Including power modulation circuits with switching circuits and wireless communication devices

Abstract

A communication circuit and a wireless communication device are provided. The communication circuit includes: a first power modulator configured to provide a first power supply voltage; a first power amplifier configured to generate a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal corresponding to a first operating frequency band; a second power amplifier configured to generate a second output signal by amplifying a second input signal corresponding to a second operating frequency band; and a switching circuit configured to selectively provide the first power supply voltage from the first power modulator to the second power amplifier according to an operating mode based on a first switching signal.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0114960, filed on September 18, 2019, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to a power modulation circuit including a switching circuit and a wireless communication device including the power modulation circuit. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices can use WCDMA (3G), LTE, Advanced LTE (4G), and 5G technologies for high-speed communication. As communication technologies evolve, high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and high bandwidth transmission / reception signals may be required. Therefore, when the power amplifier at the transmitting end is powered by a battery, the efficiency of the power amplifier decreases. To improve the power efficiency of the power amplifier at high PAPR and high bandwidth, average power point tracking (APT) or envelope tracking (ET) technologies are employed. Chips that support both APT and envelope tracking technologies are called power modulators (SMs). Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to an embodiment, a communication circuit includes: a first power modulator configured to provide a first power supply voltage; a first power amplifier configured to generate a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal corresponding to a first operating frequency band; a second power amplifier configured to generate a second output signal by amplifying a second input signal corresponding to a second operating frequency band; and a switching circuit configured to selectively provide the first power supply voltage from the first power modulator to the second power amplifier based on a first switching signal according to an operating mode.

[0006] According to an embodiment, the communication circuit includes: a plurality of power modulators providing a plurality of power supply voltages; a plurality of power amplifiers configured to generate a plurality of output signals by amplifying a plurality of input signals based on the plurality of power supply voltages; and a plurality of switching components configured to provide the plurality of power supply voltages to one or more of the plurality of power amplifiers based on the operating frequency band of the plurality of output signals, wherein the plurality of switching components are configured to provide the plurality of power supply voltages to power amplifiers connected by connecting each of the plurality of power modulators to a corresponding one of the plurality of power amplifiers.

[0007] According to an embodiment, a wireless communication device includes: a modem configured to generate a transmission signal; a power modulation circuit configured to provide one of a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage; and a power amplifier circuit configured to generate an output signal by amplifying an input signal generated based on the transmission signal using one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage, wherein the power modulation circuit includes at least one switching component configured to provide one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage to the power amplifier circuit based on an operating frequency.

[0008] According to an embodiment, a communication circuit includes: a first power modulator configured to provide a first power supply voltage; a second power modulator configured to provide a second power supply voltage; a first power amplifier configured to generate a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal using the first power supply voltage; a second power amplifier configured to generate a second output signal by amplifying a second input signal using either the first power supply voltage or the second power supply voltage; a third power amplifier configured to generate a third output signal by amplifying a third input signal using the second power supply voltage; a first switch configured to switch between the first power modulator and the second power amplifier based on a first switch signal; and a second switch configured to switch between the second power modulator and the second power amplifier based on a second switch signal.

[0009] According to an embodiment, a power modulation circuit is configured to provide a power supply voltage to a power amplifier circuit. The power modulation circuit includes: a first power modulator configured to provide a first power supply voltage; a second power modulator configured to provide a second power supply voltage; a first switch configured to switch between the first power modulator and the power amplifier circuit based on a first switching signal; and a second switch configured to switch between the second power modulator and the power amplifier circuit based on a second switching signal. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The embodiments will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to an embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication device according to an embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 4 This is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the switch signal and enable signal according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figures 5A to 5C This is a diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating a power modulator according to an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 7A The power supply and output waveforms of a power amplifier with a fixed power supply voltage according to an embodiment are shown;

[0018] Figure 7B and Figure 7C The power supply and output waveforms of a power amplifier according to an embodiment are shown respectively. The power amplifier is provided with a varying power supply voltage based on the envelope of the transmitted signal provided by a power supply modulator.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 9 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 10A This is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 10B This is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 11 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a communication circuit according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication device according to an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication device according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an Internet of Things (IoT) device according to an embodiment; and

[0027] Figure 15 A mobile terminal according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments relate to a power modulation circuit and a wireless communication device, for example, a power modulation circuit including a switching circuit and a power modulator, and a wireless communication device including the power modulation circuit. In the embodiments, the power modulation circuit may utilize the switching circuit to provide a power supply voltage from a single power modulator to multiple power amplifiers, and the wireless communication device may include the power modulation circuit.

[0029] In the following description, embodiments will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 The wireless communication system 1 may include a first wireless communication device 11 and a second wireless communication device 12. As a non-limiting example, the wireless communication system 1 may include a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE-A (LTE-A) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) system, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) system, a Zigbee system, a Near Field Communication (NFC) system, a Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) system, a Radio Frequency (RF) system, or a Body Area Network (BAN) system.

[0032] The first wireless communication device 11 and the second wireless communication device 12 can refer to various devices capable of communicating with each other to send and receive data and / or control information. For example, the first wireless communication device 11 and the second wireless communication device 12 can be configured as a user equipment (UE) or a base station. The UE can be a fixed or mobile wireless communication device and can be referred to as a terminal device, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), user terminal (UT), subscription station (SS), wireless device, handheld device, etc. The base station (BS) can be collectively referred to as a fixed station communicating with the UE and / or other base stations, and can be referred to as a Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), base transceiver system (BTS), etc. In another example, the first wireless communication device 11 and the second wireless communication device 12 can be configured as either a client or an access point (AP). The client can establish a communication link with the AP based on WiFi communication.

[0033] The first wireless communication device 11 and the second wireless communication device 12 can communicate with each other using a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) method. Thus, the first wireless communication device 11 may include a first antenna ANT1_1 and a second antenna ANT1_2, and the second wireless communication device 12 may include a third antenna ANT2_1 and a fourth antenna ANT2_2.

[0034] Each of the first wireless communication device 11 and the second wireless communication device 12 can operate as either a transmitting device or a receiving device. When the first wireless communication device 11 operates as a transmitting device, the second wireless communication device 12 can operate as a receiving device. When the second wireless communication device 12 operates as a transmitting device, the first wireless communication device 11 can operate as a receiving device.

[0035] The wireless communication network 2 between the first wireless communication device 11 and the second wireless communication device 12 can support communication between multiple users by sharing available network resources. For example, in the wireless communication network, information can be transmitted according to various methods such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA). In this example, the wireless communication network 2 can provide Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication.

