Envelope Tracking Voltage Modulator Fault Isolation for Power Amplifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio systems face challenges in protecting power amplifiers from circuit faults, particularly overcurrent faults, which can lead to the shutdown of all power amplifiers in the system, disrupting operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a symbol-based envelope tracking voltage modulator with fault detection circuitry and MOSFET switches that provide electric circuit breaker protection, isolating faulty power amplifiers while maintaining operation of functional ones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fault protection circuitry is added to isolate faulty power amplifiers, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fault detection circuit is integrated within the voltage modulator unit, combining fault protection functionality with the existing voltage modulation circuitry. This merging approach enables fault isolation capability without adding completely separate protection systems, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into independent voltage modulator units, each with its own fault detection circuitry. When a fault is detected in one unit, only that specific unit is isolated from the power amplifier, while other units continue to operate. This segmentation allows localized fault management rather than system-wide shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If continuous operation of non-faulty power amplifiers is maintained, then productivity is improved, but the risk of fault propagation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidfault propagation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fault detection circuit continuously monitors for faults before they can propagate to other parts of the system. When a fault condition is detected, the circuit immediately actuates to isolate the faulty voltage modulator unit from the power amplifier, preventing the fault from spreading to other units while allowing healthy units to continue operating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If fault detection and isolation circuitry is implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedowntimeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fault detection and isolation functionality is merged into the existing voltage modulator architecture, utilizing existing circuit elements and control mechanisms. This integration approach minimizes additional manufacturing costs compared to implementing completely separate protection systems, while still achieving rapid fault isolation to reduce downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250330132A1Fault protection of symbol based envelope trackers

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a power amplifier system with symbol-based envelope tracking and fault protection. The system can include a power amplifier and a voltage modulator. The voltage modulator can include switches configured to provide the bias voltage and to provide electric circuit breaker protection. The voltage modulator can include a fault detection circuit that can cause a switch of the switches to provide electric circuit breaker protection in response to detecting a circuit fault. Related methods and voltage modulators are disclosed.