Amplification circuit, tracker module, amplification module, and communication device

Abstract

An amplifier circuit (40) is provided with: power amplifiers (21, 22); trackers (11, 12) capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage; a switch (31) connected between the output end of the tracker (11) and the output end of the tracker (12); the switch (33) is connected between the output end of the tracker (12) and the power amplifier (21), and the output end of the tracker (11) is connected with the power amplifier (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an amplifier circuit, a tracker module, an amplifier module and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an amplifier circuit including: a tracker circuit that provides a power supply voltage based on envelope tracking; and a power amplifier that supports 5G (5th Generation) and receives the power supply voltage from the tracker circuit.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0228063 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the amplifier circuit disclosed in Patent Document 1, a power supply voltage is supplied from a tracker circuit to a power amplifier. However, when a high-power signal with a high power level needs to be output from the power amplifier, the power supply voltage (current) output from the tracker circuit increases, thereby reducing the efficiency of the tracker circuit. In addition, the tracker circuit bears an excessive load, and sometimes the efficiency of the power amplifier is reduced due to heat generation.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a tracker circuit and an amplifier circuit, a tracker module, an amplifier module, and a communication device in which the efficiency reduction of a power amplifier is suppressed.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an amplifier circuit involved in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier; a first tracker and a second tracker capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage; a first switch connected between the output end of the first tracker and the output end of the second tracker; and a second switch connected between the output end of the second tracker and the second power amplifier, wherein the output end of the first tracker is connected to the first power amplifier.

[0011] In addition, a tracker module involved in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a first tracker, which is capable of outputting a first variable power supply voltage to the first output terminal and the second output terminal; a second tracker, which is capable of outputting a second variable power supply voltage to the first output terminal and the second output terminal; a first switch, which is connected between the output end of the first tracker and the output end of the second tracker; and a second switch, which is connected between the second tracker and the second output terminal.

[0012] In addition, an amplifier module involved in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first input terminal to which a first variable power supply voltage is applied and a second input terminal to which a second variable power supply voltage is applied; a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier; a first switch connected between the first input terminal and the second input terminal; and a second switch connected between the second power amplifier and the second input terminal, wherein the first power amplifier is connected to the first input terminal.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an amplifier circuit, a tracker module, an amplifier module, and a communication device in which a decrease in efficiency of a tracker circuit and a power amplifier is suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1A This is a graph showing an example of transition of the power supply voltage in the average power tracking mode.

[0016] Figure 1B This is a graph showing an example of the transition of the power supply voltage in the analog envelope tracking mode.

[0017] Figure 1C This is a graph showing an example of the transition of the power supply voltage in the digital envelope tracking mode.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of an amplifier circuit and a communication device involved in the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a configuration diagram of an amplifier circuit and a communication device according to Modification 1 of the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 : is a graph showing the relationship between the tracker output current and the tracker efficiency according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a configuration diagram of an amplifier circuit according to a second variation of the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a configuration diagram of an amplifier circuit according to Modification 3 of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following drawings are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail. In addition, the embodiments described below all represent general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, structural elements, configurations of structural elements, and connection methods shown in the following embodiments are examples, and their purpose is not to limit the present invention.

[0024] In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram that appropriately emphasizes, omits, or adjusts the ratio in order to express the present invention, and is not necessarily strictly illustrated, and sometimes differs from the actual shape, positional relationship, and ratio. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same structure, and repeated descriptions are sometimes omitted or simplified.

[0025] In the circuit structure of the present disclosure, "connection" includes not only direct connection through connection terminals and / or wiring conductors, but also electrical connection via other circuit elements. "Connection between A and B" means connection between A and B with both A and B.

[0026] In the component configuration of the present disclosure, "components are configured on a substrate" includes components configured on the main surface of a substrate and components configured inside a substrate. "Components are configured on the main surface of a substrate" includes not only components configured in contact with the main surface of a substrate, but also components configured above the main surface without contacting the main surface (for example, components are stacked on other components configured in contact with the main surface). In addition, "components are configured on the main surface of a substrate" may also include components configured in recesses formed on the main surface. "Components are configured inside a substrate" includes not only components encapsulated in a module substrate, but also components that are entirely configured between the two main surfaces of a substrate but a portion of the component is not covered by the substrate, and only a portion of the component is configured inside a substrate.

[0027] In addition, terms such as "parallel" and "perpendicular" that indicate the relationship between elements, terms such as "rectangular" that indicate the shape of elements, and numerical ranges mean substantially equivalent ranges and include, for example, an error of several percent, rather than simply indicating a strict meaning.

[0028] First, as a technique for efficiently amplifying high-frequency signals, the following tracking mode is described: a variable power supply voltage that is dynamically adjusted over time based on the high-frequency signal is supplied to a power amplifier. The tracking mode is a mode that dynamically adjusts the power supply voltage applied to the amplifier circuit. There are several types of tracking modes. Figure 1A to Figure 1C To explain the average power tracking (APT: Average Power Tracking) mode and the envelope tracking (ET: Envelope Tracking) mode (including analog ET mode and digital ET mode). Figure 1A to Figure 1CIn FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage. In addition, the thick solid line represents the power supply voltage and the thin solid line (waveform) represents the modulation wave.

[0029] Figure 1A This is a graph showing an example of the change of the power supply voltage in the APT mode. In the APT mode, the power supply voltage is varied to a plurality of discrete voltage levels in units of one frame. As a result, the power supply voltage signal forms a rectangular wave. In the APT mode, the voltage level of the power supply voltage is determined based on the average output power. In addition, in the APT mode, the voltage level may vary in units smaller than one frame (e.g., a subframe, a time slot, or a symbol). APT in which the voltage level varies in units of a symbol is sometimes referred to as symbol power tracking (SPT: Symbol Power Tracking).

[0030] A frame is a unit of a high frequency signal having a length of 10 milliseconds and includes 10 subframes. A subframe is a unit of a high frequency signal having a length of 1 millisecond and includes 2 slots. A slot is a unit of a high frequency signal having a length of 0.5 milliseconds and includes 6 symbols. A symbol is a unit of a high frequency signal having a length of 71 microseconds and includes a cyclic prefix (CP).

[0031] In the SPT mode, the power supply voltage level is modulated in units of 1 symbol. At this time, the voltage level is changed in the CP interval. For example, in the first symbol, it is changed to a higher voltage level in the CP, and in the second symbol, it is changed to a lower voltage level in the CP. In addition, in subsequent symbols, the voltage level may not be changed. The power supply voltage level can be modulated based on the data signal in each symbol interval.

[0032] In the present disclosure, the APT mode includes the SPT mode, and the APT module includes a module that provides a power supply voltage to the PA module in the SPT mode.

[0033] Figure 1B 1 is a graph showing an example of the change of the power supply voltage in the simulated ET mode. The simulated ET mode is an example of the conventional ET mode. Figure 1B As shown, in the analog ET mode, the power supply voltage is continuously varied to track the envelope of the modulation wave. In the analog ET mode, the power supply voltage is determined based on the envelope signal.

[0034] The envelope signal refers to a signal representing the envelope of the modulated wave. The envelope value is represented by the square root of (I2+Q2), for example. Here, (I, Q) represents a constellation point. A constellation point refers to a point on a constellation diagram where a signal modulated by digital modulation is represented. For example, (I, Q) is determined by a BBIC (Base Band Integrated Circuit) based on transmission information.

[0035] Figure 1C 2 is a graph showing an example of the transition of the power supply voltage in the digital ET mode. Figure 1C As shown in FIG. 1 , in the digital ET mode, the envelope of the modulation wave is tracked by changing the power supply voltage to a plurality of discrete voltage levels within one frame. As a result, the power supply voltage signal forms a rectangular wave. In the digital ET mode, the power supply voltage level is selected or set from a plurality of discrete voltage levels based on the envelope signal.

[0036] (Implementation Method)

[0037] [1 Configuration of Amplifier Circuit 40 and Communication Device 5]

[0038] Reference Figure 2 The amplifier circuit 40 and the communication device 5 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0039] Figure 2 4 is a block diagram of the amplifier circuit 40 and the communication device 5 involved in the embodiment. The communication device 5 involved in this embodiment is equivalent to a user terminal (UE: User Equipment) in a cellular network, typically a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, etc. In addition, the communication device 5 can also be an IoT (Internet of Things) sensor device, a medical / health care device, a vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (so-called drone), and an unmanned transport vehicle (AGV: Automated Guided Vehicle).

