Radio frequency (RF) front end envelope tracking with machine learning

Abstract

Aspects described herein include apparatuses and methods for envelope tracking a power source. In some aspects, the envelope tracking power source includes an envelope signal input port, an output power port, an input interface circuit coupled to the envelope signal input port, a sensing and conditioning circuit, and an amplifier circuit coupled between the input interface circuit and the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit has one or more control inputs. The envelope tracking power source additionally includes a switching circuit coupled to an output of the sensing and conditioning circuit and the output power port, and the power source further includes an output filter circuit and a machine learning circuit coupled to the output power port, the machine learning circuit is configured to receive state tracking data for performance of a transmit power amplifier (PA) that receives power via the output power port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates in its entirety to electronic devices and wireless communications. For example, aspects of this disclosure relate to power envelope tracking and power management in radio frequency (RF) front-end (RFFE) modules used in wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication devices and technologies are becoming increasingly common. Wireless communication devices typically transmit and receive communication signals. RFFE modules are wireless communication devices that power wireless transmission signals and also manage the reception of wireless signals from the antenna. With the increasing popularity of wireless communication technology, increased communication system throughput, and the increasing complexity of power management for wireless devices, RFFE modules are becoming a larger component of wireless devices. Limiting power usage and managing power efficiency are important design goals, especially for mobile devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Various implementations of systems, methods, and devices within the scope of the appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable properties described herein. Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, certain overarching features are described herein. The various aspects described herein include devices, wireless communication apparatuses, circuits, and modules that support envelope tracking in RFFE with machine learning.

[0004] One aspect is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) comprising: an envelope signal input port; an output power port; an input interface circuit having an output and an input coupled to the envelope signal input port; a sensing and conditioning circuit having an output and an input; an amplifier circuit coupled between the output of the input interface circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit having one or more control inputs; a switch circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the sensing and conditioning circuit and the output is coupled to the output power port; an output filter circuit, wherein the output filter circuit is coupled to the output power port via the output filter circuit; and a radio frequency front end (RFFE) unit including a transmit power amplifier (PA) that receives power via the output power port. The machine learning circuit has an output coupled to the one or more control inputs and one or more inputs configured to receive state tracking data of the performance of the transmit PA for the RFFE unit.

[0005] Some of these aspects also include a modem, wherein the modem includes machine learning circuitry; and wherein the machine learning circuitry is configured to output control signals to reduce power consumption by adjusting amplifier settings of amplifier circuitry or switching regulator settings for switching circuitry.

[0006] One aspect is a method of operating an envelope tracking power source. The method includes: receiving an envelope tracking signal at an envelope signal input port of the envelope tracking power source; operating a linear amplifier using the envelope tracking signal with control settings to generate a high-frequency component of an envelope tracking supply voltage; operating a switching circuit using the control settings and an output of the linear amplifier to generate a low-frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage; tracking performance of the power amplifier operated using the envelope tracking supply voltage to generate state tracking data; and updating control settings for the envelope tracking power source using a machine learning circuit with the state tracking data.

[0007] In some respects, such methods can operate in cases where the power amplifier includes a replica power amplifier used in a feedback system of an envelope tracking power source, wherein the envelope tracking signal is generated from a wireless communication signal, and wherein control settings are further configured to control a transmit power amplifier used to transmit wireless communication signals via an antenna of a wireless communication device.

[0008] In some aspects, such methods may operate where the envelope tracking power source further includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit coupled to the input interface circuit and the replica power amplifier.

[0009] In another aspect, a method for calibrating an envelope tracking power source includes performing a first power consumption measurement in the envelope tracking power source at a first performance setting with a linear amplifier disabled and a switching circuit enabled, wherein the envelope tracking power source includes a linear amplifier configured to provide a high-frequency component of an envelope tracking supply voltage, and wherein the envelope tracking power source also includes a switching circuit configured to provide a low-frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage; performing a second power consumption measurement at the first performance setting with the linear amplifier enabled and the switching circuit disabled; performing a third power consumption measurement at the first performance setting with the linear amplifier enabled and the switching circuit enabled; performing an operational analysis using the first power consumption measurement, the second power consumption measurement, and the third power consumption measurement; and updating a control setting based on the operational analysis.

[0010] Another aspect is an apparatus that includes an envelope tracking power source, the envelope tracking power source comprising: an envelope signal input port; an output power port; an input interface circuit having an output coupled to the envelope signal input port and an input; a sensing and conditioning circuit having an output and an input; an amplifier circuit coupled between the output of the input interface circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit having one or more control inputs; a switching circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the sensing and conditioning circuit and wherein the output is coupled to the output power port; an output filter circuit coupled to the output power port via the output filter circuit; and a machine learning circuit having an output coupled to the one or more control inputs and one or more inputs configured to receive state tracking data regarding performance of a radio frequency front end (RFFE) transmit power amplifier (PA) receiving power via the output power port.

[0011] Some such aspects operate where the envelope tracking power source further comprises a replica power amplifier having a signal input, a power source input coupled to the output power port, and a signal output, wherein the signal output is coupled to the machine learning circuit to provide a radio frequency signal as part of the state tracking data, wherein the signal input is configured to receive a wireless communication signal, and wherein the envelope signal input port is configured to receive an envelope tracking signal generated from the wireless communication signal.

[0012] Some of these aspects operate when the state tracking data also includes high-frequency voltage values ​​output from the amplifier circuit, low-frequency voltage values ​​output from the switching circuit, and sensed values ​​input from the amplifier circuit to the sensing and conditioning circuit.

[0013] Some such aspects may also include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit coupled to the input interface circuit and the replica power amplifier, wherein the DAC circuit is configured to provide a test signal to the replica power amplifier to generate state tracking data as calibration data during a calibration mode used when the replica power amplifier is enabled and the RFFE transmit power amplifier is disabled to create initial control settings for operation of the RFFE transmit power amplifier.

[0014] Some such aspects operate where the DAC circuit includes a transmit DAC and an envelope tracking DAC, or where the sensed value is generated by a sensing element coupled between an output of the amplifier circuit and an input of the sensing and conditioning circuit. Some such aspects operate where the output power port is coupled to a voltage source of a transmit power amplifier, and where the transmit power amplifier is configured to amplify wireless communication signals.

[0015] Some of these aspects may also include receiving an envelope tracking signal input to an envelope signal input port from modem circuitry used to generate a tracking voltage at the output power port, and may operate to provide feedback as part of the status tracking data if coupled to the output of the transmit power amplifier by a coupling circuit.

[0016] Some of these aspects may further operate in cases where the amplifier circuit includes a linear amplifier configured to provide a first portion of the high-frequency component of the tracking voltage; and wherein the amplifier circuit also includes a switching amplifier configured to operate in saturation mode and provide a second portion of the high-frequency component of the tracking voltage when the tracking voltage is above a threshold.

[0017] Some of these aspects can be further operated on the basis of thresholds based on the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the wireless communication signal, the service value associated with the wireless communication signal, the bandwidth associated with the wireless communication signal, or the operating mode.

[0018] Some such aspects may further operate where the one or more control inputs further include: a first tracking value generated by a first sensing element coupled between the output of the linear amplifier and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit; and a second tracking value generated by a second sensing element coupled between the output of the switching amplifier and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit.

[0019] Some such aspects may further operate where both the envelope tracking signal and the wireless transmit signal are generated by the modem circuit using the same set of communications data, or where the state tracking data includes dynamically time-sliced ​​data of the wireless communications signal. Some such aspects may further operate where the dynamic time-sliced ​​data includes dynamically aggregated data based on one or more of a bandwidth for the wireless communications signal, a device operating mode, high peak signal events, high slope signal events, and high power events. Some such aspects may further operate where the machine learning circuit is configured to use predicted outputs generated from the dynamically aggregated data to condition circuits in the transmit signal path. Some such aspects may further operate where the machine learning circuit is configured to identify operating settings for the transmit signal path associated with efficient battery usage and the dynamically aggregated data, and output control signals to adjust amplifier settings to reduce power usage during transmission of the portion of the wireless communications signal used to generate the dynamically aggregated data.

[0020] In some aspects, the apparatus described above can function in a system including a mobile device having a camera for capturing one or more images. In some aspects, the apparatus described above may include a display screen for displaying one or more images or an interface display. In some aspects, additional wireless communication circuitry is provided. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used independently to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. This subject matter should be understood with reference to the appropriate portions of the specification throughout, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0021] The foregoing, as well as other features and embodiments, will become more apparent upon reference to the following description, claims, and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, similar reference numerals are used throughout the various views to refer to similar parts. For reference numerals with letter characters, such as "102a" or "102b", the letter characters distinguish two similar parts or elements in the same figure. When the aim is to have the reference numerals cover all parts with the same reference numerals in all figures, the letter characters of the reference numerals may be omitted.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system that communicates with a wireless device that can be implemented according to the aspects described herein.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a wireless device in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0025] Figure 3A This is a diagram illustrating power envelope tracking for an RFFE module based on the aspects described herein.

[0026] Figure 3B This is a high-level block diagram of a system for power envelope tracking for an RFFE module, based on the aspects described herein.

[0027] Figure 4A This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0028] Figure 4B This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0029] Figure 4C This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0030] Figure 5A This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0031] Figure 5B This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0032] Figure 6 A is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0033] Figure 6B This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein.

[0034] Figure 7 These are diagrams illustrating various aspects of envelope tracking data for analysis using machine learning, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0035] Figure 8A These are diagrams illustrating various aspects of machine learning circuits used in accordance with the aspects described herein.

[0036] Figure 8B These are diagrams illustrating various aspects of machine learning circuits used in accordance with the aspects described herein.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating various aspects of a method for envelope tracking using machine learning, based on the aspects described herein.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a functional block diagram of an apparatus for controlling the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an environment including electronic devices and base stations that can be used with various aspects of this disclosure.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a diagram of an electronic device that can be used with various aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of example aspects and implementations and is not intended to represent the only implementations in which the present invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the example aspects and implementations. In some instances, some devices are shown in block diagram form. Common drawing elements in the following figures may be identified using the same reference numerals.

[0042] The development of wireless communication infrastructure, such as for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) fifth generation (5G) millimeter wavelength (mmW) system, involves increasing the importance of radio frequency (RF) front-end (RFFE) modules. For example, the 5G standard for cellular communications involves increasing the complexity of frequency combinations and communication throughput options. The power amplifiers that enable RFFE operation consume a significant amount of power in environments where power dissipation and power efficiency are important operating characteristics, especially for portable systems.

