Digital Pre-Distorter Structure for Low-Complexity Linearization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital compensation methods for non-linear circuits, such as power amplifiers in wireless transmitters, require a large number of parameters and continuous updating to accurately linearize signals, leading to computational complexity and sensitivity to device variations.

Innovation Solution

A digital pre-distorter structure using a combination of time-filtered linear and non-linear basis functions, implemented with a balanced polynomial form, reduces the number of parameters needed for accurate linearization and makes them more robust to variations, allowing for pre-determination of coefficients before operation and adaptation based on environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Volterra series with high polynomial order is used for digital pre-distortion, then linearization accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinearization accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the non-linear compensation function into multiple additive components (memoryless polynomial terms and memory effect terms with different delay orders). This segmentation allows each term to be computed independently and added together, avoiding the exponential complexity of full Volterra series while maintaining linearization accuracy through the systematic inclusion of dominant non-linear and memory effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively including only the most significant terms from the Volterra series expansion - specifically memoryless polynomial terms up to a certain order and memory terms with specific delay orders. This partial inclusion captures the dominant non-linear and memory effects sufficient for accurate linearization while avoiding computation of less significant higher-order terms that would exponentially increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If more terms in Volterra series are used to invert non-linear effects, then linearization accuracy is improved, but sensitivity to device variations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinearization accuracyVSAvoidrobustness to device variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses partial action by including only the most significant memoryless and memory terms that capture the dominant non-linear effects. This selective inclusion reduces the number of parameters that need to be accurately determined and maintained, thereby reducing sensitivity to device variations such as process, temperature, and supply voltage changes while still achieving sufficient linearization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary determination of compensator coefficients during manufacturing or initial calibration, storing them for use during normal operation. This preliminary action reduces the need for continual updating of parameters during operation, making the system more robust to device variations by establishing a stable baseline compensation that is less sensitive to subsequent environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If continual updating of compensator coefficients is performed, then linearization accuracy is maintained, but power consumption and computation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinearization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary determination and storage of compensator coefficients during manufacturing or initial calibration. These pre-determined coefficients are then used during normal operation without requiring continual updating, significantly reducing power consumption and computation while maintaining adequate linearization accuracy through the robust structure of the selected polynomial and memory terms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simplified compensator structure with a limited number of polynomial and memory terms that can be determined once and used for an extended period. This approach treats the coefficient determination as a one-time or infrequent operation rather than a continuous process, reducing ongoing power consumption and computational resources while maintaining sufficient performance through the carefully selected terms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10404296B2Digital compensator
Publication Date: 2019.09.03 NANOSEMI INC
  • US10404296B2 patent drawing
  • US10404296B2 patent drawing
  • US10404296B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An approach to digital compensation uses a particular structure for a digital pre-distorter (DPD) which acts as a relatively accurate pre-inverse of a non-linear circuit (e.g., a non-linear transmit chain involving digital-to-analog converter (DAC), lowpass filter, modulator, bandpass filter, and power amplifier) while making use of a relatively small number of parameters that characterize the non-linearity and/or parameters that provide accurate linearization without requiring continual updating.