A method for tuning a
transmitter in order to improve
impedance matching to an antenna or to intermediate
radio frequency stages uses an error
detector that senses a deviation of the amplitude or
phase angle of a load current of a power
amplifier driver or of a power
amplifier. A controller calculates a correction and dynamically adjusts tunable
transmitter parameters, which may include values of components in matching networks or bias voltages in the power
amplifier or the power amplifier driver, so as to reduce the deviation and thereby improve the
impedance matching. The load current of the power amplifier may alternatively be sensed by measuring the
duty cycle of its switching mode power supply. A
transmitter having a power amplifier and one or more tunable circuit elements incorporates an error
detector that senses the amplitude or phase of a load current and a controller that adjusts one or more tunable parameters to reduce impedance mismatch. An
integrated circuit device suitable for use in a transmitter includes a power amplifier
driver circuit and a
detector circuit capable of sensing a load current, and a controller circuit that can adjust tunable parameters either within or external to the
integrated circuit. By eliminating directional couplers and integrating the detectors and power amplifier drivers, the size, complexity, and cost of
wireless transceivers can be reduced, while efficiency and
power consumption are improved through the dynamic adjustment of operating points and
impedance matching.