Power amplification device and method and communication equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a power amplification device and method and communication equipment, and the device comprises a pre-processing circuit which is used for decomposing a digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal; the first amplification circuit is used for amplifying the first radio frequency signal into a first amplification signal; the second amplification circuit is used for amplifying the second radio frequency signal into a second amplification signal; the combining circuit is used for combining the two paths of amplified signals into target amplified signals; when the power of the first radio-frequency signal and the second radio-frequency signal is in a first power range, the combining circuit performs first modulation processing according to the phase difference of the two paths of amplified signals; and when the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is in a larger second power range, the pre-processing circuit modulates the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal into same-amplitude and same-phase signals, and the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit perform second modulation processing. And the power amplification device selects different load modulation modes according to the size of the input signal so as to realize secondary load traction and obtain a larger power back-off range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a power amplification device, method and communication equipment. Background Art

[0002] Modern wireless communication standards rely on high spectrum efficiency RF signals, so they have very high requirements for the peak-to-average ratio (PAPR) and linearity of RF signals. In order to meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time, the power amplifier should work under a larger saturation back-off, which puts higher requirements on the architecture design of the power amplifier.

[0003] In the prior art, some power amplifiers use a two-way Doherty architecture. To achieve a larger power back-off range, the two-way Doherty architecture uses a high asymmetry ratio structure. However, the average efficiency of the power amplifier output under the high asymmetry ratio cannot reach the optimal level, and the usual Doherty architecture can only provide a 6-7dB power back-off range. In addition, since its architecture contains a quarter-wavelength impedance transformation line, the working bandwidth of the power amplifier is limited. In addition, some existing power amplifiers use an LMBA (Load Modulation Balanced Amplifier) ​​architecture, but this architecture can only achieve single-time traction and has limitations for high back-off power. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a power amplification device, method and communication equipment, aiming to provide a solution to the technical problem that the architecture of the existing power amplification device can only achieve single traction, and to achieve a larger power back-off range, so that the target amplified signal obtained can meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a power amplifier device, the power amplifier device comprising:

[0006] A pre-processing circuit, used for receiving a digital baseband signal and decomposing the digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal of equal power;

[0007] A first amplifier circuit, used for amplifying the power of the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal;

[0008] A second amplifier circuit, used for amplifying the power of the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal;

[0009] A combining circuit, used for combining the power of the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal;

[0010] Wherein, when the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is within a first power range, the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are constant amplitude out-of-phase signals, and the combining circuit performs a first modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal;

[0011] When the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, the pre-processing circuit is also used to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, and the first amplifying circuit performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, and the second amplifying circuit performs a second modulation process on its load impedance.

[0012] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a power amplification method, including:

[0013] receiving a digital baseband signal, and decomposing the digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal of equal power;

[0014] When the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is within a first power range, a first modulation process is performed on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit according to a phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, wherein the first amplifying circuit is configured to perform power amplification on the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and the second amplifying circuit is configured to perform power amplification on the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal;

[0015] When the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, modulating the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal into signals with the same phase and the same amplitude, and performing a second modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit;

[0016] Power-amplifying the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal;

[0017] Power-amplifying the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal;

[0018] The first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are power-synthesized to obtain a target amplified signal.

[0019] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, the communication device comprising: a radio frequency communication device, an antenna transmitting device, and any one of the power amplifier devices provided in the specification of the present application, wherein the power amplifier device connects the radio frequency communication device and the antenna transmitting device;

[0020] Among them, the radio frequency communication device is used to output a digital baseband signal to the power amplifier device, and the antenna transmitting device is used to transmit the target amplified signal output by the power amplifier device to the target device.

[0021] In summary, the embodiments of the present application provide a power amplification device, method and communication equipment. The power amplification device provided by the embodiments of the present application includes: a pre-processing circuit, which is used to receive a digital baseband signal and decompose the digital baseband signal into a first RF signal and a second RF signal with equal power; a first amplification circuit, which is used to power amplify the first RF signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and determine whether to perform load modulation according to the power of the first RF signal; a second amplification circuit, which is used to power amplify the second RF signal to obtain a second amplified signal, and determine whether to perform load modulation according to the power of the second RF signal; a combining circuit, which is used to power combine the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal; wherein, when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is within a first power range, the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are constant amplitude. Out-of-phase signals, the combining circuit performs a first modulation processing on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal; when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, the pre-processing circuit is also used to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, the first amplifying circuit performs a second modulation processing on its load impedance, and the second amplifying circuit performs a second modulation processing on its load impedance. The power amplification device, method and communication equipment provided in the embodiments of the present application can realize secondary load pulling in the process of amplifying the digital baseband signal, have a larger power back-off range, and can still maintain a high amplification efficiency under a large back-off power, so that the obtained target amplified signal can meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic structural block diagram of a power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of another power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a first amplifier circuit in a power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 5 An efficiency curve of a power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a power amplification method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 7 A schematic structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Reference numerals:

