Power control system and control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a power control system and control method, including a signal control circuit and a power amplifier gate voltage control circuit respectively connected to the signal input terminals of a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a third amplifier; the signal output terminal of the first amplifier is connected to the signal output terminal of the second amplifier, and the signal output terminal of the third amplifier is connected to the signal output terminal after the first and second amplifiers are connected; the signal control circuit is used to control the phase difference of the input signals of the first, second, and third amplifiers, and the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit is used to control the operating states of the first, second, and third amplifiers. By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first, second, and third amplifiers or the operating states of the first and third amplifiers, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency operating state. The present invention improves the high power amplifier efficiency of the power control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a power control system and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a multi-channel Doherty power amplifier structure is used to improve power amplifier efficiency. This structure pre-controls the input signal before outputting it to each amplifier. At rated power, the circuit operates in a multi-channel Doherty state. During power reduction, at certain power levels, the peak (peak 2) amplifier becomes the main amplifier, improving efficiency at that power level.

[0003] However, low power amplifier efficiency in a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) system results in high heat dissipation, high device temperature, and a large overall size. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a power control system and a control method to maintain high efficiency within a wider input power range.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a power control system, including:

[0006] a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a third amplifier, and a signal control circuit and a power amplifier gate voltage control circuit connected to the signal input terminals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, respectively;

[0007] The signal output terminal of the first amplifier is connected to the signal output terminal of the second amplifier, and the signal output terminal of the third amplifier is connected to the signal output terminal after the first amplifier and the second amplifier are connected;

[0008] The signal control circuit is used to control the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier, and the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit is used to control the working states of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier. By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier or the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0009] Optionally, when the power control system is in high-power output, the signal control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier; or,

[0010] When the power control system outputs low power, the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier.

[0011] Optionally, the signal control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, including:

[0012] The signal control circuit controls the phase difference between the first amplifier and the second amplifier to be 90 degrees, and the phase difference between the first amplifier and the third amplifier to be 180 degrees, so as to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0013] Optionally, when the power control system is outputting high power and the third amplifier is working alone, the high impedance state of the third amplifier is modulated to a fallback preset value to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0014] Optionally, when the power control system is in high-power output, the first amplifier is a main amplifier, the second amplifier is a peak 1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is a peak 2 amplifier.

[0015] Optionally, the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, including:

[0016] The power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the exchange of the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0017] Optionally, after the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are exchanged, the working state of the first amplifier is a class C working state, and the working state of the third amplifier is a class AB working state.

[0018] Optionally, when the power control system is in low-power output, the first amplifier is a peak2 amplifier, the second amplifier is a peak1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is a main amplifier.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides a power control method, which is applied to a power control system, comprising:

[0020] By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier or the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0021] Optionally, when the power control system is in high-power output, the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier is controlled by a signal control circuit to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state; or,

[0022] When the power control system outputs low power, the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are controlled by the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit, so that the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0023] The power control system and control method provided in the embodiments of the present application include a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a third amplifier, and a signal control circuit and a power amplifier gate voltage control circuit respectively connected to the signal input ends of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier. The signal control circuit is used to control the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier. The power amplifier gate voltage control circuit is used to control the operating states of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier. By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier or the operating states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency operating state, so that high efficiency can be maintained within a larger input power range, thereby reducing the heat consumption of the RRU system and the heat dissipation volume, thereby solving the problems of high heat consumption, high device temperature, and large overall volume caused by low power amplifier efficiency in the RRU system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the power control system in the embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is the second schematic diagram of the power control system in the embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 This is the third schematic diagram of the power control system in the embodiment of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] In order to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in each embodiment of the present application, if words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects, those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and order of execution.

[0030] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "plurality" refers to two or more than two, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be understood that references throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the appearances of "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0032] The present application is described in detail below.