[0036] The first wireless communication device 11 may include a power modulation circuit 100, and the power modulation circuit 100 may include a switching circuit 120. When the first wireless communication device 11 operates as a transmitter, the power modulation circuit 100 may generate modulated voltages whose levels dynamically vary based on an envelope signal and an interface signal, and may supply these voltages to each of the plurality of power amplifiers. The switching circuit 120 may selectively supply the power voltage generated by the power modulation circuit 100 to at least some of the plurality of power amplifiers.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the switching circuit 120 can selectively supply the power supply voltage generated by the power modulation circuit 100 to at least some of the plurality of power amplifiers according to the required operating frequency. Therefore, the number of power amplifiers used to cover the dynamic frequency can be reduced, and many combinations of operating frequencies can be supported by a small number of power amplifiers.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 The wireless communication device 10 may include a transmitter and may be installed in the wireless communication system 1 to transmit data to an external device. By utilizing carrier aggregation (CA) technology, the wireless communication device 10 can transmit signals through multiple frequency bands. Thus, the wireless communication device 10 may include multiple power amplifiers for amplifying the power of multiple RF input signals corresponding to multiple carriers.

[0040] The wireless communication device 10 may include a modem 200, a power modulation circuit 100, an RF block 300, and a power amplifier circuit 400. The power amplifier circuit 400 may include a plurality of power amplifiers PAM1 to PAMn, each corresponding to a carrier wave.

[0041] Modem 200 can process baseband signals including information to be transmitted according to a corresponding communication method. For example, modem 200 can process signals to be transmitted according to communication schemes such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and High-Speed ​​Packet Access+ (HSPA+). Furthermore, modem 200 can process signals according to various communication methods that apply techniques to modulate the amplitude and frequency of the transmitted signals.

[0042] Modem 200 can generate multiple transmission signals TX1 to TXn from multiple baseband signals including information to be transmitted on each of the plurality of carriers. Additionally, modem 200 can detect the envelopes of the plurality of baseband signals to generate an envelope signal ENV and an interface signal IF. In an embodiment, the interface signal IF may include an operating frequency signal OF and an average power (AP) signal, and the envelope signal ENV and the AP signal may correspond to the amplitude components of the first transmission signal TX1 to the nth transmission signal TXn. The AP signal can be provided to power modulation circuit 100 as a reference voltage for each segment. Figure 2 The image shows one AP signal to be output. However, this is only for ease of description. In embodiments, multiple AP signals can be output as serial or parallel data. Furthermore, although... Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an envelope signal ENV, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and multiple envelope signals ENV can be generated. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the first transmission signal TX1 to the nth transmission signal TXn and the multiple envelope signals ENV may include differential signals, each comprising a positive signal and a negative signal.

[0043] The first transmission signal TX1 to the nth transmission signal TXn and the envelope signal ENV output from modem 200 can be analog signals, and the AP signal can be a digital signal. Modem 200 can perform digital-to-analog conversion on the plurality of baseband signals and the digital envelope signal of the plurality of baseband signals using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and generate the first transmission signal TX1 to the nth transmission signal TXn and the envelope signal ENV, which can be analog signals. The AP signal output from modem 200 can be converted into an analog signal, for example, a reference voltage, using the DAC provided in power modulation circuit 100. In an embodiment, the DAC provided in modem 200 can operate at a relatively higher speed than the DAC provided in power modulation circuit 100. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and modem 200 can convert the AP signal into an analog signal and output an analog signal. The AP signal converted into an analog signal can be provided to power modulation circuit 100 as a plurality of reference voltages.

[0044] The operating frequency signal OF output from modem 200 may include information about the operating frequency for a wireless communication device with a receiver. In a MIMO system, the wireless communication device 10 may communicate with the receiver using multiple operating frequencies, in which case the operating frequency signal OF may include information about the multiple operating frequencies. Figure 2 The example shown is an interface signal IF that includes the operating frequency signal OF and the AP signal, but this is only an example and the operating frequency signal OF and the AP signal can be output as separate signals to the power modulation circuit 100 via different signal lines.

[0045] By upconverting each of the first transmission signal TX1 to the nth transmission signal TXn based on the corresponding carrier among the plurality of carriers, the RF block 300 can generate the first RF input signal RF1_in to the nth RF input signal RFn_in.

[0046] The power amplifier circuit 400 may include first power amplifiers PAM1 to nth power amplifiers PAMn, and can generate first RF output signals RF1_out to nth RF output signals RFn_out by amplifying the power of the first RF input signals RF1_in to nth RF input signals RFn_in, respectively. Each of the first power amplifiers PAM1 to nth power amplifiers PAMn can amplify the power of each of the received first RF input signals RF1_in to nth RF input signals RFn_in based on the applied power supply voltage. The first RF output signals RF1_out to nth RF output signals RFn_out can be transmitted via corresponding antennas ANT1_1 to ANT1_n. Figure 2The illustration shows an embodiment of a power amplifier circuit 400 including three power amplifiers, but this embodiment is merely an example, and the power amplifier circuit 400 may include more than three power amplifiers.

[0047] The power modulation circuit 100 can generate a modulated voltage whose level changes dynamically based on the envelope signal ENV and the AP signal, and provide the modulated voltage as a power supply voltage Vs to each of the first power amplifiers PAM1 to the nth power amplifier PAMn. When a fixed-level power supply voltage is applied to the power amplifiers (e.g., the first power amplifiers PAM1 to the nth power amplifier PAMn), the efficiency of the power amplifiers may decrease. For effective power management of the power amplifiers, the power modulation circuit 100 can modulate the input voltage (e.g., battery-supplied power) based on the envelope signal ENV and / or the AP signal, and can provide the modulated input voltage as the power supply voltage Vs to the first power amplifiers PAM1 to the nth power amplifier PAMn, wherein the envelope signal ENV and / or the AP signal are generated based on the amplitude components of the transmitted signal (e.g., the first transmitted signal TX1 to the nth transmitted signal TXn).

[0048] The power modulation circuit 100 according to this embodiment may include a switching circuit 120. The power modulation circuit 100 may include a plurality of power modulators, each providing a power supply voltage Vs, and the switching circuit 120 may selectively output the power supply voltage Vs provided by the plurality of power modulators to a first power amplifier PAM1 to an nth power amplifier PAMn based on an operating frequency.

[0049] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20 according to an embodiment.

[0050] Reference Figure 3 The communication circuit 20 can represent a component included in a wireless communication device (e.g., Figure 2 The wireless communication device 10) includes one or more circuits, and may include a power modulation circuit 100 and a power amplifier circuit 400. The power modulation circuit 100 may include a first power modulator 111, a second power modulator 112 and a switching circuit 120.

[0051] The first power modulator 111 can receive an envelope signal ENV and an interface signal IF, and provide a first power supply voltage Vs1 to the power amplifier circuit 400. In this example, the interface signal IF may include an AP signal and an operating frequency signal OF, and the first power modulator 111 can determine the voltage level of the first power supply voltage Vs1 using at least one of the envelope signal ENV and the AP signal.

[0052] The second power supply modulator 112 can receive the envelope signal ENV and the interface signal IF, and provide the second power supply voltage Vs2 to the power amplifier circuit 400. In this example, the second power supply modulator 112 can determine the voltage level of the second power supply voltage Vs2 using at least one of the envelope signal ENV and the AP signal.

