Patent attributes
A system is provided for detecting the output power of power amplifier circuitry in a transmitter of a mobile terminal. Balanced power amplifier circuitry is provided having in-phase power amplifier circuitry and quadrature phase amplifier circuitry. A power detection system provides a power detection signal indicative of the output power of the balanced power amplifier circuitry based on an in-phase detect signal indicative of some measurable parameter that varies with power, such as current, in a final amplifier stage of the in-phase amplifier circuitry and a quadrature phase detect signal indicative of some measurable parameter that varies with power, such as current, in a final stage of the quadrature phase amplifier circuitry.