[0043] Various aspects described herein include improved envelope tracking systems for wireless transmit communications that match the voltage available to a transmit power amplifier in a radio frequency (RFFE) to the required power identified by envelope tracking. Aspects described herein improve the operation of RFFE modules by using feedback and monitoring modules within local loops for linear amplifier control and switching regulator control. Local feedback loops for linear amplifier and switching regulator control manage the demand from the power amplifier during transmission, and the control system can improve the power efficiency of such elements in the envelope tracking power source for the transmit power amplifier.

[0044] Some aspects may include machine learning circuitry to track control in local linear amplifier and switching regulator loops. As the efficiency of machine learning circuitry increases, using machine learning to track power source control inputs and response performance can save more power than using machine learning circuitry to update control input operation.

[0045] For example, in power amplifier operation, by using multiple envelope tracking system amplifiers that support different operating conditions, power efficiency is increased, unnecessary power dissipation is reduced, and over-provisioning of power to the transmit power amplifier corresponding to excessive power dissipation is limited. Using machine learning circuits to improve tracking can improve power performance while limiting potential errors from over-constraining power sources when saving power.

[0046] Further details regarding various aspects described herein are provided with respect to the following figures.

[0047] Figure 1This diagram illustrates wireless device 110 communicating with wireless communication system 120. According to various aspects described herein, the wireless device may include an electronic device having wireless communication capabilities enabled by an RFFE module along with other wireless communication elements. Devices within system 120 may use envelope power tracking and power amplifiers with feedback system support to improve the power efficiency of devices such as wireless communication devices operating in communication system 120.

[0048] The wireless communication system 120 can be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system, a 5G NR (New Radio) system, or some other wireless system. The CDMA system can implement Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 1X, Evolved Data Optimized (EVDO), Time Division Synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), or some other version of CDMA. The communication elements of the wireless device 110 used to implement mmW and non-mmW communication according to any such communication standard can be supported by various designs of transceivers using chained signal routing. For simplicity, Figure 1 A wireless communication system 120 is shown, comprising two base stations 130 and 132 and a system controller 140. Generally, a wireless communication system may include any number of base stations and any set of network entities.

[0049] Wireless device 110 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station, terminal, access terminal, subscriber unit, station, etc. Wireless device 110 may be a cellular phone, smartphone, tablet computer, or other such mobile device (e.g., a device integrated with a display). Other examples of wireless device 110 include wireless modems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices, laptops, smartbooks, netbooks, tablet computers, cordless phones, medical devices, devices configured (e.g., via the Internet of Things) to connect to one or more other devices, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, Bluetooth devices, etc. Wireless device 110 may communicate with wireless communication system 120. Wireless device 110 may also receive signals from broadcast stations (e.g., broadcast station 134) and / or from satellites (e.g., satellites 150, etc., in one or more Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)). Wireless device 110 may support one or more radio technologies for wireless communication, such as LTE, WCDMA, CDMA1X, EVDO, TD-SCDMA, GSM, 802.11, 5G, etc.

[0050] The wireless communication system 120 may also include a wireless device 160. In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless device 160 may be a wireless access point, or another wireless communication device that includes or is a part of a wireless local area network (WLAN). In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless device 110 may be configured as a customer premises equipment (CPE) that can communicate with a base station 130 and another wireless device 110 or other devices in the wireless communication system 120. In some embodiments, the CPE may be configured to communicate with the wireless device 160 using WAN signaling and to interleave with the base station 130 based on this communication, rather than the wireless device 160 communicating directly with the base station 130. In an exemplary embodiment where the wireless device 160 is configured to communicate using WLAN signaling, the WLAN signal may include WiFi or other communication signals.

[0051] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless device 200 in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. In particular, the system for powering a power amplifier (PA) 244 may include envelope tracking as described in detail below. The wireless device 200 may be, for example, Figure 1 Implementations of the devices illustrated in FIG. 1 (e.g., base station 130 or 132, wireless device 110 or 160, etc.). The described circuits may be circuits that support wireless communications. In some examples, wireless device 200 (or any of the devices described and / or illustrated below) may be Figure 1 Examples of any of the devices illustrated or any other devices described herein.

[0052] Figure 2 An example of a transceiver 220 is shown with a transmitter 230 and a receiver 250. In general, the conditioning of the signals in the transmitter 230 and the receiver 250 may be performed by one or more stages of amplifiers, filters, upconverters, downconverters, etc. These circuit blocks may be connected to Figure 2 The configuration shown is arranged differently. In addition, Figure 2 Other circuit blocks, not shown, can also be used to regulate the signals in transmitter 230 and receiver 250. Unless otherwise indicated, Figure 2 Any signal in any of the other diagrams in the attached figures may be single-ended or differential. Figure 2 Some circuit blocks in the circuit can also be omitted.

[0053] exist Figure 2In the example shown, the wireless device 200 generally includes a transceiver 220 and a data processor 210. The data processor 210 may include a processor 296 operatively coupled to a memory 298. The memory 298 may be configured to store data and program code and may generally include analog and / or digital processing components. The transceiver 220 includes a transmitter 230 and a receiver 250 that support bidirectional communication. In general, the wireless device 200 may include any number of transmitters and / or receivers for any number of communication systems and frequency bands. All or a portion of the transceiver 220 may be implemented on one or more analog integrated circuits (ICs), RF ICs (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, etc.

[0054] A transmitter or receiver can be implemented using a superheterodyne architecture or a direct conversion architecture. In a superheterodyne architecture, the signal undergoes multiple stages of frequency conversion between radio frequency (RF) and baseband, such as from RF to intermediate frequency (IF) in one stage and then from IF to baseband in another stage for a receiver. In a direct conversion architecture, the signal is converted between RF and baseband in one stage. Superheterodyne and direct conversion architectures may use different circuit blocks and / or have different requirements. Figure 2 In the example shown, transmitter 230 and receiver 250 are implemented using a direct conversion architecture.

[0055] In the transmit path, the data processor 210 processes the data to be transmitted and provides in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) analog output signals to the transmitter 230. In an exemplary embodiment, the data processor 210 includes digital-to-analog converters (DACs) 214a and 214b for converting the digital signals generated by the data processor 210 into I analog output signals and Q analog output signals (e.g., I analog output signals and Q analog output signals) for further processing. In other embodiments, the DACs 214a and 214b are included in the transceiver 220, and the data processor 210 provides data (e.g., for I and Q) to the transceiver 220 in a digital form.

[0056] Within transmitter 230, baseband (e.g., low-pass) filters 232a and 232b filter the I and Q analog transmit signals, respectively, to remove unwanted image frequencies caused by the preceding digital-to-analog conversion. Amplifiers 234a and 234b amplify the signals from baseband filters 232a and 232b, respectively, and provide the I baseband and Q baseband signals. Upconverter 240, with upconverters 241a and 241b, uses the I TX LO and Q TX LO signals from transmit (TX) local oscillator (LO) signal generator 290 to upconvert the I baseband and Q baseband signals, and provides the upconverted signals. Filter 242 filters the upconverted signals to remove unwanted image frequencies caused by frequency upconversion and noise in the receive band. Power amplifier 244 amplifies the signal from filter 242 to obtain the desired output power level and provide the transmit RF signal. The RF signal is routed through a duplexer or switch 246 and transmitted via antenna 248. Although the examples discussed herein utilize I and Q signals, those skilled in the art will understand that components of the transceiver can be configured to utilize polarity modulation.

[0057] In the receiving path, antenna 248 receives the communication signal and provides the received RF signal, which is routed through a duplexer or switch 246 and provided to a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 252. Switch 246 is designed to operate with a specific RX and TX duplexer frequency separation, such that the RX signal is isolated from the TX signal. The received RF signal is amplified by LNA 252 and filtered by filter 254 to obtain the desired RF input signal. Downconverters 261a and 261b in downconverter 260 mix the output of filter 254 with the I RX LO signal and Q RX LO signal (i.e., LO_I and LO_Q) from receive (RX) LO signal generator 280 to generate I baseband and Q baseband signals. The I-band and Q-band baseband signals are amplified by amplifiers 262a and 262b and further filtered by baseband (e.g., low-pass) filters 264a and 264b to obtain I-analog input signals and Q-analog input signals, which are then provided to data processor 210. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, data processor 210 includes analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 216a and 216b for converting the analog input signals into digital signals to be further processed by data processor 210. In some embodiments, ADCs 216a and 216b are included in transceiver 220 and provide data digitally to data processor 210.

[0058] exist Figure 2In the embodiment of the present invention, TX LO signal generator 290 generates I TX LO signal and Q TX LO signal for upconversion, while RX LO signal generator 280 generates I RX LO signal and Q RX LO signal for downconversion. Each LO signal is a periodic signal with a specific fundamental frequency. Phase-locked loop (PLL) 292 receives timing information from data processor 210 and generates a control signal for adjusting the frequency and / or phase of the TX LO signal from LO signal generator 290. Similarly, PLL 282 receives timing information from data processor 210 and generates a control signal for adjusting the frequency and / or phase of the RX LO signal from LO signal generator 280.

[0059] Figure 2 2 functionally illustrates certain components of transceiver 220, and the configurations illustrated therein may or may not represent physical device configurations in certain implementations. For example, as described above, transceiver 220 may be implemented in various integrated circuits (ICs), RF ICs (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, etc. In some embodiments, transceiver 220 is implemented on a substrate or board (such as a printed circuit board (PCB)) having various modules, chips, and / or components. For example, power amplifier 244, filter 242, and switch 246 may be implemented in separate modules or as discrete components, while the remaining components illustrated in transceiver 220 may be implemented in a single transceiver chip.

[0060] The power amplifier 244 may include one or more stages, including, for example, a driver stage, a power amplifier stage, or other components that may be configured to amplify communication signals at one or more frequencies, in one or more frequency bands, and at one or more power levels. Depending on various factors, the power amplifier 244 may be configured to operate using one or more driver stages, one or more power amplifier stages, one or more impedance matching networks, and may be configured to provide good linearity, efficiency, or a combination of good linearity and efficiency.

[0061] In some aspects using a superheterodyne architecture, power amplifier 244 and LNA 252 (and in some examples, filters 242 and / or 254) can be implemented separately from other components in transmitter 230 and receiver 250. While wireless device 200 describes one example of a device, it will be apparent that various aspects described herein can be implemented in other architectures (e.g., a superheterodyne architecture), and the power envelope tracking system described is not limited to systems such as Figure 2 The example architectures include power amplifiers in architectures such as .

