User Manual Part 2

51
As forward biasing current increases, the impedance decreases to a low level. Therefore, the RF
level of the signal applied to Q6 increases as the bias current from the power control circuit
increases.
5.2.2.2 PA RF DEVICE (Q6)
Impedance matching for Q6 is provided by several capacitors, inductors, and sections of
microstrip. Q6 is an N-channel enhancement mode lateral MOSFET. The bias voltage (which is
required for the device to turn on) is controlled by the transmit signal. It is applied to the gate and
controlled by the logic through shift register U1. Therefore, this device is turned off in the receive
mode which improves isolation. Several capacitors, inductors, and resistors isolate this supply
from RF. Likewise, the 13-volt RAW BAT supply applied to the drain is isolated by similar
components.
From the output of the variable attenuator, the signal is fed to Q6. Q6 operates as a single-ended
device. It produces an output power of up to 35 watts.
5.2.2.3 FORWARD POWER DETECTOR, ANTENNA SWITCH,
LOW-PASS FILTER
The power control circuit senses Q6 output power to control the power output. A directional
coupler senses the forward power signal. This signal is then rectified by CR8 and applied to the
power control circuit. This signal is a DC voltage that increases in proportion to the level of
forward power. Refer to Section 5.2.2.4 for more information on power control.
PIN diodes CR9, CR11, CR12, and CR15 form an antenna switch that switches the antenna to the
transmitter in the transmit mode and the receiver in the receive mode. As stated in Section
5.2.2.1, PIN diodes have very high impedance when in the off mode and very low impedance
when forward biased. Transistors Q7 and Q9 are on in the transmit mode and off in the receive
mode.
In the transmit mode all four diodes are forward biased. The transmit signal then has a low
impedance path through CR9 to the low-pass filter and is blocked from the receiver by a
grounded quarter-wave line formed by C64, L15, and C66. A grounded quarter-wave lines
presents very high impedance at the non-grounded end. PIN diodes CR11 and CR15 and a second
quarter-wave line formed by C76, C77, and L17 provide additional isolation.
In the receive mode, all four diodes are in the off mode. Therefore, the receive signal from the
antenna is blocked from the power amplifier by CR9 and has a low impedance path through L15,
C74, L17, and C67 to the receiver in the RF module.
From the antenna switch the RF signal is applied to a low-pass filter formed by L11-L13 and
several capacitors and sections of microstrip. This filter attenuates harmonic frequencies above
the transmit band that could cause adjacent channel interference. R53 dissipates static buildup in
the antenna.
5.2.2.4 POWER CONTROL
Introduction

Summary of content (50 pages)