Outphasing power combining by antenna

Examples are disclosed for outphasing power combining by antenna. In some examples, a device such as a wireless device may route a first signal to a first branch of an outphasing power amplifier system and route a second signal to a second outphasing power amplifier system. The outputs of the first branch and the second branch may be directly coupled to an antenna. The antenna may be arranged to operate as a power combiner for signals outputted from the first and the second branches of the outphasing power amplifier system. A power combined signal may then be transmitted from the antenna. Other examples are described and claimed.

BACKGROUND

High data rate wireless communication standards or specification such as those deployed for networks using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technologies may require high output linearity over a wide dynamic range for transmitted signals. Typically, for a wireless device to acceptably implement OFDM technologies, several backoff decibels (dBs) (e.g., 7 dBs) from a peak power radiation level are required for transmitting signals from the wireless device. High output linearity over a wide dynamic range using radio frequency power amplifiers may be a design challenge for wireless devices that implement OFDM technologies and have several backoff dBs from a peak power radiation level for transmitting signals. It is with respect to these and other challenges that the present improvements are needed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples are generally directed to improvements for wireless mobile broadband technologies. Wireless mobile broadband technologies may include any wireless technologies suitable for use with wireless devices or user equipment (UE), such as one or more third generation (3G) or fourth generation (4G) wireless standards, revisions, progeny and variants. Examples of wireless mobile broadband technologies may include without limitation any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16m and 802.16p standards, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) standards, and International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-ADV) standards, including their revisions, progeny and variants. Other suitable examples may include without limitation Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technologies, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technologies, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) or the WiMAX II technologies, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 system technologies (e.g., CDMA2000 1×RTT, CDMA2000 EV-DO, CDMA EV-DV, and so forth), High Performance Radio Metropolitan Area Network (HIPERMAN) technologies as defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN), Wireless Broadband (WiBro) technologies, GSM with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) system (GSM/GPRS) technologies, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technologies, High Speed Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Packet Access (HSOPA) technologies, High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) system technologies, 3GPP Rel. 8, 9 or 10 of LTE/System Architecture Evolution (SAE), and so forth. The examples are not limited in this context.

By way of example and not limitation, various examples may be described with specific reference to various 3GPP LTE and LTE-A standards, such as the 3GPP LTE Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and LTE ADV Radio Technology 36 Series of Technical Specifications (collectively “3GPP LTE specifications”), and IEEE 802.16 standards, such as the IEEE 802.16-2009 standard and current third revision to IEEE 802.16 referred to as “802.16Rev3” consolidating standards 802.16-2009, 802.16h-2010 and 802.16m-2011, and the IEEE 802.16p draft standards including IEEE P802.16.1b/D2 January 2012 titled “Draft Amendment to IEEE Standard for WirelessMAN-Advanced Air Interface for Broadband Wireless Access Systems, Enhancements to Support Machine-to-Machine Applications” (collectively “IEEE 802.16 standards”), and any drafts, revisions or variants of the 3GPP LTE specifications and the IEEE 802.16 standards. Although some embodiments may be described as a 3GPP LTE specifications or IEEE 802.16 Standards system by way of example and not limitation, it may be appreciated that other types of communications system may be implemented as various other types of mobile broadband communications systems and standards. The examples are not limited in this context

As contemplated in the present disclosure, high output linearity over a wide dynamic range using radio frequency power amplifiers may be a design challenge for wireless devices that implement OFDM technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, WiFi or WiMax). Also, as mentioned previously, several backoff dBs from a peak power radiation level may also present design challenges. Outphasing power amplification techniques may be one possible design solution deployed to enhance power efficiency of wireless devices that implement OFDM technologies at these types of backoff dBs. A wireless device deploying outphasing power amplification techniques may include logic and/or features to decompose a signal (e.g., according to its amplitude and phase information) into two digital signals that may be phase modulated. The two digital signals may then be inputted to two separate switching type power amplifiers. The power outputs from these two separate switching type power amplifiers (“outphasing power amplifiers”) are combined and then outputted via an antenna for the wireless device.