[0062] Figure 3AThis is a diagram 300 illustrating power envelope 306 tracking for an RFFE module according to the various aspects described herein. (See diagram 300.) Figure 2 As illustrated by power amplifier 244, wireless communication devices include amplification for controlling the output power on an antenna (e.g., antenna 248). The actual power provided at the antenna as part of transmission can vary widely based on operating conditions and specific applications. The power source for such an output power amplifier can be a significant source of wasted power, especially when the current transmission power does not match the available power provided by the system supplying power to the amplifier.

[0063] Figure 3A Figure 300 includes a time axis 302 and a voltage axis 301. Figure 300 illustrates example operating conditions for such an output power amplifier (e.g., power amplifier 244), where a maximum voltage 304 is supported by the system, the voltage of signal 310 used by the power amplifier to support the transmitted signal at a given point in time, and a voltage envelope 306 illustrating the voltage used by signal 310 to support signal performance. Gap 308 illustrates the difference between the maximum voltage 304 and the voltage envelope 306, which is associated with the voltage used by the power amplifier at a given point in time. Envelope 306 can be considered as the voltage required to support sufficient signal performance at a given point in time. If the system supplies the amplifier with a voltage lower than required by signal 310, signal integrity is compromised, and this will result in corruption of the transmitted data.

[0064] As the supplied voltage increases, power dissipation increases, regardless of the voltage the power amplifier actually uses to transmit the signal. Gap 308 represents the excess power usage associated with a device providing a high voltage at any given time compared to the power required to support signal transmission. Given the importance of power efficiency for wireless communication devices, especially mobile devices operating on limited batteries, limiting such gaps and the associated excess power dissipation is an important design goal.

[0065] Figure 3B This is a high-level block diagram of a system 350 for power envelope tracking for an RFFE module, based on the aspects described herein. System 350 includes a power amplifier, which may be similar to power amplifier 244 described above, and has features for limiting and spacing (such as those described above). Figure 3B The envelope tracking power source 358 is associated with the excess power dissipation of the gap 308.

[0066] To perform envelope tracking and match the voltage supplied to power amplifier 390 with the voltage used by the signal at a given time, baseband transmitter 351 provides signal sample 352 to envelope detector 353. Envelope detector 353 outputs envelope values ​​to shaping table 354 for output envelope signals. Envelope signal 356 is input to power source 358 and used with power from battery 357 to match the voltage associated with the envelope of the transmitted signal to the voltage supplied to power amplifier 390.

[0067] When the envelope signal 356 is provided to the power source 358, the trigger input 368 from the envelope detector 353 is used to align the timing of the analog envelope signal and the voltage provided from the power source 358 with the associated transmit signal at the RF input 360 signal provided to the power amplifier 390 and the RF output 398. The RF input 360 is generated by an RF vector signal generator 380, which includes a waveform generator 382 and an RF up-converter 384. The waveform generator 382 generates a low-frequency version of the waveform to be transmitted from samples provided by the baseband transmitter 351. The low-frequency waveform is up-converted to the transmit frequency by the RF up-converter 384 and provided to the RF input 360 for amplification by the power amplifier 390.

[0068] The voltage supplied to PA 390 by envelope tracking power source 358 can thus match Figure 3A The envelope 306 is illustrated herein. Timing alignment 359 between the envelope signal 356 and the RF input 360 prevents misalignment between the envelope signal 356 and the signal 310, which would result in signal clipping and errors at the RF output 398 (e.g., if the envelope 306 shifts left or right while the signal 310 remains in position). Additional details relating to specific implementations of the timing alignment 359 and the envelope tracking power source 358 according to the aspects described herein are provided below.

[0069] Figure 4A is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system 400 for using power envelope tracking to control power provided to an RFFE power amplifier in accordance with aspects described herein. The system 400 may be Figure 3BA specific implementation of the envelope tracking power source 358 is described, wherein an envelope signal 356 is provided to the envelope tracking power source 358 as a digital envelope signal 402. In system 400, the digital envelope signal 402 is provided to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 404, which outputs an analog envelope signal 406. The analog envelope signal 406 is provided to a supply source 408, which outputs a voltage VCC 410 that matches the envelope of the RF signal provided at the RF transmit signal input 460 and is synchronized such that the VCC provided to the power amplifier 450 matches the voltage required at the RF transmit signal output 462.

[0070] During operation, control circuitry 414 can change the operating settings of power amplifier 450 based on the dynamic range or operating conditions present in the signal provided at input 460. Similarly, in various embodiments described below, supply source 408 may include various structures for responding to details of a particular transmitted signal. For example, in one embodiment, analog envelope signal 406 may be provided to an amplifier that tracks the dynamic aspect of output tracking voltage 410, wherein sensing circuitry is coupled to the amplifier's output to track the DC aspect of voltage 410. A switch may be used to set the DC level of voltage 410, and the switch and amplifier output may be combined to provide voltage 410 at a level that tracks the envelope of the signal being amplified by power amplifier 450. In various embodiments, additional circuitry may be included in system 400, such as additional control circuitry for responding to device operating conditions, protection circuitry, signal interference suppression circuitry to minimize the propagation of stray signals through the voltage source, or other such circuitry.

[0071] In some implementations, control circuitry 414 may include a boost converter, or other such elements, which may be used to manage voltage according to the aspects described herein when the battery level is low. While not specifically exemplified by such boost converter elements, the aspects described herein may include additional battery level and power management features in conjunction with the aspects described herein to manage power usage at all levels of the battery power supply for devices including the aspects described herein.

[0072] Figure 4B is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system for using power envelope tracking to control power provided to an RFFE power amplifier in accordance with aspects described herein. Figure 4B In the illustrated example, the RF input 460, RF output 462 and power amplifier 450 are connected to Figure 4AThe same applies to the illustration. The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 404 receives a digital envelope signal, which can be generated by a modem or other circuitry using information about a wireless communication signal to be transmitted via power amplifier 450. The DAC 404 provides the envelope signal to input interface circuitry 422, which converts or modifies the signal from the DAC 404 for input to amplifier circuitry 424. Figure 4B In the example shown, amplifier circuit 424 includes a single linear amplifier. In other implementations described below, other configurations of amplifier circuits may be used. As described herein, the linear amplifier can provide a voltage signal to power amplifier 450 more efficiently at higher frequencies of the envelope (e.g., higher frequency portions of envelope 306) than those portions of the envelope that can be provided by switch 440, while lower frequency portions of the envelope can be provided more efficiently by switch 440. The higher frequency portion of the voltage provided by amplifier circuit 424 is coupled to the power amplifier via output filter 444, which can pass alternating current (AC) components and filter unwanted elements from the voltage signal that could affect the wireless communication signal amplified by power amplifier 450 (e.g., used to generate the envelope signal). Sensing element 432 taps the output of the amplifier circuit and provides a low-frequency tracking signal to sensing and conditioning circuit 434. Sensing and conditioning circuit 434 uses the tracking signal to provide an input to switch 440, which provides power (e.g., current at the envelope voltage) for the low-frequency component of the voltage signal provided to the power amplifier. Component 446 transmits the low-frequency DC component of the voltage signal, similar to the operation of output filter 444 for the AC component. Filter 444 and component 446 operate in different frequency regions of the spectrum to protect the transmission of the signal amplified by the power amplifier.

[0073] exist Figure 4BIn this system, additional tracking circuitry and monitoring circuitry 495 are included, in the form of a replica power amplifier 475. The replica power amplifier is configured to provide the performance characteristics of the tracking power amplifier 450, including input signals similar to those amplified at radio frequency (RF) input 460 and RF output 462. The replica power amplifier 475 provides a replica signal that matches or correlates with the signal at the power amplifier 450, instead of tapping the signal at the RF input 460 and RF output 462 of the power amplifier 450 (which would affect performance). However, the signal output from the replica power amplifier 475 is provided to the monitoring circuitry 495 as status tracking data. In system 400B, the status tracking data includes the RF output signal from the replica power amplifier 475, a voltage signal provided by the combined output of switch 440 and amplifier circuitry 424, and a tracking signal output from sensing element 432. In other embodiments, other status tracking data or additional status tracking data may be used, such as device temperature, battery status (e.g., capacity), or any other such information that may affect the operation of the envelope tracking power source. State tracking data can be used in a variety of ways, including storing it for analysis, using it in offline updates of control systems used to improve the operation of the equipment, in network updates of control systems used in the operation of the equipment, and as feedback data for machine learning circuits used to manage the control inputs of envelope tracking power sources according to the aspects described herein.

[0074] Figure 4C This is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system 400 for controlling the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier 450 using power envelope tracking, according to the aspects described herein. Figure 4B In the illustrated example, the RF input 460, RF output 462 and power amplifier 450 are connected to Figure 4B The same example is illustrated, but with the addition of machine learning circuitry 496. Machine learning circuitry 496 can accept state tracking data from monitoring circuitry 495, envelope tracking signal from DAC 404, and any other data from system operation to track performance quality and responsiveness under different operating conditions. Machine learning circuitry 496 can then provide control inputs to amplifier circuitry 424 to improve performance based on state tracking data and other such aspects used to train machine learning circuitry 496.

[0075] Machine learning circuit 496 can provide adaptive real-time monitoring of the power usage and performance of power amplifier 450. Monitoring circuit 495 can provide machine learning circuit 496 with real-time data related to the operation of power amplifier 450. For example, the device operation for generating an envelope tracking signal is generated using different processes based on shared data used to generate the voltage supplying power to power amplifier 450. This shared data is used to generate an amplified wireless communication signal that is provided to the RF input 460 of power amplifier 450 and has different timing paths to reach power amplifier 450. Furthermore, under different conditions, the characteristics of the data may lead to significantly different characteristics for the envelope tracking signal and the wireless communication signal. Such differences can affect the performance of the wireless communication device, particularly power consumption and bit error rate. Due to the operating principles described above, improvements in power performance (e.g., reduced power usage associated with a smaller gap 308) can lead to reduced signal performance (e.g., an increased error rate). Machine learning circuit 496 can track power consumption and error rate under different operating conditions. Operating conditions may include control signal conditions (e.g., certain settings for the operation of amplifier circuit 424 and switch 440), communication signal conditions (e.g., certain frequencies, amplitudes, or bit patterns in the wireless communication signal), and envelope signal conditions (e.g., the pattern, frequency, and amplitude in the voltage level provided to power amplifier 450 by the envelope tracking system described herein). Machine learning circuit 496 may then match the real-time operating conditions to preferred power and signal performance results to dynamically generate improvements in the real-time performance of the wireless communication device.