[0040] First, the circuit structure of the communication device 5 is described. Figure 2 As shown, the communication device 5 according to the present embodiment includes an amplifier circuit 40 , antennas 3 a and 3 b , and an RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) 4 .

[0041] The amplifier circuit 40 includes a tracker module 1 , a PA module 2 , antenna connection terminals 101 and 102 , signal input terminals 110 and 120 , and a control signal terminal 130 .

[0042] The antennas 3 a and 3 b are connected to the PA module 2 constituting the amplifier circuit 40 , and transmit the high-frequency signal output from the PA module 2 .

[0043] RFIC 4 is an example of a signal processing circuit that processes a high-frequency signal. RFIC 4 has a control unit that controls an amplifier circuit 40. Specifically, RFIC 4 performs signal processing on a transmission signal input from BBIC (not shown) by up-conversion, etc., and outputs the high-frequency transmission signal generated after the signal processing to PA module 2. In addition, RFIC 4 outputs a digital control signal that controls the tracker module 1 to the tracker module 1. In addition, part or all of the function of RFIC 4 as a control unit can also be installed outside RFIC 4, for example, it can also be installed on BBIC, PA module 2 and tracker module 1.

[0044] The PA module 2 is an example of an amplifier module, and receives a variable power supply voltage in APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode from the tracker module 1, amplifies a high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4, and outputs the amplified signal to the antennas 3a and 3b. The PA module 2 includes power amplifiers 21 and 22.

[0045] The power amplifier 21 is an example of a first power amplifier, and is connected to the tracker module 1, the signal input terminal 110, and the antenna connection terminal 101. Specifically, the power terminal of the power amplifier 21 is connected to the output terminal 142 of the tracker module 1, the high-frequency signal input end of the power amplifier 21 is connected to the RFIC 4 via the signal input terminal 110, and the high-frequency signal output end of the power amplifier 21 is connected to the antenna 3a via the antenna connection terminal 101. The power amplifier 21 can amplify the high-frequency signal of the frequency band A (first frequency band), for example.

[0046] The power amplifier 22 is an example of a second power amplifier, and is connected to the tracker module 1, the signal input terminal 120, and the antenna connection terminal 102. Specifically, the power terminal of the power amplifier 22 is connected to the output terminal 143 of the tracker module 1, the high-frequency signal input end of the power amplifier 22 is connected to the RFIC 4 via the signal input terminal 120, and the high-frequency signal output end of the power amplifier 22 is connected to the antenna 3b via the antenna connection terminal 102. The power amplifier 22 can amplify the high-frequency signal of the frequency band B, for example.

[0047] In addition, the PA module 2 may also include a first filter connected between the power amplifier 21 and the antenna connection terminal 101, and a second filter connected between the power amplifier 22 and the antenna connection terminal 102. The first filter includes, for example, a frequency band A as a passband, and the second filter includes, for example, a frequency band B (second frequency band) as a passband.

[0048] According to the above-described structure of the PA module 2 , the PA module 2 can amplify the high-frequency signal of at least one of the frequency bands A and B and output the amplified signal to the antennas 3 a and 3 b .

[0049] The tracker module 1 can supply a variable power supply voltage based on the APT mode, the analog ET mode, the digital ET mode, etc. to the PA module 2. The tracker module 1 includes trackers 11 and 12, switches 31, 32, and 33, a control circuit 10, and output terminals 142 and 143.

[0050] The tracker 11 is an example of a first tracker, and can generate a first variable power supply voltage by receiving a control signal output from the control circuit 10, and apply the first variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 or 143. The tracker 11 is composed of, for example, a converter circuit having an inductor and a switch. The converter circuit converts the battery voltage (Vcc) into magnetic energy by the inductor through the on-off control of the switch, and then outputs it as the first variable power supply voltage.

[0051] The tracker 12 is an example of a second tracker, and can generate a second variable power supply voltage by receiving a control signal output from the control circuit 10, and apply the second variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 or 143. The tracker 12 is composed of, for example, a converter circuit having an inductor and a switch. The converter circuit controls the on / off of the switch to step up or step down the magnetic energy generated by the inductor and output it as a second variable power supply voltage.

[0052] The switch 31 is an example of a first switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output end of the tracker 12. The switch 31 is formed of, for example, a single SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switch.

[0053] The switch 33 is an example of a second switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 12 and the output terminal 143. The switch 33 is formed of, for example, one SPST switch.

[0054] The switch 32 is an example of a third switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output terminal 142. The switch 32 is formed of, for example, one SPST switch.

[0055] The output terminal 142 is an example of a first output terminal, and is connected to the switch 32 and the power amplifier 21. The output terminal 143 is an example of a second output terminal, and is connected to the switch 33 and the power amplifier 22.

[0056] The control circuit 10 is connected to the trackers 11 and 12 and switches 31, 32 and 33 (the connection state with the switches 31 to 33 is not shown). The control circuit 10 controls the trackers 11 and 12 and the switches 31 to 33 based on the envelope information (envelope signal) of the modulated wave input from the RFIC 4 via the control signal terminal 130 or the output power information of the power amplifier, so that the variable power supply voltage is output from the trackers 11 and 12.

[0057] For example, when both the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 and the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 are to be supplied to the power amplifier 21 , the control circuit 10 turns on the switches 31 and 32 and turns off the switch 33 .

[0058] Furthermore, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 21 , the control circuit 10 puts the switch 31 in a non-conductive state and puts the switch 32 in a conductive state.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 22 , the control circuit 10 puts the switch 31 in a non-conductive state and puts the switch 33 in a conductive state.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 21 , the control circuit 10 turns on the switches 31 and 32 and turns off the switch 33 .

[0061] Furthermore, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 22 , the control circuit 10 turns on the switches 31 and 33 and turns off the switch 32 .

[0062] According to the control circuit 10, the operation of the trackers 11 and 12 can be optimized. Specifically, by switching control of the switches 31 to 33, the tracker 11 can output a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the output power of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 to the power amplifier 21 or 22, and the tracker 12 can output a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the output power of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 to the power amplifier 21 or 22.

[0063] In the communication device 5 according to this embodiment, when the power amplifiers 21 and 22 are respectively performing normal operations, a variable power supply voltage (power supply current) is supplied from the tracker 11 to the power amplifier 21 , and a variable power supply voltage (power supply current) is supplied from the tracker 12 to the power amplifier 22 .

[0064] However, for example, when a high-power signal with a high output power level is instructed from the base station to the communication device 5, when a variable power supply voltage (power supply current) is provided from the tracker 11 unit or the tracker 12 unit to each of the power amplifiers 21 and 22, the efficiency of the tracker 11 unit or the tracker 12 unit may decrease due to the large variable power supply voltage (power supply current). In addition, one tracker 11 or the tracker 12 may bear an excessive load and generate heat, thereby reducing the efficiency of the tracker and the power amplifiers 21 and 22.

[0065] In contrast, according to the amplifier circuit 40 and the tracker module 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to select both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage to each of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 by switching control of the switches 31 to 33. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifiers 21 and 22 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0066] In addition, the switch 32 may not be provided in the amplifier circuit 40, and the output end of the tracker 11 may be directly connected to the output terminal 142. In this case, the variable power supply voltage can be supplied from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21, and the variable power supply voltage can be supplied from only the tracker 12 to the power amplifier 22.

[0067] In this case, since a variable power supply voltage can be supplied from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21 , a decrease in efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 is suppressed, and efficiency improvement and low power consumption of the amplifier circuit 40 can be achieved.

[0068] in addition, Figure 2 The circuit configuration of the communication device 5 shown in FIG. 5 is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 5 may not include the antennas 3a and 3b.

[0069] In addition, the high-frequency signals of band A and band B transmitted by PA module 2 may also belong to the low-frequency band group (600MHz-1GHz), for example. In addition, the high-frequency signals of band A and band B transmitted by PA module 2 may also belong to the medium-high frequency band group (1.5GHz-2.8GHz), for example. In addition, the high-frequency signals of band A and band B transmitted by PA module 2 may also be high-frequency signals of any of bands n77, n78 and n79 of 5G (5th Generation)-NR (New Radio), for example.

