Distributed Envelope Tracking IC Layout for Low-Inductance PA Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
High modulation bandwidth RF signals in mobile communication devices lead to misalignment of time-variant ET voltages with power envelopes, causing unwanted distortions and reduced linearity in power amplifiers due to trace inductance.
Innovation Solution
A distributed power management apparatus with separate ETICs on opposite sides of a wireless device, generating ET voltages and low-frequency currents to reduce trace inductance and signal distortion, including a control circuit to couple voltage circuits and provide target voltages to distributed ETICs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single centralized ETIC is used to generate ET voltages for all power amplifier circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but trace inductance increases causing signal distortion and misalignment between ET voltages and power envelopes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized ETIC into multiple distributed ETICs, with each ETIC serving a specific power amplifier circuit. This segmentation reduces the trace inductance between the ETIC and each power amplifier, thereby minimizing signal distortion and maintaining proper alignment between ET voltages and power envelopes, while accepting increased overall device complexity through the distributed architecture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If distributed ETICs are used closer to each power amplifier circuit, then trace inductance and signal distortion are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by placing each ETIC in close proximity to its corresponding power amplifier circuit, optimizing the local electrical connection to minimize trace inductance and signal distortion. This localized approach ensures high-quality voltage delivery to each amplifier while managing the overall system complexity through functional distribution.
3Reliability
If ET voltages are generated to track high modulation bandwidth RF signals (>200 MHz), then linearity is improved, but trace inductance causes misalignment and unwanted distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage generation function into multiple distributed ETICs, each located close to its served power amplifier. This segmentation reduces the trace inductance in the voltage delivery path, enabling accurate tracking of high modulation bandwidth RF signals (>200 MHz) without the misalignment and distortion problems that would occur with a centralized ETIC.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed power management apparatus is provided. The distributed power management apparatus includes an envelope tracking (ET) integrated circuit (ETIC) and a distributed ETIC separated from the ETIC. The ETIC is configured to generate a number of ET voltages for a number of power amplifier circuits and the distributed ETIC is configured to generate a distributed ET voltage(s) for a distributed power amplifier circuit(s). In a non-limiting example, the number of power amplifier circuits and the distributed power amplifier circuit(s) can be disposed on opposite sides (e.g., top and bottom) of a wireless device. As such, in embodiments disclosed herein, the ETIC is provided closer to the power amplifier circuits and the distributed ETIC is provided closer to the distributed power amplifier circuit(s). By providing the ETIC and the distributed ETIC closer to the respective power amplifier circuits, it is possible to reduce trace inductance and unwanted signal distortion.