Analog Devices, Inc.
Bias modulation active linearization for broadband amplifiers

Abstract:

A power amplifier circuit for broadband data communication over a path in a communication network can reduce or avoid gain compression, provide low distortion amplification performance, and can accommodate a wider input signal amplitude range. A dynamic variable bias current circuit can be coupled to a common emitter bias node of a differential pair of transistors to provide a dynamic variable bias current thereto as a function of an input signal amplitude of an input signal. Bias current is increased when input signal amplitude exceeds a threshold voltage established by an offset or level-shifting circuit. The frequency response of the bias current circuit can track the frequency content of the input signal. A delay in the signal path to the differential pair can phase-align the bias current to the amplification by the differential pair. A dynamic variable supply voltage can be based on an envelope of the input signal.