Asymmetrical Combiner for mm-Wave Power Amplifier Reconfigurability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-frequency power amplifiers face challenges in achieving efficient and frequency-reconfigurable operation across a wide range of mm-Wave frequencies due to limitations in bandwidth and efficiency caused by the use of lossy variable passive elements and symmetrical combining architectures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an asymmetrical combiner architecture with active impedance synthesis, utilizing an amplitude/phase controller and driving condition controller to reconfigure the impedance of each amplifier cell, allowing for optimal frequency operation without lossy variable passives, and enabling efficient power generation across a broad frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If symmetrical combining architecture with variable passive elements is used, then frequency reconfigurability is achieved, but efficiency deteriorates due to losses in variable passive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the lossy variable passive elements (variable capacitors, variable inductors) from the combining architecture. Instead of using these passive tuning elements, the invention employs active impedance synthesis through controlled amplifier cells that generate the required impedance transformations without dissipative components, thereby eliminating the efficiency penalty while maintaining frequency reconfigurability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/passive variable reactive elements with an active electronic system. The variable passive elements are replaced by active amplifier cells with controllable impedance outputs, where the impedance is synthesized through controlled source transformations rather than passive component tuning, replacing a lossy passive system with an active low-loss system
2Adaptability or versatility
If broadband operation is achieved through traditional matching networks, then frequency range is extended, but efficiency deteriorates due to compromise matching across wide bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic impedance synthesis where the output impedance of each amplifier cell is actively controlled and adjusted according to the operating frequency. Instead of a static matching network that compromises performance across bandwidth, the system dynamically reconfigures the impedance transformation ratio for each cell based on real-time frequency operation, allowing optimal efficiency at each frequency point while maintaining broadband coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters (impedance transformation ratio, driving amplitude, phase) of each amplifier cell dynamically across the frequency range. By adjusting these parameters according to the operating frequency, the system maintains optimal impedance matching and efficiency throughout the broadband range, rather than using fixed parameters that result in efficiency compromises
3Power
If multiple amplifier cells are combined to increase output power, then power is increased, but impedance matching complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each amplifier cell to have its own independently controlled output impedance characteristics. Each cell can be optimized for its specific contribution to the total output power, with individual impedance transformation ratios tailored to its position and function in the combining network, rather than requiring all cells to share a uniform matching configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the impedance transformation ratio and driving conditions of each amplifier cell based on the desired total output power level. This allows the system to scale power output while maintaining optimal impedance matching for each cell's contribution, simplifying the overall matching complexity through adaptive parameter control rather than fixed complex networks
Data Source
AI summary
A power amplifier system for amplifying an input having a carrier frequency having an amplitude. The system includes a plurality of n amplifiers coupled to an asymmetrical combiner formed of a passive network, each amplifier has an input and an output, the asymmetrical combiner has a plurality of inputs and an output, the output of each amplifier is coupled to an input of the asymmetrical combiner, an impedance viewed at the output of each of the n amplifiers is a function of the amplitude and phase at each of the other n−1 amplifiers. An amplitude/phase controller is coupled to the plurality of n amplifiers or the asymmetrical combiner to control the amplitude/phase at the asymmetrical combiner input. The amplitude/phase controller is configured to present an amplitude/phase at each input of the asymmetrical combiner to target an optimal impedance at the carrier frequency for each of the plurality of n amplifiers.