of the output signal from the corresponding amplifier, a combining point for combining the outputs from a plurality of phase adjustment line, A signal synthesizer connected to the synthesis point and the output terminal and having an output line that adjusts the impedance when the output terminal side is viewed from the synthesis point is provided. If the amplifier is not operating when the amplifier is not operating, and if the amplifier is operating when the amplifier is operating when a high-frequency signal is input, multiple amplifiers are output when the amplifier is operating The impedance is set to the same value, the characteristic impedance of the multiple phase adjustment lines and output lines is set to the same value as the output impedance when the amplifier is operating, and the phase adjustment line Impedance, because the corresponding amplifier is a power amplifier which is adjusted to the impedance to an open when viewed the amplifier side from the combining point when the device is not operated, the operation each amplifier close to saturation each The effect of improving the power conversion efficiency when amplifying a signal with a high ratio of peak power to average power by improving the efficiency of the entire amplifying apparatus by amplifying the signal at the signal combining unit with low loss at the signal combining unit There is.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a power amplifying apparatus that amplifies a high frequency signal input from an input terminal and outputs the amplified signal to an output terminal. a plurality of amplifiers and to detect the power level of the envelope of the input signal from the input terminal, input in response to the power level of the packaging絡線signal which in the state close to the input signal to the saturation power level amplification, respectively A signal division processing unit that distributes and outputs to one of a plurality of amplifiers, a plurality of phase adjustment lines that are provided corresponding to each amplifier and adjust the phase of an output signal from the corresponding amplifier, and a plurality of phases with a combining point for combining the output from the adjustment line, connected to the combining point and an output terminal, and a signal synthesizing unit and an output line for adjusting the impedance when viewing the output terminal side from the combining point, a plurality of As for the width device, when the amplifier is not operating when the high frequency signal is not input and the amplification operation is not performed, and when the amplifier is operating when the high frequency signal is input and the amplification operation is performed, The plurality of amplifiers have the same output impedance when the amplifier is operating, the characteristic impedances of the plurality of phase adjustment lines and the output line are the same value as the output impedance when the amplifier is operating, impedance of the phase adjustment line is, because the corresponding amplifier is a power amplifier which is adjusted to the impedance to an open when viewed the amplifier side from the combining point when the device is not operated, the amplifiers each saturated Amplifying with an operation close to, and combining with low loss at the signal synthesizer improves the overall efficiency of the amplifying device and reduces the average power. The ratio of the peak power has the effect capable of improving the power conversion efficiency when amplifying a high signal that.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a power amplifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the division | segmentation and the synthesis | combination of the signal waveform in this electric power amplifier. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the signal division | segmentation process part 1 comprised with the analog circuit. 3 is a circuit diagram of a power supply circuit 26. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a gate voltage waveform supplied to an amplifier 23. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal synthesis example in the signal synthetic | combination part in case the amplifier 21 is outputting the signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal synthesis example in case the amplifier 22 is outputting the signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a signal synthesis | combination in case the amplifier 23 is outputting the signal. It is a Smith chart which shows the impedance when the amplifier 21 is outputting the signal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Outline of the embodiment]
A power amplifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention amplifies a signal having a large peak-to-average power ratio, and a plurality of amplifiers that amplify signals of different input levels by operation close to saturation, and an input signal A distribution unit that outputs to an appropriate amplifier according to a signal level and a signal synthesis unit that synthesizes output signals from a plurality of amplifiers on a line with low loss, and the signal synthesis unit outputs a phase of an output from each amplifier. A plurality of phase adjustment lines for adjusting the output, a composite point for combining the outputs of the plurality of phase adjustment lines, and an output line for adjusting the impedance of the output of the composite point, and the impedance of the phase adjustment line is the impedance at the composite point Is adjusted to be open to the non-operating amplifier so that the impedance of the output line becomes the output impedance of the amplifier with respect to the operating amplifier. Each amplifier always operates close to saturation, and the signal synthesizer synthesizes the output of each amplifier with low loss on the line to efficiently amplify a signal with a large PAPR. The efficiency of the entire amplifier can be improved.