[0053] According to an embodiment, a first power modulator 111 can output a first switching signal Sig_S1 based on an operating frequency signal OF, and a second power modulator 112 can output a second switching signal Sig_S2 based on the operating frequency signal OF. In the example, the operating frequency signal OF may include information corresponding to the frequency band of the RF output signal (e.g., the first RF output signal RF1_out to the third RF output signal RF3_out), and the first power modulator 111 and the second power modulator 112 can determine, based on the operating frequency signal OF, a first power amplifier PAM1 to a third power amplifier PAM3 that receives the first power supply voltage Vs1 and the second power supply voltage Vs2. Therefore, the first power modulator 111 can determine the logic level of the first switching signal Sig_S1, and the second power modulator 112 can determine the logic level of the second switching signal Sig_S2.

[0054] The switching circuit 120 may include a first switch SW1 that operates based on a first switching signal Sig_S1 and a second switch SW2 that operates based on a second switching signal Sig_S2. For this purpose, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 may include switching elements such as p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors and n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistors.

[0055] The first switch SW1 can switch between the first power modulator 111 and the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the first switching signal Sig_S1. In other words, the first switch SW1 can provide a first power supply voltage Vs1 from the first power modulator 111 to the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the first switching signal Sig_S1. The second switch SW2 can switch between the second power modulator 112 and the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the second switching signal Sig_S2. In other words, the second switch SW2 can provide a second power supply voltage Vs2 from the second power modulator 112 to the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the second switching signal Sig_S2.

[0056] The power amplifier circuit 400 may include a first power amplifier PAM1, a second power amplifier PAM2, and a third power amplifier PAM3. In an embodiment, the first power amplifier PAM1, the second power amplifier PAM2, and the third power amplifier PAM3 may be configured to amplify RF signals in different operating frequency bands, respectively. In other words, the first power amplifier PAM1 may be configured to amplify the first RF input signal RF1_in of the first operating frequency band B1, the second power amplifier PAM2 may be configured to amplify the second RF input signal RF2_in of the second operating frequency band B2, and the third power amplifier PAM3 may be configured to amplify the third RF input signal RF3_in of the third operating frequency band B3. In the example, the first operating frequency band B1 corresponding to the first power amplifier PAM1 directly connected to the first power modulator 111 and the third operating frequency band B3 corresponding to the third power amplifier PAM3 directly connected to the second power modulator 112 may be the main frequency bands commonly used in the network.

[0057] The first power amplifier PAM1 can transmit the first RF output signal RF1_out, generated by amplifying the first RF input signal RF1_in, to the outside via the antenna ANT, for example, to... Figure 1 The second wireless communication device 12 is described. The first power amplifier PAM1 can amplify the first RF input signal RF1_in using the first power supply voltage Vs1 received from the first power supply modulator 111. The third power amplifier PAM3 can transmit the third RF output signal RF3_out generated by amplifying the third RF input signal RF3_in to the outside via the antenna ANT, for example, to [other device / organization]. Figure 1 The second wireless communication device 12 is included. The third power amplifier PAM3 can amplify the third RF input signal RF3_in using the second power supply voltage Vs2 received from the second power supply modulator 112.

[0058] The second power amplifier PAM2 can utilize the second operating frequency band B2 to transmit the second RF output signal RF2_out, generated by amplifying the second RF input signal RF2_in, to the outside via the antenna ANT, for example, to... Figure 1 The second wireless communication device 12 is included. The second power amplifier PAM2 can amplify the second RF input signal RF2_in using the first power supply voltage Vs1 received from the first power supply modulator 111 or the second power supply voltage Vs2 received from the second power supply modulator 112.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the power supply voltage applied to the second power amplifier PAM2 can be based on changes in the operation of the switching circuit 120. In the example, when the first switch SW1 is short-circuited and the second switch SW2 is open-circuited, the second power amplifier PAM2 can receive a first power supply voltage Vs1 from the first power supply modulator 111, and when the first switch SW1 is open-circuited and the second switch SW2 is short-circuited, the second power amplifier PAM2 can receive a second power supply voltage Vs2 from the second power supply modulator 112.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the operation of the switching circuit 120 can be determined based on the operating frequency band through which the RF signal is transmitted. In an example where the RF signal is transmitted via the first operating frequency band B1 and the third operating frequency band B3, both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can be open, such that a first power supply voltage Vs1 is applied to the first power amplifier PAM1, and a second power supply voltage Vs2 is applied to the third power amplifier PAM3. Additionally, the second power amplifier PAM2 can be disabled based on the second enable signal Sig_EN2.

[0061] In the example of transmitting RF signals via the first operating frequency band B1 and the second operating frequency band B2, the first switch SW1 can be open-circuited and the second switch SW2 can be short-circuited, thereby applying the first power supply voltage Vs1 to the first power amplifier PAM1 and the second power supply voltage Vs2 to the second power amplifier PAM2. Furthermore, the third power amplifier PAM3 can be disabled based on the third enable signal Sig_EN3, and the application of the second power supply voltage Vs2 to the third power amplifier PAM3 can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the third power amplifier PAM3 from consuming power by utilizing the second power supply voltage Vs2.

[0062] In the example of transmitting signals using the second operating frequency band B2 and the third operating frequency band B3, the first switch SW1 can be short-circuited and the second switch SW2 can be open-circuited, so that the first power supply voltage Vs1 is applied to the second power amplifier PAM2 and the second power supply voltage Vs2 is applied to the third power amplifier PAM3. Furthermore, the first power amplifier PAM1 can be disabled based on the first enable signal Sig_EN1, and the application of the first power supply voltage Vs1 to the first power amplifier PAM1 can be prevented. Therefore, the first power amplifier PAM1 can be prevented from consuming power by utilizing the first power supply voltage Vs1.

[0063] In one embodiment, the power modulation circuit 100 can output a first enable signal Sig_EN1 to a third enable signal Sig_EN3. In another example, it can be achieved through a modem (e.g., Figure 2 The modem 200 in the middle) or RF block (e.g., Figure 2The RF block 300 outputs the first enable signal Sig_EN1 to the third enable signal Sig_EN3.

[0064] The communication circuit 20 according to the embodiment can selectively apply the power supply voltage to the power amplifier according to the operating frequency band even with only a small number of power amplifiers, and supports multiple combinations of operating frequency bands.

[0065] exist Figure 3 In this example, the switching circuit 120 is shown as independent of the first power modulator 111 and the second power modulator 112. However, in another example, the switching circuit 120 may be included in at least one of the first power modulator 111 and the second power modulator 112. In this example, a first switch SW1 may be included in the first power modulator 111, and a second switch SW2 may be included in the second power modulator 112.

[0066] Figure 4 This is a timing diagram illustrating example operations of the switch signal and enable signal according to an embodiment, and Figures 5A to 5C This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20 according to an embodiment.

