Adaptive Envelope Tracking Voltage Levels for RF Load Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 6G extreme-MIMO systems, power amplifiers consume a significant portion of the base station's power budget, and existing digital envelope tracking systems face inefficiencies due to poor selection of voltage levels, leading to reduced power-added efficiency (PAE) and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive multi-level digital envelope tracking system that adjusts voltage levels to match radio frequency (RF) load by using a supply generator and voltage level generator to generate multiple voltage levels, allowing the system to adaptively change voltage levels to optimize power amplifier efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large numbers of discrete voltage levels are generated to support all use cases in extreme-MIMO systems, then the system can handle varying RF loads and peak-to-average power ratio variations, but the cost, complexity, and efficiency degradation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adaptive voltage level adjustment where the digital envelope tracking system dynamically changes the number of voltage levels based on detected RF load conditions. During high load periods, more voltage levels are used to handle peak-to-average power ratio variations, while during low load periods, fewer voltage levels are used to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of voltage level quantity adaptively. The envelope tracker adjusts the number of discrete voltage levels (e.g., between 2-8 levels) based on the detected RF load condition, transforming the static multi-level system into a dynamic one that optimizes performance for current operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large numbers of discrete voltage levels are generated to support all use cases, then the system can accommodate short-term and long-term load variations, but power-added efficiency (PAE) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts voltage level quantity based on RF load detection. During low load conditions where high PAE is critical, the system reduces the number of voltage levels to minimize energy loss. During high load conditions where adaptability is more important, the system increases voltage levels to handle peak power variations effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of voltage level quantity adaptively to optimize PAE. By reducing the number of voltage levels during low load periods, the system minimizes the energy loss associated with maintaining complex multi-level tracking capability when it is not needed.
3Measurement precision
If more voltage levels are used in digital envelope tracking, then the precision of power amplifier efficiency optimization improves, but the device complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic voltage level adjustment where the precision (number of levels) is adapted based on operational needs. The envelope tracker detects RF load conditions and adjusts the voltage level quantity accordingly, providing high precision when needed and reducing precision when it would unnecessarily increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of voltage level quantity to balance precision and complexity. By adaptively adjusting the number of discrete voltage levels based on detected load conditions, the system achieves optimal precision only when required, rather than maintaining maximum precision continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for adaptive multi-level digital envelope tracking. A method includes supplying a supply voltage to a digital envelope tracking system then generating a first voltage and a second voltage using a supply generator based on the supply voltage level. The method further includes generating one or more additional voltages using a voltage level generator where each of the one or more additional voltages have a voltage level between the first and second voltage level. The method also includes adjusting the one or more additional voltages to adapt to a radio frequency load by adjusting the first voltage level, the second voltage level, or both, and supplying the first voltage, the second voltage, and the one or more additional voltages to a power amplifier.