Patent ID: 8265572
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: H01Q,H03F,H04W

Abstract:
1. An active antenna array comprising: a plurality of transmission paths in the active antenna array, the plurality of transmission paths being adapted to carry a plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals, such substantially identical transmission path signals differing only in at least one of their overall relative amplitude level or their overall relative phase-shift, the plurality of transmission paths comprising a plurality of amplifiers, the amplifiers each having a power input and a signal input for one of the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals; a plurality of variable power supply units connected to the power inputs of the amplifiers for supplying power to the amplifiers, wherein each of the plurality of variable power supply units comprises an envelope signal input; an envelope detection system connected to the envelope signal inputs of the plurality of variable power supply units, the envelope detection system being adapted to provide a common envelope signal for the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals to the plurality of variable power supply units; wherein each of the plurality of variable power supply units comprises: an envelope power supply, an output of which is connected to the power input of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers; a comparator adapted to compare the common envelope signal with a threshold to provide a comparator output signal; and a selector switch controlled by the comparator output signal and adapted to selectively connect an input of the envelope power supply with the envelope signal if the envelope signal is greater than the threshold and with a constant signal if the envelope signal is smaller than the threshold.