[0067] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first mode, Mode1, indicates the mode for transmitting signals using the first operating frequency band B1 and the third operating frequency band B3. In the first mode, the first switch signal Sig_S1 and the second switch signal Sig_S2 can be logic low, thus opening the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2. Additionally, the first enable signal Sig_EN1 and the third enable signal Sig_EN3 can be logic high, thus enabling the first power amplifier PAM1 and the third power amplifier PAM3. The second enable signal Sig_EN2 can be logic low, thus disabling the second power amplifier PAM2.

[0068] Reference Figure 5A In the first mode (Mode 1), since both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are open, the first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 can be applied to the first power amplifier PAM1, and the second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 can be applied to the third power amplifier PAM3. Therefore, the first power amplifier PAM1 can generate a first RF output signal RF1_out by amplifying the first RF input signal RF1_in in the first operating frequency band B1, and the third power amplifier PAM3 can generate a third RF output signal RF3_out by amplifying the third RF input signal RF3_in in the third operating frequency band B3.

[0069] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second mode, Mode2, indicates the mode for transmitting signals using the second operating frequency band B2 and the third operating frequency band B3. In Mode2, the first switch signal Sig_S1 can be logic high, and the second switch signal Sig_S2 can be logic low. Therefore, the first switch SW1 can be short-circuited, and the second switch SW2 can be open-circuited. Additionally, the first enable signal Sig_EN1 can be logic low, and the second enable signal Sig_EN2 and the third enable signal Sig_EN3 can be logic high. Therefore, the first power amplifier PAM1 can be disabled, and the second power amplifier PAM2 and the third power amplifier PAM3 can be enabled.

[0070] Reference Figure 5B In the second mode (Mode 2), when the first power amplifier PAM1 is inactive and the first switch SW1 is short-circuited, the first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 can be applied to the second power amplifier PAM2. Conversely, when the second switch SW2 is open, the second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 can be applied to the third power amplifier PAM3. Therefore, the second power amplifier PAM2 can generate a second RF output signal RF2_out by amplifying the second RF input signal RF2_in in the second operating frequency band B2, and the third power amplifier PAM3 can generate a third RF output signal RF3_out by amplifying the third RF input signal RF3_in in the third operating frequency band B3.

[0071] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The third mode, Mode3, indicates the mode for transmitting signals using the first operating frequency band B1 and the second operating frequency band B2. In Mode3, the first switch signal Sig_S1 can be logic high, and the second switch signal Sig_S2 can be logic low. Therefore, the first switch SW1 can be open, and the second switch SW2 can be short-circuited. Additionally, the first enable signal Sig_EN1 and the second enable signal Sig_EN2 can be logic high, and the third enable signal Sig_EN3 can be logic low. Therefore, the first power amplifier PAM1 and the second power amplifier PAM2 can be enabled, and the third power amplifier PAM3 can be disabled.

[0072] Reference Figure 5CIn the third mode (Mode3), when the first switch SW1 is open, the first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 can be applied to the first power amplifier PAM1. Conversely, when the third power amplifier PAM3 is inactive and the second switch SW2 is short-circuited, the second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 can be applied to the second power amplifier PAM2. Therefore, the first power amplifier PAM1 can generate a first RF output signal RF1_out by amplifying the first RF input signal RF1_in in the first operating frequency band B1, and the second power amplifier PAM2 can generate a second RF output signal RF2_out by amplifying the second RF input signal RF2_in in the second operating frequency band B2.

[0073] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power modulator 110 according to an embodiment. Figure 6 The power modulator 110 can represent Figure 3 The first power modulator 111 or the second power modulator 112 in the middle.

[0074] Reference Figure 6 The power modulator 110 may include an envelope tracker 110_1, an average power tracker 110_2, and a switching controller 110_3. The power modulator 110 can supply the power supply voltage to the power amplifier according to either envelope tracking (ET) or average power tracking (APT), for example, Figure 3 The first power amplifier PAM1 to the third power amplifier PAM3 are in the system.

[0075] When envelope tracking is applied, a power supply voltage Vs can be generated by operating envelope tracker 110_1. Envelope tracker 110_1 can draw power from a modem (e.g., Figure 2 The modem 200 receives an envelope signal ENV and performs envelope tracking based on the envelope signal ENV. The envelope tracker 110_1 can generate a power supply voltage Vs based on the result of the envelope tracking. In this example, the envelope tracker 110_1 may include a linear regulator and a switching regulator, and the power supply voltage Vs can be generated by summing the outputs of the linear regulator and the switching regulator.

[0076] When envelope tracking is applied, the power supply voltage Vs can be generated by operating the average power tracker 110_2. The average power tracker 110_2 can receive the AP signal from the switch controller 110_3 and generate the power supply voltage Vs based on the AP signal.

[0077] The switch controller 110_3 can receive the interface signal IF and obtain the AP signal and operating frequency signal OF from the interface signal IF. The switch controller 110_3 can output the AP signal to the AP tracker 110_2 and generate a switch signal Sig_S based on the operating frequency signal OF. The switch controller 110_3 can output the generated switch signal Sig_S to the switching circuit, for example, Figure 3 The switching circuit 120 in the middle.

[0078] In one embodiment, the switch controller 110_3 can determine the center frequency required for signal transmission based on the operating frequency signal OF, and generate a corresponding switch signal Sig_S. In another embodiment, the switch controller 110_3 may include a switch table SWT and generate the switch signal Sig_S corresponding to the required center frequency based on the switch table SWT.

[0079] Figure 7A The power supply and output waveforms of a power amplifier with a fixed power supply voltage according to a comparative example are shown. Figure 7B and Figure 7C The power supply and output waveforms of a power amplifier provided with a varying power supply voltage based on the envelope of a transmitted signal provided by a power supply modulator according to an embodiment are shown respectively.

[0080] Reference Figure 7A When the power amplifier operates by receiving a fixed supply voltage (e.g., battery voltage) as its power supply voltage, the output signal RF... OUT The voltage difference between the battery and the fixed power supply voltage can be relatively large. This voltage difference can reduce battery life and generate heat.

[0081] Reference Figure 7B Average power tracking (APS) can be a technique that applies a modulation voltage to a power amplifier at each constant transmission time interval (TTI), varying based on the peak level of the envelope. (See reference...) Figure 7C Envelope tracking can be a technique that instantaneously applies a modulated voltage that follows the envelope level to a power amplifier.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the power modulation circuit can modulate the power supply voltage Vs_APT (e.g., Vs_APT) that varies according to average power tracking. Figure 7B (as shown) or the supply voltage Vs_ET that varies according to envelope tracking (e.g.) Figure 7C (As shown) is supplied as the power supply voltage to the power amplifier. Therefore, by reducing the output signal RF of the power amplifier... OUT The voltage difference between the battery and the power supply voltage can reduce energy waste and increase battery life.