[0070] Furthermore, in the amplifier circuit 40, the tracker 11 may support an analog ET mode in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a continuous voltage level in accordance with the envelope (envelope signal) of the high-frequency input signal input to the power amplifiers 21 and 22, and the tracker 12 may support an APT mode in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a plurality of discrete voltage levels in accordance with the average output power of the high-frequency signal output from the power amplifiers 21 and 22. In this case, the power amplifier 21 is input with a first high-frequency input signal having a first channel bandwidth or a second high-frequency input signal having a second channel bandwidth wider than the first channel bandwidth.

[0071] Here, it is also possible that when a first high-frequency input signal is input to the power amplifier 21, the control circuit 10 causes a variable power supply voltage to be provided from the tracker 11 to the power amplifier 21, and when a second high-frequency input signal is input to the power amplifier 21, the control circuit 10 causes a variable power supply voltage to be provided from the tracker 12 to the power amplifier 22.

[0072] According to this, a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the channel bandwidth of the high-frequency signal is supplied to the power amplifier 21 , so that the efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 is improved.

[0073] [2 Configuration of Amplifier Circuit 40A and Communication Device 5A According to Modification 1]

[0074] Next, refer to Figure 3 An amplifier circuit 40A and a communication device 5A according to Modification 1 will be described.

[0075] Figure 3 1 is a structural diagram of an amplifier circuit 40A and a communication device 5A according to a modification example 1 of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the communication device 5A according to the modification example 1 includes an amplifier circuit 40A, antennas 3a and 3b, and an RFIC 4. The communication device 5A according to this modification example is different from the communication device 5 according to the embodiment in that the structure of the amplifier circuit 40A is different. The communication device 5A according to this modification example will be described below, centering on the differences from the communication device 5 according to the embodiment.

[0076] The amplifier circuit 40A includes a tracker module 1A, a PA module 2A, antenna connection terminals 101 and 102 , signal input terminals 110 and 120 , and a control signal terminal 130 .

[0077] The PA module 2A is an example of an amplifier module, and receives a variable power supply voltage based on the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode from the tracker module 1A, amplifies the high-frequency signal input from the RFIC 4, and outputs it to the antennas 3a and 3b. The PA module 2A includes power amplifiers 21 and 22, switches 31, 32, and 33, and input terminals 152 and 153.

[0078] The power amplifier 21 is an example of a first power amplifier, and is connected to the switch 32, the signal input terminal 110, and the antenna connection terminal 101. Specifically, the power supply terminal of the power amplifier 21 is connected to the input terminal 152 via the switch 32, the high-frequency signal input terminal of the power amplifier 21 is connected to the RFIC 4 via the signal input terminal 110, and the high-frequency signal output terminal of the power amplifier 21 is connected to the antenna 3a via the antenna connection terminal 101. The power amplifier 21 can amplify the high-frequency signal of the frequency band A (first frequency band), for example.

[0079] The power amplifier 22 is an example of a second power amplifier, and is connected to the switch 33, the signal input terminal 120, and the antenna connection terminal 102. Specifically, the power terminal of the power amplifier 22 is connected to the input terminal 153 via the switch 33, the high-frequency signal input terminal of the power amplifier 22 is connected to the RFIC 4 via the signal input terminal 120, and the high-frequency signal output terminal of the power amplifier 22 is connected to the antenna 3b via the antenna connection terminal 102. The power amplifier 22 can amplify the high-frequency signal of the frequency band B (the second frequency band), for example.

[0080] The switch 31 is an example of a first switch, and is connected between the input terminal 152 and the input terminal 153. The switch 31 is formed of, for example, one SPST switch.

[0081] The switch 33 is an example of a second switch, and is connected between the power amplifier 22 and the input terminal 153. The switch 33 is formed of, for example, one SPST switch.

[0082] The switch 32 is an example of a third switch, and is connected between the power amplifier 21 and the input terminal 152. The switch 32 is formed of, for example, one SPST switch.

[0083] The input terminal 152 is an example of a first input terminal, and is connected to the switch 32 and the tracker 11. The first variable power supply voltage is applied to the input terminal 152 from the tracker 11. The input terminal 153 is an example of a second input terminal, and is connected to the switch 33 and the tracker 12. The second variable power supply voltage is applied to the input terminal 153 from the tracker 12.

[0084] In addition, the PA module 2A may also include a first filter connected between the power amplifier 21 and the antenna connection terminal 101, and a second filter connected between the power amplifier 22 and the antenna connection terminal 102. The first filter includes, for example, a frequency band A as a passband, and the second filter includes, for example, a frequency band B (second frequency band) as a passband.

[0085] According to the above-described configuration of the PA module 2A, the PA module 2A can amplify a high-frequency signal in at least one of the frequency bands A and B and output the amplified signal to the antennas 3 a and 3 b .

[0086] The tracker module 1A can supply a variable power supply voltage to the PA module 2A in an APT mode, an analog ET mode, a digital ET mode, etc. The tracker module 1A includes trackers 11 and 12 and a control circuit 10 .

[0087] The tracker 11 is an example of a first tracker, and generates a first variable power supply voltage in response to a control signal output from the control circuit 10 , and outputs the first variable power supply voltage to the input terminal 152 of the PA module 2A.

[0088] The tracker 12 is an example of a second tracker, and generates a second variable power supply voltage in response to a control signal output from the control circuit 10 , and outputs the second variable power supply voltage to the input terminal 153 of the PA module 2A.

[0089] The control circuit 10 is connected to the trackers 11 and 12. The control circuit 10 controls the trackers 11 and 12 based on the envelope information (envelope signal) of the modulation wave input from the RFIC 4 via the control signal terminal 130 or the output power information of the power amplifier so that the trackers 11 and 12 output a variable power supply voltage.

[0090] Furthermore, the control circuit 10 may also control the switching of the switches 31 to 33 of the PA module 2A.

[0091] In the amplifier circuit 40A, for example, when both the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 and the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 are to be supplied to the power amplifier 21, the switches 31 and 32 are in the conducting state, and the switch 33 is in the non-conducting state. Also, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 21, the switch 31 is in the non-conducting state, and the switch 32 is in the conducting state. Also, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 22, the switch 31 is in the non-conducting state, and the switch 33 is in the conducting state. Also, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 21, the switches 31 and 32 are in the conducting state, and the switch 33 is in the non-conducting state. Also, for example, when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 is to be supplied to the power amplifier 22, the switches 31 and 33 are in the conducting state, and the switch 32 is in the non-conducting state.

[0092] By controlling the trackers 11, 12 and the switches 31 to 33 as described above, the operations of the trackers 11 and 12 can be optimized. Specifically, through the switching operations of the switches 31 to 33, the tracker 11 can output a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the output power of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 to the power amplifier 21 or 22, and the tracker 12 can output a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the output power of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 to the power amplifier 21 or 22.

[0093] According to the amplifier circuit 40A and the PA module 2A involved in this modification, it is possible to select both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage to each of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 by switching control of the switches 31 to 33. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifiers 21 and 22 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40A can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0094] In the amplifier circuit 40A, the switch 32 may not be provided, and the power amplifier 21 may be directly connected to the input terminal 152. In this case, the variable power supply voltage can be supplied to the power amplifier 21 from both the trackers 11 and 12, and the variable power supply voltage can be supplied to the power amplifier 22 only from the tracker 12.

[0095] In this case, since a variable power supply voltage can be supplied from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21 , a decrease in efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 is suppressed, and efficiency improvement and low power consumption of the amplifier circuit 40A can be achieved.

[0096] in addition, Figure 3The circuit configuration of the communication device 5A shown in FIG. 1 is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 5A may not include the antennas 3a and 3b.

[0097] [3 Tracker switching control based on tracker efficiency characteristics]

[0098] Next, refer to Figure 4 The efficiency characteristics of the trackers 11 and 12 and the switching control of the trackers 11 and 12 based on the efficiency characteristics will be described.

[0099] Figure 4 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the output current and the tracker efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 according to the embodiment. The efficiency (%) (power added efficiency) of the tracker 11 relative to the output current is shown in the graph. As shown in the graph, the efficiency of the tracker 11 changes depending on the output current, and also changes depending on the resistance value (0.01Ω to 2Ω) when the power amplifier 21, which is the supply destination of the variable power supply voltage, is regarded as the load impedance.

[0100] When the power amplifier 21 performs an amplification operation, if the tracker 11 outputs a tracker output current that increases the efficiency of the tracker 11, the efficiency of the tracker 11 and the amplifier circuit 40 is improved. In addition, the system current of the tracker 11 required to generate the tracker output current can be reduced, so the power consumption of the amplifier circuit 40 can be reduced.

