Devices and methods related to variable load power amplifier supporting dual-mode envelope tracking and average power tracking performance

Abstract

A variable load power amplifier that improves the performance of a power amplifier that provides both envelope tracking (ET) and average power tracking (APT). The variable load power amplifier can include a plurality of amplifiers that are each selectively connectable into one of a plurality of parallel combinations, each of the plurality of parallel combinations characterized by a corresponding load line. The variable load power amplifier can also include a plurality of control elements arranged to selectively connect one or more of the plurality of amplifiers into one of the plurality of parallel combinations, each of the plurality of control elements having a respective input terminal provided to receive a respective control signal, each of the plurality of control elements responsive to the respective control signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A variable load power amplifier comprising:
 a plurality of amplifiers that are each selectively connectable into one of a plurality of parallel combinations, including a first combination corresponding to an envelope tracking performance mode and a second combination corresponding to an average power tracking performance mode; and   a plurality of control elements arranged to selectively connect one or more of the plurality of amplifiers into one of the plurality of parallel combinations, each of the plurality of control elements having a respective input terminal provided to receive a respective control signal, each of the plurality of control elements responsive to the respective control signal.