[0031] 1. Communication equipment; 100. Power amplifier; 200. Radio frequency communication device; 300. Antenna transmitting device; 110. Pre-processing circuit; 120. First amplifier circuit; 121. First distribution module; 122. First amplifier module; 123. First control module; 124. Signal distribution unit; 125. First power amplifier; 126. Second power amplifier; 127. Power synthesis unit; 128. First power divider; 129. Phase adjustment line; 130. Second amplifier circuit; 140. Combiner circuit; 141. First phase adjustment line; 142. Second phase adjustment line; R1. First resistor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] The flowcharts shown in the accompanying drawings are only examples and do not necessarily include all the contents and operations / steps, nor must they be executed in the order described. For example, some operations / steps may be decomposed, combined or partially merged, so the actual execution order may change according to actual conditions.

[0034] It should be understood that the terms used in this application specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the application. As used in this application specification and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms.

[0035] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0036] Modern wireless communication standards rely on high spectrum efficiency RF signals, so they have very high requirements for the peak-to-average ratio (PAPR) and linearity of RF signals. In order to meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time, the power amplifier should work under a larger saturation back-off, which puts higher requirements on the architecture design of the power amplifier.

[0037] Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide a power amplification device, method and communication equipment.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A schematic structural block diagram of a power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a power amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] like Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a power amplifier device 100, which is used to obtain an externally input digital baseband signal and power amplify the data baseband signal to obtain a required target amplified signal. For example, the power amplifier device 100 provided by the present application can be applied to equipment requiring power amplification in the fields of mobile communications, broadcasting, and medical treatment.

[0040] The power amplifier device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application includes: a pre-processing circuit 110, a first amplifier circuit 120, a second amplifier circuit 130 and a combining circuit 140. The specific structure and operation principle of each circuit are described in detail below.

[0041] Specifically, the pre-processing circuit 110 is used to receive a digital baseband signal, and decompose the digital baseband signal to obtain a first RF signal and a second RF signal, and the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal obtained by decomposition is equal. The first amplifier circuit 120 is used to power amplify the first RF signal to obtain a first amplified signal. The second amplifier circuit 130 is used to power amplify the second RF signal to obtain a second amplified signal. The combining circuit 140 is used to obtain the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, and power combine the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal.

[0042] When the powers of the first RF signal and the second RF signal are within a first power range, the first amplified signal amplified by the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplified signal amplified by the second amplifier circuit 130 are constant amplitude out-of-phase signals, that is, there is a phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal.

[0043] The combiner circuit 140 is further configured to perform a first modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal are within a first power range.

[0044] When the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, the pre-processing circuit 110 is also used to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, and the first amplifying circuit 120 performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, and the second amplifying circuit 130 performs a second modulation process on its load impedance.

[0045] It should be understood that the pre-processing circuit 110 decomposes the digital baseband signal into a first RF signal and a second RF signal of equal power, so when the first RF signal is in the first power range, the second RF signal is in the first power range, and vice versa. Similarly, when the first RF signal is in the second power range, the second RF signal is in the second power range, and vice versa.

[0046] It should be noted that the power amplifying device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application will pull the load impedance of the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal at least twice as the power of the digital baseband signal increases.

[0047] It should also be noted that in the process of the power amplifier 100 amplifying the digital baseband signal, the target load impedance that enables the power amplifier 100 to have good linearity, high conversion efficiency, and high output power will change as the power of the input digital baseband signal increases. Load pulling refers to adjusting the load impedance of the power amplifier 100 when the power of the digital baseband signal increases, so that it is close to the target load impedance under the current digital baseband signal power, so that the power amplifier 100 can obtain good linearity, high conversion efficiency and high output power.

[0048] like Figure 2As shown, specifically, when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is within a first power range, the phases of the first RF signal and the second RF signal are different, that is, the first amplifier circuit 120 cooperates with the second amplifier circuit 130 and the combining circuit 140 to form an Outphasing architecture, and the combining circuit 140 performs a first modulation processing on the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, so that the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 changes with the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, that is, the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 undergoes the first load pulling.

[0049] Based on this, when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in the first power range, by adjusting the phase difference between the first RF signal and the second RF signal when the pre-processing circuit 110 decomposes the digital baseband signal, the depth of the power back-off of the target amplified signal in the first load pulling can be effectively adjusted.