Typically a power combiner may be implemented on-chip with outphasing power amplifiers. On-chip power combiners may be either isolating or non-isolating and may require a significant amount of die area relative to the die area needed for the outphasing power amplifiers. Off-chip power combiners may be used, but manufacturing costs may unacceptably increase by adding additional off-chip components to a wireless device. Also, on-chip or off-chip power combiners may consume a substantial amount of power in a wireless device that utilizes outphasing power amplifiers.

In some examples, techniques may be implemented for outphasing power combining by antenna. For these examples, a first signal may be generated by logic and/or features of a wireless device and routed to a first branch of an outphasing power amplifier system. A second signal may also be generated by the logic and/or features of the wireless device and routed to a second branch of the outphasing power amplifier system. The outputs of the first branch and the second branch may be configurable to couple directly to an antenna arranged to operate as a power combiner for signals outputted from the first and the second branches. In some examples, the antenna may be a dipole antenna or a dual folded dipole antenna.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a wireless device100. In some examples, as shown inFIG. 1, wireless device100includes a chassis110, a signal generator120, an outphasing power amplifier (PA) system130and an antenna140. Also as shown inFIG. 1, inputs123and125may route signals generated by signal generator120to branches132and134, respectively, of outphasing PA system130. Also, outputs133and135may route signals outputted from branches132and134, respectively, to antenna140. Only a portion of components or systems of wireless device100are shown inFIG. 1. Other components or systems to include, for example, a display, a keyboard, memory, etc. are not shown in order to more clearly describe outphasing power combining by antenna. Examples are not limited to the configuration shown inFIG. 1.

According to some examples, branches132and134may each include one or more outphasing PAs to amplify signals generated by signal generator120. The signals amplified may include encoded information associated with data to be transmitted from wireless device100. For these examples, input123may route or convey signals generated by signal generator120to the one or more outphasing PAs included in branch132. Also, input125may route or convey signals generated by signal generator120to the one or more outphasing PAs included in branch132.

In some examples, as shown inFIG. 1, the outputs of branches132and134couple directly to antenna140. For these examples, antenna140may be arranged to function or serve as a power combiner for amplified signals outputted from branches132and134. As described more below, types of antennas such a dipole antennas or dual folded dipole antennas may be arranged to enable transmission of power combined signals via these types of antennas. As a result of coupling directly to antenna140, a separate power combiner component may not be needed for wireless device100.

According to some examples, wireless device100may be any electronic device having wireless capabilities or equipment. For some examples wireless device100may be implemented in a fixed device. A fixed device generally refers to an electronic device designed to be in a fixed, stationary, permanent or otherwise non-moving position or location that does not vary over time. For instance, a fixed device may be installed with fixtures, attachments and housings to prohibit movement, including wired power lines, transmission lines, and so forth. By way of contrast, a mobile device is designed to be portable enough to be frequently moved between various locations over time. It may be appreciated that although a fixed device is generally stationary, some fixed devices may be disconnected from their current equipment in a first fixed location, moved to a second fixed location, and connected to equipment at the second fixed location.

FIG. 2illustrates an example dipole system200. According to some examples, as shown inFIG. 2, dipole system200includes a dipole antenna210and outphasing PAs232and234. For these examples, outphasing PAs232and234may be branches of an outphasing PA system having inputs223and225and outputs233and235. Also, as shown inFIG. 2, outputs233and235are shown as coupling directly to conductors212and214of dipole antenna210.

In some examples, first and second signals may be generated (e.g., by a signal generator). The first signal may be routed to outphasing PA232via input223. The second signal may be routed to outphasing PA234via225. As described more below, the first and second signals may be amplified by adjusting the relative phases associated with voltage or power vectors for each of the signals. The power outputs of the amplified first and second signals may then be combined via direct coupling of output233to conductor212and output235to conductor214. The power combined signals may then be transmitted via dipole antenna210.