[0101] However, the tracker output current is not determined by the high efficiency point of the tracker 11 but is determined by the envelope signal or the output power of the power amplifier 21. Therefore, when the tracker 11 is used alone, the efficiency of the tracker 11 varies.

[0102] Here, when the output current of the tracker 11 is set to I out hour, Figure 4 The tracker efficiency shown is expressed as the output current I out The function f PAE (I out ). In this case, the system current I of the tracker 11 sys It is expressed as the following formula 1.

[0103] I sys =I out / f PAE (I out ) (Formula 1)

[0104] In addition, when the variable power supply voltage is supplied to the power amplifier 21 from both the trackers 11 and 12, the system current I sys1 and the system current I of the tracker 12 sys2It is expressed as the following formula 2. In addition, it is assumed that the efficiency characteristic of the tracker 12 is the same as the efficiency characteristic of the tracker 11 .

[0105] I sys1 =I sys2 =(I out / 2) / f PAE (I out / 2) (Formula 2)

[0106] At this time, the total system current I when the variable power supply voltage is supplied to the power amplifier 21 from both the trackers 11 and 12 is sys3 It is expressed as the following formula 3.

[0107] I sys3 =2×(I out / 2) / f PAE (I out / 2) (Formula 3)

[0108] Here, when the power amplifier 21 is operated, the efficiency of the tracker can be improved by providing a variable power supply voltage from both the tracker 11 and 12 rather than from the tracker 11 alone, which is a case where the system current can be reduced. From this point of view, the following formula 4 becomes a condition.

[0109] I sys3 <I sys (Formula 4)

[0110] When equation 1 and equation 3 are substituted into equation 4, the following equation 5 is obtained.

[0111] f PAE (I out / 2)>f PAE (I out ) (Formula 5)

[0112] That is, Equation 5 shows that: out The efficiency under PAE Less than the tracker output current I out 1 / 2 of the tracker output current (I out / 2) PAE In this case, the use of both trackers 11 and 12 can improve the tracker efficiency compared to the use of tracker 11 alone.

[0113] For example, refer to Figure 4 , assuming that 800mA is required as the output current of the tracker when the load impedance of the power amplifier 21 is 2Ω. In this case, when the tracker 11 is used alone, the tracker efficiency is about 50%, and the system current I sys=1.6A (=0.8A / 50%). On the other hand, when trackers 11 and 12 are used, the output current of trackers 11 and 12 can be 400mA respectively. Figure 4 , the tracker efficiency is about 65% when the output current is 400mA, and the total system current I of trackers 11 and 12 is sys3 It becomes 1.23A (=2×0.4A / 65%).

[0114] That is, the tracker efficiency (50%) when the output current is 800 mA is lower than the tracker efficiency (65%) when the output current is 400 mA. Therefore, using two trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage can further reduce the current consumption.

[0115] From the above viewpoint, when the above formula 5 is satisfied, the control circuit 10 turns on the switches 31 and 32 and turns off the switch 33. Accordingly, when the above formula 5 is satisfied, the variable power supply voltage can be provided from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21, so that the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0116] In addition, in this embodiment, a method of switching two trackers 11 and 12 is shown, but the amplifier circuit 40 involved in this embodiment may also have n trackers. In this case, when the power amplifier 21 is operated, the following formula 6 becomes a condition for improving the efficiency of the tracker by providing a variable power supply voltage (tracker output current) from n trackers instead of the tracker 11 alone.

[0117] f PAE (I out / n)>f PAE (I out ) (Formula 6)

[0118] [4. Configuration of Amplifier Circuit 40B According to Modification 2]

[0119] Next, refer to Figure 5 An amplifier circuit 40B according to Modification 2 will be described.

[0120] Figure 51 is a structural diagram of an amplifier circuit 40B according to a second modification of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the amplifier circuit 40B according to the second modification includes a tracker module 1B, PA modules 23, 24, and 25, antenna connection terminals 101, 102, and 103, signal input terminals 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, and 133, and a control signal terminal 130. The amplifier circuit 40B according to this modification is different from the amplifier circuit 40 according to the embodiment in that the tracker module 1B has a structure and that a plurality of PA modules 23 to 25 are provided. The amplifier circuit 40B according to this modification will be described below, centering on the differences from the amplifier circuit 40 according to the embodiment.

[0121] The antenna connection terminal 101 is connected to the PA module 23 and the antenna 3a. The antenna connection terminal 102 is connected to the PA module 24 and the antenna 3b. The antenna connection terminal 103 is connected to the PA module 25 and the antenna 3c.

[0122] The PA module 23 receives a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1B in the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode, and amplifies the high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4 and outputs it to the antenna 3a. The PA module 23 includes power amplifiers 41, 42, and 43, filters 51, 52, and 53, and a switch 61.

[0123] The power amplifier 41 is connected to the output terminal 142, the signal input terminal 111, and the filter 51. The power amplifier 42 is connected to the output terminal 142, the signal input terminal 112, and the filter 52. The power amplifier 43 is connected to the output terminal 142, the signal input terminal 113, and the filter 53.

[0124] The filter 51 is connected between the power amplifier 41 and the switch 61, and includes the frequency band A1 as a passband. The filter 52 is connected between the power amplifier 42 and the switch 61, and includes the frequency band A2 as a passband. The filter 53 is connected between the power amplifier 43 and the switch 61, and includes the frequency band A3 as a passband.

[0125] The switch 61 has a common terminal and three selection terminals, and switches the connection between the common terminal and one of the three selection terminals. The common terminal is connected to the antenna connection terminal 101, and the three selection terminals are connected to the filters 51 to 53, respectively.

[0126] The PA module 23 transmits, for example, a high frequency signal of a low frequency band group (600 MHz-1 GHz).

[0127] The PA module 24 receives a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1B in the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode, and amplifies the high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4 and outputs it to the antenna 3b. The PA module 24 includes power amplifiers 44, 45, and 46, filters 54, 55, and 56, and a switch 62.

[0128] The power amplifier 44 is connected to the output terminal 143, the signal input terminal 121, and the filter 54. The power amplifier 45 is connected to the output terminal 143, the signal input terminal 122, and the filter 55. The power amplifier 46 is connected to the output terminal 143, the signal input terminal 123, and the filter 56.

[0129] Filter 54 is connected between power amplifier 44 and switch 62, and includes frequency band B1 as a passband. Filter 55 is connected between power amplifier 45 and switch 62, and includes frequency band B2 as a passband. Filter 56 is connected between power amplifier 46 and switch 62, and includes frequency band B3 as a passband.

[0130] The switch 62 has a common terminal and three selection terminals, and switches the connection between the common terminal and one of the three selection terminals. The common terminal is connected to the antenna connection terminal 102, and the three selection terminals are connected to the filters 54 to 56, respectively.

[0131] The PA module 24 transmits, for example, high frequency signals in the mid- to high-frequency band group (1.5 GHz-2.8 GHz).

[0132] The PA module 25 receives a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1B in the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode, and amplifies the high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4 and outputs it to the antenna 3c. The PA module 25 includes power amplifiers 47, 48, and 49, filters 57, 58, and 59, and a switch 63.

[0133] The power amplifier 47 is connected to the output terminal 144, the signal input terminal 131, and the filter 57. The power amplifier 48 is connected to the output terminal 144, the signal input terminal 132, and the filter 58. The power amplifier 49 is connected to the output terminal 144, the signal input terminal 133, and the filter 59.

[0134] Filter 57 is connected between power amplifier 47 and switch 63, and includes frequency band C1 as a passband. Filter 58 is connected between power amplifier 48 and switch 63, and includes frequency band C2 as a passband. Filter 59 is connected between power amplifier 49 and switch 63, and includes frequency band C3 as a passband.

[0135] The switch 63 has a common terminal and three selection terminals, and switches the connection between the common terminal and one of the three selection terminals. The common terminal is connected to the antenna connection terminal 103, and the three selection terminals are connected to the filters 57 to 59, respectively.

[0136] The PA module 25 transmits a high-frequency signal of at least one of the frequency bands n77, n78 and n79 of 5G-NR, for example.

[0137] According to the above configuration of the PA modules 23 to 25 , at least two of the high frequency signal transmitted in the PA module 23 , the high frequency signal transmitted in the PA module 24 , and the high frequency signal transmitted in the PA module 25 can be transmitted simultaneously.

