Envelope Tracking IC Timing to Limit In-Rush Battery Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
In envelope tracking integrated circuits (ETICs) for 5G-NR systems, excessive in-rush battery current occurs when both the offset voltage and supply voltage change simultaneously, leading to reduced battery life due to excessive energy loss during charging and discharging of capacitors.
Innovation Solution
The ETIC is configured to avoid simultaneous changes in the offset voltage and supply voltage in the same time intervals, allowing the time-variant ET voltage to change while minimizing in-rush battery current by coordinating changes in the supply voltage and offset voltage in different intervals, using a control circuit to manage these changes based on the maximum and minimum levels of the ET voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If both the offset voltage and supply voltage are increased or decreased simultaneously to enable timely voltage changes, then the response speed of the ET voltage is improved, but the in-rush battery current increases excessively leading to reduced battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage adjustment process by separating the offset voltage and supply voltage changes into different time intervals. Instead of changing both simultaneously, the control circuit adjusts one voltage first, then adjusts the other in a subsequent interval, thereby dividing the single harmful action into multiple smaller steps that reduce peak current demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit performs preliminary assessment of the ET voltage requirements and proactively schedules voltage adjustments to avoid simultaneous changes. By predicting when voltage adjustments will be needed and coordinating them in advance, the system prevents excessive in-rush current while maintaining the ability to respond timely to ET voltage demands.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the offset voltage and supply voltage are changed in the same time interval, then the battery life is reduced due to excessive energy loss, but changing them in different intervals may delay the ET voltage response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling offset voltage and supply voltage changes in alternating time intervals rather than simultaneously. The control circuit establishes a rhythmic pattern of adjustment where one voltage is modified in one interval, then the other voltage is modified in the next interval, creating a periodic sequence that balances battery conservation with responsive voltage delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the timing and sequence of voltage adjustments based on real-time ET voltage requirements. The control circuit monitors the ET voltage signal and dynamically coordinates the offset and supply voltage changes to occur in different intervals when possible, while still meeting the timing requirements for voltage transitions, thus dynamically balancing battery life extension with response time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An envelope tracking (ET) integrated circuit (ETIC) for reducing in-rush battery current is provided. The ETIC includes an ET voltage circuit configured to generate a time-variant ET voltage, which includes an offset voltage, in multiple time intervals based on a supply voltage. In some cases, the offset voltage and the supply voltage may both need to be increased or decreased as the time-variant ET voltage increases or decreases. As the offset voltage and the supply voltage increase or decrease, an excessive in-rush battery current may be generated in the ETIC to result in a reduced battery life. Hence, the ETIC is configured to avoid increasing or decreasing the offset voltage and the supply voltage in a same one of the time intervals. As a result, it is possible to reduce the in-rush battery current in the ETIC while still allowing the time-variant ET voltage to change in a timely manner.