According to some examples, logic and/or features of a wireless device including a dipole system200may generate and/or cause the power combined signals to be transmitted as modulated signals through dipole antenna210. For these examples, the transmitted modulated signals may include, but are not limited to, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulated signals.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a dual folded dipole system300. In some examples, as shown inFIG. 3, a dual folded dipole system includes a dual folded dipole antenna310and two pairs of outphasing PAs. For these examples, the first pair includes outphasing PAs332-A/B and the second pair includes outphasing PAs334-A/B. These pairs may each be branches of an outphasing PA system. Also, as shown inFIG. 3, outphasing PAs332-A/B have inputs323-A/B and outphasing PAs334-A/B have inputs325-A/B.FIG. 3further shows outputs333-A/B coupling directly to conductors313-A/B and output315-A/B coupling directly to conductors315-A/B.

According to some examples, differential signals may be generated and inputted to each of the pairs of the outphasing PAs included in dual folded dipole system300. These differential signals are depicted inFIG. 3as S1+/S1−and S2+/S2−. For these examples, as shown inFIG. 3, the positive portions of each of the amplified differential signals outputted from the pairs of outphasing PAs are routed to conductors313-A and315-A. Meanwhile, the negative portions are routed to conductors313-B and315-B. In other words, the positive portions of the two differential signals are routed to the upper portion of dual folded dipole antenna310and the negative portions are routed to the lower portion.

In some examples, first and second differential signals (e.g., S1+/S1−and S2+/S2−) may be generated (e.g., by a signal generator). The first differential signal may be routed to outphasing PAs332-A/B via inputs323-A/B. The second differential signals may be routed to outphasing PAs334-A/B via inputs325-A/B. The first and second differential signals may be amplified by adjusting the relative phases of these differential signals and the power outputs of the amplified first and second differential signals may then be combined via direct coupling of outputs333-A/B to conductors313-A/B and outputs335-A/B to conductors315-A/B. The power combined signals may then be transmitted via dual folded dipole antenna310.

According to some examples, logic and/or features of a wireless device including a dual folded dipole system300may generate and/or cause the power combined signals to be transmitted as modulated signals through dual folded dipole antenna310. For these examples, the transmitted modulated signals may include, but are not limited to, OFDM modulated signals.

In some examples, differential signals may be implemented in PAs constructed using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. The CMOS PAs may experience signal interference from other components. Use of differential signals may reduce or eliminate signal interference and may enable these CMOS PAs to amplify inputted signals that may be received or inputted at relatively low power levels.

According to some examples, conductors313-A/B and315-A/B may have a shorted terminal folded dipole with length that is ¼ththe wavelength (λ/4) of the average signal frequencies for amplified signals to be transmitted using dual folded dipole antenna310. For these examples, having a length of λ/4 may enable adequate open to folded dipole inputs when transmitted signals are driven by outphased power amplified signals. Also, an acceptable minimum radiation power level may be maintained for these transmitted signals.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of power radiation levels400. In some examples, as shown inFIG. 4, outphasing amplifiers such as those shown inFIG. 2may amplify inputted signals by adjusting the relative phases associated with voltage or power vectors for each of the signals. For example,FIG. 4shows that for signals402-1and402-2a peak power radiation level may result when these signals are in an anti-phase relationship. The anti-phase relationship, for example, may include signal402-1having an outphasing angle (θ) of +90° and signal402-2having a θ of −90°. In an anti-phase relationship, dipole antenna410provides a level of impedance to outphasing PAs that allows for a peak power radiation level for power combined signals transmitted via dipole antenna410. Conversely, when signals are in an in-phase relationship such as signals406-1and406-2, dipole antenna410may have very high impedance and thus appear as an open circuit. The in-phase relationship may therefore result in a minimum power radiation level. Power radiation levels400also depicts that for signals404-1and404-2having a θ between 0° and 180°, a reduced power radiation level may result.

Although not shown inFIG. 4, similar power radiation levels may occur for differential signals amplified by pairs of outphasing PAs that are output directly to a dual folded dipole antenna such as dual folded dipole antenna310shown inFIG. 3and then combined. For these power radiation levels, an anti-phase relationship between two differential signals may result in a peak power radiation level. Meanwhile, an in-phase relationship may result in a minimum power radiation level.

