Multi-level power amplifying circuitry for portable radio transceivers

Claim 2

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for applying to said amplifying means one of first and second supply voltages from separate first and second voltage sources, respectively, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of said first supply voltage; means coupled to said applying means for selecting one of a first set of levels when said first supply voltage is applied to said amplifying means and one of a second set of levels when said second supply voltage is applied to said amplifying means, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 3

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said amplifying means includes at least first and second cascaded amplifiers.

Claim 4

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said first voltage source is a battery and said applying means, selecting means and maintaining means are coupled to said battery.

Claim 5

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said second voltage source is disposed in adaptor means, said applying means being removably couplable to said adaptor means.

Claim 6

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 4, wherein said second voltage source is a battery.

Claim 7

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 4, wherein said adaptor means includes voltage regulating means interposed between said second voltage source and said applying means.

Claim 8

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 4, wherein said adaptor means includes charging means coupled to said second voltage source, said applying means further coupling said charging means to said first voltage source when said applying means is coupled to said adaptor means.

Claim 9

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said selecting means is a microcomputer.

Claim 10

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said maintaining means includes: first means coupled to the output RF signal for generating a control signal; and second means coupled to said control signal for generating a drive signal, said amplifying means coupled to said drive signal for varying the magnitude of the output RF signal in response thereto.

Claim 11

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter having a first voltage source and being couplable to a second voltage source, said second voltage source providing a voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the voltage provided by said first voltage source, said power amplifying circuitry further comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for coupling said amplifying means to said second voltage source in place of said first voltage source; means for detecting the presence of said second voltage source; means for selecting one of a first set of levels when said second voltage source is not present and selecting one of a second set of levels when said second voltage source is present, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 12

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter having a first voltage source and being couplable to a second voltage source, said second voltage source providing a voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the voltage provided by said first voltage source, said power amplifying circuitry further comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for coupling said amplifying means to said second voltage source in place of said first voltage source; means for detecting the presence of said second voltage source; means for selecting one of a first set of levels when said second voltage source is not present and selecting one of a second set of levels when said second voltage source is present, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 13

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 10, wherein said second voltage source is disposed in adaptor means, said power amplifying circuitry being removably couplable to said adaptor means.

Claim 14

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 11, wherein said detecting means is inverting gate means having an input and control signal as an output and said coupling means couples signal ground from said adaptor means to said input of said inverting gate means, said inverting gate means control signal having a second state when said inverting gate input is grounded and a first state when said inverting gate input is not grounded, said selecting means selecting one of the first set of levels when the control signal has the first state and one of a second set of levels when the control signal has the second state.

Claim 15

Power amplifying circuitry including first amplifying means coupled to a first voltage source for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter to produce an output RF signal and first maintaining means for maintaining the magnitude of said output RF signal at a selected one of a first set of levels, said power amplifying circuitry couplable to second amplifying means coupled to a second voltage source for amplifying the output RF signal and second maintaining means for maintaining said amplified output RF signal at a selected one of a second set of levels, said second voltage source providing a voltage having a magnitude greater than than the magnitude of the voltage provided by said first voltage source, said first power amplifying circuitry further comprising: means for detecting the presence of said second amplifying means; means for selecting a predetermined one of said first set of levels when said second amplifying means is detected; means for selecting one of said second set of levels when said second amplifying means is detected, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means for applying said selected one of said second set of levels to said second maintaining means.

Claim 16

Power amplifying circuitry including first amplifying means coupled to a first voltage source for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter to produce an output RF signal and first maintaining means for maintaining the magnitude of said output RF signal at a selected one of a first set of levels, said power amplifying circuitry couplable to second amplifying means coupled to a second voltage source for amplifying the output RF signal and second maintaining means for maintaining said amplified output RF signal at a selected one of a second set of levels, said second voltage source providing a voltage having a magnitude greater than than the magnitude of the voltage provided by said first voltage source, said first power amplifying circuitry further comprising: means for detecting the presence of said second amplifying means; means for selecting a predetermined one of said first set of levels when said second amplifying means is detected; means for selecting one of said second set of levels when said second amplifying means is detected, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means for applying said selected one of said second set of levels to said second maintaining means.

Claim 17

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for applying to said amplifying means one of first and second supply voltages from first and second voltage sources, respectively, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the first supply voltage; means coupled to said applying means for producing a control signal having a first state when the first supply voltage is applied to said amplifying means and a second state when said second supply voltage is applied to said amplifying means; means coupled to said producing means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the control signal has the first state and one of a second set of levels when the control signal has the second state, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 18

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for applying to said amplifying means one of first and second supply voltages from first and second voltage sources, respectively, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the first supply voltage; means coupled to said applying means for producing a control signal having a first state when the first supply voltage is applied to said amplifying means and a second state when said second supply voltage is applied to said amplifying means; means coupled to said producing means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the control signal has the first state and one of a second set of levels when the control signal has the second state, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 19

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 14, wherein said second voltage source is disposed in adaptor means, said applying means being removably couplable to said adaptor means.

Claim 20

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 15, wherein said producing means is inverting gate means having an input and said control signal as an output, said applying means coupling signal ground from said adaptor means to said input of the inverting gate means.

