HIGH LINEARITY SATELLITE PAYLOAD USING SOLID STATE POWER AMPLIFIERS

摘要

A solid state power amplifier uses a Doherty power amplifier that can be implemented as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit. By adjusting the DC bias (923; 933) of the amplifying stages (903a, 903b; 913a, 913b) in each branch of the Doherty amplifier, the output power, linearity, and DC power can be adjusted to provide a specified output, where the specification for the output can include the maintaining of desired DC power and linearity. The Doherty power amplifier can be used in a satellite payload or other application utilizing solid state power amplifiers, while providing the proper amount of RF output power and DC power. A single amplifier can have its bias levels adjusted for different output levels, helping to minimize the number of designs that are required for a given satellite payload, reducing the variety of parts in a satellite payload.