FIG. 5illustrates a block diagram for an apparatus500. Although the apparatus500shown inFIG. 5has a limited number of elements in a certain topology, it may be appreciated that the apparatus500may include more or less elements in alternate topologies as desired for a given implementation.

The apparatus500may comprise a computer-implemented apparatus500having a processor circuit520arranged to execute one or more software components522-a. It is worthy to note that “a” and “b” and “c” and similar designators as used herein are intended to be variables representing any positive integer. Thus, for example, if an implementation sets a value for a=5, then a complete set of software components522-a may include components522-1,522-2,522-3,522-4and522-5. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

According to some examples, apparatus500may be located with a wireless device (e.g., located at or with wireless device100). For these examples, the wireless device including apparatus500may implement OFDM technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, WiFi or WiMax) to communicatively couple to a wireless network.

In some examples, as shown inFIG. 5, apparatus500includes processor circuit520. Processor circuit520may be generally arranged to execute one or more software components522-a. The processing circuit520can be any of various commercially available processors, including without limitation an AMD® Athlon®, Duron® and Opteron® processors; ARM® application, embedded and secure processors; IBM® and Motorola® DragonBall® and PowerPC® processors; IBM and Sony® Cell processors; Intel® Celeron®, Core (2) Duo®, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Itanium®, Pentium®, Xeon®, and XScale® processors; and similar processors. Dual microprocessors, multi-core processors, and other multi-processor architectures may also be employed as processing circuit520.

According to some examples, apparatus500may include a signal component522-1. Signal component522-1may be arranged for execution by processor circuit520to cause first and second signals to be generated. The generated signals, for example, may encode data510. For these examples, signal component521-1may cause first signal generator523-a to generate a first signal. Also, signal component521-1may cause second signal generator524-b to generate a second signal. These first and second generated signals may include either non-differential signals or differential signals.

In some examples, apparatus500may also include a transmitter component522-2. Transmitter component522-2may be arranged for execution by processor circuit520to cause the signals generated by signal components521-1and521-2to be routed through branches of an outphasing PA. For these examples, the first signal may be routed to a first branch of an outphasing PA system such as outphasing PA system130shown inFIG. 1. Also, the second signal may be routed to a second branch of the outphasing PA system. The outputs of the branches of this outphasing PA system may directly couple to an antenna (e.g., dipole antenna or dual folded dipole antenna) arranged to operate as a power combiner for the signals outputted from the first and the second branches. Power combined signals530-d may then be transmitted from this antenna.

According to some examples, transmitter component522-2may be arranged to cause power combined signals530-d to be transmitted as modulated signals to include OFDM modulated signals. Also, the modulated power combined signals530-d may be transmitted at a peak power radiation level based on the first signal being anti-phase relative to the second signal. The modulated power combined signals530-d may also be transmitted at a minimum power radiation level based on the first signal being in-phase relative to the second signal.

Various components of apparatus500and a wireless device implementing apparatus500may be communicatively coupled to each other by various types of communications media to coordinate operations. The coordination may involve the uni-directional or bi-directional exchange of information. For instance, the components may communicate information in the form of signals communicated over the communications media. The information can be implemented as signals allocated to various signal lines. In such allocations, each message is a signal. Further embodiments, however, may alternatively employ data messages. Such data messages may be sent across various connections. Example connections include parallel interfaces, serial interfaces, and bus interfaces.

A logic flow may be implemented in software, firmware, and/or hardware. In software and firmware embodiments, a logic flow may be implemented by computer executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory computer readable medium or machine readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a logic flow600. Logic flow600may be representative of some or all of the operations executed by one or more logic, features, or devices described herein, such as apparatus500. More particularly, logic flow600may be implemented by signal component522-1or transmitter component522-2.

In the illustrated example shown inFIG. 6, logic flow600may amplify a first signal using a first outphasing PA at block602. In some examples, signal component522-1of apparatus500(e.g., included in wireless device110) may be arranged to cause the first signal to be generated and transmitter component522-2may cause the generated first signal to be routed through the first outphasing PA.