[0033] like Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a power control system in an embodiment of the present application, and the power control system includes:

[0034] a first amplifier 1, a second amplifier 2, a third amplifier 3, and a signal control circuit 4 and a power amplifier gate voltage control circuit 5 connected to the signal input terminals of the first amplifier 1, the second amplifier 2 and the third amplifier 3, respectively;

[0035] The signal output end of the first amplifier 1 is connected to the signal output end of the second amplifier 2, and the signal output end of the third amplifier 3 is connected to the signal output end after the first amplifier 1 and the second amplifier 2 are connected;

[0036] The signal control circuit 4 is used to control the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier 1, the second amplifier 2 and the third amplifier 3, and the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit 5 is used to control the working states of the first amplifier 1, the second amplifier 2 and the third amplifier 3. By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier 1, the second amplifier 2 and the third amplifier 3 or the working states of the first amplifier 1 and the third amplifier 3, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0037] Specifically, the signal control circuit 4 can be an existing RF transceiver integrated chip ADRV901X or other devices, and the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit 5 can use a DAC chip, such as TI's AMC7932, which is not specifically limited here.

[0038] Of course, it should be noted that in the power control system of this embodiment, multiple resistors can also be designed, for example Figure 1 A first resistor 6 is added to the circuit where the first amplifier 1 is located, a second resistor 7 is added to the circuit where the third amplifier 2 is located, and a third resistor 8 is added to the output interface of the power control system to ensure the safety of the power control system. Of course, the multiple resistors added and the method of adding the resistors are not specifically limited here.

[0039] In this way, in this embodiment, the signal control circuit controls the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, and the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the operating states of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, so that by setting a suitable phase difference or operating state of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, the entire circuit can be controlled to operate in a high-efficiency working state.

[0040] Optionally, in this embodiment, it is possible to distinguish whether the power control system outputs high power or low power, and select different control modes based on the output mode. For details, see the following description:

[0041] First, when the power control system outputs high power, the signal control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier.

[0042] Specifically, the definition of high power output can be determined according to the debugging situation. In this embodiment, it refers to the rated power (saturated power back-off 9.5dB) to the rated -2dB (saturated power back-off 11.5dB).

[0043] Among them, Figure 2As shown, when the power control system is in high-power output, the first amplifier can be a main amplifier, the second amplifier can be a peak 1 amplifier, and the third amplifier can be a peak 2 amplifier.

[0044] In addition, specifically, when the signal control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier, the signal control circuit can control the phase difference between the first amplifier and the second amplifier to be 90 degrees, and the phase difference between the first amplifier and the third amplifier to be 180 degrees, so as to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0045] In addition, when the power control system outputs high power and the third amplifier works alone, the high impedance state of the third amplifier is modulated to a fallback preset value to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0046] Among them, the preset value can be 11.5dB.

[0047] Specifically, when the power control system is high power output, such as Figure 2 As shown, the Main and Peak1 signals are first Doherty combined, and then Doherty combined with the Peak2 amplifier. The three amplifiers have a 1:1:1 ratio, meaning the phase difference between the first and second amplifiers is 90 degrees, and the phase difference between the first and third amplifiers is 180 degrees. At this point, a 9.5dB back-off allows the power control system to achieve high efficiency. Furthermore, when Peak2 operates independently as the Main channel, the high-impedance state of the Peak2 amplifier can be modulated to a 11.5dB back-off, achieving a deeper load modulation effect and achieving high efficiency.

[0048] Secondly, when the power control system outputs low power, the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier.

[0049] Specifically, the definition of low power output can be determined according to the debugging situation. In this embodiment, it refers to being 2dB smaller than the rated power.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, when the power control system is at low power output, the first amplifier is the peak2 amplifier, the second amplifier is the peak1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is the main amplifier.

[0051] In addition, specifically, when the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state, the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the exchange of the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0052] It should be noted that when the back-off power reaches 11.5 dB or less, the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier may be exchanged through the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit.

[0053] After the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are exchanged, the working state of the first amplifier is a Class C working state, and the working state of the third amplifier is a Class AB working state.

[0054] Specifically, at low power output, since the third path (i.e., the path where the third amplifier is located) has a deeper load modulation effect, the power amplifier efficiency can be improved at low power. Therefore, the third amplifier can be converted to a Class AB working state through the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit, and used as the main path to amplify the signal, thereby improving the power amplifier efficiency at a larger fallback power. At the same time, the first amplifier is converted to a Class C working state, and used as the peak2 path to amplify the signal.

