Vector-Combining RF Power Amplification for Low-Distortion Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifiers face a tradeoff between linearity and power efficiency, with linear amplifiers being inefficient and non-linear amplifiers causing spectral distortion, particularly in wireless communication signals, and existing outphasing techniques suffer from insertion loss and bandwidth limitations.
Innovation Solution
The method of vector combining power amplification, where a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into substantially constant envelope signals, amplified, and then recombined to minimize non-linear distortion while maximizing efficiency, allowing for efficient amplification of complex signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If linear power amplifiers are used to maintain signal linearity, then output signal quality is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the amplification process into multiple parallel amplifier branches (e.g., in-phase and quadrature components), each operating independently at high efficiency. By dividing the complex signal into constant-envelope components that can be amplified efficiently and then recombining them, the system achieves both high power efficiency and signal linearity without requiring a single linear amplifier operating at low efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If non-linear power amplifiers are used to improve power efficiency, then power consumption is reduced, but spectral distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal into multiple constant-envelope components (such as in-phase and quadrature signals) that can be processed by efficient non-linear amplifiers. Each segment is amplified independently without introducing spectral distortion, and the segments are recombined to reconstruct the original complex signal with its amplitude and phase information preserved, thus eliminating the harmful spectral distortion that would normally result from non-linear amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex modulated signal parameters (amplitude and phase variations) into constant-envelope signals through coordinate transformation (e.g., Cartesian to polar or equivalent transformations). This parameter change allows the use of highly efficient non-linear amplifiers while maintaining signal integrity, as the constant-envelope nature of the transformed signals prevents the non-linear amplifiers from introducing spectral distortion.
3Power
If traditional power combining techniques are used to combine amplifier outputs, then signal power is increased, but insertion loss and bandwidth limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outputs of multiple parallel amplifier branches through a combining network that is specifically designed to minimize insertion loss and maximize bandwidth. The combining technique (such as vector combining or coherent combining) preserves the phase and amplitude relationships between the parallel signals, enabling high-power output with minimal energy loss and without the bandwidth limitations associated with traditional power combining methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.