In some examples, logic flow600at block604may amplify a second signal using a second outphasing PA. In some examples, signal component522-1may be arranged to cause the second signal to be generated and transmitter component522-2may cause the generated second signal to be routed through the second outphasing PA. As shown inFIG. 6, blocks602and604may occur in parallel. In other words, logic flow600may amplify the first and second signals at substantially the same time.

According to some examples, logic flow600may combine power outputs of the first and second outphasing PAs at block606. For these examples, logic flow at block608may use a dipole antenna arranged to couple directly to the outputs of the first and second outphasing PAs to combine the power outputs.

According to some examples logic flow600at block610may transmit the power combined signals as modulated signals via the dipole antenna. For these examples, transmitter component522-2may be arranged to cause the power combine signals to be transmitted via the dipole antenna. Transmitter component522-2may be arranged to utilize the outphasing PAs and the dipole antenna in a manner such that the transmitted modulated signals have an average power radiation level of approximately 7 dBs from a peak power radiation level.

FIG. 7illustrates an example of a logic flow700. Logic flow700may be representative of some or all of the operations executed by one or more logic, features, or devices described herein, such as apparatus500. More particularly, logic flow700may be implemented by signal component522-1or transmitter component522-2.

In the illustrated example shown inFIG. 7, logic flow700may amplify a first differential signal using a first outphasing pair of PAs at block702. In some examples, signal component522-1of apparatus500(e.g., included in wireless device110) may be arranged to cause the first differential signal to be generated and transmitter component522-2may cause the generated first differential signal to be routed through the first pair of outphasing PAs.

In some examples, logic flow700at block704may amplify a second differential signal using a second pair of outphasing PAs. In some examples, signal component522-1may be arranged to cause the second differential signal to be generated and transmitter component522-2may cause the generated second differential signal to be routed through the second pair of outphasing PAs. As shown inFIG. 7, blocks702and704may occur in parallel. In other words, logic flow700may amplify the first and second signals at substantially the same time.

According to some examples, logic flow700may combine power outputs of the first and second pairs of outphasing PAs at block706. For these examples, logic flow at block708may use a dual folded dipole antenna arranged to couple directly to the outputs of the first and second pairs of outphasing PAs to combine the power outputs.

According to some examples logic flow700at block710may transmit the power combined signals as modulated signals via the dipole antenna. For these examples, transmitter component522-2may be arranged to cause the power combine signals to be transmitted via the dual folded dipole antenna. Transmitter component522-2may be arranged to utilize the pairs of outphasing PAs and the dual folded dipole antenna in a manner such that the transmitted modulated signals have an average power radiation level of approximately 7 dBs from a peak power radiation level.

FIG. 8illustrates an embodiment of a storage medium800. The storage medium800may comprise an article of manufacture. In some examples, storage medium800may include any non-transitory computer readable medium or machine readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage. Storage medium800may store various types of computer executable instructions, such as instructions to implement one or more of the logic flows600and/or700. Examples of a computer readable or machine readable storage medium may include any tangible media capable of storing electronic data, including volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and so forth. Examples of computer executable instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, object-oriented code, visual code, and the like. The examples are not limited in this context.

FIG. 9illustrates an example of a communications architecture for a device900. Device900may implement, for example, apparatus500, storage medium800and/or a logic circuit970. The logic circuit970may include physical circuits to perform operations described for apparatus500. As shown inFIG. 9, device900may include a radio interface910, baseband circuitry920, and computing platform930, although examples are not limited to this configuration.

The device900may implement some or all of the structure and/or operations for the apparatus500, storage medium800and/or logic circuit970in a single computing entity, such as entirely within a single device (e.g., within a wireless device). The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, radio interface910may include a component or combination of components adapted for transmitting and/or receiving single carrier or multi-carrier modulated signals (e.g., including complementary code keying (CCK) and/or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols) although the embodiments are not limited to any specific over-the-air interface or modulation scheme. Radio interface910may include, for example, a receiver912, a transmitter916and/or a frequency synthesizer914. Radio interface910may include bias controls, a crystal oscillator and/or one or more antennas918-f (e.g., dipole or dual folded dipole types of antennas). In another embodiment, radio interface910may use external voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), outphasing power amplifiers, surface acoustic wave filters, intermediate frequency (IF) filters and/or RF filters, as desired. Due to the variety of potential RF interface designs an expansive description thereof is omitted.