[0050] Furthermore, when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in the second power range, under the modulation of the pre-processing circuit 110, the phase and amplitude of the first RF signal and the second RF signal are the same. At this time, the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 both form an LMBA (Load Modulation Balanced Amplifier) ​​architecture, the first amplifier circuit 120 performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, and the second amplifier circuit 130 performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, that is, the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 undergoes a second load pull.

[0051] Based on this, when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in the second power range, the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 respectively load modulate their load impedances, which can effectively adjust the depth of the target amplified signal power back-off in the second load pulling.

[0052] Specifically, the power amplifier device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application achieves high efficiency and high linearity in a high power back-off range through two load-pulling operations.

[0053] It should be noted that the first amplifier circuit 120 is also used to determine whether to perform load modulation according to the power of the first RF signal: when the power of the first RF signal is in the first power range, the first amplifier circuit 120 is not load modulated, and when the power of the first RF signal is in the second power range, the first amplifier circuit 120 is load modulated. Similarly, the second amplifier circuit 130 is also used to determine whether to perform load modulation according to the power of the second RF signal: when the power of the second RF signal is in the first power range, the second amplifier circuit 130 is not load modulated, and when the power of the second RF signal is in the second power range, the second amplifier circuit 130 is load modulated.

[0054] It should also be noted that during the two load-pulling processes, the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 changes as the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal increases, so as to ensure high linearity of the target amplified signal after power back-off. Based on this, by adjusting the phase difference between the first RF signal and the second RF signal when the pre-processing circuit 110 decomposes the digital baseband signal, the depth of the power back-off of the target amplified signal in the first load-pulling can be effectively adjusted; and by load-modulating the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 respectively, the depth of the power back-off of the target amplified signal in the second load-pulling can be effectively adjusted.

[0055] Therefore, the power amplifier device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application can realize secondary load pulling in the process of amplifying the digital baseband signal, has a larger power back-off range, and can still maintain a high amplification efficiency under a large back-off power, so that the obtained target amplified signal can meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time.

[0056] In some embodiments, the combining circuit 140 includes a combiner, a first phase adjustment line 141, and a second phase adjustment line 142, wherein one end of the first phase adjustment line 141 is connected to the first amplifier circuit 120, and the other end is connected to the first input end of the combiner, and the first amplified signal generated by the first amplifier circuit 120 is input to the first input end of the combiner through the first phase adjustment line 141; one end of the second phase adjustment line 142 is connected to the second amplifier circuit 130, and the other end is connected to the second input end of the combiner, and the second amplified signal generated by the second amplifier circuit 130 is input to the second input end of the combiner through the second phase adjustment line 142; the combiner obtains the first amplified signal from the first input end, obtains the second amplified signal from the second input end, and performs power synthesis of the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal, and the output end of the combiner outputs the target amplified signal as the output end of the power amplifier device 100. The combiner is, for example, a Chireix combiner.

[0057] It should be noted that the first amplifier circuit 120 cooperates with the second amplifier circuit 130 and the combining circuit 140 to form an outphasing architecture. When the power of the first RF signal is within a first power range, the combining circuit 140 performs a first modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, thereby generating a first load pull.

[0058] The digital baseband signal input to the pre-processing circuit 110 is converted into a first RF signal and a second RF signal of the same amplitude by the pre-processing circuit 110, and the amplitude remains unchanged. The first RF signal and the second RF signal differ only in phase. By modulating the relative phase of the output signals of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130, the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 is changed, thereby controlling the power of the target amplified signal output by the power amplifier device 100.

[0059] For example, the pre-processing circuit 110 generally includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processing), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), etc., so that the DSP or FPGA can decompose the digital baseband signal and then output two signals of the same amplitude through the DAC.

[0060] Please refer to 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a circuit structure of another power amplifier device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a first amplifier circuit 120 in a power amplifier device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in some implementations, the first amplifying circuit 120 includes:

[0062] A first distribution module 121 is used to receive a first radio frequency signal, and perform power distribution on the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first balanced signal and a first control signal;

[0063] The first amplifying module 122 is connected to the first distributing module 121, and is used to receive the first balanced signal, amplify the first balanced signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and output the first amplified signal to the combining circuit 140;

[0064] The first control module 123 is connected to the first amplifying module 122, the first distribution module 121 and the combining circuit 140, and is used to receive the first control signal, and amplify the first control signal when the power of the first RF signal is in the second power range, and output the amplified first control signal to the first amplifying module 122. The first amplifying module 122 is also used to adjust the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit according to the amplitude of the first control signal.

