Digitized Subarray PA Selection for Efficient Linear Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array communication systems face challenges in optimizing power efficiency and linearity of power amplifiers, leading to excessive power consumption and thermal issues due to primarily operating in linear mode, which causes distortion and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a digitized subarray that controls power amplifiers in transmitters to operate in saturation mode, selecting portions based on symbol amplitude, and compensating for distortion through digital pre-distortion, using a combination of digitized control units and signal generation units to optimize power efficiency and reduce distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power amplifier operates in linear mode to maintain signal linearity, then distortion is reduced, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter array is divided into multiple independent transmitters, each with its own power amplifier. The digitized control unit selectively activates only the necessary portion of transmitters based on symbol amplitude, allowing individual PAs to operate in saturation mode while maintaining overall signal linearity through digital selection and combining.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter of power amplifiers from linear mode to saturation mode. By operating PAs in saturation mode and using digital selection of transmitters based on symbol amplitude, the system achieves both high power efficiency and acceptable linearity through the aggregate effect of multiple saturated PAs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power amplifier operates in saturation mode to maximize power efficiency, then power consumption is reduced, but signal distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the transmitter array into multiple independent units, each operating in saturation mode. The digitized control unit selects and combines outputs from these segmented PAs based on symbol amplitude, achieving high efficiency through saturation operation while maintaining linearity through selective digital combining.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple copies of power amplifiers are used instead of a single PA. Each PA operates in saturation mode independently, and their outputs are digitally combined. This copying approach allows the system to benefit from the efficiency of saturation mode while using digital processing to correct or manage the distortion inherent in individual saturated PAs.
3Measurement precision
If all transmitters are activated to maintain signal quality, then linearity is improved, but power consumption and thermal issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter array is segmented into multiple independent transmitters with individual control. The digitized control unit activates only the necessary portion of transmitters based on symbol amplitude, reducing power consumption and thermal load while maintaining signal quality through selective combining of transmitter outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of activating all transmitters continuously, the system uses partial action by activating only the necessary portion of transmitters based on the current symbol amplitude. This reduces overall power consumption and thermal issues while maintaining adequate signal quality for the current transmission requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses a communication system including a digitized subarray, a data generator, a modulator, a digitized control unit, and a signal generation unit. The digitized subarray includes a plurality of first transmitters, each including a power amplifier for amplifying an RF signal and an antenna element for transmitting the RF signal amplified by the first power amplifier. The data generator produces a digital data for transmission, and the modulator converts the digital data into a symbol according to a predetermined signal modulation scheme. The digitized control unit selects a portion of the first transmitters in the digitized subarray for performing amplification and transmission according to an amplitude of the symbol. The signal generation unit generates the RF signal and provides the RF signal to the selected portion of first transmitters according to the symbol.