[0083] The power efficiency of the power amplifier in the envelope tracking method can be higher than that in the average power tracking method, but the power efficiency of the power modulation circuit in the average power tracking method can be higher than that in the envelope tracking method. The overall system power efficiency (e.g., Figure 2 The efficiency of the wireless communication device 10 can be proportional to the product of the efficiency of the power supply modulation circuit and the efficiency of the first power amplifier PAM1 to the third power amplifier PAM3. As a result, in the output signal RF... OUT In the higher power region, the overall system power efficiency of the envelope tracking method can be higher than that of the average power tracking method, while in the low power region where the output signal RFOUT is low, the overall system power efficiency of the average power tracking method can be higher than that of the envelope tracking method. Therefore, depending on the envelope level of the transmitted signal, Figure 2 The power modulation circuit 100 can selectively generate a power supply voltage according to one of the envelope tracking method and the average power tracking method.

[0084] Figure 8 This is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20 according to an embodiment. Figure 8 An embodiment is shown in which power is selectively applied to two of four power amplifiers. References are omitted. Figure 3 The provided description is duplicated.

[0085] Reference Figure 8 The communication circuit 20 may include a first power modulator 111, a second power modulator 112, a switching circuit 122, and multiple power amplifiers PAM1 to PAM4.

[0086] The switching circuit 122 may include a first switch SW1 operating based on a first switching signal Sig_S1, a second switch SW2 operating based on a second switching signal Sig_S2, a third switch SW3 operating based on a third switching signal Sig_S3, and a fourth switch SW4 operating based on a fourth switching signal Sig_S4.

[0087] The first switch SW1 can switch between the first power modulator 111 and the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the first switching signal Sig_S1. In other words, the first switch SW1 can provide the second power amplifier PAM2 with a first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 based on the first switching signal Sig_S1. The second switch SW2 can switch between the second power modulator 112 and the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the second switching signal Sig_S2. In other words, the second switch SW2 can provide the second power amplifier PAM2 with a second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 based on the second switching signal Sig_S2.

[0088] The third switch SW3 can switch between the first power modulator 111 and the third power amplifier PAM3 based on the third switch signal Sig_S3. In other words, the third switch SW3 can provide the third power amplifier PAM3 with a first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 based on the third switch signal Sig_S3. The fourth switch SW4 can switch between the second power modulator 112 and the third power amplifier PAM3 based on the fourth switch signal Sig_S4. In other words, the fourth switch SW4 can provide the third power amplifier PAM3 with a second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 based on the fourth switch signal Sig_S4.

[0089] As an example, when the fourth switch SW4 is short-circuited and the remaining switches SW1 to SW3 are open, enabling the first power amplifier PAM1 and the third power amplifier PAM3, and deactivating the second power amplifier PAM2 and the fourth power amplifier PAM4, the first power amplifier PAM1 can be operated through the first power modulator 111, and the third power amplifier PAM3 can be operated through the second power modulator 112. Therefore, the communication circuit 20 can transmit signals using the first operating frequency band B1 and the third operating frequency band B3.

[0090] According to an embodiment, a power supply voltage can be selectively applied to at least two of the first power amplifiers PAM1 to the fourth power amplifiers PAM4 based on the operation of the switching circuit 122. The first power amplifiers PAM1 to the fourth power amplifiers PAM4 can receive transmitted signals using different operating frequency bands (e.g., bands B1 to B4), and the communication circuit 20 can control the switching circuit 122 to apply the power supply voltage to the power amplifiers corresponding to the two operating frequency bands required for signal transmission. Therefore, since the communication circuit 20 according to the embodiment uses any two of the four operating frequency bands, signals can be transmitted using a total of six combinations of operating frequency bands, and many combinations of operating frequency bands can be provided using a relatively small number of power amplifiers.

[0091] Figure 9 This is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20 according to an embodiment. Figure 9 An embodiment is shown in which power is selectively applied to three of six power amplifiers. (References omitted) Figure 3 The provided description is duplicated.

[0092] Reference Figure 8 The communication circuit 20 may include a first power modulator 111, a second power modulator 112, a third power modulator 113, a switching circuit 124, and multiple power amplifiers PAM1 to PAM6.

[0093] The switching circuit 124 may include a first switch SW1 through a ninth switch SW9. The first switch SW1 may provide a first power supply voltage Vs1 from the first power modulator 111 to the second power amplifier PAM2 based on a first switching signal Sig_S1. The second switch SW2 may provide the first power supply voltage Vs1 from the first power modulator 111 to the fourth power amplifier PAM4 based on a second switching signal Sig_S2. The third switch SW3 may provide the first power supply voltage Vs1 from the first power modulator 111 to the sixth power amplifier PAM6 based on a third switching signal Sig_S3.

[0094] The fourth switch SW4 can supply the second power amplifier PAM2 with the second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 based on the fourth switch signal Sig_S4. The fifth switch SW5 can supply the fourth power amplifier PAM4 with the second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 based on the fifth switch signal Sig_S5. The sixth switch SW6 can supply the sixth power amplifier PAM6 with the second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 based on the sixth switch signal Sig_S6.

[0095] The seventh switch SW7 can supply the third power supply voltage Vs3 from the third power modulator 113 to the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the seventh switch signal Sig_S7. The eighth switch SW8 can supply the third power supply voltage Vs3 from the third power modulator 113 to the fourth power amplifier PAM4 based on the eighth switch signal Sig_S8. The ninth switch SW9 can supply the third power supply voltage Vs3 from the third power modulator 113 to the sixth power amplifier PAM6 based on the ninth switch signal Sig_S9.

[0096] As an example, when the first switch SW1 and the eighth switch SW8 are short-circuited, and the remaining switches SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, and SW9 are open-circuited, enabling the second power amplifier PAM2, the third power amplifier PAM3, and the fourth power amplifier PAM4, and deactivating the remaining power amplifiers PAM1, PAM5, and PAM6, the second power amplifier PAM2 can be operated by the first power modulator 111, the third power amplifier PAM3 can be operated by the second power modulator 112, and the fourth power amplifier PAM4 can be operated by the third power modulator 113. Therefore, the communication circuit 20 can transmit signals using the second operating frequency band B2, the third operating frequency band B3, and the fourth operating frequency band B4.

[0097] According to an embodiment, a power supply voltage can be selectively applied to at least three of the power amplifiers, from the first power amplifier PAM1 to the ninth power amplifier PAM9, based on the operation of the switching circuit 122. The first power amplifiers PAM1 to the ninth power amplifier PAM9 can receive transmitted signals using different operating frequency bands (e.g., bands B1 to B9), and the communication circuit 20 can control the switching circuit 122 to apply the power supply voltage to the power amplifiers corresponding to the three operating frequency bands required for signal transmission. Therefore, since the communication circuit 20 according to the embodiment uses any three of the six operating frequency bands, signals can be transmitted using a total of twenty operating frequency band combinations, and many operating frequency band combinations can be provided using a relatively small number of power amplifiers.