[0065] The operation process of the first amplifier circuit 120 amplifying the first radio frequency signal is described in detail below:

[0066] The first distribution module 121 receives the first RF signal, distributes the power of the first RF signal to obtain a first balanced signal and a first control signal, and outputs the first balanced signal to the first amplification module 122, and outputs the first control signal to the first control module 123. The first control module 123 receives the first control signal, and when the power of the first RF signal is within the second power range, amplifies the first control signal, and outputs the amplified first control signal to the first amplification module 122. The first amplification module 122 adjusts its own load impedance according to the amplified first control signal. On the other hand, the first amplification module 122 also receives the first balanced signal, and then amplifies the first balanced signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and then outputs the first amplified signal to the combining circuit 140.

[0067] It should be noted that when the power of the first RF signal is in the second power range, the first control module 123 outputs the amplified first control signal to the first control module 123, and the amplitude and phase of the first control signal can modulate the load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126, that is, the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 is subjected to a second modulation process, so that the first amplifier circuit 120 generates load traction; and the second amplifier circuit 130 is similar to the first amplifier circuit 120. When the power of the second RF signal is in the second power range, the second amplifier circuit 130 performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, so that the second amplifier circuit 130 generates load traction. Therefore, when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in the second power range, the power amplifier device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application can perform a second load traction on the amplification process of the digital baseband signal.

[0068] On the other hand, when the power of the first RF signal is within the first power range, the first control module 123 does not output the first control signal to the first amplifying module 122, and the first amplifying module 122 still amplifies the first balanced signal to obtain a first amplified signal.

[0069] It should be noted that the specific circuit structure of the first amplifier circuit 120 forms an LMBA architecture, and the same is true for the second amplifier circuit 130, and the two LMBAs of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130 and the combining circuit 140 form an Outphasing architecture. Therefore, the power amplifier device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application integrates the LMBA architecture and the Outphasing architecture, and based on the Outphasing architecture, it can generate a first load pull when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a first power range, and based on the LMBA architecture, it can generate a second load pull when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range, so as to obtain a larger power back-off range by designing a circuit structure that saves space.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first amplifying module 122 adjusts the load impedance of the first amplifying module 122 according to the amplified first control signal, including: adjusting the load impedance of the first amplifying module 122 according to the power of the input first control signal and the relative phase between the first balanced signal and the first control signal.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first amplification module 122 includes a signal distribution unit 124, a first power amplifier 125, a second power amplifier 126, and a power synthesis unit 127, the input end of the signal distribution unit 124 is connected to the first distribution module 121, the first output end of the signal distribution unit 124 is connected to the first input end of the power synthesis unit 127 through the first power amplifier 125, the second output end of the signal distribution unit 124 is connected to the second input end of the power synthesis unit 127 through the second power amplifier 126, and the output end of the power synthesis unit 127 is connected to the combining circuit 140;

[0072] Among them, the signal distribution unit 124 is used to receive the first balanced signal, perform power distribution on the first balanced signal to obtain a first distribution signal and a second distribution signal, output the first distribution signal to the first power amplifier 125 for amplification, and output the second distribution signal to the second power amplifier 126 for amplification, and the power synthesis unit 127 is used to perform power synthesis on the amplified first distribution signal and the amplified second distribution signal to obtain a first amplified signal.

[0073] Specifically, the first amplification module 122 is used to perform balanced amplification processing on the first balanced signal: first, the signal distribution unit 124 decomposes the first balanced signal into a first distribution signal and a second distribution signal, and then the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 respectively amplify the first distribution signal and the second distribution signal, and then the power synthesis unit 127 synthesizes the amplified first distribution signal and the second distribution signal to obtain the first amplified signal. It should be noted that the above amplification processing method has a strong anti-interference ability and a high output power, and because the input ends of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 in the first amplification module 122 are balanced with each other, the common mode noise of the first balanced signal can be effectively offset, thereby effectively reducing the noise.

[0074] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the first control module 123 includes a third power amplifier, and the second output end of the first power divider 128 is connected to the control end of the power synthesis unit 127 through the third power amplifier;

[0075] When the power of the first radio frequency signal is within a first power range, the third power amplifier is in an open circuit state; when the power of the first radio frequency signal is within a second power range, the third power amplifier is in a pass state and amplifies the first control signal;

[0076] The power synthesis unit 127 is also used to modulate the load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 according to the power of the amplified first control signal and the relative phase between the first balanced signal and the first control signal to adjust the power synthesis of the power synthesis unit 127.