[0076] Figure 5A is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system 500A for controlling power provided to an RFFE power amplifier 450 using power envelope tracking according to aspects described herein. Figure 5A In the example shown, RF input 460, RF output 462, and power amplifier 450 are as follows: Figure 4A The same as shown, but a second amplifier is used to generate the envelope tracking voltage for powering the power amplifier 450.

[0077] The envelope tracking power source 520A includes at least two amplifiers as part of an amplifier circuit 524. Figure 5A In the illustrated example, the amplification circuit 524 includes a first amplifier 528 and a second amplifier 526. As described above, the DAC 510 can receive a digital envelope signal and provide an analog envelope signal to the envelope tracking power source 520A at the input port 511. The input port 511 is coupled to the input interface circuit 522. The input interface circuit provides both a tracking signal that matches the analog envelope signal and a control input to the amplification circuit 524.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first amplifier 528 may be a main amplifier that tracks the analog envelope signal itself under standard or low-demand operating conditions. The second amplifier 526 may be a peaking amplifier that is turned off during low-demand or standard operating conditions but is turned on to support peak voltage conditions, high-frequency envelope variations, or other operating conditions exceeding the response capability of the first amplifier 528 operating alone. The second amplifier may be set to a shutdown condition when standard operating conditions are present and turned on when needed via a control signal from the amplifier control. In some embodiments, the control signal may be generated by amplifier control circuitry integrated with the modem or by machine learning circuitry based on the characteristics of the analog envelope signal provided to input port 511 via DAC 510. In other embodiments, the amplifier control circuitry may be configured as a feedback circuitry receiving signals from conditioning circuitry 534. In other embodiments, input interface circuitry 522 may integrate control circuitry to provide control over the second amplifier 526. In any case, the processing circuitry can provide control signals that indicate the conditions for setting the second amplifier 526 to an on or off state based on the characteristics of the analog envelope signal.

[0079] The first amplifier 528 has an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to a tracking signal from the input interface circuit 522, and the output provides a voltage signal to the output filter 542. During operating conditions in which the second amplifier 526 is off, the output of the first amplifier 528 provides a voltage output to the output filter 542, which can filter out any stray signals or reduce noise from the output of the first amplifier 528. The voltage signal output from the output filter 542 is then provided as a dynamic portion of the VCC voltage supplied to the power amplifier 450 via the output port 551 of the envelope tracking power source 520A. The output of the first amplifier 528 is further branched by a connection to a sensing element 530. The sensing element 530 provides a value to the sensing and conditioning circuit 534 that tracks the output signal from the first amplifier 528. The sensing and conditioning circuit 534 can provide feedback to the envelope amplification circuit 524 via the amplifier control circuit to adjust the control settings, and can also provide a DC control signal that tracks the DC portion of the target VCC value to be output at the output port 551. A DC control tracking signal is input to switch 540, which outputs the DC portion of the VCC value via element 546. In some embodiments, element 546 may be an inductor configured to filter noise from the DC portion of the VCC value. In other embodiments, more complex filtering circuitry may be used at the output of switch 540. The combined output of switch 540 and output filter 542 provides a VCC voltage value at output port 551, which tracks the voltage used by power amplifier 450 to create a transmit RF signal at RF output 462 that will be transmitted via an antenna. As described above, adjusting the VCC value for power amplifier 450 reduces unnecessary power dissipation that occurs when the VCC value supplied to power amplifier 450 is significantly greater than the VCC value required for the transmit signal.

[0080] As described above, when the second amplifier 526 is off, the output from the second amplifier does not contribute to the VCC value provided to the output port 551 and the power amplifier 450. When feedback determines that the first amplifier 528 cannot track the envelope signal to provide an acceptable voltage at the output port 551, the second amplifier 526 is turned on and operates similarly to the output path from the first amplifier 528. A peaked input signal is provided to the input of the second amplifier, and a peaked voltage signal is output from the output of the second amplifier 526. The peaked voltage signal is filtered by the output filter 544 and combined with the voltage signal from the switch 540 and the output filter 542 (e.g., from the first amplifier 528). Compared to operation without a peaked voltage signal from the second amplifier 526, the peaked voltage signal, when combined with other signals, can provide higher performance responsiveness and / or power. Similarly, a sensing element 532 tapped at the signal from the output of the second amplifier 526 is provided to the circuit 534, and both the DC control signal provided to the switch 540 and the feedback signal processed by the feedback circuit implemented as an amplifier control circuit can be updated or modified based on the characteristics of the peaked voltage signal from the output of the second amplifier 526.

[0081] Additionally, the configuration option of setting the second amplifier 526 to the off state saves power, such that the power consumed by the second amplifier 526 is less than the power consumed by the amplifier circuit 524, wherein the single linear amplifier is combined with any excessive power dissipation caused by the additional voltage margin (e.g., a larger gap, such as gap 308) provided to the power amplifier 450 via the output port 551.

[0082] As described above, in various embodiments, control circuitry is used to manage the addition of the second amplifier 526 (e.g., a peaking amplifier) ​​to voltage-contributing circuitry, provided that the power amplifier 450 can be controlled in different ways. In some embodiments, the input interface circuitry 522 includes control circuitry to monitor the most significant bit provided to the DAC 510 using the input of the digital envelope signal. When the most significant bit is active (e.g., indicating a high voltage value), the second amplifier 526 can be turned on. In still other embodiments, the peaking second amplifier 526 can be turned on directly using the most significant bit of the digital envelope signal without additional processing circuitry. In some embodiments, control signals can be provided from the modem circuitry based on envelope tracking data synchronized with the control of the second amplifier 526 to determine when to turn the second amplifier on or off.

[0083] Then, Figure 5B An example is shown where the system has been modified to system 500B. Figure 5ASystem 500A, wherein the monitoring and machine learning circuit 496 controls the operation of the envelope tracking power source 520B. Figure 4C The machine learning engine can provide adaptive real-time monitoring of the power usage and performance of the power amplifier 450. The monitoring circuit 495 can provide the machine learning circuit 496 with real-time data related to the operation of the power amplifier 450. In addition to... Figure 4C In addition to the state tracking data described in the single amplifier version, monitoring circuitry 495 will include tracking signals from sensing elements 532 and 530 to track state data of the outputs of both the first amplifier 528 and the second amplifier 526. As described above, machine learning circuitry 496 can track power consumption and error rates under different operating conditions, including operational differences when the second amplifier 526 is in an off state versus an on state.

[0084] In addition to including a replica power amplifier 475 and monitoring circuitry 495 for real-time performance tracking during operation, DAC 510 may also include calibration circuitry that can create a test signal using a test envelope tracking signal with predefined characteristics (e.g., a frequency set for the test envelope signal) to set initial operating conditions before real-time adjustments are made using machine learning circuitry 496. During self-calibration mode, power amplifier 450 can be disabled and replica power amplifier 475 can be enabled to provide calibration data. DAC 510 can provide a test envelope signal with first characteristics (e.g., a 100 MHz frequency at a first power level), and monitoring circuitry can record first state tracking data when first amplifier 528 is enabled and second amplifier 526 is disabled, record second state tracking data when first amplifier 528 is disabled and second amplifier 526 is enabled, and record third tracking data when both amplifiers 526 and 528 are enabled. Such measurements can then be repeated for other test envelope signal characteristics. The state tracking data stored by the monitoring circuit 495 may be used to perform initial tuning of initial control settings or an initial state of the machine learning circuit 496 .

[0085] In some embodiments, the initial settings may be stored in a state machine as part of the machine learning circuitry 496, as part of the envelope tracking power source 520B. In other embodiments, the real-time updated initial settings or aspects as part of the machine learning circuitry 496 may be integrated with other systems within any part of a modem circuitry, transceiver circuitry, a dedicated machine learning system, or a wireless communication device that includes an envelope tracking power source integrated with machine language control.

[0086] Such calibration operations can be implemented using any of the aspects described herein, including envelope tracking power sources with a single amplifier, multiple amplifiers, or any configuration operating according to the aspects described herein.

[0087] In addition, Figure 5B In this embodiment, feedback control includes not only control as part of the machine learning circuit 496, but also feedback control circuitry 536 that is not directly integrated with the machine learning circuitry. In some specific implementations, control circuitry 536 utilizes a feedback connection directly from the sensing amplification and conditioning circuitry 534. Such feedback signals from conditioning circuitry 534 have the benefit of being tightly coupled to the voltage signal. At high-frequency operation, such tight feedback connections can improve envelope tracking of the transmitted signal, limit errors or noise in the difference between the envelope and the transmitted signal, and allow for smaller gaps (e.g., gap 308), where power dissipation is associated with a reduction in the gap between the voltage supplied to the power amplifier and the voltage used by the power amplifier. Using feedback directly from the conditioning circuitry, current, voltage, or power directly from the first amplifier 528 or the second amplifier 526 can be directly measured and compared to a target envelope match. Such feedback can be used to directly determine the control setpoint for amplifier operation (e.g., the second amplifier turning on and off) and to directly correct for mismatches between the expected output and the voltage value at output port 551. In some implementations, separate control systems can operate, where control circuitry 536 provides a tightly integrated and rapid response with envelope tracking to provide high-frequency adjustments to the operation, and machine learning control can provide secondary, lower-frequency feedback and control adjustments.

[0088] In some embodiments, the use of a second amplifier 526 in parallel with the first amplifier 528 allows for different configurations for different applications. In some embodiments, the first amplifier 528 and the second amplifier 526 have similar or identical interfaces, where the input interface circuitry 522 is replicated for both amplifiers. In other embodiments, different amplifiers are used, and different amplifiers can be configured based on the specific characteristics of each amplifier. For example, instead of using control signals to turn the second amplifier 526 on and off, in some embodiments, two separate signals can be provided to the input interface circuitry 522, one derived from the most significant bit of the digital envelope signal and one derived from the least significant bit of the digital envelope signal. The signal derived from the most significant bit can drive the second amplifier 526, and the signal derived from the least significant bit can drive the first amplifier 528. In other embodiments, the modem can provide separate signals to the different amplifiers of the amplifier circuitry 524.

