PCS multi-carrier linear power amplifier

An RF power amplifier includes a first monitoring circuit that is coupled to an output signal of the power amplifier, and generates a first control signal based on a level of intermodulation distortion in the output signal. The first control signal has a first value when the level of intermodulation distortion in the output signal is less than a predetermined level of intermodulation distortion and second value when the level of intermodulation distortion in the output signal is greater than or equal to the predetermined level of intermodulation distortion. A second monitoring circuit is coupled to the output signal and generates a second control signal based on a power level of the output signal. The second control signal controls a level of the input RF signal so that the power level of the output signal is less than a predetermined power level. A phase shift/hybrid network is coupled to a primary signal path and an auxiliary signal path of the power amplifier. The phase shift/hybrid network receives an input RF signal, and is responsive to the first control signal by generating only a first signal that is coupled to the primary signal path when the first control signal has the first value, and by generating the first signal and a second signal that are respectively coupled to the primary signal path and the auxiliary signal path when the first control signal has the second value.