[0077] Specifically, when the power of the first RF signal is in the first power range, the third power amplifier is in an open circuit state. At this time, there is no first control signal input to the power synthesis unit 127, the first power amplifier 125 amplifies the first distribution signal, and the second power amplifier 126 amplifies the second distribution signal.

[0078] When the power of the first RF signal is in the second power range, the third power amplifier is in the on state, amplifies the first control signal, and outputs the amplified first control signal to the power synthesis unit 127. The power synthesis unit 127 is also used to adjust the output load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 according to the amplified first control signal, wherein the output load of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 is related to the strength of the first control signal input to the power synthesis unit 127. Therefore, the first control signal adjusts the output load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 to adjust the power synthesis of the power synthesis unit 127, that is, load pulling occurs.

[0079] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the signal distribution unit 124 includes a signal distribution bridge, which includes two bridge arms. The input end of the signal distribution unit 124 is located at the lower arm of one of the bridge arms, and the first output end and the second output end of the signal distribution unit 124 are both located at the other bridge arm.

[0080] Furthermore, the upper arm of the bridge arm where the input end of the signal distribution unit 124 is located is grounded through the first resistor R1.

[0081] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the power synthesis unit 127 includes a power synthesis bridge, the power synthesis bridge includes two bridge arms, the first input end and the second input end of the power synthesis unit 127 are located in one of the bridge arms, and the output end and the control end of the power synthesis unit 127 are located in the other bridge arm.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first allocation module 121 includes:

[0083] A first power divider 128, the first power divider 128 comprises a first input end connected to the pre-processing circuit 110, a first output end connected to the first amplification module 122, and a second output end connected to the first control module 123, the first power divider 128 is used to distribute power of the first RF signal to obtain a first balanced signal and a first control signal, and output the first balanced signal from the first output end, and output the first control signal from the second output end;

[0084] A phase adjustment line 129, the phase adjustment line 129 is connected to the first output end of the first power divider 128 and is used to adjust the relative phase of the first balanced signal and the first control signal;

[0085] When the power of the first RF signal is within a first power range, the second output end is in an open circuit state; when the power of the first RF signal is within a second power range, the second output end is in a closed circuit state.

[0086] The operation process of the first distribution module 121 is described in detail below: the first power divider 128 obtains the first RF signal output by the pre-processing circuit 110, performs power distribution on the first RF signal to obtain a first balanced signal and a first control signal, and outputs the first balanced signal from the first output end to the phase adjustment line 129, and outputs the first control signal from the second output end to the first control module 123. The phase adjustment line 129 receives the first balanced signal and adjusts the first balanced signal, thereby adjusting the relative phase of the first balanced signal and the first control signal.

[0087] Specifically, the first amplifying module 122 adjusts the load impedance of the first amplifying module 122 according to the amplified first control signal, including: adjusting the load impedance of the first amplifying module 122 according to the power of the input first control signal and the relative phase between the first balanced signal and the first control signal.

[0088] like Figure 3 to Figure 4 As shown, specifically, the signal distribution unit 124 includes a signal distribution bridge, the power synthesis unit 127 includes a power synthesis bridge, the power synthesis bridge is a 90-degree bridge, and the first distribution signal output by the first power amplifier 125 to the power synthesis bridge is represented by a current signal, which is I1=-I b , set the second distribution signal output by the second power amplifier to the power synthesis bridge to be represented by a current signal, which is I2 = -jI b , the first control signal output by the first control module 123 to the power synthesis bridge is represented by a current signal, which is I3=jI c e jφ , then according to the Z matrix of the 90-degree bridge, we can get:

[0089]

[0090]

[0091] Among them, Z A With Z B is the load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126, and Z0 is the bridge characteristic impedance.

[0092] It can be seen from the above formula that the load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 can be modulated by adjusting the power and phase of the first control signal, that is, the power division ratio can be designed at the first power divider 128 to adjust the load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126, and the phase of the first control signal can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the phase adjustment line 129, thereby adjusting the load impedance of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126.

[0093] Therefore, the first amplifying module 122 adjusts the load impedance of the first amplifying module 122 according to the power of the first control signal and the relative phase between the first balanced signal and the first control signal.

[0094] Similarly, the circuit structure and operation principle of the second amplifying module can refer to the description of the first amplifying module 122, which will not be repeated here.

[0095] In some implementations, when the power of the first RF signal is within the second power range, the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 are in a preset saturation state.

[0096] It should be noted that the saturation state means that when the signal input to the first power amplifier 125 / the second power amplifier 126 rises, the signal output by the first power amplifier 125 / the second power amplifier 126 remains stable. At this time, the first amplification module 122 enters the load modulation mode, and the same applies to the second amplification module.