[0098] Although Figure 8 and Figure 9 Examples of signal amplification using two power modulators and four power amplifiers or three power modulators and six power amplifiers are shown, but these examples are merely embodiments. It will be readily understood that this disclosure includes embodiments providing various combinations of operating frequency bands by connecting N power modulators to M power amplifiers using switching circuitry, where N and M are natural numbers.

[0099] In addition, although Figure 8 and Figure 9 In this context, there exists a power amplifier (e.g., directly connected to the power modulator and switching circuit) Figure 8 PAM1 and PAM4 in Figure 9 The embodiments described herein include PAM1, PAM3, and PAM5, but are merely examples. It is understood that this disclosure includes embodiments in which all power amplifiers are connected to the power modulator via switching circuitry.

[0100] Figure 10A This is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20 according to an embodiment. Figure 10A An example is shown, including switches that selectively connect some power modulators to a power amplifier. (Omitted with references) Figure 3 The description provided is duplicated.

[0101] Reference Figure 10A The communication circuit 20 may include a first power modulator 111, a second power modulator 112, a switching circuit 126, and a first power amplifier PAM1 to a third power amplifier PAM3, and the switching circuit 126 may include a first switch SW1 and a second switch SW2.

[0102] The first switch SW1 can provide the second power amplifier PAM2 with a first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 based on the first switch signal Sig_S1. The second switch SW2 can connect the second power modulator 112 to the second power amplifier PAM2 or to the third power amplifier PAM3 based on the second switch signal Sig_S2. In other words, the second switch SW2 can provide the second power amplifier PAM2 or the third power amplifier PAM3 with a second power supply voltage Vs2 provided by the second power modulator 112 based on the second switch signal Sig_S2.

[0103] Therefore, the second switch SW2 may include a switching element for selectively connecting a first node a connected to the second power amplifier PAM2 and a second node b connected to the third power amplifier PAM3 to the second power modulator 112 based on the second switching signal Sig_S2. Figure 10A In this embodiment, the second switch SW2 is represented by a single switching element; however, this embodiment is merely an example, and the second switch SW2 can be implemented using one or more switching elements.

[0104] Figure 10B This is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20 according to an embodiment. Figure 10B An example including a switch is shown, which is used to selectively connect a power modulator to a power amplifier. (Omitted with references) Figure 10A The description provided is duplicated.

[0105] Reference Figure 10B The communication circuit 20 may include a first power modulator 111, a second power modulator 112, a switching circuit 128, and a first power amplifier PAM1 to a third power amplifier PAM3, and the switching circuit 128 may include a first switch SW1 and a second switch SW2.

[0106] The first switch SW1 can connect the first power modulator 111 to the first power amplifier PAM1 or the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the first switch signal Sig_S1. In other words, the first switch SW1 can provide the first power supply voltage Vs1 provided by the first power modulator 111 to the first power amplifier PAM1 or the second power amplifier PAM2 based on the first switch signal Sig_S1.

[0107] For this purpose, the first switch SW1 may include a switching element that selectively connects a first node a connected to the first power amplifier PAM1 and a second node b connected to the second power amplifier PAM2 to the first power modulator 111 based on the first switching signal Sig_S1.

[0108] The second switch SW2 can connect the second power modulator 112 to the second power amplifier PAM2 or the third power amplifier PAM3 based on the second switch signal Sig_S2. In other words, the second switch SW2 can provide the second power supply voltage Vs2 supplied from the second power modulator 112 to the second power amplifier PAM2 or the third power amplifier PAM3 based on the second switch signal Sig_S2.

[0109] Therefore, the second switch SW2 may include a switching element for selectively connecting the third node c connected to the second power amplifier PAM2 and the fourth node d connected to the third power amplifier PAM3 to the second power modulator 112 based on the second switching signal Sig_S2.

[0110] according to Figure 10B In one embodiment, when the first switch SW1 selectively switches the first node a and the second node b, and the second switch SW2 selectively switches the first node a and the second node b, the first power modulator 111 can apply the first power supply voltage Vs1 to the first power amplifier PAM1 or the second power amplifier PAM2, and the second power modulator 112 can apply the second power supply voltage Vs2 to the second power amplifier PAM2 or the third power amplifier PAM3.

[0111] Figure 10A and Figure 10B An example of switching elements, such as SW1 and SW2, switching between two nodes is shown, but the embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood that this disclosure includes embodiments in which switching elements selectively switch between two or more nodes.

[0112] Figure 10A and Figure 10B An example is shown where a signal is amplified using two power modulators and three power amplifiers, but the embodiments are merely illustrative. It will be understood that this disclosure includes embodiments where switching elements selectively switch two or more nodes in switching circuits 126 and 128, and embodiments where N power modulators and M power amplifiers are interconnected using switching circuits, where N and M are natural numbers.

[0113] Figure 11 This is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a communication circuit 20a according to an embodiment. Figure 11 An embodiment is shown that includes multiple power modulators 111a and 112a and an independent switch controller 130a in the communication circuit 20a. (Omitted and referenced) Figure 3 and Figure 6 The description provided is duplicated.

[0114] Reference Figure 11The communication circuit 20a may include a power modulation circuit 100a and a power amplifier circuit 400a. The power modulation circuit 100a may include a first power modulator 111a, a second power modulator 112a, a switching circuit 120a, and a switching controller 130a.

[0115] The first power modulator 111a can receive the envelope signal ENV and the AP signal, and provides the first power supply voltage Vs1 to the power amplifier circuit 400a. The second power modulator 112a can receive the envelope signal ENV and the AP signal, and provides the second power supply voltage Vs2 to the power amplifier circuit 400a.

[0116] The switch controller 130a can receive the operating frequency signal OF and generate a switch signal Sig_S based on the operating frequency signal OF. The switch controller 130a can output the generated switch signal Sig_S to the switch circuit 120a.

[0117] In this embodiment, the switch controller 130a can determine the center frequency required for signal transmission based on the operating frequency signal OF, and generate a corresponding switch signal Sig_S.

[0118] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device 10b according to an embodiment. Figure 12 An embodiment including a switch controller 210b in a modem 200b is shown. (Omitted and referenced) Figure 2 and Figure 6 The description provided is duplicated.

[0119] Reference Figure 12 The wireless communication device 10b may include a modem 200b, a power modulation circuit 100b, an RF block 300b, and a power amplifier circuit 400b. The modem 200b may include a switch controller 210b, and the power modulation circuit 100b may include a switch circuit 120b.

[0120] The switch controller 210b can determine the operating frequency band required for signal transmission and generate a switch signal Sig_S based on the operating frequency band. The switch controller 210b can output the generated switch signal Sig_S to the switch circuit 120b. The switch circuit 120b can selectively provide the power supply voltage Vs generated by the power modulation circuit 100b to at least some of the first power amplifiers PAM1 to the nth power amplifiers PAMn based on the switch signal Sig_S received from the switch controller 210b.

