Envelope Tracking IC Digital Processor Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current envelope tracking integrated circuits (ETICs) place a significant computational burden on baseband processors during frequency band transitions, as they require configuration and management, leading to inefficiencies in power management for radio frequency amplifiers in mobile communication devices.
Innovation Solution
An envelope tracking integrated circuit with a dual tracker configuration, including a charge pump system, analog multiplexers, and a digital processor that shares the computational burden by controlling tracker circuitry and switching between supply voltages during transmission gaps, utilizing linear regulators and a memory bus for efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If envelope tracking integrated circuit is used to improve power amplifier efficiency, then power dissipation is reduced, but computational burden on baseband processor increases during frequency band transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computational burden from the baseband processor by implementing a digital processor within the envelope tracking integrated circuit itself. This internal digital processor handles frequency band transition configurations and management tasks locally, eliminating the need for the baseband processor to perform these computations and thereby reducing the overall computational burden on the baseband processor while maintaining power management efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If computational tasks are centralized in baseband processor, then control accuracy is maintained, but power management efficiency decreases during transmission gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by dividing them between the baseband processor and an integrated digital processor within the envelope tracking integrated circuit. The baseband processor handles high-level control decisions, while the integrated digital processor manages specific tasks such as frequency band transitions and voltage tracking during transmission gaps. This segmentation allows control accuracy to be maintained through coordinated processing while improving power management efficiency by distributing computational tasks to the most appropriate processing unit for each function.
3Reliability
If voltage tracking is continuously performed, then power amplifier performance is optimized, but power consumption increases during transmission gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling the digital processor and voltage tracking functions only during active transmission periods and disabling them during transmission gaps. The system periodically activates the envelope tracking functionality when RF signals are present and enters a low-power state during transmission gaps, thereby maintaining power amplifier performance optimization when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the computational load on baseband processors by enabling efficient power management and voltage regulation, enhancing the performance of radio frequency amplifiers during frequency band transitions and reducing power dissipation in mobile communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
a charge pump system configured to generate a tracker supply voltage for the tracker circuitry
Implementation Method 2
linear regulators that provide regulated voltages to power the digital processor and memory
Implementation Method 3
an analog multiplexer configured to receive the tracker supply voltage and a battery source voltage and output a selected one of the tracker supply voltage and the battery source voltage in response to a voltage select signal
Data Source
AI summary
An envelope tracking integrated circuit having a tracker circuitry configured to generate a modulated supply voltage for a radio frequency power amplifier in response to an envelope of a radio frequency signal to be amplified by the radio frequency power amplifier is disclosed. Also included is a charge pump system configured to generate a tracker supply voltage for the tracker circuitry. Further included is an analog multiplexer configured to receive the tracker supply voltage and a battery source voltage and output a selected one of the tracker supply voltage and the battery source voltage in response to a voltage select signal. A digital processor further included in the envelope tracking integrated circuit is configured to control portions of the tracker circuitry and be powered by the selected one of the tracker supply voltage and the battery source voltage during transmission gaps when the radio frequency signal is not transmitted.