[0055] It's important to note that a Class AB amplifier typically has two bias voltages, allowing a small amount of current to flow through the output transistors even when no signal is present. It operates in Class A mode when the signal is low, achieving optimal linearity. When the signal reaches a certain level, it automatically switches to Class B mode for higher efficiency. In Class C mode, the amplifier's bias voltage is set so that the conduction angle is well below 180°, resulting in higher efficiency. This means that more output power can be extracted from this mode.

[0056] In this way, the embodiment of the present application controls the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier through the signal control circuit, and controls the working states of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier through the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit, thereby achieving the goal of controlling the entire circuit to operate in a high-efficiency working state by setting a suitable phase difference or working state of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier, thereby maintaining high efficiency within a larger input power range.

[0057] In addition, an embodiment of the present application further provides a power control method, which includes the following steps:

[0058] By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier or the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0059] Optionally, when controlling the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier or the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, any of the following methods may be used:

[0060] When the power control system is in high power output, the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier is controlled by the signal control circuit to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state; or

[0061] When the power control system outputs low power, the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are controlled by the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit, so that the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0062] In this way, this embodiment controls the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier through the signal control circuit, and controls the operating states of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier through the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit, so that by setting a suitable phase difference or operating state of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, the entire circuit can be controlled to operate in a high-efficiency working state.

[0063] Optionally, controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier by a signal control circuit to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state includes:

[0064] The signal control circuit controls the phase difference between the first amplifier and the second amplifier to be 90 degrees, and the phase difference between the first amplifier and the third amplifier to be 180 degrees, so as to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0065] Optionally, when the power control system is outputting high power and the third amplifier is working alone, the high impedance state of the third amplifier is modulated to a fallback preset value to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0066] Optionally, when the power control system is in high-power output, the first amplifier is a main amplifier, the second amplifier is a peak 1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is a peak 2 amplifier.

[0067] Optionally, controlling the operating states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier by the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency operating state includes:

[0068] The power amplifier gate voltage control circuit is used to control the switching of the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, so as to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

[0069] Optionally, after the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are exchanged, the working state of the first amplifier is a class C working state, and the working state of the third amplifier is a class AB working state.

[0070] Optionally, when the power control system is in low-power output, the first amplifier is a peak2 amplifier, the second amplifier is a peak1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is a main amplifier.

[0071] It should be noted that for the specific content of the above method embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant content of the above power control system embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0072] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A power control system, characterized in that: include: a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a third amplifier, and a signal control circuit and a power amplifier gate voltage control circuit connected to the signal input terminals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, respectively; The signal output terminal of the first amplifier is connected to the signal output terminal of the second amplifier, and the signal output terminal of the third amplifier is connected to the signal output terminal after the first amplifier and the second amplifier are connected; The signal control circuit is used to control the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier, and the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit is used to control the working states of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier. By controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier or the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state; When the power control system is outputting high power, the signal control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier; or When the power control system outputs low power, the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier.

2. The power control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, and the third amplifier, including: The signal control circuit controls the phase difference between the first amplifier and the second amplifier to be 90 degrees, and the phase difference between the first amplifier and the third amplifier to be 180 degrees, so as to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

3. The power control system according to claim 1, wherein: When the power control system outputs high power and the third amplifier works alone, the high impedance state of the third amplifier is modulated to a fallback preset value to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

4. The power control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the power control system is in high-power output, the first amplifier is a main amplifier, the second amplifier is a peak 1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is a peak 2 amplifier.

5. The power control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier, including: The power amplifier gate voltage control circuit controls the exchange of the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state.

6. The power control system according to claim 5, characterized in that: After the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are exchanged, the working state of the first amplifier is a class C working state, and the working state of the third amplifier is a class AB working state.

7. The power control system according to claim 1, 5 or 6, characterized in that: When the power control system outputs low power, the first amplifier is a peak2 amplifier, the second amplifier is a peak1 amplifier, and the third amplifier is a main amplifier.

8. A power control method, applied to the power control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: Controlling the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state by controlling the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier or the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier; When the power control system is in high-power output, the phase difference of the input signals of the first amplifier, the second amplifier and the third amplifier is controlled by the signal control circuit to control the power control system to be in a high-efficiency working state; or When the power control system outputs low power, the working states of the first amplifier and the third amplifier are controlled by the power amplifier gate voltage control circuit, so that the power control system is controlled to be in a high-efficiency working state.

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