[0121] According to an embodiment, modem 200b can determine the power amplifier to be operated based on the operating frequency band, and output a switching signal Sig_S to switching circuit 120b based on the determined power amplifier.

[0122] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device 10c according to an embodiment. Figure 13 An embodiment including a switching circuit 420c in a power amplifier circuit 400c is shown. (Omitted and referenced) Figure 2 and Figure 12 The description provided is duplicated.

[0123] Reference Figure 13 The wireless communication device 10c may include a modem 200c, a power modulation circuit 100c, an RF block 300c, and a power amplifier circuit 400c. The modem 200c may include a switch controller 210c, and the power amplifier circuit 400c may include a switch circuit 420c.

[0124] The switch controller 210c can output a switch signal Sig_S generated based on the operating frequency band to the switch circuit 420c included in the power amplifier circuit 400c. The switch circuit 420c can selectively supply the power supply voltage Vs provided from the power modulation circuit 100c to at least some of the first power amplifiers PAM1 to the nth power amplifiers PAMn based on the received switch signal Sig_S.

[0125] According to an embodiment, the switching circuit 420c can be included in the power amplifier circuit 400c, and the power amplifier circuit 400c can directly determine the power amplifier to be operated based on the switching signal Sig_S.

[0126] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of an Internet of Things (IoT) device 1000 according to an embodiment.

[0127] Reference Figure 14The communication circuitry according to embodiments of this disclosure may be included in the IoT device 1000. The term IoT can refer to the Internet of Things utilizing wired / wireless communication. The IoT device 1000 may include an accessible wired or wireless interface and may include means for communicating with at least one other device via the wired or wireless interface to send or receive data. The accessible wired or wireless interface may include a wired local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as Wi-Fi, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) such as Bluetooth or Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Power Line Communication (PLC), or a modem communication interface that can connect to mobile cellular networks such as 3G, 4G, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). The Bluetooth interface may support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

[0128] IoT device 1000 may include a communication interface 1200 for communicating with external devices. For example, the communication interface 1200 may be a radio transceiver / receiver. For instance, the communication interface 1200 may include a modem communication interface (such as LAN, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, PLC) that can connect to a wireless local area communication interface and a mobile communication network such as 3G and LTE. The communication interface 1200 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. IoT device 1000 can send and / or receive information from an access point or gateway via the transmitter and / or receiver. Additionally, IoT device 1000 can send and / or receive control information or its data by communicating with user devices or other IoT devices.

[0129] In this embodiment, the transmitter included in the communication interface 1200 can transmit signals over multiple frequency bands using carrier aggregation (CA) technology. Thus, the transmitter may include: multiple power amplifiers for amplifying the power of multiple RF input signals corresponding to multiple carriers; and a power modulation circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the multiple power amplifiers. The power modulation circuit can be referenced above. Figures 1 to 13 The described embodiments are implemented. The power modulation circuit may include a switching circuit for selectively providing power from the power modulator to the plurality of power amplifiers.

[0130] The IoT device 1000 may also include a processor or application processor 1100 for performing operations. The IoT device 1000 may also include an internal battery for internal power or a power supply unit that receives power from an external source. Additionally, the IoT device 1000 may include a display 1400 for displaying internal status or data. Users can control the IoT device 1000 via a user interface (UI) of the display 1400. The IoT device 1000 can transmit its internal status and / or data to an external source via a transmitter and receive control commands and / or data from an external source via a receiver.

[0131] The memory 1300 can store control command codes used to control the IoT device 1000, control data, or user data. The memory 1300 may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include at least one of read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, phase-change random access memory (RAM) (PRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (ReRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), etc. Volatile memory may include at least one of various types of memory such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.

[0132] The IoT device 1000 may also include a storage device. The storage device may include non-volatile media such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), embedded multimedia cards (eMMCs), and universal flash memory (UFS). The storage device may store user information provided via input / output (I / O) units 1500 and sensed information collected by using sensors 1600.

[0133] Figure 15 It is a mobile terminal 2000 according to an embodiment.

[0134] Reference Figure 15 The mobile terminal 2000 may include an application processor (AP) 2100, a memory 2200, a display 2300, and an RF module 2410. Additionally, the mobile terminal 2000 may also include various components such as a lens, sensors, and an audio module.

[0135] The application processor 2100 can be implemented as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and may include a central processing unit (CPU) 2110, RAM 2120, a power management unit (PMU) 2130, a memory interface (I / F) 2140, a display controller (DCON) 2150, a modem 2160, and a bus 2170.

[0136] The application processor 2100 may also include various IPs. The application processor 2100 may be called a ModAP because the functionality of the modem chip is integrated into it.

[0137] CPU 2110 can control the overall operation of application processor 2100 and mobile terminal 2000. CPU 2110 can control the operation of individual components of application processor 2100. In embodiments, CPU 2110 can be implemented as multi-core. Multi-core can include computing components comprising two or more independent cores.

[0138] RAM 2120 can temporarily store programs, data, or instructions. For example, programs and / or data stored in memory 2200 can be temporarily stored in RAM 2120 under the control of CPU 2110 or startup code. RAM 2120 can be implemented using DRAM or SRAM.

[0139] The PMU 2130 can manage the power of the various components of the application processor 2100. The PMU 2130 can also determine the operating status of the various components of the application processor 2100 and control their operation.

[0140] The memory interface 2140 can control the overall operation of the memory 2200 and can control the data exchange between the various components of the application processor 2100 and the memory 2200. The memory interface 2140 can write data to or read data from the memory 2200 upon request from the CPU 2110.

[0141] The display controller 2150 can send image data to the display 2300 to be displayed on the display 2300. The display 2300 can be implemented as a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or a flexible display.

[0142] Modem 2160 can modulate data to be transmitted for wireless communication to suit the wireless environment and recover received data. Modem 2160 can perform digital communication with RF module 2410.

[0143] RF module 2410 can convert high-frequency signals received via the antenna into low-frequency signals and transmit the converted low-frequency signals to modem 2160. Additionally, RF module 2410 can convert low-frequency signals received from modem 2160 into high-frequency signals and transmit the converted high-frequency signals via the antenna to the outside of mobile terminal 2000. Furthermore, RF module 2410 can amplify or filter signals.

[0144] In this embodiment, the RF module 2410 can transmit signals across multiple frequency bands using CA technology. Thus, the RF module 2410 may include: multiple power amplifiers for amplifying the power of multiple RF input signals corresponding to multiple carriers; and a power modulator for providing a power supply voltage to the multiple power amplifiers. This can be referenced above. Figures 1 to 13 The described embodiments implement a power modulator. The power modulation circuitry may include switching circuitry for selectively providing power from the power modulator to the plurality of power amplifiers.