[0138] The tracker module 1B can provide a variable power supply voltage based on the APT mode, the analog ET mode, the digital ET mode, etc. to the PA modules 23, 24, and 25. The tracker module 1B includes trackers 11, 12, and 13, switches 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35, a control circuit 10, and output terminals 142, 143, and 144.

[0139] The tracker 11 is an example of a first tracker, and generates a first variable power supply voltage in response to a control signal output from the control circuit 10 , and applies the first variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 , 143 , or 144 .

[0140] The tracker 12 is an example of a second tracker, and generates a second variable power supply voltage in response to a control signal output from the control circuit 10 , and applies the second variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 , 143 , or 144 .

[0141] The tracker 13 receives the control signal output from the control circuit 10 to generate a third variable power supply voltage, and applies the third variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 , 143 , or 144 .

[0142] The switch 31 is an example of a first switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output end of the tracker 12. The switch 33 is an example of a second switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 12 and the output terminal 143. The switch 32 is an example of a third switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output terminal 142. The switch 35 is connected between the output end of the tracker 12 and the output end of the tracker 13. The switch 34 is connected between the output end of the tracker 13 and the output terminal 144.

[0143] Output terminal 142 is an example of a first output terminal, and is connected to switch 32 and power amplifiers 41 to 43. Output terminal 143 is an example of a second output terminal, and is connected to switch 33 and power amplifiers 44 to 46. Output terminal 144 is connected to switch 34 and power amplifiers 47 to 49.

[0144] The control circuit 10 is connected to the trackers 11 to 13 and switches 31 to 35 (the connection state with the switches 31 to 35 is not shown). The control circuit 10 controls the trackers 11 to 13 and the switches 31 to 35 based on the envelope information (envelope signal) of the modulated wave input from the RFIC 4 via the control signal terminal 130 or the output power information of the power amplifier, so that the trackers 11 to 13 output a variable power supply voltage.

[0145] The control circuit 10 can optimize the operations of the trackers 11 to 13. Specifically, by switching control of the switches 31 to 35, the trackers 11 to 13 can output variable power supply voltages corresponding to the output powers of the power amplifiers 41 to 49 to the power amplifiers 41 to 49, respectively.

[0146] According to the amplifier circuit 40B involved in this modification, at least one of the trackers 11 to 13 can be selected to provide a variable power supply voltage to each of the power amplifiers 41 to 49 by switching control of the switches 31 to 35. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 to 13 and the power amplifiers 41 to 49 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40B can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0147] In the amplifier circuit 40B, the number of trackers may be 4 or more. In addition, the number of PA modules may be 1 or more. In addition, any of the switches 32, 33, and 34 may not be provided.

[0148] In addition, the power amplifiers 41 to 43 of the PA module 23 are all connected to the output terminal 142, but they can also be connected to different output terminals. In other words, the power amplifiers included in the same PA module can also be connected to different output terminals. In addition, the power amplifiers included in different PA modules can also be connected to the same output terminal.

[0149] In addition, the PA modules 23 to 25 do not need to be connected to the different antennas 3 a to 3 c , but may be connected to the same antenna.

[0150] In addition, the amplifier circuit 40B involved in this modification can also be mounted on the main board together with the antennas 3a to 3c and the RFIC 4. In this case, the tracker module 1B is mounted on the first module substrate, the PA module 23 is mounted on the second module substrate, the PA module 24 is mounted on the third module substrate, and the PA module 25 is mounted on the fourth module substrate. The first module substrate, the second module substrate, the third module substrate, and the fourth module substrate are arranged on the main board.

[0151] Alternatively, the tracker module 1B may be included in a first semiconductor IC, the PA module 23 may be included in a second semiconductor IC, the PA module 24 may be included in a third semiconductor IC, the PA module 25 may be included in a fourth semiconductor IC, and the first semiconductor IC, the second semiconductor IC, the third semiconductor IC and the fourth semiconductor IC may be configured on a main board.

[0152] In addition, the switches 31 to 35 may be included in a switch IC different from the first semiconductor IC.

[0153] The first to fourth semiconductor ICs and the switch IC are configured using, for example, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and specifically, can be manufactured using an SOI (Silicon on Insulator) process.

[0154] [5. Configuration of Amplifier Circuit 40C According to Modification 3]

[0155] Next, refer to Figure 6 An amplifier circuit 40C according to Modification 3 will be described.

[0156] Figure 6 1 is a block diagram of an amplifier circuit 40C according to a third modification of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the amplifier circuit 40C according to the third modification includes a tracker module 1C, PA modules 23, 24, and 25, antenna connection terminals 101, 102, and 103, signal input terminals 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, and 133, and a control signal terminal 130. The amplifier circuit 40C according to this modification is different from the amplifier circuit 40B according to the second modification in that the tracker module 1C and the PA module 24 are structured differently. In the following, the description of the amplifier circuit 40C according to this modification will be omitted for the same structure as the amplifier circuit 40B according to the second modification, and the description will be centered on the different structures.

[0157] The PA module 23 receives a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1C in the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode, and amplifies the high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4 and outputs it to the antenna 3a. The PA module 23 includes power amplifiers 41, 42, and 43, filters 51, 52, and 53, and a switch 61.

[0158] The power amplifier 41 is connected to the output terminal 142, the signal input terminal 111, and the filter 51. The power amplifier 42 is connected to the output terminal 142, the signal input terminal 112, and the filter 52. The power amplifier 43 is connected to the output terminal 142, the signal input terminal 113, and the filter 53.

[0159] The PA module 24 receives a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1C in the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode, and amplifies the high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4 and outputs it to the antenna 3b. The PA module 24 includes power amplifiers 44, 45, and 46, filters 54, 55, and 56, and a switch 62.

[0160] The power amplifier 44 is an example of a second power amplifier, and is connected to the output terminal 144, the signal input terminal 121, and the filter 54. The power amplifier 45 is an example of a first power amplifier, and is connected to the output terminal 143, the signal input terminal 122, and the filter 55. The power amplifier 46 is an example of a third power amplifier, and is connected to the output terminal 143, the signal input terminal 123, and the filter 56.

[0161] The PA module 25 receives a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1C in the APT mode, analog ET mode, or digital ET mode, and amplifies the high frequency signal input from the RFIC 4 and outputs it to the antenna 3c. The PA module 25 includes power amplifiers 47, 48, and 49, filters 57, 58, and 59, and a switch 63.

[0162] The power amplifier 47 is connected to the output terminal 145, the signal input terminal 131, and the filter 57. The power amplifier 48 is connected to the output terminal 145, the signal input terminal 132, and the filter 58. The power amplifier 49 is connected to the output terminal 145, the signal input terminal 133, and the filter 59.

[0163] According to the above configuration of the PA modules 23 to 25 , at least two of the high frequency signal transmitted in the PA module 23 , the high frequency signal transmitted in the PA module 24 , and the high frequency signal transmitted in the PA module 25 can be transmitted simultaneously.

[0164] The tracker module 1C can provide a variable power supply voltage based on the APT mode, the analog ET mode, the digital ET mode, etc. to the PA modules 23, 24, and 25. The tracker module 1C includes trackers 11, 12, 13, and 14, switches 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, a control circuit 10, and output terminals 142, 143, 144, and 145.

[0165] The tracker 11 receives a control signal output from the control circuit 10 to generate a variable power supply voltage, and outputs the variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 , 143 , 144 , or 145 .

[0166] The tracker 12 is an example of a first tracker, and generates a variable power supply voltage in response to a control signal output from the control circuit 10 , and outputs the variable power supply voltage to an output terminal 142 , 143 , 144 , or 145 .

[0167] The tracker 13 is an example of a second tracker, and generates a variable power supply voltage in response to a control signal output from the control circuit 10 , and outputs the variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 , 143 , 144 , or 145 .

[0168] The tracker 14 receives the control signal output from the control circuit 10 to generate a variable power supply voltage, and outputs the variable power supply voltage to the output terminal 142 , 143 , 144 , or 145 .

[0169] The switch 31 is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output end of the tracker 12. The switch 35 is an example of a first switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 12 and the output end of the tracker 13. The switch 37 is connected between the output end of the tracker 13 and the output end of the tracker 14. The switch 32 is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output terminal 142. The switch 33 is an example of a third switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 12 and the output terminal 143. The switch 34 is an example of a second switch, and is connected between the output end of the tracker 13 and the output terminal 144. The switch 36 is connected between the output end of the tracker 14 and the output terminal 145.