[Configuration of Power Amplifying Device According to Embodiment: FIG. 1]
The configuration of the power amplification device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a power amplifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the power amplifying apparatus (the present power amplifying apparatus) according to the embodiment of the present invention mainly includes an input terminal 10, a signal division processing unit 1, an amplifying unit 2, and a signal combining unit 3. And an output terminal 4.
Further, the amplification unit 2 includes amplifiers 21, 22, 23, power supplies 24, 25, and a power supply circuit 26.

Each part of the power amplifying apparatus will be described.
The signal division processing unit 1 performs envelope detection on the signal input from the input terminal 10 to detect the power level of the envelope, and outputs it to any of the amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 according to the detected power level. Output from the distribution output terminals 11, 12, and 13. The configuration and operation of the signal division processing unit 1 will be described later.

  The signal division processing unit 1 is composed of an analog circuit or a digital circuit, adjusts the phase and amplitude with reference to the output terminal 4, and outputs a signal in which the delay difference of the amplifiers 21 to 23 and the signal synthesis unit 3 at each stage is adjusted. It has the function to do.

  The amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 of the amplifying unit 2 input signals having input levels in different specific ranges and amplify the signals in a state close to saturation at the respective input levels. The bias voltage and the drain voltage are appropriately selected / set. Since the amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 always operate close to saturation, all operate with high efficiency.

Specifically, the amplifier 21 is designed using a device with a large output power to amplify a large signal, the amplifier 22 uses a device with a smaller output power than the amplifier 21, and the amplifier 23 has a smaller output power. Use the device.
At this time, the power supply voltages supplied from the power supply 24, the power supply 25, and the power supply circuit 26 are such that the divided signal waveform 15, the divided signal waveform 16, and the divided signal waveform 17 output from the signal division processing unit 1 are close to saturation power. Set to amplify. Therefore, since the amplifier 21, the amplifier 22, and the amplifier 23 are all amplified in a state close to saturation power, high-efficiency operation is possible.

The amplifier 21 is supplied with a constant voltage from the power source 24 and amplifies it by a class C operation.
The amplifier 22 is supplied with a constant voltage from the power supply 25, and performs amplification by a class C operation.
The amplifier 23 is supplied with a voltage controlled so as to operate only when the carrier wave is present from the power supply circuit 26, and performs amplification at class AB only when the carrier wave is present.

The power supply 24 supplies a constant voltage having an appropriate voltage value to the amplifier 21 as a drain voltage.
Similarly, the power supply 25 supplies a constant voltage having an appropriate voltage value to the amplifier 22 as a drain voltage.
Based on the signal from the signal division processing unit 1, the power supply circuit 26 controls the gate voltage of the amplifier 23 and supplies the drain voltage so that it operates only when there is a carrier wave.

  The signal synthesis unit 3 inputs the signals amplified by the amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 of the amplification unit 2 from the input terminals 31, 32, and 33, synthesizes them with low loss on the line, and outputs them from the output terminal 4.

  In this power amplifying apparatus, each of the amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 of the amplifying unit 2 operates in a state close to saturation power, and further, the signal combining unit 3 combines the amplified signals with low loss, so that OFDM or CDMA Thus, a transmitter capable of amplifying with high efficiency even with a signal having a large PAPR can be realized.

[Example of signal waveform division and synthesis in this power amplifier: FIG. 2]
An outline of division and synthesis of signal waveforms in the power amplifying apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing signal waveform division and synthesis in the power amplifying apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 2, the signal division processing unit 1 detects the input modulated signal waveform 14 to detect the signal level, and compares it with threshold values th1 and th2 (th1 <th2) stored in advance. Then, the signal is divided on the time axis according to the signal level and output to any one of the output terminals 11, 12, and 13.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the input signal has a signal level smaller than th1 (divided signal waveform 17), a signal level between th1 and th2 (divided signal waveform 16), or a signal level greater than th2 (divided). The signal waveform 15) is divided into three types and output to the distribution output terminals 13, 12, and 11, respectively.

  Then, the divided signals 15 to 17 output from the respective distribution output terminals 11 to 13 are amplified by the amplifiers 21 to 23 of the amplifying unit 2, synthesized with low loss by the signal synthesis unit 3, and amplified modulated signal waveforms. 19 is obtained.