[0145] While embodiments have been specifically shown and described, it should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication circuit, comprising: A first power supply modulator is configured to provide a first power supply voltage; A first power amplifier is configured to generate a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal corresponding to a first operating frequency band; A second power amplifier is configured to generate a second output signal by amplifying a second input signal corresponding to a second operating frequency band; as well as A switching circuit is configured to selectively supply the first power supply voltage from the first power modulator to the second power amplifier based on a first switching signal according to an operating mode. The communication circuit further includes a second power supply modulator configured to provide a second power supply voltage. The switching circuit is further configured to provide the second power supply voltage to the second power amplifier based on the second switching signal, and the second power amplifier is further configured to amplify the second input signal using the second power supply voltage. The communication circuit further includes a third power amplifier configured to generate a third output signal by amplifying a third input signal using one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage. The switching circuit is further configured to provide the first power supply voltage from the first power modulator to the third power amplifier based on a third switching signal, and to provide the second power supply voltage from the second power modulator to the third power amplifier based on a fourth switching signal.

2. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The first power amplifier is also configured to receive the first power supply voltage from the first power supply modulator without the first power supply voltage passing through the switching circuit.

3. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The switching circuit includes: A first switch, configured to switch between a first power modulator and a second power amplifier based on a first switching signal; and The second switch is configured to switch between the second power modulator and the second power amplifier based on the second switch signal.

4. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The first power amplifier, the second power amplifier, and the third power amplifier are also configured to amplify input signals corresponding to different operating frequency bands.

5. The communication circuit of claim 4 further includes a fourth power amplifier configured to generate a fourth output signal by amplifying the fourth input signal using the second power supply voltage. in, The fourth power amplifier is further configured to receive the second power supply voltage from the second power supply modulator without the second power supply voltage passing through the switching circuit, and When the fourth power amplifier is ineffective, the second power modulator uses the switching circuit to provide the second power supply voltage to the second power amplifier.

6. The communication circuit according to claim 4, wherein, The switching circuit also includes: A third switch is configured to switch between the first power modulator and the third power amplifier based on the third switch signal; A fourth switch is configured to switch between the second power modulator and the third power amplifier based on the fourth switch signal.

7. The communication circuit according to claim 1, further comprising: A third power supply modulator is configured to provide a third power supply voltage; A fifth power amplifier is configured to generate a fifth output signal by amplifying a fifth input signal using one of the first power supply voltage, the second power supply voltage, and the third power supply voltage. as well as A sixth power amplifier is configured to generate a sixth output signal by amplifying a sixth input signal using another of the first supply voltage, the second supply voltage, and the third supply voltage. The switching circuit is further configured to provide a power supply voltage to a power amplifier that is connected by connecting each of the first to the third power modulators to a corresponding one of the first to the sixth power amplifiers.

8. The communication circuit according to claim 1 further includes a switch controller, the switch controller being configured to: Receive operating frequency band information corresponding to the first output signal or the second output signal, and At least one switching signal is output to the switching circuit based on the operating frequency band information.

9. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The first power modulator includes: An envelope tracker is configured to receive an envelope signal and adjust the voltage level of the first power supply voltage based on the envelope signal; and An average power tracker is configured to receive an input signal and adjust the voltage level of the first power supply voltage based on the interval average power of the received input signal. The first power modulator is further configured to adjust the voltage level of the first power supply voltage using one of the envelope tracker and the average power tracker.

10. A communication circuit, comprising: A multi-power modulator that provides multiple power supply voltages; Multiple power amplifiers are configured to generate multiple output signals by amplifying multiple input signals based on the multiple power supply voltages; as well as Multiple switching components are configured to provide multiple power supply voltages to one or more of the multiple power amplifiers based on the operating frequency bands of the multiple output signals. The plurality of switching components are configured to provide the plurality of power supply voltages to a power amplifier that is connected by connecting each of the plurality of power modulators to a corresponding one of the plurality of power amplifiers. The plurality of power modulators includes a first power modulator configured to provide a first power supply voltage and a second power modulator configured to provide a second power supply voltage. The plurality of power amplifiers includes: a first power amplifier configured to generate a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal corresponding to a first operating frequency band; a second power amplifier configured to generate a second output signal by amplifying a second input signal corresponding to a second operating frequency band using one of a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage; and a third power amplifier configured to generate a third output signal by amplifying a third input signal using one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage. The plurality of switching components are configured to: provide the first power supply voltage from the first power modulator to the second power amplifier based on a first switching signal according to an operating mode; provide the second power supply voltage to the second power amplifier based on a second switching signal; provide the first power supply voltage from the first power modulator to the third power amplifier based on a third switching signal; and provide the second power supply voltage from the second power modulator to the third power amplifier based on a fourth switching signal.

11. The communication circuit according to claim 10, wherein, The multiple input signals correspond to different operating frequency bands.

12. The communication circuit of claim 10 further includes a switch controller configured to: receive operating frequency information for transmitting the plurality of output signals, and output at least one switch signal to the plurality of switch components based on the operating frequency information.

13. The communication circuit according to claim 10, wherein, Each of the plurality of power supply modulators is configured to adjust the voltage level of a corresponding one of the plurality of power supply voltages according to one of an envelope tracking method and an average power tracking method.

14. A wireless communication device, comprising: A modem, which is configured to generate transmission signals; A power supply modulation circuit configured to provide one of a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage; as well as A power amplifier circuit configured to generate an output signal by amplifying an input signal generated based on the transmitted signal using one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage. The power modulation circuit includes at least one switching component configured to provide one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage to the power amplifier circuit based on an operating frequency. The power modulation circuit includes: A first power modulator, configured to provide the first power supply voltage; and A second power supply modulator is configured to provide the second power supply voltage, and The power amplifier circuit includes: A first power amplifier is configured to generate a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal using the first power supply voltage but not using the second power supply voltage. A second power amplifier is configured to generate a second output signal by amplifying a second input signal using either the first power supply voltage or the second power supply voltage; and A third power amplifier is configured to generate a third output signal by amplifying a third input signal using the second power supply voltage but not using the first power supply voltage, and Wherein, the at least one switching component includes: A first switch, configured to switch between the first power modulator and the second power amplifier based on a first switching signal; and The second switch is configured to switch between the second power modulator and the second power amplifier based on a second switch signal.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 14, wherein, The power modulation circuit also includes a third power modulator that provides a third power supply voltage. The power amplifier circuit further includes: A fourth power amplifier is configured to generate a fourth output signal by amplifying a fourth input signal using one of the first power supply voltage, the second power supply voltage, and the third power supply voltage; A fifth power amplifier is configured to generate a fifth output signal by amplifying a fifth input signal using one of the first supply voltage, the second supply voltage, and the third supply voltage; and A sixth power amplifier is configured to generate a sixth output signal by amplifying a sixth input signal using another of the first, second, and third power supply voltages. The at least one switching component is further configured to provide a power supply voltage to a power amplifier connected by connecting each of the first to the third power modulators to a corresponding one of the first to the sixth power amplifiers.

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