Envelope Tracking Power Supply Direct Battery Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing envelope tracking power supplies in wireless communication devices face inefficiencies due to constant voltage supply, leading to high power consumption and reduced battery life, especially in systems with high peak-to-average power ratios (PAPR) modulation standards.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct connection of the envelope tracking power supply to the system battery voltage without intermediate voltage conditioning circuitry, using enhanced transistors like LDMOS and cascode configurations to handle higher voltages and improve power amplifier efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If constant voltage supply is used in power amplifier, then circuit design is simple, but power consumption is high and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage supply by tracking the envelope of the RF signal and adjusting the power supply voltage accordingly. The power amplifier receives a time-varying voltage supply that matches the signal envelope, allowing the circuit to operate efficiently across different power levels while maintaining simplicity through automated tracking control.
2Loss of energy
If envelope tracking power supply is implemented, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to voltage conditioning circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate voltage conditioning circuitry from the power supply path. By directly connecting the envelope tracking power supply to the system battery voltage, the design removes unnecessary regulatory stages while maintaining efficient power delivery through direct battery-to-amplifier connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system battery voltage serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the raw power supply voltage and acts as the reference for envelope tracking. The power amplifier's supply voltage dynamically follows the signal envelope while drawing directly from the battery, eliminating the need for separate conditioning circuits and achieving multi-functionality with minimal components.
3Loss of energy
If direct connection to battery voltage is used, then power dissipation is reduced and efficiency is improved, but voltage handling capability is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by tracking the RF signal envelope. The power supply voltage to the amplifier is continuously adjusted to match the instantaneous envelope level, allowing the system to operate at optimal voltage for each signal condition. This reduces power dissipation during low-power segments while maintaining reliability through adaptive voltage management.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device, such as a smart phone, includes an envelope tracking power supply. The envelope tracking power supply is configured for direct connection to a supply voltage. The direct connection may be made without connection through an intermediate voltage regulator, such as a low drop out regulator. The supply voltage may be a relatively high battery voltage, for example, that would normally result in greater than permissible voltage limits on the transistors used in conventional envelope tracking power supplies.