Amplifier Bias Control Circuit for Real-Time Power Gating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power consumption control methods for transmission power amplifiers in OFDMA systems are inefficient due to delayed response times, leading to wasteful power consumption during idle periods and incomplete signal amplification during signal activation, as they fail to implement real-time control of bias voltage and lack effective high-speed voltage control methods.

Innovation Solution

A power consumption control circuit that includes a detection mechanism for digital input signals, a signal delay component, a digital-analog converter, and a bias control system to apply or remove bias voltage quickly, synchronizing with signal presence or absence, using a switching device to manage bias application and discharge efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the transmission power amplifier is operated continuously to maintain readiness for signal transmission, then the response time for signal amplification is improved, but the power consumption during idle periods increases due to idling bias

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection means detects the presence or absence of an input signal in advance, and the bias control means prepares to apply or remove bias voltage accordingly. By detecting signal presence before amplification is needed and preparing the bias state in advance, the system achieves fast response without requiring continuous operation, thus reducing idle power consumption while maintaining quick signal response capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bias control means dynamically adjusts the bias voltage applied to the amplification device based on real-time signal detection results. Instead of maintaining a fixed continuous bias, the system transitions between biased and unbiased states dynamically according to signal presence, enabling the amplifier to be ready when needed while consuming minimal power during idle periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the bias voltage is changed quickly to reduce idle power consumption, then the power consumption during idle periods is reduced, but the signal amplification may be incomplete during signal activation due to response delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal amplification completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection means detects signal presence in advance before the actual amplification is needed. This early detection allows the bias control means to apply bias voltage before the signal arrives at the amplifier, ensuring that the amplification device is fully prepared and can immediately amplify the signal without delay or incomplete amplification, while still achieving power savings during truly idle periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection means to control the bias voltage application. The detection result regarding signal presence is fed back to the bias control means, which adjusts the bias state accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that bias voltage changes are synchronized with actual signal conditions, maintaining reliable signal amplification while optimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If conventional power consumption control methods are used without real-time signal detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operational efficiency declines due to delayed response and wasteful power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The power consumption control function is segmented into distinct components: a detection means for detecting signal presence, and a bias control means for adjusting bias voltage based on detection results. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the detection means handling signal monitoring and the bias control means handling power management, thereby improving operational efficiency without creating an overly complex monolithic control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection means acts as an intermediary between the input signal and the bias control means. Instead of directly controlling bias voltage based on complex signal analysis, the detection means provides simplified presence/absence information to the bias control means, which then makes bias adjustment decisions. This intermediary approach improves operational efficiency by decoupling signal detection from power control while keeping the overall system complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2451075B1Power consumption control circuit, amplifying circuit, and power consumption control method
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 NEC CORP
  • EP2451075B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2451075B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2451075B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a power consumption control circuit, an amplifier circuit and a power consumption control method which control the power consumption associated with an amplification action in real time. A power consumption control circuit of the present invention comprises: a detection means which detects the presence or absence of an input of a digital input signal, spending a first period of time; a signal delay means which delays the digital input signal by a second period of time equivalent to the first period of time, and outputs the delayed signal; a digital-to-analog conversion means which converts the delayed signal into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal; an amplification means which generates an amplification action when a bias is applied to it; and a bias control means which applies a bias to an amplification device, on the basis of a detection result obtained by the detection means.