Dual-Path RF Amplifier for Power Efficiency With Lower Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power amplifiers face challenges in achieving a balance between improved power efficiency and reduced complexity, which complicates their design and installation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed amplifier design incorporates real non-linear drive functions and signal processing circuitry to adjust the phase and amplitude of RF signals, allowing for improved efficiency while reducing complexity by eliminating complex non-linear drive functions and optimizing signal paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If complex non-linear drive functions are used to improve power efficiency, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidamplifier complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier is divided into two separate signal paths: a first signal path with first amplifier circuitry and a second signal path with second amplifier circuitry. Each path processes signals independently, allowing optimization of power efficiency through selective activation while maintaining manageable complexity in each individual path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The amplifier dynamically switches between the first and second amplifier circuitry based on signal conditions. The system can activate only the necessary amplifier path depending on the input signal level, thereby improving power efficiency without requiring both complex non-linear drive functions to be active simultaneously, thus controlling overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If amplifier complexity is reduced to lower cost and simplify installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but power efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpower efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the amplifier into two separate paths with independent amplifier circuitry, the design allows for simpler individual components that are easier to manufacture, while the combined system achieves high power efficiency through intelligent selection and coordination of the two paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by selectively activating different amplifier paths based on signal conditions. This allows the amplifier to achieve high efficiency operation without requiring both paths to be complex, as only the necessary path is activated for each operating condition, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12424993B2Amplifier and amplification method
Publication Date: 2025.09.23 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • US12424993B2 patent drawing
  • US12424993B2 patent drawing
  • US12424993B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An amplifier (300) comprising: a first signal path comprising first amplifier circuitry (105A) configured to receive a first signal (RF1) with a frequency and a variable phase and amplitude at the frequency; a second signal path comprising second amplifier circuitry (105B) configured to receive a second signal (RF2) with the frequency, wherein at least one of the relative phase and amplitude of the second signal is fixed at the frequency; combiner circuitry (106) configured to combine an output of the first amplifier circuitry and the second amplifier circuitry.