Baseband circuitry920may communicate with radio interface910to process receive and/or transmit signals and may include, for example, an analog-to-digital converter922for down converting received signals, a digital-to-analog converter924for up converting signals for transmission. Further, baseband circuitry920may include a baseband or physical layer (PHY) processing circuit926for PHY link layer processing of respective receive/transmit signals. Baseband circuitry920may include, for example, a processing circuit such as a digital signal processor (DSP)928. Baseband circuitry920may include a memory controller932for communicating with DSP928and/or a computing platform930, for example, via one or more interfaces934.

In some embodiments, PHY processing circuit926may include a frame construction and/or detection module, in combination with additional circuitry such as a buffer memory, to construct and/or deconstruct communication frames (e.g., containing subframes). Alternatively or in addition, DSP928may share processing for certain of these functions or perform these processes independent of PHY processing circuit926. In some embodiments, digital signal processing and PHY processing may be integrated into a single circuit.

Computing platform930may provide computing functionality for device900. As shown, computing platform930may include a processing component940. In addition to, or alternatively of, baseband circuitry920of device900may execute processing operations or logic for apparatus500, storage medium800, and logic circuit970using the processing component930. Processing component940(and/or PHY926and/or DSP928) may comprise various hardware elements, software elements, or a combination of both. Examples of hardware elements may include devices, logic devices, components, processors, microprocessors, circuits, processor circuits (e.g., processor circuit920), circuit elements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), memory units, logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and so forth. Examples of software elements may include software components, programs, applications, computer programs, application programs, system programs, software development programs, machine programs, operating system software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code, computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols, or any combination thereof. Determining whether an example is implemented using hardware elements and/or software elements may vary in accordance with any number of factors, such as desired computational rate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input data rates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and other design or performance constraints, as desired for a given example.

Computing platform930may further include a network interface960. In some examples, network interface960may include logic and/or features to support communication interfaces described in one or more 3GPP LTE or LTE-A specifications or standards, IEEE 802.16 standards, or IEEE 802.11 standards. For these examples, network interface960may enable an apparatus500located with a wireless device communicatively couple to wireless communications networks operating in compliance with at least some of the above mentioned specification or standards.

Device900may be, for example, user equipment, a computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a netbook computer, a server, a server array or server farm, a web server, a network server, an Internet server, a work station, a mini-computer, a main frame computer, a supercomputer, a network appliance, a web appliance, a distributed computing system, multiprocessor systems, processor-based systems, wireless access point, base station, node B, subscriber station, mobile subscriber center, radio network controller, router, hub, gateway, bridge, switch, machine, or combination thereof. Accordingly, functions and/or specific configurations of device900described herein, may be included or omitted in various embodiments of device900, as suitably desired. In some embodiments, device900may be configured to be compatible with protocols and frequencies associated one or more of the 3GPP LTE Specifications and/or IEEE 802.16 Standards for WMANs, and/or other broadband wireless networks, cited herein, although the examples are not limited in this respect.

Embodiments of device900may be implemented using single input single output (SISO) architectures. However, certain implementations may include multiple antennas (e.g., antennas918-f) for transmission and/or reception using adaptive antenna techniques for beamforming or spatial division multiple access (SDMA) and/or using multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication techniques.

FIG. 10illustrates an embodiment of a broadband wireless access system1000. As shown inFIG. 10, broadband wireless access system1000may be an internet protocol (IP) type network comprising an internet1010type network or the like that is capable of supporting mobile wireless access and/or fixed wireless access to internet1010. In one or more embodiments, broadband wireless access system1000may comprise any type of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based wireless network, such as a system compliant with one or more of the 3GPP LTE Specifications and/or IEEE 802.16 Standards, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

