Patent ID: 7078966

Claim:
Power amplifier apparatus comprising power amplifier means having a signal output, and control means responsive to the power of an output signal at said output for controlling said output signal power relative to a first power target signal and additionally responsive to a parameter indicative of saturation of said power amplifier means for adjusting said output signal power to a level at which said power amplifier means is substantially not saturated, and power target variation means operable at least when said first power target signal is close to a value corresponding to saturation of said power amplifier means for at least initially applying to said control means a modified power target signal corresponding to a power target higher than said first power target signal and at which said power amplifier means saturates, said modified power target signal causing said control means to react to saturation of said power amplifier means adjusting said output signal power to a level at which said power amplifier means operates substantially at its maximum power but not saturated.