Distributed Doherty Amplifier Phase Combining for Wideband Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amplifiers face a tradeoff between efficiency and bandwidth, with Doherty amplifiers being inefficient for wideband applications and distributed amplifiers suffering from poor efficiency due to power matching and phasing issues.
Innovation Solution
Combining Doherty and distributed amplifier technologies by incorporating wideband phase shifters, cascaded reactively terminated single-stage distributed amplifiers, and Doherty unit cells with bias control and transforming networks to achieve high efficiency and wideband performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Doherty amplifier architecture is used, then efficiency dynamic range is improved, but bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is divided into multiple distributed stages, each contributing to the overall gain. This segmentation allows the amplifier to achieve wide bandwidth by distributing the amplification function across multiple sections while maintaining efficiency through the Doherty architecture in each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the Doherty amplifier architecture with distributed amplifier topology by integrating the efficiency-enhancing Doherty structure into each distributed stage. This merging allows the system to simultaneously achieve the efficiency benefits of Doherty and the bandwidth benefits of distributed amplification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed amplifier architecture is used, then bandwidth is improved, but efficiency deteriorates due to power matching and phasing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic bias control and adjustable phase shifting mechanisms that adapt to different operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the amplifier to maintain optimal efficiency across the wide bandwidth by dynamically correcting the phase and power distribution in each distributed stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters including bias voltages, phase shifts, and impedance values across different frequency ranges and power levels. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the amplifier maintains both wide bandwidth and high efficiency, overcoming the traditional tradeoff in distributed amplifier designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wideband phase shifting is implemented, then phase alignment across bandwidth is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phase shifters as intermediary components between distributed stages to correct phase differences. These phase shifters act as mediators that align the phases of signals from different stages across the bandwidth, enabling coherent combining without requiring complex redesign of the entire amplifier architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Doherty and distributed amplifier (DA) designs are combined to achieve, wideband amplifiers with high efficiency dynamic range. A modified Doherty amplifier includes a wideband phase shifter providing first and second outputs, a main amplifier coupled to the first output, an auxiliary amplifier coupled to the second output, and a wideband combining network combining the outputs in phase. A multi-stage DA has a main output and a termination port, and a phase delay module and transforming network allowing power at the termination port to be combined in phase with power at the main output. In one combination, one or more stages of the DA may comprise a Doherty amplifier. In another combination, a modified series-type Doherty amplifying system is achieved by cascading main and auxiliary DAs. In any combination, Doherty topology may include a bias control module.