[0089] In some such implementations, the second amplifier 526 may have lower linearity because it operates at a higher output range, and the first amplifier 528 may have greater linearity for operating at a lower output range. In addition to the above examples, some implementations of the envelope amplifier circuit include a common stage between the input interface circuit and the amplifier circuit. Such a common stage can serve as additional analog division at the input of the amplifier circuit. In some configurations, the amplifier of the amplifier circuit 524 is designed for multi-stage circuits. Some such circuits include smoothing functions to manage filtering or interface various aspects of the amplifier to digital inputs. In some implementations, the common stage can provide signal performance benefits by managing such smoothing of the signal and managing the signal inputs to the separate amplifiers.

[0090] In some implementations, the first amplifier 528 in the first multi-amplifier implementation can be a Class AB amplifier (e.g., an amplifier with greater linearity) and the second amplifier 526 can be a Class C amplifier, thereby providing design flexibility and component options while maintaining envelope tracking performance. In some implementations, the second amplifier 526 operating as a peaking amplifier can be a switch-mode amplifier, such as a Class E amplifier, a Class G amplifier, or a Class H amplifier. Some such amplifiers can, for example, be used in a switching configuration, such as when the most significant bit is used as a threshold or other bits are used with a threshold circuit to activate the second amplifier 526 operating in saturation as a threshold-activated switching amplifier for high efficiency. In such implementations, the first amplifier 528 can provide any desired linearity, with the second amplifier 526 operating only in saturation to provide the voltage boost needed to achieve a higher voltage level at the output port, which has a corresponding connection to the power amplifier 450.

[0091] Figure 6 A is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a system 600A for controlling power provided to an RFFE power amplifier using power envelope tracking according to aspects described herein. The system 600A includes Figure 5B4. The same elements as those of FIG. 4 but with the additional system elements of transceiver 608, modem 620, and coupler 630. Coupler 630 can provide a feedback signal describing the operation of power amplifier 450 that can be used as additional feedback to provide additional state tracking data to monitoring circuitry 495 and machine learning circuitry 496. For example, coupler 630 can be an element coupled to the output of power amplifier 450 to tap off a small amount of signal or otherwise measure the signal at the output of power amplifier 450. The signal measured using the coupler can be provided to monitoring circuitry 495 or any other such circuitry to provide feedback or tracking data. Coupler 630 can be configured to limit the effects of sensing on the wireless communication signal output from power amplifier 450 to limit noise, power loss, or other signal degradation before the wireless communication signal output from power amplifier 450 is transmitted via an antenna. Additional state tracking data from coupler 630 can further improve real-time performance tracking of the envelope signal, as well as management of the control inputs, to prevent the amplifier circuitry of the envelope tracking power source from wasting power into power amplifier 450 due to excessive current or causing errors due to a failure to provide sufficient voltage to power amplifier 450. Series feedback from coupler 630 can allow the amplifier circuitry to provide a voltage that tracks the envelope, where the current required by power amplifier 450 comes from a more efficient source in the form of switch 540 (e.g., because the PA presents a high resistance, rather than a low resistance in the 10-ohm range, which would require a large current to maintain the envelope tracking voltage). Coupler 630 can provide feedback via feedback circuit 610 of transceiver 608, coupled to control from the modem, to provide a signal to switch 540 to efficiently provide the current required for operation of power amplifier 450 (e.g., matching the tracking envelope). Such additional state tracking data can be included in the calibration operations described above. Furthermore, in some aspects, machine learning circuitry can match aspects of the state tracking data with the control signal to provide long-term learning and adjustment of the control signal. For example, error states can be identified and associated with certain operating conditions and control signals, and machine learning circuits can be used to identify such conditions and adjust control signals used under the identified conditions to avoid error states (e.g., a state in which insufficient voltage is provided to a power amplifier).

[0092] Figure 6B This is a block diagram illustrating various aspects of a system 600B for using power envelope tracking to control the power supplied to an RFFE power amplifier, according to the aspects described herein. Figure 6B In FIG, the envelope tracking power source elements are illustrated as being deployed within a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 601. The PMIC includes connections to a transceiver 608, a modem 621, and an RFFE including the illustrated transmit PA 450. Figure 6BIn this context, the machine learning engine 496 is not part of the PMIC 601's machine learning circuitry, but rather is part of the modem 621. (The last sentence appears to be incomplete and possibly refers to a different topic.) Figure 6 Feedback and tracking data similar to the data generated in system 600A of FIGA can be provided from transceiver 608, PMIC 601 (e.g., using replica PA 462 and monitoring circuit 495), and RFFE (e.g., from transmit PA 450 via coupler 630). Such feedback and tracking data can be provided directly to the machine learning engine 496 in the modem from different elements of system 600B, or can be transmitted to feedback circuit 610 of transceiver 608, and then provided by feedback circuit 610 to the machine learning engine 496 in modem 621. Similarly, control signals generated by machine learning engine 496 can be transmitted directly to envelope amplifier circuit 524 and / or switch circuit 540, or can be transmitted via feedback circuit 610. In some implementations, space, cost, power, or other design considerations for the PMIC can result in the ML engine 496 being more efficiently integrated with modem 621, where the modem communicates with baseband circuitry, RFFE modules, PMIC, and other such elements via interfaces. The control signals output from the machine learning engine 496 may include signals for adjusting amplifier settings for an amplifier circuit or switching regulator settings for a switching circuit, or both. The machine learning engine 496 may be configured to identify operational settings for a transmit signal path associated with efficient battery usage and dynamically aggregated data, and output such control signals to manage the operational settings in order to reduce power usage during transmission of the portion of the wireless communication signal used to generate the dynamically aggregated data. In some implementations, the machine learning engine 496 may transmit such control signals from the modem 621 to the DAC 510 of the transceiver 608, and then to the input interface circuit 522 to control the operational settings of the amplifier of the envelope amplification circuit 524. In other implementations, other such interface communications may be used.

[0093] Figure 7 is a graph 700 illustrating aspects of envelope tracking data for analysis using machine learning in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Graph 700 is similar to Figure 3A The diagram 300 has a voltage axis 701 and a time axis 702. The wireless communication signal 710 is a signal that can be amplified by a power amplifier, such as a power amplifier 450, for transmission via an antenna. The envelope 706 represents the power required for the amplifier output signal 710, such as amplifier 450, without clipping and signal errors caused by insufficient supply voltage.

[0094] Graph 700 additionally illustrates dynamic time slicing that can represent characteristics for different conditions for both envelope 706 and signal 710. Data such as envelope 706 and signal 710 can be collected by the monitoring circuit both in calibration mode and during real-time operation, and the design of the monitoring circuit and the machine learning circuit can be configured for certain dynamic time slices 720 (e.g., where state tracking data for a given time slice is provided as input to the machine learning circuit) to generate control outputs for the given time slices. For example, some time slices 720 may have a voltage, other time slices may have a low voltage, and other time slices may have a large voltage change. Such different operating conditions may have different associated control inputs that result in improved operation. Both initial calibration using the machine learning circuit and real-time analysis using the machine learning circuit can identify differences in control settings for different operating conditions to produce selected performance outputs (e.g., reduced power usage, reduced error rate, etc.). In some implementations, time slicing can be a feature of the machine learning system, such that the machine learning circuit dynamically selects data from the time slices based on the current bandwidth and operating mode state. Similarly, in some implementations, machine learning circuitry can aggregate high voltage spikes, high voltage slopes, and high power events as part of device operation. Such dynamic time slicing can be used to predict configurations with expected efficiency improvements associated with tracking and machine learning management of controls for different segments or loads (e.g., amplifier and switch settings for different signal 710 and / or envelope 706 shapes). In various implementations, the machine learning circuitry used to implement such dynamic control can be based on a neural network circuit structure, a Viterbi decoding circuit structure, or other such models for dynamic load switching and control of envelope tracking power sources. The machine learning model can then accept state tracking data in real time for a given time slice and generate output control signals to select controls, such as amplifier and switch settings, for use during that time slice. Real-time signal data (e.g., from a modem generating a signal to be transmitted) can include both time slice data and details about transitions between time slices to manage control changes as control settings change.

[0095] Some aspects described herein use data from a replica signal path for machine learning circuitry. In other aspects, data from the primary path can be used by the machine learning circuitry, particularly for aspects without a replica signal path. In still other aspects, data from both the primary and replica signal paths can be used by the machine learning circuitry.

[0096] In some implementations, a feedback receiver can be used to analyze the alignment of envelope 706 and signal 710. Such a feedback receiver can, for example, track distortions or noise in signal 710 or misalignment between envelope 706 and signal 710 (e.g., identify temporal misalignment between envelope 706 and signal 710). Such problems can be identified to prevent the training or operation of a machine learning system from taking place during periods of misalignment that could disrupt the learning network.

[0097] Figure 8A Various aspects of a machine learning circuit for use according to various aspects described herein are illustrated. As shown, Figure 8A The machine learning circuitry includes a multiplexer 804 with an input for receiving a signal 802. Signal 802 may be a real-time analog signal received during device operation or a signal received from monitoring circuitry. An analog-to-digital converter circuit 806 provides the digital signal, along with any other input 808, to a feature extraction circuit 810. A time-slicing circuit 812 divides the information from signal 802 and input 808 into dynamic time slices and uses this information to create discrete inputs to a machine learning network 820, which provides an output 830.

[0098] Signal 802 and ADC circuit 806 can be used to manage data bandwidth to align incoming data with the operating rate of network 820. Feature extraction circuit 810 can then accept state tracking data matched to the operating rate of network 820 using time-slicing circuit 812. The rhythmic state tracking data is then provided to network 820 for machine learning analysis and control selection of the envelope tracking power source and transmit power amplifier for a given time slice, as described herein. Target data can be used to train or calibrate network 820 to generate a control signal at output 830 that tracks the desired waveform based on peaks, slopes, or other signal characteristics. The control signal generated by output 830 can be targeted to limit power dissipation while avoiding errors for each given time slice. In addition to waveform and communication data inputs, device temperature, battery state (e.g., capacity), or other such system operating conditions that can affect waveform tracking can be provided to network 820 as state tracking data.