[Configuration Example of Signal Division Processing Unit 1: FIG. 3]
Next, the structure of the signal division | segmentation process part 1 of this power amplification apparatus is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the signal division processing unit 1 configured by an analog circuit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the signal division processing unit 1 includes an input terminal 10, a divider 102, a detector 103, comparators 104, 105, 106, 107, an AND circuit 108, switches 109, 110, 111, , Phase amplitude adjustment circuits 113, 114, and 115 and distribution output terminals 11, 12, and 13 are provided.
Further, the signal division processing unit 1 includes an output terminal 18 for branching and outputting a signal to the power supply circuit 26 shown in FIG.
1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The divider 102 branches the input signal (modulated signal waveform) 14 from the input terminal 10 into two.
The detector 103 detects one of the branched input signals and detects the input level (a). The detected input level is input to the comparators 104, 105, 106, and 107.

  In this embodiment, the comparators 104 to 107 compare the input level a with the thresholds th1 and th2, and based on the magnitude, turn on one of the switches 109, 110, and 111 to set the phase and amplitude. After adjustment, the signal is output to any one of the distribution output terminals 11, 12, and 13.

  In the comparator 104, the first threshold th1 is set at the + terminal, and when the input level a input from the − terminal is smaller than th1 (a <th1), the output signal becomes the H level. That is, when the signal waveform of the detection signal is the signal waveform 112b (small signal), the switch 109 is turned on, and the other switches 110 and 111 are turned off.

The comparator 105 outputs the H level signal when the first threshold th1 is set at the − terminal and the input level a input from the + terminal is greater than th1 (a> th1).
Further, the comparator 106 is set with the second threshold th2 at the + terminal, and outputs an H level signal when the input level a input from the − terminal is smaller than th2 (a <th2). The

  Only when the outputs from the comparator 105 and the comparator 106 are both at the H level (th1 <a <th2), the output from the AND circuit 108 is at the H level. That is, when the detection output is the signal waveform 112c (medium signal), the switch 110 is turned on, and the other switches 109 and 111 are turned off.

  In the comparator 107, the second threshold th2 is set at the − terminal, and when the input level a input from the + terminal is greater than th2 (a> th2), the output signal becomes the H level. That is, when the detection output is a signal waveform 112d (large signal), the switch 111 is turned on, and the other switches 109 and 110 are turned off.

The switch 109 is turned on when the output from the comparator 104 is at the H level, and outputs the input signal branched by the divider 102 to the distribution output terminal 15.
The switch 110 is turned on when the output from the AND circuit 108 is at the H level, and outputs an input signal to the distribution output terminal 14.
The switch 111 is turned on when the output from the comparator 107 is at the H level, and outputs an input signal to the distribution output terminal 13.

  The phase amplitude adjustment circuits 113 to 115 are configured by analog circuits or digital circuits, adjust the phase and amplitude with the output terminal 4 as a reference, and output a signal in which the delay difference of the amplifiers and signal synthesis units in each stage is adjusted.

The operation of the signal distribution unit 12 configured as described above will be described.
The signal input from the input terminal 10 is branched into two by the divider 102, and one branch signal is detected by the detector 110 to detect the input level (a).
When the input level a is smaller than th1 (a <th1, signal waveform 112b), only the output of the comparator 104 becomes H level, the switch 109 is turned on, and the other input signal branched by the divider 102 is in phase. The signal is output from the amplitude adjustment circuit 115 to the distribution output terminal 13.
Further, the output of the comparator 104 is supplied to the power supply circuit 26 via the output terminal 18.

When the input level a is between th1 and th2 (th1 <a <th2, signal waveform 112c), the comparators 105 and 106 are at H level, the switch 110 is turned on, and the input signal is a phase amplitude adjustment circuit. 114 is output to the distribution output terminal 12.
When the input level a is greater than th2 (a> th2, signal waveform 112d), the comparator 107 becomes H level, the switch 111 is turned on, and the input signal is output from the phase amplitude adjustment circuit 113 to the distribution output terminal 11. The
In states other than the above, the switches 109 to 111 are turned off.

  In this way, in this power amplifying apparatus, the input signal is distributed to the optimum amplifier path in accordance with the input level, and the amplifier 21, 22, or 23 shown in FIG. It will be amplified.

