Power amplifier and radio transmitter

A power amplifier is described, such as an amplifier employing closed loop feedback (e.g. Cartesian feedback) as well as a radio transmitter incorporating such an amplifier. The amplifier circuit has an amplifier control loop and a loop closing element (18, 107) for selectively opening and closing the control loop in response to a loop closing signal (40). One or more gain elements (30, 31, 32, 33, 101, 102, 110, 111) external to the control loop is adjusted responsive to the loop closing signal so as to maintain approximately constant gain between the input and the output of the amplifier during opening and closing of the loop, Because the gain adjustment is carried out external to the loop, any negative impact on the phase shift or phase stability is reduced or eliminated, and the circuit can be designed with reduced phase margin and greater simplicity.