[0099] Figure 8B These are diagrams illustrating various aspects of machine learning circuits used in accordance with the aspects described herein. Figure 8B The illustrated machine learning circuit includes a network 820, which has specific outputs provided to the control inputs of the envelope tracking power source. As described above, state tracking data for a given time slice of operation is input to network 820, which generates output 830. The illustrated output includes two outputs, but in different configurations, any number of outputs 830A to 830N may be included. Figure 8B In the example, one output is coupled to amplifier 880 via controller 870, and another output is coupled to switch 885 via controller 875. Controllers 870 and 875 can convert the output signals at outputs 830A and 830N into a signal format that can be used by controllable elements (e.g., amplifier 880 and switch 885). In other implementations, a shared controller can be used for some controllable elements. Additional controllable elements can be, for example, linear amplifiers and peaking amplifiers with separate control inputs in some multi-amplifier envelope tracking power source configurations. Additionally, some system details such as temperature or battery usage can have associated control outputs. For example, in some implementations, temperature can be an element of state tracking data, and network 820 can identify operating conditions in which the envelope tracking power source and associated transmit power amplifier can contribute to thermal runaway conditions. When network 820 identifies a thermal runaway condition or an excessively high temperature condition, a control output can be coupled to shut down or signal fault control circuitry. Similar controls can be associated, for example, with excessive battery usage, target thermal conditions, maximum power exposure criteria, or power usage exceeding a threshold under certain battery conditions. In other aspects, the control circuitry may use other such criteria or thresholds to improve device operation.

[0100] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a method 900 for operating a device including an envelope tracking power source as described herein. The blocks in method 900 may be performed in or out of the order shown, and in some embodiments, may be performed at least partially in parallel.

[0101] At block 902 of method 900 , a device (or a component thereof) may receive an envelope tracking signal at an envelope signal input port of an envelope tracking power source.

[0102] At block 904 of method 900 , the device (or a component thereof) may operate a linear amplifier using an envelope tracking signal having control settings to generate a high frequency component that envelope tracks a supply voltage;

[0103] At block 906 of method 900 , the device (or a component thereof) may operate a switching circuit using the control setting and the output of the linear amplifier to generate an envelope tracking low frequency component of the supply voltage;

[0104] At block 908 of method 900 , the device (or a component thereof) may track performance of a power amplifier operating using an envelope tracking supply voltage to generate state tracking data.

[0105] At block 910 of method 900 , the device (or a component thereof) may use machine learning circuitry with state tracking data to update control settings for an envelope tracking power source.

[0106] Figure 10 This is a functional block diagram of an apparatus 1000 including the architecture for an envelope tracking voltage source as described herein. Apparatus 1000 includes a component 1002 for generating a high-frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage. In some aspects, component 1002 may be... Figures 4A to 7 The device 1000 includes PA 450 and any element in the TX path that provides the input signal to PA 450, or any other such TX path including a power amplifier as described herein. The device 1000 includes a component 1004 for generating a low-frequency component of the envelope tracking power source. In some aspects, component 1004 may be switch 540, along with any other element in the low-signal (e.g., DC) selection path (e.g., element 546), or elements of sensing and conditioning circuitry 534 and sensing elements (such as sensing elements 530 and 532). The device 1000 includes a component 1006 for generating state tracking data for a power amplifier operating using an envelope tracking supply voltage. In some aspects, component 1006 includes monitoring circuitry for the main signal path, such as coupler 630 and feedback circuitry 610. In some aspects, component 1006 may include a replica power amplifier and monitoring circuitry, such as monitoring circuitry 495, that collects data from the replica power amplifier 475. In other respects, the elements used to monitor both the master signal and the replica signal may be part of a separate implementation of component 1006. Additionally, any implementation of component 1006 may include a memory for storing state tracking data. The apparatus 1000 includes component 1008 for updating control settings for the envelope tracking power source using the state tracking data. Component 1008 may include machine learning or neural network circuitry as described herein, such as ML Engine 496, AI / ML Network 820, or... Figure 8A and Figure 8B In other aspects, any such control and feedback circuits described herein can be part of component 1008.

[0107] Figure 11This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment 1100 according to the examples described herein, which includes an electronic device 1102 and a base station 1104, each of which includes a transceiver (e.g., a wireless transceiver 1122 of the electronic device 1102) having a voltage supply for a power amplifier with envelope tracking. In environment 1100, the electronic device 1102 communicates with the base station 1104 via a wireless communication link 1106 (wireless link 1106). In such an example, the electronic device 1102 is depicted as a smartphone. However, the electronic device 1102 can be implemented as any suitable computing or other electronic device, such as a cellular base station, broadband router, access point, cellular or mobile phone, gaming device, navigation device, media device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, server, network attached storage (NAS) device, smart appliance, vehicle-based communication system, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.

[0108] Base station 1104 communicates with electronic device 1102 via wireless link 1106, which can be implemented as any suitable type of wireless link. Although depicted as a base station tower of a cellular radio network, base station 1104 can represent or be implemented as another device, such as a satellite, cable television headend, terrestrial television broadcasting tower, access point, peer-to-peer device, mesh network node, router, fiber optic line, or generally another electronic device. Therefore, electronic device 1102 can communicate with base station 1104 or another device via wired connection, wireless connection, or a combination thereof.

[0109] The wireless link 1106 may include a downlink of data or control information communicated from the base station 1104 to the electronic device 1102, and an uplink of other data or control information communicated from the electronic device 1102 to the base station 1104. The wireless link 1106 may use any suitable communication protocol or standard (such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), 5G New Radio (3GPP 5GNR), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, Bluetooth TM (etc.) to achieve this.

[0110] Electronic device 1102 includes processor 1108 and computer-readable storage medium 1110 (CRM 1110). Processor 1108 may include any type of processor, such as an application processor or a multi-core processor, configured to execute processor-executable instructions (e.g., code) stored in CRM 1110. CRM 1110 may include any suitable type of data storage medium, such as volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), optical media, magnetic media (e.g., magnetic disk or magnetic tape), etc. In the context of this disclosure, CRM 1110 is implemented to store instructions 1112, data 1114, and other information of electronic device 1102, and therefore does not include transiently propagated signals or carrier waves.

[0111] Electronic device 1102 may also include input / output port 1116 (I / O port 1116) or display 1118. I / O port 1116 enables data exchange or interaction with other devices, networks, or users. I / O port 1116 may include serial ports (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports), parallel ports, audio ports, infrared (IR) ports, and so on. Display 1118 may be implemented as a screen or projection that displays graphics of electronic device 1102, such as one or more graphic images, such as user interfaces associated with an operating system, program, or application. Alternatively or otherwise, display 1118 may be implemented as a display port or virtual interface through which the graphical content of electronic device 1102 is conveyed or presented.

[0112] For communication purposes, the electronic device 1102 also includes a modem 1120, a wireless transceiver 1122, and at least one antenna 1130. The wireless transceiver 1122 includes a converter unit (CU) 1124 and a transceiver (TRX) unit 1126. The wireless transceiver 1122 uses RF wireless signals to provide connectivity to a corresponding network and other electronic devices connected thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 1102 may include a wired transceiver (such as an Ethernet or fiber optic interface) for communicating via a personal or local network, an intranet, or the Internet. The wireless transceiver 1122 can facilitate communication over any suitable type of wireless network, such as a wireless local area network (LAN) (WLAN) (such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a mesh network, a cellular network (e.g., 3GPP2, 4G LTE, 5G NR, or other cellular networks), a wireless wide area network (LTE) (e.g., based on 3GPP2, 4G LTE, 5G NR, etc.), a navigation network (e.g., the Global Positioning System (GPS) or another satellite positioning system (SPS) for North America), and / or a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In the context of exemplary environment 1100, the wireless transceiver 1122 enables the electronic device 1102 to communicate with the base station 1104 and the network connected thereto. Other figures referenced herein may relate to other wireless networks.

[0113] The modem 1120 (such as a baseband modem) can be implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC) that provides a digital communication interface for data, voice, messaging, and other applications of the electronic device 1102. The modem 1120 can also include baseband circuitry to perform high-rate sampling processes, which may include analog-to-digital conversion (ADC), digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), gain correction, tilt correction, frequency conversion, etc. The modem 1120 can also include logic to perform in-phase / quadrature (I / Q) operations, such as synthesis, encoding, modulation, demodulation, and decoding. More generally, the modem 1120 can be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a processor configured to perform signal processing to support communication via one or more networks. Alternatively, the ADC or DAC operations can be performed by a separate component or another illustrated component, such as the wireless transceiver 1122.

[0114] Wireless transceiver 1122 may include circuitry, logic, and other hardware for transmitting or receiving wireless signals for at least one communication frequency band. In operation, wireless transceiver 1122 may implement at least one radio frequency transceiver unit to process data and / or signals associated with communication data from electronic device 1102 via antenna 1130. Generally, wireless transceiver 1122 may include filters, switches, amplifiers, etc., for routing and processing signals transmitted or received via antenna 1130. Generally, wireless transceiver 1122 includes multiple transceiver units (e.g., for different wireless protocols such as WLAN and WWAN, or for supporting different frequency bands or combinations of frequency bands).

[0115] In one example, the filters, switches, amplifiers, mixers, etc., of the wireless transceiver 1122 may include at least one single-ended amplifier, a switching circuit, at least one transformer, at least one differential amplifier, and at least one mixer. In some embodiments, the single-ended amplifier, which amplifies the signal strength, is coupled to antenna 1130. Therefore, in addition to increasing signal strength, the single-ended amplifier can also couple wireless signals to or from antenna 1130. In some embodiments, the switching circuit can switchably couple each transformer in a set of transformers to the single-ended amplifier. This set of transformers provides physical or electrical isolation between the single-ended amplifier and other circuitry of the wireless transceiver 1122. The set of transformers also regulates the signal propagating through it. The outputs of the transformers can be coupled to one or more mixers.

[0116] Some examples may use a differential amplifier at the output of the transformer before the signal is input to the mixer. In such examples, the differential amplifier (similar to a single-ended amplifier) ​​amplifies the strength of the propagating signal. The wireless transceiver may also use a synthesized signal and a mixer to perform frequency conversion. The mixer may include an upconverter and / or a downconverter that performs frequency conversion in a single conversion step or through multiple conversion steps. The wireless transceiver 1122 may also include logic (not shown) that performs in-phase / quadrature (I / Q) operation using a synthesized signal, such as synthesis, encoding, modulation, demodulation, and decoding.