[Power supply circuit 26: FIGS. 1, 3, and 4]
Next, the power supply circuit 26 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the power supply circuit 26.
The power supply circuit 26 shown in FIG. 1 controls the gate voltage of the amplifier 23 so as to operate only when the carrier wave exists.
Specifically, the power supply circuit 26 includes a gate voltage control circuit, and the gate voltage control circuit sends a signal from the comparator 104 via the output terminal 18 of the signal division processing unit 1 and the input terminal 27 of the power supply circuit 26. The gate voltage is controlled using the signal.
The gate voltage control circuit is composed of an analog circuit or a digital circuit.

[Configuration of Power Supply Circuit 26: FIG. 4]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the power supply circuit 26 configured by an analog circuit.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the power supply circuit 26 includes a power supply unit including a DC voltage source 204 and a power supply terminal 29, a DC voltage source 205, resistors 201 and 202, a switch 203, and an input terminal 27. A gate voltage control circuit including a gate voltage control terminal 28.

The power supply unit supplies a stable drain voltage from the power supply terminal 29 to the amplifier 23.
The gate voltage control circuit divides the voltage from the DC voltage source 203 by the resistor 201 and the resistor 202, and controls the switch 203 by a control signal input from the input terminal 27, so that an appropriate gate of the two-stage voltages is obtained. The voltage is switched to output from the output terminal 28.
Specifically, when the switch 203 is switched to the DC voltage source 205 side, a voltage corresponding to class AB is output, and when the switch 203 is switched to the voltage dividing side, a voltage corresponding to class C is output, and the amplifier 23 Is supplied as a gate voltage.

  In the power supply circuit 26, when the output of the comparator 104 is input from the input terminal 27 (when there is a carrier wave), the switch 203 is switched to the power supply voltage side to supply the AB class gate voltage, and the input terminal When there is no input from 27, the switch 203 is switched to the voltage dividing side to supply a class C gate voltage.

[Example of gate voltage of amplifier 23: FIG. 5]
Here, an example of the gate voltage waveform supplied to the amplifier 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a gate voltage waveform supplied to the amplifier 23.
As shown in FIG. 5, the gate voltage waveform 210 of the amplifier 23 is generated by switching between a voltage H-VGS that is a class AB bias and a voltage L-VGS that is a class C bias.

That is, during the time when the output signal (carrier wave) 17 of the comparator 104 exists, the gate voltage of the amplifier 23 becomes the voltage H-VGS and operates in class AB, and when there is no output signal 17 of the comparator 104, the gate voltage is The voltage becomes L-VGS and operates in class C.
As a result, as will be described later, the impedance when the amplifier 23 is not performing an amplifying operation can be opened to reduce the loss.

[Signal Synthesis Unit 3: FIGS. 6, 7, and 8]
Next, the signal synthesis unit 3 that is a characteristic part of the power amplification device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 6 to 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the signal synthesis unit 3 and the synthesis operation. FIG. 6 shows an example of signal synthesis when the amplifier 21 outputs a signal. FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example of signal synthesis when the amplifier 23 is outputting a signal.
The signal synthesizer 3 of the power amplifying apparatus is provided with a condition that when one of the three amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 of the amplifier 2 outputs a signal, there is no output from the other amplifier. Therefore, it has a function of combining with low loss.

[Configuration of Signal Synthesizer 3]
As shown in FIG. 6, the signal synthesis unit 3 includes input terminals 31, 32, 33, phase adjustment lines 301, 302, 303, a synthesis point 305, and an output line 304.
Input terminals 31, 32, and 33 receive signals from amplifiers 21, 22, and 23, respectively.
The phase adjustment lines 301, 302, and 303 adjust the phases of signals from the input terminals 31, 32, and 33, respectively.
A synthesis point 305 synthesizes signals from the phase adjustment lines 301, 302, and 303.
The output line 304 adjusts the impedance of the amplifier output that is output to the output terminal 4.

[Operation of Signal Synthesizer 3]
Next, the combining operation in the signal combining unit 3 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. First, the premise of the operation | movement in this power amplification apparatus is demonstrated.
Since the amplifiers 21 to 23 amplify the divided waveforms 15 to 17 that are time-divided, when one amplifier performs an amplification operation, the other two amplifiers do not perform the amplification operation.
Further, here, when the amplifiers 21 to 23 are performing an amplification operation, the output matching circuit inside the amplifier is adjusted so that the output impedance is 50 Ohm. Here, the output impedance of the amplifiers 21 to 23 is 50 Ohm, but is not limited to this.