In the exemplary broadband wireless access system1000, access service networks (ASN)1014,1018are capable of coupling with base stations (BS)1014,1020(or eNBs), respectively, to provide wireless communication between one or more fixed devices1016and internet1010, or one or more mobile devices1022and Internet1010. One example of a fixed device1016and a mobile device1022is wireless device100as mentioned inFIG. 1, with the fixed device1016comprising a stationary version of wireless device100and the mobile device1022comprising a mobile version of wireless device100. ASN1012may implement profiles that are capable of defining the mapping of network functions to one or more physical entities on broadband wireless access system1000. Base stations1014,1020(or eNBs) may comprise radio equipment to provide RF communication with fixed device1016and mobile device1022, such as described with reference to device1000, and may comprise, for example, the PHY, MAC, RLC or PDCP layer equipment in compliance with a 3GPP LTE Specification or an IEEE 802.16 Standard. Base stations1014,1020(or eNBs) may further comprise an IP backplane to couple to Internet1010via ASN1012,1018, respectively, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

Broadband wireless access system1000may further comprise a visited connectivity service network (CSN)1024capable of providing one or more network functions including but not limited to proxy and/or relay type functions, for example authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) functions, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) functions, or domain name service controls or the like, domain gateways such as public switched telephone network (PSTN) gateways or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateways, and/or internet protocol (IP) type server functions, or the like. However, these are merely example of the types of functions that are capable of being provided by visited CSN1024or home CSN1026, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. Visited CSN1024may be referred to as a visited CSN in the case where visited CSN1024is not part of the regular service provider of fixed device1016or mobile device1022, for example where fixed1016or mobile device1022is roaming away from their respective home CSN1026, or where broadband wireless access system1000is part of the regular service provider of fixed device1016or mobile device1022but where broadband wireless access system1000may be in another location or state that is not the main or home location of fixed device1016or mobile device1022.

Fixed device1016may be located anywhere within range of one or both base stations1014,1020, such as in or near a home or business to provide home or business customer broadband access to Internet1010via base stations1014,1020and ASN1012,1018, respectively, and home CSN1026. It is worthy to note that although fixed device1016is generally disposed in a stationary location, it may be moved to different locations as needed. Mobile device1022may be utilized at one or more locations if mobile device1022is within range of one or both base stations1014,1020, for example.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, operation support system (OSS)1028may be part of broadband wireless access system1000to provide management functions for broadband wireless access system1000and to provide interfaces between functional entities of broadband wireless access system1000. Broadband wireless access system1000ofFIG. 10is merely one type of wireless network showing a certain number of the components of broadband wireless access system1000, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

Some examples may be described using the expression “coupled”, “connected”, or “capable of being coupled” along with their derivatives. These terms are not necessarily intended as synonyms for each other. For example, descriptions using the terms “connected” and/or “coupled” may indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

According to some examples, an example first apparatus for a wireless device may include a first outphasing power amplifier arranged to amplify a first signal and a second outphasing power amplifier arranged to amplify a second signal. The example first apparatus may also include a dipole antenna arranged to couple directly to the outputs of the first and the second outphasing power amplifiers and also arranged to operate as a power combiner for signals outputted from the first and the second outphasing power amplifiers.

In some examples for the example first apparatus, the dipole antenna may be arranged to transmit the power combined signals as modulated signals. The modulated signals may include OFDM modulated signals. According to some examples, the modulated signals may be transmitted via the dipole antenna at a peak power radiation level based on the first signal being anti-phase relative to the second signal and transmitted at a minimum power radiation level based on the first signal being in-phase relative to the second signal. Also, in some examples, the transmitted modulated signals may have an average power radiation level of approximately 7 decibels (dBs) from a peak power radiation level.

In some examples, first methods implemented at a wireless may include generating a first signal and a second signal and amplifying the first signal using a first outphasing power amplifier and amplifying the second signal using a second outphasing power amplifier. The example first methods may also include combining power outputs of the first and the second outphasing power amplifiers using a dipole antenna arranged to couple directly to the outputs of the first and the second outphasing power amplifiers.