[0117] In some cases, components of wireless transceiver 1122 or its transceiver unit 1126 are implemented as separate receiver and transmitter entities. Additionally or alternatively, wireless transceiver 1122 may be implemented using multiple or different parts to achieve corresponding receive and transmit operations (e.g., using separate transmit and receive chains). The above describes an example specific implementation of transceiver unit 1126. Furthermore, different wireless protocols such as WWAN and WLAN may be implemented on separate chips or as separate systems-on-a-chip (SoCs). Thus, blocks such as modem 1120 and transceiver 1122 can represent more than one modem 1120 or transceiver implemented together on separate chips or separate SoCs.

[0118] The means of implementing the circuit described herein may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. The device may be (i) a standalone IC, (ii) a collection of one or more ICs that may include memory ICs for storing data and / or instructions, (iii) an RF IC such as an RF receiver (RFR) or RF transmitter / receiver (RTR) or a corresponding mmW element, (iv) an ASIC such as a mobile station modem (MSM), (v) a module that may be embedded in other devices, (vi) a receiver, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device or mobile unit, (vii) and so on.

[0119] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic device 1202, which includes a transceiver 1206 that may include and / or implement a voltage source for a power amplifier having envelope tracking as described herein. As shown, in addition to integrated circuit 1210, electronic device 1202 also includes an antenna 1204, transceiver 1206, and user input / output (I / O) interface 1208. Illustrated examples of integrated circuit 1210 or its core include a microprocessor 1212, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 1214, a memory array 1216, and a modem 1218. Each component is operatively coupled to another component, such as GPU 1214, which is operatively coupled to user I / O interface 1208.

[0120] The electronic device 1202 can be a mobile or battery-powered device or a stationary device designed to be powered by the mains. Examples of electronic devices 1202 include server computers, network switches or routers, blade servers in a data center, personal computers, desktop computers, notebook or laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, entertainment devices, or wearable electronic devices such as smart watches, smart glasses, or articles of clothing. The electronic device 1202 can also be a device or a portion thereof with embedded electronic devices. Examples of electronic devices 1202 with embedded electronic devices include passenger vehicles, industrial equipment, refrigerators or other household appliances, drones or other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or power tools.

[0121] For electronic devices with wireless capabilities, electronic device 1202 includes an antenna 1204 coupled to a transceiver 1206 to enable reception or transmission of one or more wireless signals. An integrated circuit 1210 may be coupled to transceiver 1206 to enable integrated circuit 1210 to access received wireless signals or provide wireless signals for transmission via antenna 1204. The illustrated electronic device 1202 also includes at least one user I / O interface 1208. Examples of user I / O interface 1208 include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch-sensitive screen, a camera, an accelerometer, a haptic mechanism, a speaker, a display screen, or a projector.

[0122] Integrated circuit 1210 may include one or more instances of, for example, microprocessor 1212, GPU 1214, memory array 1216, modem 1218, etc. Microprocessor 1212 may be used as a central processing unit (CPU) or other general-purpose processor. Some microprocessors include different components, such as multiple processing cores, which can be individually powered on or off. GPU 1214 may be particularly well-suited for processing visually relevant data for display, such as video data images. If the visually relevant data is not rendered or otherwise processed, GPU 1214 may be completely or partially powered off. Memory array 1216 stores data for microprocessor 1212 or GPU 1214. Exemplary types of memory used for memory array 1216 include random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM); flash memory; and so on. If a program does not access the data stored in memory, memory array 1216 may be powered off entirely or piecewise. Modem 1218 demodulates signals to extract encoded information or modulates signals to encode information into them. If there is no information to decode from inbound communications or to encode for outbound communications, modem 1218 can be left idle to reduce power consumption. Integrated circuit 1210 may include additional or alternative components besides those shown, such as I / O interfaces, sensors (such as accelerometers), another part of a transceiver or receiver chain, custom or hard-coded processors (such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), and so on.

[0123] Integrated circuit 1210 may also include a system-on-a-chip (SoC). A SoC can integrate a sufficient number of components of different types to enable the SoC to provide computing functionality, such as in a laptop computer, mobile phone, or other electronic device, using at least one chip. Components of a SoC or integrated circuit 1210 are often referred to as cores or circuit blocks. Examples of cores or circuit blocks include... Figure 12 In addition to those illustrated herein, it also includes voltage regulators, main memory or cache memory blocks, memory controllers, general-purpose processors, encryption processors, video or image processors, vector processors, radio components, interface or communication subsystems, wireless controllers, or display controllers. Any of these cores or circuit blocks (such as a central processing unit or multimedia processor) may also include multiple internal cores or circuit blocks.

[0124] While selected aspects have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be understood that various substitutions and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0125] The exemplary aspects of this disclosure include, but are not limited to:

[0126] Aspect 1. An envelope tracking power source comprising: an envelope signal input port; an output power port; an input interface circuit having an output and an input coupled to the envelope signal input port; a sensing and conditioning circuit having an output and an input; an amplifier circuit coupled between the output of the input interface circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit having one or more control inputs; a switching circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the sensing and conditioning circuit, and wherein the output is coupled to the output power port; an output filter circuit coupled to the output power port; and a machine learning circuit having an output coupled to the one or more control inputs and one or more inputs configured to receive state tracking data for the performance of a transmit power amplifier (PA) receiving power via the output power port.

[0127] Aspect 2. The envelope tracking power source according to aspect 1, wherein the envelope tracking power source further includes a replica power amplifier having a signal input terminal, a power source input terminal coupled to the output power port, and a signal output terminal, wherein the signal output terminal is coupled to the machine learning circuit to provide a radio frequency signal as part of the state tracking data, wherein the signal input terminal is configured to receive a wireless communication signal, and wherein the envelope signal input port is configured to receive an envelope tracking signal generated from the wireless communication signal.

[0128] Aspect 3. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 2, wherein the state tracking data further includes a high-frequency voltage value output from the amplifier circuit, a low-frequency voltage value output from the switching circuit, and a sensed value input from the amplifier circuit to the sensing and conditioning circuit.

[0129] Aspect 4. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, the envelope tracking power source further comprising: a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit coupled to the input interface circuit and the replica power amplifier, wherein the DAC circuit is configured to provide a test signal to the replica power amplifier to generate the state tracking data as calibration data during a calibration mode used with the enabled replica power amplifier and a radio frequency front-end (RFFE) unit, the radio frequency front-end (RFFE) unit including the transmit power amplifier, the transmit power amplifier being disabled to create initial control settings for the operation of the transmit power amplifier.

[0130] Aspect 5. The envelope tracking power source according to aspect 4, wherein the DAC circuitry includes a transmit DAC and an envelope tracking DAC.

[0131] Aspect 6. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the sensed value is generated by a sensing element coupled between the output of the amplifier circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit.

[0132] Aspect 7. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the output power port is coupled to a voltage source of a transmit power amplifier, and wherein the transmit power amplifier is configured to amplify a wireless communication signal.

[0133] Aspect 8. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, receiving an envelope tracking signal input to the envelope signal input port from a modem circuit, the modem circuit being configured to generate a tracking voltage at the output power port.

[0134] Aspect 9. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein a coupling circuit is coupled to the output of the transmit power amplifier to provide feedback as part of the state tracking data.

[0135] Aspect 10. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the amplifier circuit includes a linear amplifier configured to provide a first portion of a high-frequency component of the tracking voltage; and wherein the amplifier circuit further includes a switching amplifier configured to operate in a saturation mode and provide a second portion of the high-frequency component of the tracking voltage when the tracking voltage is above a threshold.

[0136] Aspect 11. The envelope tracking power source according to aspect 10, wherein the threshold is based on the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the wireless communication signal, the service value associated with the wireless communication signal, the bandwidth associated with the wireless communication signal, or the operating mode.

[0137] Aspect 12. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the one or more control inputs include a control input for selecting between an on state and an off state for the switching amplifier.

[0138] Aspect 13. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the one or more control inputs further comprises: a first tracking value generated by a first sensing element coupled between the output of the linear amplifier and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit; and a second tracking value generated by a second sensing element coupled between the output of the switching amplifier and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit.

[0139] Aspect 14. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein the one or more control inputs include an envelope tracking signal input to the envelope signal input port.

[0140] Aspect 15. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the one or more control inputs include a synchronization signal that matches an envelope tracking signal input to the envelope signal input port with a wireless transmission signal generated using a power amplifier having a voltage input coupled to the output power port.

[0141] Aspect 16. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15, wherein the envelope tracking signal and the wireless transmission signal are both generated by a modem circuit using the same set of communication data.

[0142] Aspect 17. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 16, wherein the state tracking data includes dynamic time slice data of a wireless communication signal.

[0143] Aspect 18. The envelope tracking power source according to aspect 17, wherein the dynamic time slice data includes dynamically aggregated data based on one or more of the following: bandwidth for the wireless communication signal, device operating mode, peak signal events, high slope signal events, and high power events.

[0144] Aspect 19. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 18, wherein the machine learning circuitry is configured to condition circuitry in the transmit signal path using a predictive output generated from the dynamically aggregated data.

[0145] Aspect 20. An envelope tracking power source according to any one of Aspects 1 to 19, wherein the machine learning circuitry is configured to identify operational settings for transmission signal paths associated with efficient battery use and the dynamic aggregation data, and output control signals to adjust amplifier settings to reduce power usage during transmission of the portion of the wireless communication signal used to generate the dynamic aggregation data.

[0146] Aspect 21. A method of operating an envelope tracking power source, the method comprising: receiving an envelope tracking signal at an envelope signal input port of the envelope tracking power source; operating a linear amplifier using the envelope tracking signal having control settings to generate a high-frequency component of an envelope tracking supply voltage; operating a switching circuit using the control settings and an output of the linear amplifier to generate a low-frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage; tracking the performance of the power amplifier operated using the envelope tracking supply voltage to generate state tracking data; and updating the control settings for the envelope tracking power source using machine learning circuitry having the state tracking data.

[0147] Aspect 22. A method according to Aspect 21, wherein the power amplifier includes a replica power amplifier used in a feedback system of the envelope tracking power source, wherein the envelope tracking signal is generated from a wireless communication signal, and wherein the control setting is further used to control a transmit power amplifier used to transmit the wireless communication signal via an antenna of a wireless communication device.

[0148] Aspect 23. The method of any one of aspects 21 to 22, wherein the envelope tracking power source further comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit coupled to an input interface circuit and the replica power amplifier.