The amplifiers 21 and 22 are class C amplifiers, and the amplifier 23 performs class AB or class C operation based on the gate voltage control by the power supply circuit 26 described above.
The characteristic impedances of the phase adjustment lines 301, 302, and 303 are 50 Ohm, respectively.
The characteristic impedance of the output line 304 is 50 Ohm, similar to the output impedance of the amplifier.

[Impedance when amplifier 21 outputs a signal: FIGS. 6 and 9]
[Impedance of amplifier 21]
Based on the above-mentioned preconditions, the impedance when each amplifier is viewed from the synthesis point 305 when the amplifier 21 outputs a signal will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a Smith chart showing the impedance when the amplifier 21 outputs a signal.
When the impedance of the phase adjustment line 301 viewed from the input terminal 31 is Z _in , the characteristic impedance of the phase adjustment line 301 is Z ₀ , the electrical length of the phase adjustment line 301 is θ, and the characteristic impedance of the output line 304 is Z _L , Z _in is represented by (Formula 1).

Since the characteristic impedances of the phase adjustment line 301 and the output line 304 are equal and both are 50 Ohm, even if the value of θ is changed, Z _in = Z ₀ = Z _L = 50 Ohm.
Therefore, when the amplifier 21 is operating, the load impedance (Z _{t1 in} FIG. 6) viewed from the input terminal 31 is 50 Ohm regardless of the length of the phase adjustment line 301.
Similarly, the impedance when the amplifier 21 is viewed from the synthesis point 305 is also 50 Ohm.
Further, when the impedances of the input terminal 31 and the synthesis point 305 are shown in the Smith chart, the impedance 306 in FIG. 9 is obtained.

[Impedance of amplifier 22: FIGS. 4 and 9]
Next, the impedance of the amplifier 22 when the amplifier 21 outputs a signal will be described.
When the amplifier 21 is outputting a signal, the amplifier 22 biased to class C does not output a signal and almost no drain current flows, so that the impedance at the output terminal of the amplifying element is ideally infinite. Large (∞).
However, the actual output impedance does not become infinite due to the internal resistance of the amplifying element and the matching circuit. Therefore, the impedance when the amplifier 22 is viewed from the input terminal 32 is the impedance 309 in FIG.

Here, the impedance of the amplifier 22 that is not performing an amplification operation from the synthesis point 305 is calculated.
If the impedance of the combining point 305 is Z _in , the characteristic impedance of the phase adjustment line 302 is Z ₀ , the electrical length of the phase adjustment line 302 is θ, and the impedance (impedance 309) viewed from the input terminal 32 as the amplifier 22 is Z _L. , (Equation 1), Z _in changes by changing the length of the phase adjustment line 302.

That is, the impedance when the amplifier 22 is viewed from the synthesis point 305 turns like a broken line extending from the impedance 309 in FIG.
The electrical length of the phase adjustment line 302 is adjusted so that the impedance 309 becomes the impedance 310, and the reflection coefficient Γr at the synthesis point 305 is calculated using (Equation 2) described later.

When the impedance observed at the synthesis point 305 is Z _out and the impedance when the amplifier 22 is viewed from the synthesis point 305 is Z _r , the reflection coefficient Γr is expressed as follows.

Impedance observed by combining point 305 is 50Ohm As described above, the impedance 310 is at high _impedance, sufficiently large compared to _{Z out,} the reflection coefficient [gamma] R is a Γr ≒ + 1.
That is, in the present amplifying apparatus, by adjusting the electrical length of the phase adjustment line 302, when the amplifier 22 is not outputting a signal, the impedance viewed from the synthesis point 305 is opened.
In FIG. 6, it is expressed as Z _r2 = ∞.

[Impedance of amplifier 23: FIGS. 4 and 9]
Next, the impedance of the amplifier 23 when the amplifier 21 outputs a signal will be described.
In the amplifier 23 set to class AB, unlike class C, drain current flows even when no signal is output.
The impedance of the amplifier 23 viewed from the input terminal 33 is the impedance 307 in FIG. As with the amplifier 22, since the circuit is opened at the synthesis point 305, when the electrical length of the phase adjustment line 303 is adjusted, it turns like a broken line extending from the impedance 307 to the impedance 308 and does not become high impedance. The impedance seen by the amplifier 21 is not open.