[0097] Further, when the power of the first RF signal is less than the first power range, the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 are in a preset linear state. It should be noted that the linear state means that when the signal input to the first power amplifier 125 / the second power amplifier 126 rises linearly, the signal output by the first power amplifier 125 / the second power amplifier 126 rises accordingly, and the same applies to the second amplification module.

[0098] In some embodiments, the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal increases as the power of the digital baseband signal increases;

[0099] The pre-processing circuit 110 is also used to detect the power of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126, and determine that the power of the digital baseband signal rises to the first power range when the value change of the power of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 within a preset time is less than a preset threshold.

[0100] Specifically, the power amplifier device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application is used to receive an externally input digital baseband signal, such as a digital baseband signal generated by the RF communication device 200. The power of the digital baseband signal increases with time. Since the pre-processing circuit 110 decomposes the digital baseband signal into a first RF signal and a second RF signal, the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal also increases with the increase in the power of the digital baseband signal.

[0101] Specifically, the pre-processing circuit 110 also detects the power of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 in real time, and when it is detected that the numerical change of the power of the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 within a preset time is less than a preset threshold, the pre-processing circuit 110 can determine that the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 are in a saturation state, that is, determine that the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal has risen to the first power range.

[0102] In some other embodiments, the pre-processing circuit 110 obtains the first corresponding range of the digital baseband signal received by the pre-processing circuit 110 when the first RF signal and the second RF signal enter the first power range according to the test results in the early stage of design; and obtains the second corresponding range of the digital baseband signal received by the pre-processing circuit 110 when the first RF signal and the second RF signal enter the second power range according to the test results. When the pre-processing circuit 110 digitally detects that the baseband signal reaches the first corresponding range, it is determined that the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal has risen to the first power range, and when the pre-processing circuit 110 digitally detects that the baseband signal reaches the second corresponding range, it is determined that the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal has risen to the second power range.

[0103] In some embodiments, when the power of the digital baseband signal is in a third power range, the pre-processing circuit 110 is further configured to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, wherein the third power range is smaller than the first power range.

[0104] Specifically, the third power range is smaller than the first power range and also smaller than the second power range. Based on this, when the power of the digital baseband signal is in the third power range, the pre-processing circuit 110 is further used to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, so that the first power amplifier 125 and the second power amplifier 126 in the first amplifier circuit 120 are in a linear state, and the second amplifier circuit 130 is similar, so that load pulling does not occur when the power of the digital baseband signal is in the third power range.

[0105] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5An efficiency curve of a power amplifier device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0106] like Figure 5 As shown, the horizontal axis is the normalized output power of the power amplifier device 100, and the vertical axis is the power amplifier efficiency, wherein the power amplifier efficiency = target power / DC power consumption. The DC power consumption is the equivalent energy consumed by inputting the DC power into the power amplifier device 100. It should be noted that the higher the power amplifier efficiency, the less energy is lost in the process of amplifying the digital baseband signal by the power amplifier device 100.

[0107] Depend on Figure 5 It can be seen that there are two back-off points A and B on the curve, and power back-off occurs twice at the back-off points, that is, in the process of gradually increasing the power of the digital baseband signal, the power amplifier device 100 performs load pulling twice on the load impedance of the first amplifier circuit 120 and the second amplifier circuit 130. Figure 6 , Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a power amplification method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] like Figure 6 As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a power amplification method, and the power amplification method specifically includes S1 to S6:

[0109] S1: receiving a digital baseband signal, and decomposing the digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal of equal power;

[0110] S2: when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is within a first power range, performing a first modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, wherein the first amplifying circuit is configured to power amplify the first RF signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and the second amplifying circuit is configured to power amplify the second RF signal to obtain a second amplified signal;

[0111] S3: When the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, and perform a second modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit;

[0112] S4: Power-amplify the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal;

[0113] S5: Power-amplify the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal;

[0114] S6: Power-synthesize the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal.

[0115] It should be noted that, for the power amplification method provided in the embodiment of the present application, S1-S6 only illustrate the steps included in the power amplification method, and do not limit the order in which the steps are executed.

[0116] Specifically, the power amplification device is controlled to receive a digital baseband signal, and decompose the digital baseband signal into a first RF signal and a second RF signal with equal power; then, the load impedances of the first amplification circuit and the second amplification circuit are modulated accordingly according to the powers of the first RF signal and the second RF signal, wherein the first amplification circuit is configured to power amplify the first RF signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and the second amplification circuit is configured to power amplify the second RF signal to obtain a second amplified signal.