[0170] Output terminal 142 is connected to switch 32 and power amplifiers 41 to 43. Output terminal 143 is an example of a first output terminal and is connected to switch 33 and power amplifiers 45 and 46. Output terminal 144 is an example of a second output terminal and is connected to switch 34 and power amplifier 44. Output terminal 145 is connected to switch 36 and power amplifiers 47 to 49.

[0171] The control circuit 10 is connected to the trackers 11 to 14 and the switches 31 to 37 (the connection state is not shown). The control circuit 10 controls the trackers 11 to 14 and the switches 31 to 37 based on the envelope information (envelope signal) of the modulation wave input from the RFIC 4 via the control signal terminal 130 or the output power information of the power amplifier, so that the trackers 11 to 14 output a variable power supply voltage.

[0172] The control circuit 10 can optimize the operations of the trackers 11 to 14. Specifically, by switching control of the switches 31 to 37, the trackers 11 to 14 can output variable power supply voltages corresponding to the output powers of the power amplifiers 41 to 49 to the power amplifiers 41 to 49, respectively.

[0173] According to the amplifier circuit 40C involved in this modification, at least one of the trackers 11 to 14 can be selected to provide a variable power supply voltage to each of the power amplifiers 41 to 49 by switching control of the switches 31 to 37. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 to 14 and the power amplifiers 41 to 49 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40C can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0174] In the amplifier circuit 40C, the number of trackers may be 2 or more. In addition, the number of PA modules may be 1 or more. In addition, any of the switches 32, 33, 34, and 36 may not be provided.

[0175] In addition, the power amplifiers 41 to 43 of the PA module 23 are all connected to the output terminal 142, but they can also be connected to different output terminals. In addition, the power amplifiers 47 to 49 of the PA module 25 are all connected to the output terminal 145, but they can also be connected to different output terminals. In other words, the power amplifiers included in the same PA module can also be connected to different output terminals. In addition, the power amplifiers included in different PA modules can also be connected to the same output terminal.

[0176] In addition, the PA modules 23 to 25 do not need to be connected to the different antennas 3 a to 3 c , but may be connected to the same antenna.

[0177] [6 Effects, etc.]

[0178] As described above, the amplifier circuit 40 involved in this embodiment includes: power amplifiers 21 and 22; trackers 11 and 12 capable of outputting variable power supply voltages; a switch 31 connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output end of the tracker 12; and a switch 33 connected between the output end of the tracker 12 and the power amplifier 22, wherein the output end of the tracker 11 is connected to the power amplifier 21.

[0179] When the power amplifiers 21 and 22 are respectively operating normally, a variable power supply voltage (power supply current) is supplied from the tracker 11 to the power amplifier 21, and a variable power supply voltage (power supply current) is supplied from the tracker 12 to the power amplifier 22. However, for example, when a high-power signal indicating a high output power level is supplied from the tracker 11 alone to the power amplifier 21, the variable power supply voltage (power supply current) is large, and thus the efficiency of the tracker 11 is reduced. In addition, the tracker 11 may bear an excessive load and the tracker 11 may generate heat, thereby reducing the efficiency of the tracker 11 and the power amplifier 21.

[0180] In contrast, according to the amplifier circuit 40, by switching control of the switches 31 and 33, it is possible to select both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage to the power amplifier 21. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the tracker 11 and the power amplifier 21 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0181] For example, the amplifier circuit 40 may further include a switch 32 connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the power amplifier 21 .

[0182] According to this, by switching control of switches 31 to 33, it is possible to select both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage to each of the power amplifiers 21 and 22. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifiers 21 and 22 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0183] In addition, for example, in the amplifier circuit 40, the tracker 11 can output a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the envelope signal or the average output power of the power amplifier 21 to the power amplifier 21, and the tracker 12 can output a variable power supply voltage corresponding to the envelope signal or the average output power of the power amplifier 22 to the power amplifier 22.

[0184] According to this, the efficiency of the power amplifiers 21 and 22 can be improved.

[0185] For example, the amplifier circuit 40 may further include a control circuit 10 , and the control circuit 10 may be connected to the trackers 11 and 12 and the switches 31 and 33 .

[0186] According to this, by controlling the trackers 11 and 12 and the switches 31 and 33 , the operations of the trackers 11 and 12 can be optimized, and the efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 can be improved.

[0187] For example, in the amplifier circuit 40, when the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 and the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 are to be provided to the power amplifier 21, the control circuit 10 makes the switch 31 conductive and the switch 33 non-conductive; when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 11 is to be provided to the power amplifier 21, the control circuit 10 makes the switch 31 non-conductive; when only the variable power supply voltage of the tracker 12 is to be provided to the power amplifier 22, the control circuit 10 makes the switch 31 non-conductive and the switch 33 conductive.

[0188] According to this, by switching control of switches 31 and 33, it is possible to select both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage to each of the power amplifiers 21 and 22. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifiers 21 and 22 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0189] For example, in the amplifier circuit 40, the output current of the tracker 11 may be set to I out , and will be expressed as the output current I out The efficiency of the tracker 11 is set as f PAE (I out ), when f PAE (I out / 2)>f PAE (I out ), the control circuit 10 turns the switch 31 into a conducting state and turns the switch 33 into a non-conducting state.

[0190] Accordingly, when the above equation is satisfied, a variable power supply voltage can be provided from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21, so that the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0191] For example, the amplifier circuit 40 may also include: a first filter, which is connected to the output end of the power amplifier 21 and has a passband including frequency band A; and a second filter, which is connected to the output end of the power amplifier 22 and has a passband including frequency band B different from frequency band A.

[0192] According to this, the power amplifiers 21 and 22 are not amplifiers arranged in cascade connection at the front stage and the back stage, but amplify high-frequency signals of different frequency bands.

[0193] For example, in the amplifier circuit 40C according to Modification 3, the power amplifier 45 is connected to one end of the switch 33 , the power amplifier 44 is connected to one end of the switch 34 , and the power amplifier 46 is connected to one end of the switch 33 .

[0194] Thus, similar to the power amplifier 45 , a variable power supply voltage can be supplied to the power amplifier 46 from both the trackers 12 and 13 .

[0195] In addition, for example, in the amplifier circuit 40, the tracker 11 may support an analog ET mode, in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a continuous voltage level in accordance with the envelope of the high-frequency input signal input to the power amplifiers 21 and 22, and the tracker 12 supports an APT mode, in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a plurality of discrete voltage levels in accordance with the average output power of the high-frequency signal output from the power amplifiers 21 and 22. The power amplifier 21 is input with a first high-frequency input signal having a first channel bandwidth and a second high-frequency input signal having a second channel bandwidth wider than the first channel bandwidth. When the first high-frequency input signal is input to the power amplifier 21, the control circuit 10 causes the variable power supply voltage to be provided from the tracker 11 to the power amplifier 21, and when the second high-frequency input signal is input to the power amplifier 21, the control circuit 10 causes the variable power supply voltage to be provided from the tracker 12 to the power amplifier 21.

[0196] According to this, a variable power supply voltage is provided to the power amplifier 21 according to the channel bandwidth of the high-frequency signal, so the efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 is improved.

[0197] In addition, the tracker module 1 involved in this embodiment includes: output terminals 142 and 143; a tracker 11, which is capable of outputting a first variable power supply voltage to the output terminals 142 and 143; a tracker 12, which is capable of outputting a second variable power supply voltage to the output terminals 142 and 143; a switch 31, which is connected between the output end of the tracker 11 and the output end of the tracker 12; and a switch 33, which is connected between the tracker 12 and the output terminal 143.

[0198] According to this, by switching control of switches 31 and 33, both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 can be selected to provide a variable power supply voltage to the power amplifier connected to the output terminal 142. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the tracker 11 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0199] For example, the tracker module 1 may further include a switch 32 connected between the tracker 11 and the output terminal 142 .

[0200] According to this, by switching control of the switches 31 to 33, it is possible to select both or either of the trackers 11 and 12 to provide a variable power supply voltage to each power amplifier connected to the output terminals 142 and 143. Therefore, the efficiency reduction of the trackers 11 and 12 is suppressed, and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit 40 can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0201] For example, the tracker module 1 may further include a control circuit 10 , and the control circuit 10 may be connected to the trackers 11 and 12 and the switches 31 and 33 .

