Patent ID: 6989712

Claim:
An amplifier circuit comprising: an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output; and a power detector circuit including a first input and a second input, each coupled to sample a signal transmitted along the signal path, wherein the first input is coupled to a first interior node of the signal path and the second input is coupled to a second interior node of the signal path, the first and second interior nodes being disposed between, but exclusive of, the input and the output of the amplifier, wherein the power detector circuit is operable to sample the signal transmitted along the signal path at both the first and second interior nodes, thereby creating first and second sample signals, respectively, and combine the first and second sample signals to generate a first signal reflective of both the first and second sample signals.