Power detectors for radio-frequency applications

Abstract

Power detectors for radio-frequency applications. In some embodiments, an amplifier can include an amplification stage having an input and an output, and a detector coupled to the output of the amplification stage and configured to generate an input signal representative of power associated with an amplified signal provided by the amplification stage. The detector can be further configured to generate an output signal based at least in part on a compensation signal resulting from a combination of a first current representative of the input signal and a second current representative of an operating condition associated with the amplifier.

1 . An amplifier comprising:
 an amplification stage having an input and an output; and   a detector coupled to the output of the amplification stage and configured to generate an input signal representative of power associated with an amplified signal provided by the amplification stage, the detector further configured to generate an output signal based at least in part on a compensation signal resulting from a combination of a first current representative of the input signal and a second current representative of an operating condition associated with the amplifier.   
     
     
         2 . The amplifier of  claim 1  wherein the amplification stage includes a driver stage. 
     
     
         3 . The amplifier of  claim 2  further comprising an output stage having an input coupled to the output of the driver stage, such that the detector is coupled to a node between the driver stage and the output stage. 
     
     
         4 . The amplifier of  claim 1  wherein the detector is further configured to communicate with a control circuit to provide the output signal to the control circuit to adjust an amplification operation. 
     
     
         5 . The amplifier of  claim 1  wherein the detector includes a detecting circuit configured to generate an input voltage as the input signal. 
     
     
         6 . The amplifier of  claim 5  wherein the detecting circuit includes a diode configured by rectify a portion of the amplified signal, and a capacitor circuit configured to provide the input voltage that is approximately proportional to an amplitude of the rectified signal. 
     
     
         7 . The amplifier of  claim 6  wherein the detector further includes a compensation circuit configured to generate a compensation current as the compensation signal by combining the first current with the second current. 
     
     
         8 . The amplifier of  claim 7  wherein the compensation circuit is configured such that the first current is proportional to the input voltage, and the second current is proportional to a value associated with the operating condition. 
     
     
         9 . The amplifier of  claim 8  wherein the value associated with the operating condition includes one or more of a current proportional to an amplifier temperature and a current proportional to a supply voltage. 
     
     
         10 . The amplifier of  claim 9  wherein the detector further includes an output circuit configured to receive the input voltage and the compensation current, and generate the output signal by combining the compensation current and the input voltage. 
     
     
         11 . The amplifier of  claim 10  wherein the output signal is substantially insensitive to a variation of the amplifier temperature within an operating range. 
     
     
         12 . The amplifier of  claim 1  wherein the amplifier is a power amplifier. 
     
     
         13 . The amplifier of  claim 1  wherein the detector is configured such that the input signal is a slow-varying or direct-current signal. 
     
     
         14 . The amplifier of  claim 1  wherein the detector is configured such that the output signal is generated based on the compensation signal and the input signal. 
     
     
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         25 . An amplifier die comprising:
 a semiconductor substrate; and   an amplifier implemented on the semiconductor die and including an amplification stage having an input and an output, the amplifier further including a detector implemented on the die and coupled to the output of the amplification stage, the detector configured to generate an input signal representative of power associated with an amplified signal provided by the amplification stage, the detector further configured to generate an output signal based at least in part on a compensation signal resulting from a combination of a first current representative of the input signal and a second current representative of an operating condition associated with the amplifier.   
     
     
         26 . A radio-frequency module comprising:
 a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components; and   an amplifier implemented on the packaging substrate and including an amplification stage having an input and an output, the amplifier further including a detector implemented on the packaging substrate and coupled to the output of the amplification stage, the detector configured to generate an input signal representative of power associated with an amplified signal provided by the amplification stage, the detector further configured to generate an output signal based at least in part on a compensation signal resulting from a combination of a first current representative of the input signal and a second current representative of an operating condition associated with the amplifier.   
     
     
         27 . The radio-frequency module of  claim 26  wherein the amplification stage is implemented on a first die, and the detector is implemented on a second die. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The radio-frequency module of  claim 26  wherein the amplification stage is configured to amplify a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal. 
     
     
         30 . The radio-frequency module of  claim 26  wherein the amplifier is a power amplifier. 
     
     
         31 . The radio-frequency module of  claim 26  wherein the detector is configured such that the input signal is a slow-varying or direct-current signal. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
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