Claim 21

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter having a first voltage source and being couplable to a second voltage source, said second voltage source providing a voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the voltage provided by said first voltage source, said power amplifying circuitry further comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for coupling said amplifying means to said second voltage source in place of said first voltage source; means for detecting the presence of said second voltage source and producing a control signal having a first state when the first voltage source is coupled to said amplifying means and a second state when the second voltage source is coupled to said amplifying means; means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the control signal has the first state and selecting one of a second set of levels when the control signal has the second state, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 22

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter having a first voltage source and being couplable to a second voltage source, said second voltage source providing a voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the voltage provided by said first voltage source, said power amplifying circuitry further comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal; means for coupling said amplifying means to said second voltage source in place of said first voltage source; means for detecting the presence of said second voltage source and producing a control signal having a first state when the first voltage source is coupled to said amplifying means and a second state when the second voltage source is coupled to said amplifying means; means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the control signal has the first state and selecting one of a second set of levels when the control signal has the second state, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels.

Claim 23

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 17, wherein said second voltage source is disposed in adaptor means, said power amplifying circuitry being removably couplable to said adaptor means.

Claim 24

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 17, wherein said producing means is inverting gate means having an input and said control signal as an output, said coupling means coupling signal ground from said adaptor means to said input of said inverting gate means.

Claim 25

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal, said amplifying means including at least first and second cascaded amplifiers, said first amplifier coupled to a first drive signal; means for applying to said second amplifier a first supply voltage from a first voltage source or a second drive signal; means coupled to said applying means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the first supply voltage is applied to said second amplifier and one of a second set of levels when the second drive signal is applied to said second amplifier, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels, said maintaining means further including detecting means coupled to the output RF signal for generating an output signal having a magnitude related to the magnitude of the output RF signal, first means coupled to said detecting means output signal for generating the first drive signal, second means coupled to said detecting means output signal and a second supply voltage from a second voltage source for generating the second drive signal, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the first supply voltage, and said amplifying means varying the magnitude of the output RF signal in response to the first or second drive signals.

Claim 26

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal, said amplifying means including at least first and second cascaded amplifiers, said first amplifier coupled to a first drive signal; means for applying to said second amplifier a first supply voltage from a first voltage source or a second drive signal; means coupled to said applying means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the first supply voltage is applied to said second amplifier and one of a second set of levels when the second drive signal is applied to said second amplifier, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels, said maintaining means further including detecting means coupled to the output RF signal for generating an output signal having a magnitude related to the magnitude of the output RF signal, first means coupled to said detecting means output signal for generating the first drive signal, second means coupled to said detecting means output signal and a second supply voltage from a second voltage source for generating the second drive signal, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the first supply voltage, and said amplifying means varying the magnitude of the output RF signal in response to the first or second drive signals.

Claim 27

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 20, wherein said second generating means includes control means coupled to said detecting means output signal and said selecting means for producing a control signal, and driver means coupled to said control signal and said second supply voltage for generating said second drive signal.

Claim 28

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 21, wherein said second voltage source and said driver means are disposed in adaptor means, said applying means and said control means being removably couplable to said adaptor means.

Claim 29

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 22, wherein said second voltage source is a battery.

Claim 30

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 22, wherein said adaptor means includes charging means coupled to said second voltage source, said applying means further coupling said charging means to said first voltage source when said applying means is coupled to said adaptor means.

Claim 31

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal, said amplifying means including at least first and second amplifiers coupled in series with one another, said first amplifier coupled to a first drive signal; means for applying to said second amplifier a first supply voltage from a first voltage source or a second drive signal; means coupled to said applying means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the first supply voltage is applied to said second amplifier and one of a second set of levels when the second drive signal is applied to said second amplifier, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels, said maintaining means further including detecting means coupled to the output RF signal for generating an output signal having a magnitude related to the magnitude of the output RF signal, means coupled to the detecting means output signal for generating first and second control signals, first driver means coupled to said first control signal for generating said first drive signal, second driver means coupled to said second control signal and a second supply voltage from a second voltage source for generating the second drive signal, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the first supply voltage, and said amplifying means varying the magnitude of the output RF signal in response to the first or second drive signals.

Claim 32

Power amplifying circuitry for a radio frequency (RF) signal from a radio transmitter, said power amplifying circuitry comprising: means for amplifying the RF signal to produce an output RF signal, said amplifying means including at least first and second amplifiers coupled in series with one another, said first amplifier coupled to a first drive signal; means for applying to said second amplifier a first supply voltage from a first voltage source or a second drive signal; means coupled to said applying means for selecting one of a first set of levels when the first supply voltage is applied to said second amplifier and one of a second set of levels when the second drive signal is applied to said second amplifier, said second set of levels including at least one level of greater magnitude than the magnitude of any level of said first set of levels; and means coupled to said selecting means and amplifying means for maintaining the output RF signal at said selected one of said first or second sets of levels, said maintaining means further including detecting means coupled to the output RF signal for generating an output signal having a magnitude related to the magnitude of the output RF signal, means coupled to the detecting means output signal for generating first and second control signals, first driver means coupled to said first control signal for generating said first drive signal, second driver means coupled to said second control signal and a second supply voltage from a second voltage source for generating the second drive signal, said second supply voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the first supply voltage, and said amplifying means varying the magnitude of the output RF signal in response to the first or second drive signals.

Claim 33

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 25, wherein said second voltage source and said second driver means are disposed in adaptor means, said applying means and said control means being removably couplable to said adaptor means.

Claim 34

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 26, wherein said second voltage source is a battery.

Claim 35

The power amplifying circuitry according to claim 26, wherein said adaptor means includes charging means coupled to said second voltage source, said applying means further coupling said charging means to said first voltage source when said applying means is coupled to said adaptor means.