A two stage power amplifier circuit that employs both a DC to DC converter
and sliding bias controller to improve power amplifier efficiency. The
control signal that is generated by the power detector circuit to control
the input voltage to the DC to DC converter is also used to provide the
reference voltage that controls the sliding bias controller. The sliding
bias controller reduces the quiescent current of the power amplifiers by
reducing the bias currents, and thus the DC voltage at lower power output
levels driving the power amplifiers. This causes the power amplifiers to
operate at or near higher efficiency Class B operation at lower power
output levels. As the power level increases, the sliding bias controller
reduces its control on the bias currents so that the power amplifier can
be driven at necessary higher power output levels.