Amplifier Gate Switching to Cut Off Leakage Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

In next-generation mobile communication systems, electronic devices and base stations experience increased power consumption due to leakage current in amplifiers, even when they are turned off.

Innovation Solution

The proposed amplifier structure incorporates a switch that connects the gate terminal of the second transistor to ground when the amplifier is turned off, redirecting the leakage current to ground and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the amplifier is turned off to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but leakage current still flows causing continued power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidleakage current
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful leakage current from the amplifier circuit by introducing a switch that disconnects the power supply from the amplifier when turned off. This separates the main power flow from the leakage current path, preventing leakage current from flowing through the amplifier transistors and reducing power consumption even when the amplifier is in the off state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switch as an intermediary component between the power supply and the amplifier. This switch acts as a mediator that controls the flow of current to the amplifier, enabling complete disconnection of power when off and eliminating the leakage current path that would otherwise continue to consume power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If a switch is added to cut off leakage current, then leakage current is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage currentVSAvoidamplifier structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch in the patent serves multiple functions: it acts as a power control element for turning the amplifier on and off, and simultaneously functions as a leakage current cutoff mechanism. By making the switch multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for leakage current reduction, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving effective leakage current suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3827517B1Amplifier for cutting leakage current and electronic device including the amplifier
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3827517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3827517B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic device including an amplifier which includes a first transistor configured to receive an input signal through a gate terminal thereof and having a source terminal electrically connected to ground, a second transistor configured to transmit an output signal through a drain terminal thereof and having a gate terminal electrically connected to the ground, and a switch electrically connected to the gate terminal of the second transistor and configured to switch a voltage being supplied to the gate terminal of the second transistor in accordance with turn-on or turn-off of the amplifier.