Importance

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Abstract

An RF power amplifier having amplifier protection is presented wherein an RF source supplies an RF input signal to an actuatable RF power amplifier having an on condition and an off condition for, when on, normally receiving and amplifying the input RF signal to provide an amplified output RF signal. RF current and RF voltage in the output circuit are detected. A first signal is provided from the RF current and exhibits a fixed amplitude but a frequency and phase corresponding with that of the RF current. A second signal is provided of the fixed amplitude and which corresponds in frequency and phase with the RF voltage. The first and second signals are compared so as to provide a phase signal having a magnitude dependent upon the phase difference between the first and second signals. This phase signal is then compared with a reference to provide a turn-off signal in dependence upon the comparison for purposes of actuating an RF power amplifier to its off condition.

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First Claim