Power combining power amplifier architectures and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for implementing and using a transceiver with multiple transmission paths. Performance may be monitored in at least one of the multiple transmit paths, based on power related parameters and/or frequency spectrum usage. Based on the monitored performance, one or both of operation of a particular transmit path from the multiple transmit paths may be controlled and assigning of a plurality of segments, in a frequency spectrum that is used for transmission of signals, to the multiple transmit paths. Controlling operation of the particular transmit path may comprise disabling or enabling that transmit path. The frequency spectrum may be segmented, into the plurality of segment, such that each of the segments is uniformly sized, or at least one of the segments is sized differently. The segmenting may be performed to maintain compliance and/or compatibility with one or more protocols or standards applicable to said transmission.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a monitoring circuit operable to monitor performance in at least one of a plurality of transmit paths, based on power related parameters and/or frequency spectrum usage; and   one or more control circuits operable to control, based on said monitored performance, one or both of:
 assignment of a plurality of segments in a frequency spectrum that is used for transmission of signals, to said plurality of transmit paths; and 
 operation of a particular transmit path from said plurality of transmit paths. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of said plurality of transmit paths comprises one or more of: a digital-to-analog convertor (DAC) circuit, a power amplifier (PA) circuit, and a filter circuit. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein controlling the operation of said particular transmit path comprises disabling or enabling said particular transmit path. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said one or more control circuits are operable to segment said frequency spectrum. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said one or more control circuits are operable to segment said frequency spectrum such that each of said plurality of segments is uniformly sized. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said one or more control circuits are operable to segment said frequency spectrum such that at least one of said plurality of segments is sized differently than at least another one of said plurality of segments. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said one or more control circuits are operable to segment said frequency spectrum to maintain compliance and/or compatibility with one or more protocols or standards applicable to said transmission. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said monitoring circuit is operable to monitor performance based on use of one or more performance related criteria. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said one or more performance related criteria comprise a threshold value or a timeout duration. 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 in a transmitter that comprises a plurality of transmit paths:
 monitoring performance in at least one of said plurality of transmit paths, based on power related parameters and/or frequency spectrum usage; and 
 controlling, based on said monitored performance, at least one of:
 assigning of a plurality of segments in a frequency spectrum that is used for transmission of signals, to said plurality of transmit paths; and 
 operation of a particular transmit path from said plurality of transmit paths. 
 
   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein controlling the operation of said particular transmit path comprises disabling or enabling said particular transmit path. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , comprising segmenting said frequency spectrum into said plurality of segments assigned to said plurality of transmit paths. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising segmenting said frequency spectrum into said plurality of segments such that each of said plurality of segments is uniformly sized. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising segmenting said frequency spectrum into said plurality of segments such that at least one of said plurality of segments is sized differently than at least another one of said plurality of segments. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising segmenting said frequency spectrum to maintain compliance and/or compatibility with one or more protocols or standards applicable to said transmission. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , comprising monitoring performance based on use of one or more performance related criteria. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said one or more performance related criteria comprise a threshold value or a timeout duration.