[0202] According to this, by controlling the trackers 11 and 12 and the switches 31 and 33 , the operations of the trackers 11 and 12 can be optimized, and the efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 can be improved.

[0203] For another example, in the tracker module 1, when the first variable power supply voltage and the second variable power supply voltage are to be applied to the output terminal 142, the control circuit 10 makes the switch 31 conductive and the switch 33 non-conductive; when only the first variable power supply voltage is to be provided to the output terminal 142, the control circuit 10 makes the switch 31 non-conductive; when only the second variable power supply voltage is to be provided to the output terminal 143, the control circuit 10 makes the switch 31 non-conductive and the switch 33 conductive.

[0204] With this configuration, the output terminal 142 can be selectively supplied with a variable power supply voltage to both or one of the trackers 11 and 12 by switching the switches 31 and 33. Therefore, a decrease in the efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 is suppressed.

[0205] In addition, the PA module 2A involved in variant example 1 comprises: an input terminal 152 to which a first variable power supply voltage is applied and an input terminal 153 to which a second variable power supply voltage is applied; power amplifiers 21 and 22; a switch 31 connected between the input terminal 152 and the input terminal 153; and a switch 33 connected between the power amplifier 22 and the input terminal 153, wherein the power amplifier 21 is connected to the input terminal 152.

[0206] Thus, a variable power supply voltage can be supplied from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21 , thereby suppressing a decrease in efficiency of the trackers 11 and 12 and the power amplifier 21 , thereby achieving improved efficiency and reduced power consumption of the amplifier circuit 40A.

[0207] In addition, the PA module 2A according to the first modification may further include a switch 32 connected between the power amplifier 21 and the input terminal 152 .

[0208] Thus, the power supply voltage can be supplied from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 21 , and the power supply voltage can be supplied from both the trackers 11 and 12 to the power amplifier 22 , thereby achieving improved efficiency and reduced power consumption of the amplifier circuit 40A.

[0209] In addition, the PA module 2A involved in variant example 1 may also include: a first filter, which is connected to the output end of the power amplifier 21 and has a passband including frequency band A; and a second filter, which is connected to the output end of the power amplifier 22 and has a passband including frequency band B different from frequency band A.

[0210] According to this, the power amplifiers 21 and 22 are not amplifiers arranged in cascade connection at the front stage and the back stage, but amplify high-frequency signals of different frequency bands.

[0211] In the PA module 2A according to the first modification, the power amplifier 21 is connected to one end of the switch 32 , the power amplifier 22 is connected to one end of the switch 33 , and the PA module 2A may further include a third power amplifier connected to one end of the switch 32 .

[0212] According to this, similar to the power amplifier 21 , a variable power supply voltage can be supplied to the third power amplifier from both the trackers 11 and 12 .

[0213] The communication device 5 according to the present embodiment includes an RFIC 4 that processes a high frequency signal, a tracker module 1 that is connected to the RFIC 4 , and a PA module 2 that includes power amplifiers 21 and 22 that receive a variable power supply voltage from the tracker module 1 .

[0214] Accordingly, the effect of the tracker module 1 can be achieved by utilizing the communication device 5 .

[0215] In addition, the communication device 5A involved in this embodiment includes: RFIC 4, which processes high-frequency signals; PA module 2A, which transmits high-frequency signals between RFIC 4 and antennas 3a and 3b; and tracker module 1A, which is connected to RFIC 4 and includes trackers 11 and 12 that provide variable power supply voltage to PA module 2A.

[0216] According to this, the effect of the PA module 2A can be realized by using the communication device 5A.

[0217] (Other embodiments)

[0218] The amplifier circuit, tracker module, amplifier module, and communication device involved in the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments and variations, but the amplifier circuit, tracker module, amplifier module, and communication device involved in the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments and variations. Other embodiments implemented by combining any structural elements in the above embodiments and variations, variations obtained by implementing various variations that can be thought of by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention to the above embodiments and variations, and various devices in which the above amplifier circuit, tracker module, amplifier module, and communication device are built-in are also included in the present invention.

[0219] For example, in the circuit structures of the amplifier circuits, tracker modules, amplifier modules, and communication devices involved in the above-mentioned embodiments and variations, other circuit elements and wirings may be inserted between paths connecting the circuit elements and signal paths disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

[0220] Next, features of the amplifier circuit, the tracker module, the amplifier module, and the communication device described in the above-mentioned embodiments are shown.

[0221] <1>

[0222] An amplifier circuit comprising:

[0223] a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier;

[0224] a first tracker and a second tracker capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage;

[0225] A first switch connected between an output terminal of the first tracker and an output terminal of the second tracker; and

[0226] a second switch connected between an output terminal of the second tracker and the second power amplifier,

[0227] Wherein, the output end of the first tracker is connected to the first power amplifier.

[0228] <2>

[0229] according to <1> The amplifier circuit, wherein:

[0230] A third switch is further provided, and the third switch is connected between the output end of the first tracker and the first power amplifier.

[0231] <3>

[0232] according to <1> or <2> The amplifier circuit, wherein:

[0233] The first tracker is capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage corresponding to an envelope signal or an average output power of the first power amplifier to the first power amplifier,

[0234] The second tracker is capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage corresponding to an envelope signal or an average output power of the first power amplifier to the second power amplifier.

[0235] <4>

[0236] according to <1> ~ <3> An amplifier circuit as described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

[0237] A control circuit is further provided, and the control circuit is connected to the first tracker, the second tracker, the first switch, and the second switch.

[0238] <5>

[0239] according to <4> The amplifier circuit, wherein:

[0240] When the variable power supply voltage of the first tracker and the variable power supply voltage of the second tracker are to be provided to the first power amplifier, the control circuit turns the first switch into a conducting state and turns the second switch into a non-conducting state.

[0241] In the case where only the variable supply voltage of the first tracker is to be provided to the first power amplifier, the control circuit makes the first switch non-conductive.

[0242] In a case where only the variable power supply voltage of the second tracker is to be provided to the second power amplifier, the control circuit puts the first switch into a non-conductive state and puts the second switch into a conductive state.

[0243] <6>

[0244] according to <4> or <5> The amplifier circuit, wherein:

[0245] When the output current of the first tracker is set to I out , and will be expressed as the output current I out The efficiency of the first tracker is set as a function of f PAE (I out )hour,

[0246] In satisfying f PAE (I out / 2)>f PAE (I out ),

[0247] The control circuit turns the first switch into a conducting state and turns the second switch into a non-conducting state.

[0248] <7>

[0249] according to <1> ~ <6> The amplifier circuit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

[0250] A first filter connected to an output terminal of the first power amplifier and having a passband including a first frequency band; and

[0251] The second filter is connected to the output terminal of the second power amplifier and has a passband including a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0252] <8>

[0253] according to <2> The amplifier circuit, wherein:

[0254] The first power amplifier is connected to one end of the third switch,

[0255] The amplifier circuit further includes a third power amplifier connected to the one end.

[0256] <9>

[0257] according to <4> or <5> The amplifier circuit, wherein:

[0258] The first tracker supports an analog envelope tracking mode, namely, an analog ET mode, in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a continuous voltage level in accordance with the envelope of the high frequency input signal input to the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier.

[0259] The second tracker supports an average power tracking mode in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a plurality of discrete voltage levels in accordance with average output powers of high frequency signals output from the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier.

[0260] The first power amplifier is input with a first high frequency input signal having a first channel bandwidth and a second high frequency input signal having a second channel bandwidth wider than the first channel bandwidth.

[0261] When the first high frequency input signal is input to the first power amplifier, the control circuit causes the variable power supply voltage to be supplied from the first tracker to the first power amplifier.

[0262] The control circuit causes the variable power supply voltage to be supplied from the second tracker to the first power amplifier in a case where the second high frequency input signal is input to the first power amplifier.

[0263] <10>

[0264] A tracker module comprising:

[0265] a first output terminal and a second output terminal;

[0266] a first tracker capable of outputting a first variable power supply voltage to the first output terminal and the second output terminal;

[0267] a second tracker capable of outputting a second variable power supply voltage to the first output terminal and the second output terminal;

[0268] A first switch connected between an output terminal of the first tracker and an output terminal of the second tracker; and

[0269] A second switch is connected between the second tracker and the second output terminal.

[0270] <11>

[0271] according to <10> The tracker module, wherein:

[0272] A third switch is further provided, and the third switch is connected between the first tracker and the first output terminal.