Therefore, in the present power amplifying apparatus, as described above, the gate voltage of the amplifier 23 is controlled by the power supply circuit 26 and is set to class C when not operating.
By setting the amplifier 23 to be class C, it is possible to adjust to the impedance 310 by adjusting the electrical length of the phase adjustment line 303 as in the case of the amplifier 22, and the amplifier not operating from the synthesis point 305. The impedance seen at 23 is open. In FIG. 6, it is expressed as Z _r3 = ∞.

[Load reflection coefficient]
Based on the impedance of each amplifier described above, the reflection coefficient of the load when the amplifier 21 is performing an amplification operation is calculated.
The output impedance Z _out when the amplifier 21 is amplifying _operation, the load impedance Z _r from the input terminal 31 to the output terminal 4, is calculated by using the reflection coefficient Γr load (Equation 2).

As described above, since the amplifiers 22 and 23 are opened at the synthesis point 305 and are regarded as not connected, Z _out = Z _r = 50 Ohm, and from (Equation 2), the reflection coefficient is
Γr = 0.
Therefore, the output signal of the amplifier 21 passes through the input terminal 31, the phase adjustment line 301, the synthesis point 305, and the output line 304 without loss, and is input to the output terminal 4.

[When amplifier 22 is outputting a signal: FIG. 7]
When the amplifier 22 performs an amplification operation, as shown in FIG. 7, the impedances of the amplifiers 21 and 23 viewed from the synthesis point 305 are open (Z _r1 = ∞, Z _r3 = ∞), so that only the amplifier 22 is used. Can be considered connected.
Therefore, as in the case of FIG. 6, the load impedance from the input terminal 32 to the output terminal 4 is 50 Ohm (Z _t2 = 50 Ohm), which is the same as the output impedance of the amplifier 22, and the amplified signal input to the signal synthesis unit 3 is Input to the output terminal 4 without loss.

[When the amplifier 23 is outputting a signal: FIG. 8]
Similarly, when the amplifier 23 performs an amplification operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the impedances of the amplifiers 21 and 22 viewed from the synthesis point 305 are open (Z _r1 = ∞, Z _r2 = ∞), and the input terminal 33 The load impedance from the output terminal 4 to the output terminal 4 is 50 Ohm equal to the output impedance of the amplifier 23 (Z _t3 = 50 Ohm), and the amplified signal is input to the output terminal 4 without loss.

That is, in this power amplifying apparatus, an amplifier that operates close to saturation at the signal level according to the signal level of the input signal performs an amplification operation, and synthesis is performed in any of the states of FIGS. Therefore, there is no loss due to synthesis, and the signal amplified by the operating amplifier is output with low loss, and a highly efficient power amplifying apparatus can be realized.
Ideally, only the passage loss of the phase adjustment lines 301 to 303 and the output line 304 becomes a combined loss, so that it is possible to combine with a low loss.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the power amplifying device of the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of amplifiers 21, 22, and 23 that amplify signals with different input levels by an operation close to saturation, and the input signals are converted into appropriate amplifiers according to the signal level. A signal division processing unit 1 for outputting, and a signal synthesis unit 3 for synthesizing the outputs from the amplifiers, and the signal synthesis unit 3 adjusts the phase of the output signals of the amplifiers 21, 22, and 23, 302, 303, a synthesis point 305 for synthesizing the outputs from the phase adjustment lines 301, 302, 303, and an output line 304 for adjusting the impedance of the output from the synthesis point 305, and the outputs of the amplifiers 21, 22, 23 The impedance is set to the same value, and the characteristic impedances of the phase adjustment lines 301, 302, and 303 and the output line 304 are set to the same value as the output impedance of the amplifier. In addition, the electrical lengths of the phase adjustment lines 301, 302, and 303 are adjusted so that the impedance at the synthesis point 305 is open to the amplifier that is not operating, and the output impedance of the amplifier is compared with the amplifier that is operating. The electrical length of the output line 304 is adjusted so that the amplifiers 21 to 23 always operate close to saturation, and the signal synthesizer outputs the output from the amplifiers 21 to 23 on the line with low loss. Even if a signal having a large PAPR is synthesized, it can be amplified and synthesized with high efficiency, and the power conversion efficiency of the entire amplifier can be improved.

