Doherty Power Amplifier With Shared Matching for Compact 5G RFICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of miniaturizing power amplifiers in wireless communication systems, particularly for 5G RFICs, is exacerbated by the need for multiple antennas and RF components, which complicates the implementation of conventional Doherty structures due to wide bandwidth and area limitations, especially in mmWave phased array RFICs.
Innovation Solution
A Doherty power amplifier design that combines a carrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier using a shared output matching circuit, incorporating a primary and secondary tuning capacitor, transformer, and inductors, which functions as a quarter-wave transformer, reducing the number of transformers and minimizing wideband degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional Doherty structure with separate matching circuits is used, then amplification efficiency is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier into a shared Doherty structure with a common output matching circuit. The carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier share common components including the output matching circuit, quarter-wave transformer, and parasitic output capacitors, thereby reducing the total device area while maintaining amplification efficiency through the Doherty configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The output matching circuit serves multiple functions: it provides impedance matching for both the carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier, acts as part of the quarter-wave transformer structure, and utilizes the parasitic output capacitors of both amplifiers. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby minimizing device area.
2Reliability
If multiple RF components are added for 5G mmWave applications, then communication performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RF components into an integrated Doherty power amplifier structure. The carrier amplifier, peaking amplifier, output matching circuit, quarter-wave transformer, and parasitic output capacitors are combined into a single unified design, reducing device complexity while maintaining the performance requirements for 5G mmWave applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The quarter-wave transformer structure utilizing parasitic output capacitors serves multiple purposes: it provides impedance transformation, acts as part of the output matching network, and utilizes existing parasitic elements rather than requiring separate components. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If separate matching circuits are used for carrier and peaking amplifiers, then amplification performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the matching circuits for the carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier into a single shared output matching circuit. This unified approach reduces the number of separate components and interconnections needed, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs while maintaining amplification performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared output matching circuit provides impedance matching for both amplifiers simultaneously, reducing the total component count and simplifying the manufacturing process. The circuit is designed to handle both signal paths, reducing assembly steps and lowering manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). A Doherty power amplifier in a wireless communication system is provided. The Doherty power amplifier includes a differential carrier amplifier, a differential peaking amplifier, and an output matching circuit. The output matching circuit may include a primary tuning capacitor, a transformer, and a secondary tuning capacitor. The differential carrier amplifier may be connected to the primary tuning capacitor through a carrier capacitor, and inductors, of an output terminal of the differential carrier amplifier. The differential peaking amplifier may be connected to the primary tuning capacitor. The primary tuning capacitor, the inductors, and the carrier capacitor may be configured to function as a quarter-wave transformer.