5G Envelope Tracking Circuit for SA/NSA PA Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G wireless communication devices face increased power consumption and thermal dissipation due to higher output power requirements, which compromise performance and user experience, especially in non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) systems, and existing power amplifier technologies do not effectively manage these issues across both modes.
Innovation Solution
An envelope tracking (ET) circuit is designed to operate in both 5G SA and NSA modes, utilizing multiple power amplifier circuits and a distributed power amplifier circuit, with a control circuit to manage ET voltages and currents for efficient signal amplification in 5G and anchor bands, enhancing power amplifier linearity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If output power of 5G RF signals is increased to achieve higher data rate, then data rate is improved, but power consumption and thermal dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment through envelope tracking, where the supply voltage to the power amplifier is continuously varied to match the instantaneous envelope of the RF signal. This dynamic voltage control allows the amplifier to operate at optimal efficiency across different signal conditions, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high data rate capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the power amplifier by implementing envelope tracking, which dynamically adjusts the supply voltage parameter. This parameter change enables the amplifier to maintain high efficiency across varying signal conditions, thereby reducing power consumption while supporting higher data rates through increased output power when needed.
2Productivity
If output power of 5G RF signals is increased to achieve higher data rate, then data rate is improved, but thermal dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope tracking system dynamically adjusts the supply voltage to match the signal envelope, enabling the power amplifier to operate more efficiently. This dynamic control reduces wasted energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat, thereby managing thermal dissipation while maintaining the capability for high data rate transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of variable signal envelopes (which cause efficiency variations and heat generation) into a beneficial control mechanism. By tracking and replicating the signal envelope in the supply voltage, the system turns the variability that causes thermal issues into a tool for optimizing efficiency, thereby reducing thermal dissipation while maintaining high data rate capability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If envelope tracking is implemented to improve power amplifier efficiency, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope tracking circuit is designed to provide multi-functionality by serving both 5G NR and anchor LTE bands within a single integrated architecture. The same envelope tracking mechanism and control circuitry are used to efficiently power multiple power amplifiers operating in different bands, thereby reducing overall device complexity compared to implementing separate efficiency enhancement circuits for each band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the envelope tracking functionality across multiple power amplifiers and frequency bands into a unified system. By combining the control of multiple PAs under a single envelope tracking architecture, the patent reduces the total number of separate control circuits and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining power consumption benefits across all amplifiers.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power amplifier circuits are used to support both 5G SA and NSA modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power amplifier system is designed with universal multi-functionality to support both 5G standalone and non-standalone modes, as well as multiple frequency bands. The same set of power amplifier circuits and envelope tracking infrastructure serves multiple communication modes and bands, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic configuration capability where the envelope tracking circuit can adaptively control different power amplifier circuits based on the operating mode (SA or NSA) and signal requirements. This dynamic control allows a fixed hardware architecture to provide flexible support for multiple modes, achieving adaptability without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each mode.
Data Source
AI summary
An envelope tracking (ET) circuit is provided. In examples discussed herein, the ET circuit can be configured to operate in a fifth-generation (5G) standalone (SA) mode and a 5G non-standalone (NSA) mode. In the SA mode, the ET circuit can enable a first pair of ET power amplifier circuits to amplify a 5G signal based on ET for concurrent transmission in a 5G band(s). In the NSA mode, the ET circuit can enable a second pair of ET power amplifier circuits to amplify an anchor signal and a 5G signal based on ET for concurrent transmission in an anchor band(s) and a 5G band(s), respectively. As such, the ET circuit may be provided in a 5G-enabled wireless communication device (e.g., a 5G-enabled smartphone) to help improve power amplifier linearity and efficiency in both 5G SA and NSA networks.