Combined Power Control for Multiple Transmit Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
RF transmission systems with multiple transmit paths face challenges in maintaining a target total output power level, as individual paths may experience unequal power contributions due to varying gain characteristics and temperature changes, leading to potential saturation and thermal instability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for jointly adjusting the power of multiple transmit paths using closed-loop power control, where each path receives a different effective power target based on its specific characteristics and error accumulation, allowing for static or dynamic adjustments to maintain a combined target output power, including techniques like spatial water filling and phased array implementations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual transmit paths are controlled independently to maintain their own power levels, then each path can operate at its optimal power, but the total combined power may exceed or fall short of the target power level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power control of multiple transmit paths into a unified control system. Instead of independently controlling each path's power, the system calculates a total combined power level and distributes power adjustments across all paths collectively. This combining approach ensures the total power meets target levels while reducing control complexity through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each transmit path to have its own power contribution characteristics based on its specific conditions (such as temperature, gain variations), while the overall system maintains control through combined power management. Each path can operate with its local optimizations while contributing to the global power target.
2Reliability
If power is increased in one transmit path to compensate for another path's power loss, then the total power can be maintained, but the compensating path may become saturated or experience thermal instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power distribution that continuously monitors and adjusts power allocation across transmit paths. When one path experiences power loss or degradation, the system dynamically redistributes power to other paths in a controlled manner, preventing any single path from being overloaded to the point of saturation or thermal instability. This dynamic adjustment maintains total power while avoiding harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor the actual power output of each transmit path and the total combined power. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts power allocation in real-time, detecting when a path is approaching saturation or thermal limits and reducing its power assignment accordingly. This feedback loop ensures reliable total power maintenance without causing harmful effects in individual paths.
3Device complexity
If static power targets are assigned to each transmit path, then the control system is simple to implement, but the system cannot adapt to temperature changes and gain variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static to dynamic power target assignment. Instead of fixed power targets that cannot adapt to changing conditions, the system continuously calculates and updates power targets based on current temperature, gain variations, and actual power measurements. This dynamic approach maintains adaptability to environmental changes while keeping the control logic relatively simple through systematic calculation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power target parameters dynamically based on operating conditions. When temperature or gain characteristics change, the power targets for each transmit path are adjusted accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows the system to respond to environmental changes without requiring complex control architecture, as the adjustments follow systematic calculation rules based on measured conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling power in a transmission system may include determining a first transmit power of a first transmit path, determining a second transmit power of a second transmit path, and controlling the first transmit path and the second transmit path based on a combination of the first transmit power and the second transmit power. The combination of the first transmit power and the second transmit power may include a sum of the first transmit power and the second transmit power. Controlling the first transmit path and the second transmit path may include determining a first effective power target for the first transmit path based on the first transmit power and the second transmit power, and determining a second effective power target for the second transmit path based on the first transmit power and the second transmit power.