Doherty Power Amplifier Impedance Switching for RF Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of antennas increases in communication systems, the number of RF components, particularly power amplifiers, also increases, leading to challenges in efficiency and installation costs, especially in high-frequency bands where beamforming and distributed base station deployments are common.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Doherty power amplifier with a coupler and resistance selection circuit that allows for impedance matching and includes isolation resistors with impedances lower than the reference impedance, enhancing efficiency and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of antennas is increased to improve communication performance, then communication performance is improved, but the number of RF components increases leading to reduced efficiency and increased installation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power amplifier circuits into a single integrated Doherty power amplifier module that serves multiple antenna radiators. The power amplifier circuit includes a carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier that work together to amplify signals for multiple antennas, reducing the total number of separate RF components while maintaining the ability to serve multiple antenna elements
Solution Approach 2:
The Doherty power amplifier is designed as a universal amplification module that can serve multiple antenna radiators simultaneously. The resistance selection circuit provides multiple impedance values that can be configured to match different antenna configurations, making the same power amplifier circuit adaptable to various antenna arrangements and reducing the need for dedicated amplifiers for each antenna
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of power amplifiers is increased to support more antennas, then antenna capacity is improved, but power consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power amplification functions are merged into a single Doherty power amplifier circuit that efficiently handles signals for multiple antennas. The carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier work in conjunction to provide high efficiency across different power levels, reducing total power consumption compared to using separate amplifiers for each antenna
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance selection circuit changes the impedance parameter to optimize power distribution and efficiency. By selecting from multiple resistance values, the circuit adapts the power amplifier's output impedance to match the connected antenna configuration, maximizing power transfer efficiency and minimizing wasted energy
3Reliability
If multiple power amplifiers are deployed for distributed base station, then coverage is improved, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple power amplification channels into a single compact module that can serve multiple antenna radiators. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed and configured, thereby reducing installation costs while maintaining the coverage capability of distributed base station deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The Doherty power amplifier is designed as a universal module that can be deployed in distributed base station configurations to provide coverage. The resistance selection circuit allows the same module to be adapted to different antenna configurations, reducing the need for custom installations and lowering overall deployment costs
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device for a Doherty power amplifier is provided. The electronic device includes a coupler configured to obtain a radio frequency (RF) input signal, power amplifier circuitry including a carrier amplifier circuit and a peaking amplifier circuit, and a resistor selection circuit configured to provide, to the coupler, an isolation impedance among a plurality of impedances, wherein a first port of the coupler is configured to receive the RF input signal, wherein a second port of the coupler is configured to be connected to the resistance selection circuit, wherein a third port of the coupler is configured to be connected to the carrier amplifier circuit, wherein a fourth port of the coupler is configured to be connected to the peaking amplifier circuit, wherein the first port, the second port, the third port, and the fourth port of the coupler are matched based on a first impedance, and wherein the plurality of impedances include the first impedance and a second impedance smaller than the first impedance.