[0273] <12>

[0274] according to <10> or <11> The tracker module, wherein:

[0275] A control circuit is further provided, and the control circuit is connected to the first tracker, the second tracker, the first switch, and the second switch.

[0276] <13>

[0277] according to <12> The tracker module, wherein:

[0278] When the first variable power supply voltage and the second variable power supply voltage are to be applied to the first output terminal, the control circuit turns the first switch into a conducting state and turns the second switch into a non-conducting state.

[0279] When only the first variable power supply voltage is to be supplied to the first output terminal, the control circuit sets the first switch to a non-conductive state.

[0280] When only the second variable power supply voltage is to be supplied to the second output terminal, the control circuit sets the first switch to a non-conductive state and sets the second switch to a conductive state.

[0281] <14>

[0282] An amplification module, comprising:

[0283] a first input terminal to which a first variable power supply voltage is applied and a second input terminal to which a second variable power supply voltage is applied;

[0284] a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier;

[0285] A first switch connected between the first input terminal and the second input terminal; and

[0286] a second switch connected between the second power amplifier and the second input terminal,

[0287] Wherein, the first power amplifier is connected to the first input terminal.

[0288] <15>

[0289] according to <14> The amplification module, wherein:

[0290] A third switch is further provided, and the third switch is connected between the first power amplifier and the first input terminal.

[0291] <16>

[0292] according to <14> or <15> The amplification module further comprises:

[0293] A first filter connected to an output terminal of the first power amplifier and having a passband including a first frequency band; and

[0294] The second filter is connected to the output terminal of the second power amplifier and has a passband including a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0295] <17>

[0296] according to <15> The amplification module, wherein:

[0297] The first power amplifier is connected to one end of the third switch,

[0298] The amplification module further includes a third power amplifier connected to the one end.

[0299] <18>

[0300] A communication device, comprising:

[0301] A signal processing circuit for processing high frequency signals;

[0302] according to <10> ~ <12> The tracker module of any one of claims , connected to the signal processing circuit; and

[0303] An amplification module includes a power amplifier that receives a variable supply voltage from the tracker module.

[0304] <19>

[0305] A communication device, comprising:

[0306] A signal processing circuit for processing high frequency signals;

[0307] according to <14> ~ <17> The amplification module described in any one of the above, which transmits the high-frequency signal between the signal processing circuit and the antenna; and

[0308] The tracker module is connected to the signal processing circuit and includes a tracker for providing a variable power supply voltage to the amplification module.

[0309] Industrial Applicability

[0310] The present invention can be widely used in communication equipment such as mobile phones as a power supply circuit or a communication device disposed in a front end portion supporting multiple frequency bands.

[0311] Description of Reference Numerals

[0312] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C: tracker module; 2, 2A, 23, 24, 25: PA module; 3a, 3b, 3c: antenna; 4: RFIC; 5, 5A: communication device; 10: control circuit; 11, 12, 13, 14: tracker; 21, 22, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49: power amplifier; 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 61, 62, 63: switch; 40 , 40A, 40B, 40C: amplifier circuit; 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59: filter; 101, 102, 103: antenna connection terminals; 110, 111, 112, 113, 120, 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133: signal input terminals; 130: control signal terminal; 142, 143, 144, 145: output terminals; 152, 153: input terminals.

Claims

1. An amplifier circuit, comprising: a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier; a first tracker and a second tracker capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage; A first switch connected between an output terminal of the first tracker and an output terminal of the second tracker; and a second switch connected between an output terminal of the second tracker and the second power amplifier, in, An output end of the first tracker is connected to the first power amplifier.

2. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein: A third switch is further provided, and the third switch is connected between the output end of the first tracker and the first power amplifier.

3. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first tracker is capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage corresponding to an envelope signal or an average output power of the first power amplifier to the first power amplifier, The second tracker is capable of outputting a variable power supply voltage corresponding to an envelope signal or an average output power of the second power amplifier to the second power amplifier.

4. The amplifier circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A control circuit is further provided, and the control circuit is connected to the first tracker, the second tracker, the first switch, and the second switch.

5. The amplifier circuit according to claim 4, wherein: When the variable power supply voltage of the first tracker and the variable power supply voltage of the second tracker are to be provided to the first power amplifier, the control circuit turns the first switch into a conducting state and turns the second switch into a non-conducting state. In the case where only the variable supply voltage of the first tracker is to be provided to the first power amplifier, the control circuit makes the first switch non-conductive. In a case where only the variable power supply voltage of the second tracker is to be provided to the second power amplifier, the control circuit puts the first switch into a non-conductive state and puts the second switch into a conductive state.

6. The amplifier circuit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: When the output current of the first tracker is set to I out , and will be expressed as the output current I out The efficiency of the first tracker is set as a function of f PAE (I out )hour, In satisfying f PAE (I out / 2)>f PAE (I out ), The control circuit turns the first switch into a conducting state and turns the second switch into a non-conducting state.

7. The amplifier circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Also available: A first filter connected to an output terminal of the first power amplifier and having a passband including a first frequency band; and The second filter is connected to the output terminal of the second power amplifier and has a passband including a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

8. The amplifier circuit according to claim 2, wherein: The first power amplifier is connected to one end of the third switch, The amplifier circuit further includes a third power amplifier connected to the one end.

9. The amplifier circuit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The first tracker supports an analog envelope tracking mode, namely, an analog ET mode, in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a continuous voltage level in accordance with the envelope of the high frequency input signal input to the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier. The second tracker supports an average power tracking mode in which the variable power supply voltage is changed to a plurality of discrete voltage levels in accordance with average output powers of high frequency signals output from the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier. The first power amplifier is input with a first high frequency input signal having a first channel bandwidth and a second high frequency input signal having a second channel bandwidth wider than the first channel bandwidth. When the first high frequency input signal is input to the first power amplifier, the control circuit causes the variable power supply voltage to be supplied from the first tracker to the first power amplifier. The control circuit causes the variable power supply voltage to be supplied from the second tracker to the first power amplifier in a case where the second high frequency input signal is input to the first power amplifier.

10. A tracker module comprising: a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a first tracker capable of outputting a first variable power supply voltage to the first output terminal and the second output terminal; a second tracker capable of outputting a second variable power supply voltage to the first output terminal and the second output terminal; A first switch connected between an output terminal of the first tracker and an output terminal of the second tracker; as well as A second switch is connected between the second tracker and the second output terminal.

11. The tracker module of claim 10, wherein: A third switch is further provided, and the third switch is connected between the first tracker and the first output terminal.

12. The tracker module according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: A control circuit is further provided, and the control circuit is connected to the first tracker, the second tracker, the first switch, and the second switch.

13. The tracker module of claim 12, wherein: When the first variable power supply voltage and the second variable power supply voltage are to be applied to the first output terminal, the control circuit turns the first switch into a conducting state and turns the second switch into a non-conducting state. When only the first variable power supply voltage is to be supplied to the first output terminal, the control circuit sets the first switch to a non-conductive state. When only the second variable power supply voltage is to be supplied to the second output terminal, the control circuit sets the first switch to a non-conductive state and sets the second switch to a conductive state.

14. An amplification module, comprising: a first input terminal to which a first variable power supply voltage is applied and a second input terminal to which a second variable power supply voltage is applied; a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier; A first switch connected between the first input terminal and the second input terminal; as well as a second switch connected between the second power amplifier and the second input terminal, Wherein, the first power amplifier is connected to the first input terminal.

15. The amplification module according to claim 14, wherein: A third switch is further provided, and the third switch is connected between the first power amplifier and the first input terminal.

16. The amplification module according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: Also available: A first filter connected to an output terminal of the first power amplifier and having a passband including a first frequency band; and The second filter is connected to the output terminal of the second power amplifier and has a passband including a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

17. The amplification module according to claim 15, wherein: The first power amplifier is connected to one end of the third switch, The amplification module further includes a third power amplifier connected to the one end.

18. A communication device comprising: A signal processing circuit for processing high frequency signals; The tracker module according to any one of claims 10 to 12, connected to the signal processing circuit; and An amplification module includes a power amplifier that receives a variable supply voltage from the tracker module.

19. A communication device comprising: A signal processing circuit for processing high frequency signals; The amplification module according to any one of claims 14 to 17, which transmits the high-frequency signal between the signal processing circuit and an antenna; and The tracker module is connected to the signal processing circuit and includes a tracker for providing a variable power supply voltage to the amplification module.

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