  The present invention is suitable for a power amplifying apparatus that can improve power conversion efficiency when a signal having a high ratio of peak power to average power is amplified.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Signal division | segmentation process part, 2 ... Amplification part, 3 ... Signal composition part, 4,18 ... Output terminal, 10, 27, 31, 32, 33 ... Input terminal, 21, 22, 23 ... Amplifier, 24, 25 ... Power supply, 26 ... Power supply circuit, 28 ... Gate voltage control terminal, 29 ... Power supply terminal, 11, 12, 13 ... Distribution output Terminals 14 ... Modulation signal waveform 15, 16, 17 ... Divided signal waveform 102 ... Divider 103 ... Detector 104, 105, 106, 107 ... Comparator 108 .. AND circuit, 109, 110, 111 ... switch, 112 ... signal waveform, 113, 114, 115 ... phase amplitude adjustment circuit, 201, 202 ... resistor, 203 ... switch, 204, 205 ... DC voltage source, 210 ... Gate voltage waveform, 301, 302, 303 ... Phase adjustment line, 304 ... Power line, 305 ... combining point, 306,307,308,309,310 ... impedance

Claims (2)

A power amplifying device that amplifies a high-frequency signal input from an input terminal and outputs the amplified signal to an output terminal ,
A plurality of amplifiers each receiving a signal having a power level in a specific range different from each other and amplifying each of the input signals having the power level close to saturation;
A branching device for branching a signal input from the input terminal, a detector for detecting a power level of one signal branched by the branching device, and the other signal branched by the branching device are the plurality of signals. A switch unit comprising a plurality of switches arranged corresponding to each of the amplifiers to be output to an amplifier operating near saturation at the detected power level in any of the amplifiers; A signal division processing unit comprising a comparison unit that compares the power level detected by the detector with a predetermined threshold value and connects any one of the plurality of switches based on the comparison result When,
A plurality of phase adjustment lines that are provided corresponding to the amplifiers and adjust the phase of an output signal from the corresponding amplifier, a synthesis point that synthesizes outputs from the plurality of phase adjustment lines, and the synthesis point; connected to said output terminal, and a signal synthesizing unit and an output line for adjusting the impedance when viewed the output terminal side from the combining point,
For the plurality of amplifiers, a state where a high frequency signal is not input and the amplification operation is not performed is a case where the amplifier is not operating, and a state where the high frequency signal is input and the amplification operation is performed is a case where the amplifier is operating The plurality of amplifiers have the same output impedance when the amplifier is operating,
The characteristic impedance of the plurality of phase adjustment lines and the output line, the same value as the output impedance when the amplifier is operating,
It said phase impedance adjustment line is, the corresponding power amplifier apparatus characterized by being adjusted so as to open the impedance when the amplifier seen the amplifier side from the synthetic point when not operating. A power amplifying device that amplifies a high-frequency signal input from an input terminal and outputs the amplified signal to an output terminal ,
A plurality of amplifiers each receiving a signal having an envelope power level in a specific range different from each other and amplifying the input signal having the power level of the envelope in a state close to saturation, and
Detecting a power level of the envelope of the signal inputted from the input terminal, the signal division processing for distributing the output to any one of the plurality of amplifiers the input signal in response to the power level of the previous SL envelope And
A plurality of phase adjustment lines that are provided corresponding to the amplifiers and adjust the phase of an output signal from the corresponding amplifier, a synthesis point that synthesizes outputs from the plurality of phase adjustment lines, and the synthesis point; A signal combining unit having an output line connected to the output terminal and adjusting an impedance when the output terminal side is viewed from the combining point ;
For the plurality of amplifiers, a state where a high frequency signal is not input and the amplification operation is not performed is a case where the amplifier is not operating, and a state where the high frequency signal is input and the amplification operation is performed is a case where the amplifier is operating The plurality of amplifiers have the same output impedance when the amplifier is operating,
The characteristic impedance of the plurality of phase adjustment lines and the output line, the same value as the output impedance when the amplifier is operating,
It said phase impedance adjustment line is, the corresponding power amplifier apparatus characterized by being adjusted so as to open the impedance when the amplifier seen the amplifier side from the synthetic point when not operating.

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