[0149] Aspect 24. The method according to any one of Aspects 21 to 23, further comprising: calibrating initial control settings for operation of the power amplifier by generating a test signal to the replica power amplifier using the DAC circuit, to generate the state tracking data as calibration data during a calibration mode used with the enabled replica power amplifier and the disabled power amplifier.

[0150] Aspect 25. A method of operating an envelope tracking power source, the method comprising: performing a first power consumption measurement in the envelope tracking power source under a first performance setting, wherein the envelope tracking power source includes the linear amplifier configured to provide a high-frequency component of an envelope tracking supply voltage, and wherein the envelope tracking power source further includes the switching circuit configured to provide a low-frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage; performing a second power consumption measurement under the first performance setting, wherein the linear amplifier is enabled and the switching circuit is disabled; performing a third power consumption measurement under the first performance setting, wherein the linear amplifier is enabled and the switching circuit is enabled; performing an operational analysis using the first power consumption measurement, the second power consumption measurement, and the third power consumption measurement; and updating control settings based on the operational analysis.

[0151] Aspect 26. The method of aspect 25, wherein the first performance setting comprises an envelope tracking supply voltage configured with a 100 MHz frequency component.

[0152] Aspect 27. The method according to any one of Aspects 25 to 26, wherein the first power consumption measurement includes an error rate measurement associated with the envelope tracking performance under the first performance setting.

[0153] Aspect 28. An apparatus comprising: a power management integrated circuit including: an envelope signal input port; an output power port; an input interface circuit having an output and an input coupled to the envelope signal input port; a sensing and conditioning circuit having an output and an input; an amplifier circuit coupled between the output of the input interface circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit having one or more control inputs; a switching circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the sensing and conditioning circuit and wherein the output is coupled to the output power port; and an output filter circuit, wherein the output filter circuit is coupled to the output power port via the output filter circuit; a transmit power amplifier (PA) receiving power via the output power port; and a machine learning circuit having an output coupled to the one or more control inputs and one or more inputs configured to receive state tracking data for the performance of the transmit PA (e.g., a radio frequency front-end (RFFE) unit).

[0154] Aspect 29: The apparatus according to aspect 28 further includes a modem, wherein the modem includes the machine learning circuitry; and wherein the machine learning circuitry is configured to output a control signal to reduce power consumption by adjusting amplifier settings of the amplifier circuitry or switching regulator settings for the switching circuitry.

[0155] Aspect 30: An apparatus comprising components for performing operations according to any one of aspects 1 to 29 above.

[0156] Aspect 31: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the operations described in any one of aspects 1 to 29 above.

Claims

1. An envelope tracking power source, the envelope tracking power source comprising: Envelope signal input port; Output power port; an input interface circuit having an output coupled to the envelope signal input port and an input; a sensing and conditioning circuit having an output and an input; an amplifier circuit coupled between the output of the input interface circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit having one or more control inputs; a switching circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the sensing and conditioning circuit, and wherein the output is coupled to the output power port; an output filter circuit, wherein the output filter circuit is coupled to the output power port via the output filter circuit; and A machine learning circuit having an output coupled to the one or more control inputs and one or more inputs configured to receive state tracking data for performance of a transmit power amplifier (PA) receiving power via the output power port.

2. The envelope tracking power source of claim 1 , wherein the envelope tracking power source further comprises a replica power amplifier having a signal input, a power source input coupled to the output power port, and a signal output, wherein the signal output is coupled to the machine learning circuit to provide a radio frequency signal as part of the state tracking data, wherein the signal input is configured to receive a wireless communication signal, and wherein the envelope signal input port is configured to receive an envelope tracking signal generated from the wireless communication signal.

3. An envelope tracking power source according to claim 2, wherein the state tracking data also includes a high-frequency voltage value output from the amplifier circuit, a low-frequency voltage value output from the switching circuit, and a sensed value input from the amplifier circuit to the sensing and conditioning circuit.

4. The envelope tracking power source according to claim 3, further comprising: a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit coupled to the input interface circuit and the replica power amplifier, wherein the DAC circuit is configured to provide a test signal to the replica power amplifier to generate the state tracking data as calibration data during a calibration mode used with the replica power amplifier and a radio frequency front end (RFFE) module enabled, the radio frequency front end (RFFE) module including the transmit power amplifier, such that the RFFE module and the transmit power amplifier are disabled to create initial control settings for operation of the RFFE transmit power amplifier.

5. The envelope tracking power source of claim 3, wherein the sensed value is generated by a sensing element coupled between an output of the amplifier circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit.

6. The envelope tracking power source of claim 4, wherein the DAC circuit comprises a transmit DAC and an envelope tracking DAC.

7. The envelope tracking power source of claim 1, wherein the output power port is coupled to a voltage source of a transmit power amplifier, and wherein the transmit power amplifier is configured to amplify wireless communication signals.

8. The envelope tracking power source of claim 7, receiving an envelope tracking signal input to the envelope signal input port from a modem circuit, the modem circuit being configured to generate a tracking voltage at the output power port.

9. The envelope tracking power source of claim 7, wherein a coupling circuit is coupled to an output of the transmit power amplifier to provide feedback as part of the state tracking data.

10. The envelope tracking power source of claim 1, wherein the amplifier circuit comprises a linear amplifier configured to provide a first portion of a high frequency component of the tracking voltage; and The amplifier circuit further includes a switching amplifier configured to operate in a saturation mode and to provide a second portion of the high frequency component of the tracking voltage when the tracking voltage is above a threshold.

11. An envelope tracking power source according to claim 10, wherein the threshold is based on a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of a wireless communication signal, a traffic value associated with the wireless communication signal, a bandwidth or an operating mode associated with the wireless communication signal.

12. The envelope tracking power source of claim 10, wherein the one or more control inputs include a control input for selecting between an on-state and an off-state for the switching amplifier.

13. The envelope tracking power source of claim 12, wherein the one or more control inputs further comprise: a first tracking value generated by a first sensing element coupled between an output of the linear amplifier and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit; and A second tracking value is generated by a second sensing element coupled between the output of the switching amplifier and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit.

14. The envelope tracking power source of claim 1, wherein the one or more control inputs include an envelope tracking signal input to the envelope signal input port.

15. The envelope tracking power source of claim 1, wherein the one or more control inputs include a synchronization signal that causes an envelope tracking signal input to the envelope signal input port to match a wireless transmit signal generated using a power amplifier having a voltage input coupled to the output power port.

16. The envelope tracking power source of claim 15, wherein the envelope tracking signal and the wireless transmission signal are both generated by a modem circuit using the same set of communication data.

17. The envelope tracking power source of claim 1, wherein the state tracking data comprises dynamic time-slicing data of a wireless communication signal.

18. An envelope tracking power source according to claim 17, wherein the dynamic time slicing data includes dynamically aggregated data based on one or more of a bandwidth, a device operating mode, a high peak signal event, a high slope signal event, and a high power event for the wireless communication signal.

19. The envelope tracking power source of claim 18, wherein the machine learning circuit is configured to use the predicted output generated from the dynamically aggregated data to condition circuitry in a transmit signal path.

20. An envelope tracking power source according to claim 18, wherein the machine learning circuit is configured to identify operating settings for a transmit signal path associated with efficient battery usage and the dynamically aggregated data, and output a control signal to reduce power usage during transmission of a portion of the wireless communication signal used to generate the dynamically aggregated data.

21. The envelope tracking power source of claim 20, wherein the control signal adjusts an amplifier setting of the amplifier circuit or a switching regulator setting for the switching circuit, or both the amplifier setting and the switching regulator setting.

22. A method of operating an envelope tracking power source, the method comprising: receiving an envelope tracking signal at an envelope signal input port of the envelope tracking power source; operating a linear amplifier using the envelope tracking signal with control settings to generate a high frequency component that envelope tracks a supply voltage; operating a switching circuit using the control arrangement and an output of the linear amplifier to generate a low frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage; tracking performance of a power amplifier operated using the envelope tracking supply voltage to generate state tracking data; as well as Control settings for the envelope tracking power source are updated using a machine learning circuit with the state tracking data.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the power amplifier includes a replica power amplifier used in a feedback system of the envelope tracking power source, wherein the envelope tracking signal is generated from a wireless communication signal, and wherein the control setting is further used to control a transmit power amplifier used to transmit the wireless communication signal via an antenna of a wireless communication device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the envelope tracking power source further comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit coupled to an input interface circuit and the replica power amplifier.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: Initial control settings for operation of the power amplifier are calibrated by generating a test signal to the replica power amplifier using the DAC circuit to generate the state tracking data as calibration data during a calibration mode for use with the replica power amplifier enabled and the power amplifier disabled.

26. A method of operating an envelope tracking power source, the method comprising: performing a first power consumption measurement in an envelope tracking power source at a first performance setting with the linear amplifier disabled and the switching circuit enabled, wherein the envelope tracking power source includes the linear amplifier configured to provide a high frequency component of an envelope tracking supply voltage, and wherein the envelope tracking power source further includes the switching circuit configured to provide a low frequency component of the envelope tracking supply voltage; performing a second power consumption measurement at the first performance setting with the linear amplifier enabled and the switching circuit disabled; performing a third power consumption measurement at the first performance setting with the linear amplifier enabled and the switching circuit enabled; and performing an operational analysis using the first power consumption measurement, the second power consumption measurement, and the third power consumption measurement; and Control settings are updated based on the operational analysis.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first performance setting comprises an envelope tracking supply voltage configured with a 100 MHz frequency component.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the first power consumption measurement comprises an error rate measurement associated with envelope tracking performance at the first performance setting.

29. An apparatus, comprising: A power management integrated circuit (PMIC), the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) comprising: Envelope signal input port; Output power port; an input interface circuit having an output coupled to the envelope signal input port and an input; a sensing and conditioning circuit having an output and an input; an amplifier circuit coupled between the output of the input interface circuit and the input of the sensing and conditioning circuit, the amplifier circuit having one or more control inputs; a switching circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the sensing and conditioning circuit, and wherein the output is coupled to the output power port; and an output filter circuit, wherein the output filter circuit is coupled to the output power port via the output filter circuit; a transmit power amplifier (PA) that receives power via the output power port; and A machine learning circuit has an output coupled to the one or more control inputs and one or more inputs configured to receive state tracking data for performance of the transmit PA.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a modem, wherein the modem comprises the machine learning circuit; and Wherein the machine learning circuit is configured to output a control signal to reduce power usage by adjusting amplifier settings of the amplifier circuit or switching regulator settings for the switching circuit.

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