Patent ID: 11201590

Abstract:
A power amplifier apparatus is provided. The power amplifier apparatus includes a number of multi-stage power amplifiers and a bias circuit configured to generate a number of bias signals (e.g., bias current or bias voltage) to control (e.g., activate or deactivate) the multi-stage power amplifiers. In examples disclosed herein, only one of the multi-stage power amplifiers is activated at a given time. In this regard, the bias circuit can generate the bias signals to collectively activate one of the multi-stage power amplifiers, while deactivating the rest of the multi-stage power amplifiers. As such, it may be possible to control a larger number of power amplifier stages based on a smaller number of bias signals. As a result, it may be possible to eliminate a biasing bump pad(s) from the power amplifier apparatus, thus helping to reduce the footprint and cost of the power amplifier apparatus.