[0117] Specifically, the load impedances of the first amplifier circuit and the second amplifier circuit are modulated accordingly according to the powers of the first RF signal and the second RF signal, including: when the powers of the first RF signal and the second RF signal are within a first power range, the load impedances of the first amplifier circuit and the second amplifier circuit are modulated first according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal; when the powers of the first RF signal and the second RF signal are within a second power range greater than the first power range, the first RF signal and the second RF signal are modulated into signals with the same phase and the same amplitude, and the load impedances of the first amplifier circuit and the second amplifier circuit are modulated second.

[0118] After that, the first amplifier circuit performs power amplification on the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal; the second amplifier circuit performs power amplification on the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal; and the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are power synthesized to obtain the desired target amplified signal.

[0119] It should be noted that the power amplification method provided in the embodiment of the present application can realize secondary load pulling in the process of amplifying the digital baseband signal, has a larger power back-off range, and can still maintain a high amplification efficiency under large back-off power, so that the obtained target amplified signal can meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time.

[0120] It should also be noted that the power amplification method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any power amplification device provided in the specification of this application. Based on this, the power amplification method provided in the embodiments of the present application also includes any usage method mentioned in the above-mentioned power amplification device.

[0121] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 A schematic structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0122] like Figure 7 As shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, the communication device comprising: a radio frequency communication device, an antenna transmitting device, and any one of the power amplifier devices provided in the specification of the present application, wherein the power amplifier device connects the radio frequency communication device and the antenna transmitting device;

[0123] Among them, the radio frequency communication device is used to output a digital baseband signal to the power amplifier device, and the antenna transmitting device is used to transmit the target amplified signal output by the power amplifier device to the target device.

[0124] It should be understood that in the communication equipment provided in the embodiment of the present application, the mutual adaptation and operating principle of the radio frequency communication device, the antenna transmitting device and the power amplification device can be found in the description of the above-mentioned antenna transmitting device part, and will not be repeated here.

[0125] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 1 and Figure 7 The structure shown is merely a block diagram of a portion of the structure related to the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the communication equipment, power amplifier device, radio frequency communication device and antenna transmission module in the embodiment of the present application. The specific power amplifier device, antenna transmission module and radio frequency system may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different arrangement of components.

[0126] In summary, the embodiments of the present application provide a power amplification device, method and communication equipment. The power amplification device provided by the embodiments of the present application includes: a pre-processing circuit, which is used to receive a digital baseband signal and decompose the digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal with equal power; a first amplification circuit, which is used to power amplify the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and determine whether to perform load modulation according to the power of the first radio frequency signal; a second amplification circuit, which is used to power amplify the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal, and determine whether to perform load modulation according to the power of the second radio frequency signal; a combining circuit, which is used to power combine the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal; wherein, in the first radio frequency signal and When the power of the second RF signal is in the first power range, the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are constant amplitude out-of-phase signals, and the combining circuit performs a first modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplified circuit and the second amplified circuit according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal; when the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, the pre-processing circuit is also used to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, and the first amplifying circuit performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, and the second amplifying circuit performs a second modulation process on its load impedance. The power amplifying device, method and communication equipment provided in the embodiment of the present application are subjected to a second modulation process by the first and second amplifying circuits. The power amplifying device selects different load modulation modes according to the size of the input signal, so that secondary load pulling can be achieved in the process of amplifying the digital baseband signal, a larger power back-off range can be obtained, and a high amplification efficiency can still be maintained at a large back-off power, so that the obtained target amplified signal can meet the requirements of high peak-to-average ratio and high linearity at the same time.

[0127] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that all or some of the steps, systems, and functional modules / units in the methods disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and appropriate combinations thereof. In a hardware embodiment, the division between the functional modules / units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be performed by several physical components in cooperation. Some or all physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, or a microprocessor, or implemented as hardware, or implemented as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include a computer storage medium (or non-transitory medium) and a communication medium (or temporary medium). As known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage medium includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, it is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media.

[0128] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in the present specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, including these combinations. It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or system including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or system. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "including a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or system including the element.

[0129] The serial numbers of the embodiments of the present application are only for description and do not represent the advantages and disadvantages of the embodiments. The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A power amplifier device, characterized in that: The power amplification device comprises: A pre-processing circuit, used for receiving a digital baseband signal and decomposing the digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal of equal power; A first amplifier circuit, used for amplifying the power of the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal; A second amplifying circuit, used for amplifying the power of the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal; A combining circuit, used for performing power combination on the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to obtain a target amplified signal; Wherein, when the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is within a first power range, the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are constant amplitude out-of-phase signals, and the combining circuit performs a first modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal; When the power of the first RF signal and the second RF signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, the pre-processing circuit is further used to modulate the first RF signal and the second RF signal into signals with the same phase and amplitude, and the first amplifying circuit performs a second modulation process on its load impedance, and the second amplifying circuit performs a second modulation process on its load impedance.

