Patent ID: 6737922
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: H03F

Abstract:
An RF power amplifier circuit for amplifying an RF signal over a broad range of power comprising:a) a carrier amplifier for amplifying the RF signal over a first range of power and with a power saturation level below the maximum of the first range of power, b) a plurality of peak amplifiers connected in parallel with the carrier amplifier, each of the peak amplifiers being biased to sequentially provide an amplified output signal after the carrier amplifier approaches saturation, c) a signal splitter for splitting an input signal and applying the split input signal to the carrier amplifier and to the plurality of peak amplifiers, the input signal power to the carrier amplifier being different from the total input signal power to all of the peak amplifiers, and d) an output for receiving and combining amplified output signals from the carrier amplifier and from the plurality of peak amplifiers.