A circuit arrangement that stacks a modulator and automatic gain control (AGC) amplifier so as to re-use the modulator output current to drive the AGC amplifier, thereby saving power consumption and avoiding an unnecessary signal transformation between the two stages. A balanced circuit topology is used. The modulation signal can be selected over a wide range (100 MHz to 5.4 GHz) and the circuit arrangement is therefore particularly suitable for wireless applications (e.g. GSM-EDGE) and for integrated circuit fabrication.
A high output power radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) includes an up-conversion module, a plurality of power amplifier input stages, and a plurality of integrated circuit pads. The up-conversion module is coupled to convert a low intermediate frequency (IF) signal into a radio frequency (RF) signal. The plurality of power amplifier input stages is coupled to receive the RF signal and to produce separate RF pre-amp signals. Each of the plurality of integrated circuit pads is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of power amplifier input stages and to provide the separate RF pre-amp signals external to the RFIC.