2. The power amplifier device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first amplifying circuit comprises: A first distribution module, configured to receive the first radio frequency signal, and perform power distribution on the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first balanced signal and a first control signal; a first amplifying module, connected to the first distributing module, configured to receive the first balanced signal, amplify the first balanced signal to obtain the first amplified signal, and output the first amplified signal to a combining circuit; a first control module, connected to the first amplification module, the first distribution module and the combining circuit, configured to receive the first control signal, amplify the first control signal when the power of the first RF signal is within a second power range, and output the amplified first control signal to the first amplification module; The first amplifying module is further used to adjust the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit according to the amplitude of the first control signal.

3. The power amplifier device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first allocation module comprises: a first power divider, the first power divider comprising a first input end connected to the pre-processing circuit, a first output end connected to the first amplification module, and a second output end connected to the first control module, the first power divider being used to distribute power of the first RF signal to obtain the first balanced signal and the first control signal, and output the first balanced signal from the first output end, and output the first control signal from the second output end; a phase adjustment line, the phase adjustment line being connected to the first output terminal of the first power divider and being used for adjusting the relative phase between the first balanced signal and the first control signal; When the power of the first RF signal is within the first power range, the second output end is in an open circuit state; and when the power of the first RF signal is within the second power range, the second output end is in a closed circuit state.

4. The power amplifier device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first amplification module includes a signal distribution unit, a first power amplifier, a second power amplifier and a power synthesis unit, the input end of the signal distribution unit is connected to the first distribution module, the first output end of the signal distribution unit is connected to the first input end of the power synthesis unit through the first power amplifier, the second output end of the signal distribution unit is connected to the second input end of the power synthesis unit through the second power amplifier, and the output end of the power synthesis unit is connected to the synthesis circuit; Among them, the signal distribution unit is used to receive the first balanced signal, perform power distribution on the first balanced signal to obtain a first distribution signal and a second distribution signal, output the first distribution signal to the first power amplifier for amplification processing, and output the second distribution signal to the second power amplifier for amplification processing, and the power synthesis unit is used to perform power synthesis on the amplified first distribution signal and the amplified second distribution signal to obtain the first amplified signal.

5. The power amplifier device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first control module includes a third power amplifier, and the second output end of the first power divider is connected to the control end of the power synthesis unit through the third power amplifier; When the power of the first radio frequency signal is within the first power range, the third power amplifier is in an open circuit state; when the power of the first radio frequency signal is within the second power range, the third power amplifier is in a pass state and amplifies the first control signal; The power synthesis unit is also used to modulate the load impedance of the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier according to the power of the amplified first control signal and the relative phase of the first balanced signal and the first control signal to adjust the power synthesis of the power synthesis unit.

6. The power amplifier device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the power of the first radio frequency signal is within the second power range, the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier are in a preset saturation state.

7. The power amplifier device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal increases as the power of the digital baseband signal increases; The pre-processing circuit is also used to detect the power of the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier, and when the value change of the power of the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier within a preset time is less than a preset threshold, determine that the power of the digital baseband signal rises to the first power range.

8. The power amplifier device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: When the power of the digital baseband signal is within a third power range, the pre-processing circuit is further configured to modulate the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal into signals having the same phase and the same amplitude; The third power range is smaller than the first power range.

9. A power amplification method, characterized in that: include: receiving a digital baseband signal, and decomposing the digital baseband signal into a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal of equal power; When the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is within a first power range, a first modulation process is performed on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit according to the phase difference between the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, wherein the first amplifying circuit is configured to power amplify the first radio frequency signal to obtain a first amplified signal, and the second amplifying circuit is configured to power amplify the second radio frequency signal to obtain a second amplified signal; When the power of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is in a second power range greater than the first power range, modulating the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal into signals with the same phase and the same amplitude, and performing a second modulation process on the load impedance of the first amplifying circuit and the second amplifying circuit; Power-amplifying the first radio frequency signal to obtain the first amplified signal; Power-amplifying the second radio frequency signal to obtain the second amplified signal; The first amplified signal and the second amplified signal are power-synthesized to obtain a target amplified signal.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a radio frequency communication device, an antenna transmitting device, and a power amplifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power amplifying device is connected to the radio frequency communication device and the antenna transmitting device; The radio frequency communication device is used to output a digital baseband signal to the power amplifier device, and the antenna transmitting device is used to transmit the target amplified signal output by the power amplifier device to a target device.

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