According to some examples, the example first methods may also include transmitting the power combined signals as modulated signals via the dipole antenna. The modulated signals may include OFDM modulated signals. In some examples, the modulated signals may be transmitted at a peak power radiation level based on the first signal being anti-phase relative to the second signal. The modulated signals may also be transmitted at a minimum power radiation level based on the first signal being in-phase relative to the second signal

In some examples, at least one machine readable medium including a plurality of instructions that in response to being executed on a computing device may cause the computing device to carry out the example first methods as mentioned above.

In some examples an apparatus or device may include means for performing the example first methods as mentioned above.

According to some examples, an example second apparatus for a wireless device may include a first pair of outphasing power amplifiers arranged to amplify a first differential signal and a second pair of outphasing power amplifiers arranged to amplify a second differential signal. The example second apparatus may also include a dual folded dipole antenna arranged to couple directly to the outputs of the first and the second pairs of outphasing power amplifiers and also arranged to operate as a power combiner for signals outputted from the first and the second pairs of outphasing power amplifiers.

In some examples for the example second apparatus, the dual folded dipole antenna may be arranged to transmit the power combined signals as modulated signals. The modulated signals may include OFDM modulated signals. According to some examples, the modulated signals may be transmitted via the dual folded dipole antenna at a peak power radiation level based on the first differential signal being anti-phase relative to the second differential signal and transmitted at a minimum power radiation level based on the first differential signal being in-phase relative to the second differential signal. Also, in some examples, the transmitted modulated signals may have an average power radiation level of approximately 7 decibels (dBs) from a peak power radiation level.

In some examples, second methods implemented at a wireless may include generating a first and a second differential signal. The first differential signal may be amplified using a first pair of outphasing power amplifiers and the second differential signal may be amplified using a second pair of outphasing power amplifiers. The example second methods may also include combining power outputs of the first and the second pairs of outphasing power amplifiers using a dual folded dipole antenna arranged to couple directly to the outputs of the first and the second pairs of outphasing power amplifiers.

According to some examples, the example second methods may also include transmitting the power combined signals as modulated signals via the dual folded dipole antenna. The modulated signals may include OFDM modulated signals. In some examples, the modulated signals may be transmitted at a peak power radiation level based on the first differential signal being anti-phase relative to the second differential signal. The modulated signals may also be transmitted at a minimum power radiation level based on the first differential signal being in-phase relative to the second differential signal.

In some examples, at least one machine readable medium including a plurality of instructions that in response to being executed on a computing device may cause the computing device to carry out the example second methods as mentioned above.

In some examples an apparatus or device may include means for performing the example second methods as mentioned above.

According to some examples, an example third apparatus for a wireless device may include a processor circuit and a signal component arranged for execution by the processor circuit to cause a first signal and a second signal to be generated. The example third apparatus may also include a transmitter component arranged for execution by the processor circuit to cause the first signal to be routed to a first branch of an outphasing power amplifier system. The transmitter component may also be arranged to cause a second signal to be routed to a second branch of the outphasing power amplifier system. The outputs of the first branch and the second branch may be configurable to couple directly to an antenna arranged to operate as a power combiner for signals outputted from the first and the second branches.

According to some examples, the example third apparatus may also include the transmitter component to cause a power combined signal to be transmitted from the antenna. The power combined signal may be transmitted as modulated signals. The modulated signals may include OFDM modulated signals. Also, the modulated signals may be transmitted at a peak power radiation level based on the first signal being anti-phase relative to the second signal or transmitted at a minimum power radiation level based on the first signal being in-phase relative to the second signal.

In some examples for the example third apparatus, the antenna may be a dipole antenna. For these examples, the first branch may include a first outphasing power amplifier and the second branch may include a second outphasing power amplifier. The outputs of the first and the second outphasing amplifiers may directly couple to the dipole antenna.

In some examples for the example third apparatus, the antenna may be a dual folded dipole antenna. For these examples, the first signal routed to the first branch may include a first differential signal. The first branch may include a first pair of outphasing power amplifiers arranged to receive the first differential signal. The second signal routed to the second branch may include a second differential signal. The second branch may include a second pair of outphasing power amplifiers arranged to receive the second differential signal. The dual folded dipole antenna may be arranged to directly couple to the outputs of the first and the second pairs of outphasing amplifiers.