Envelope-Tracked Power Amplifier Split for Linear Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional class AB power amplifiers operate inefficiently due to frequent power back-off, leading to low average efficiency and increased energy consumption and heat dissipation issues in communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A power amplification apparatus that splits the target amplified signal into two parts based on preset amplitude ranges, using separate power amplifiers and power supply modulators to control operating voltages, allowing the power amplifiers to operate in saturation or low power back-off regions most of the time, thereby improving average efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a class AB power amplifier operates in a power back-off region to maintain signal linearity, then signal linearity is improved, but average efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operating voltage of the power amplifier adjustable and time-varying. The power supply modulator dynamically adjusts the operating voltage based on the envelope signal of the input signal, allowing the power amplifier to adapt its operating point. This enables the amplifier to operate in saturation region (high efficiency) when signal amplitude is low and transition to appropriate operating regions when signal amplitude increases, thereby improving average efficiency while maintaining signal linearity through dynamic voltage control rather than static operation in back-off region
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating voltage parameter of the power amplifier dynamically. By using a power supply modulator to adjust the operating voltage based on the envelope signal, the system transforms the fixed operating voltage into a variable parameter that adapts to signal conditions. This parameter change allows the power amplifier to operate more efficiently across different signal amplitudes, improving average efficiency without sacrificing linearity
2Use of energy by moving object
If a power amplifier operates in saturation region to improve efficiency, then efficiency is improved, but signal linearity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating voltage based on the envelope signal, allowing the power amplifier to operate in saturation region (high efficiency) when appropriate while maintaining signal linearity through real-time voltage control. The dynamic adjustment ensures the amplifier transitions between operating regions optimally
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply modulator uses the envelope signal as feedback to adjust the operating voltage of the power amplifier. This feedback mechanism ensures that the operating voltage is continuously optimized based on the actual signal conditions, allowing the system to maintain signal linearity while maximizing efficiency by operating in saturation region when beneficial
3Measurement precision
If the operating voltage is increased to support maximum amplitude signals, then signal linearity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed high operating voltage to support maximum amplitude signals, the patent employs a dynamic operating voltage controlled by the power supply modulator. The operating voltage is adjusted in real-time based on the envelope signal, allowing the system to use high voltage only when necessary (when signal amplitude requires it) and lower voltage during normal operation, thereby reducing average energy consumption while maintaining signal linearity when high voltage is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating voltage from a fixed parameter to a variable parameter that adapts to signal conditions. By modulating the operating voltage according to the envelope signal, the system reduces energy consumption by using lower voltages during normal operation while maintaining the capability to use higher voltages when signal linearity requires it
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a power amplification apparatus, a beamforming system, a transmitter, and a base station. The apparatus includes a power amplifier that amplifies a first signal, a power supply, and a power supply modulator that controls, based on an envelope signal corresponding to the first signal, an operating voltage provided by the power supply to the power amplifier. The apparatus is further configured to amplify a second signal. The first signal is generated based on the part of a target amplified signal whose amplitude falls within a preset amplitude range. The second signal is generated based on the part of the target amplified signal whose amplitude falls beyond the preset amplitude range.