Patent ID: 7804364

Claim:
An RF power amplifier for a wireless communication system comprising: a power amplifier having an output, the output of the power amplifier having an output power range over which the power amplifier operates; a voltage sensor coupled to the power amplifier for sensing the voltage at the output of the power amplifier, wherein the voltage sensor includes a logarithmic amplifier; a current sensor coupled to the power amplifier for sensing the current at the output of the power amplifier; and a circuit coupled to the voltage sensor and current sensor for controlling the output power of the power amplifier, wherein the circuit actively controls the output power of the power amplifier over substantially the entire output power range of the power amplifier by generating a signal based on the magnitudes of the voltage and current at the output of the power amplifier, and wherein the signal is proportional to the output power of the power amplifier such that changes in the magnitudes of the voltage and current at the output of the power amplifier will cause the gain of the power amplifier to be adjusted proportionally over substantially the entire output power range of the power amplifier.