GaN Amplifier Circuit Phase Distortion Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

GaN-based semiconductor devices exhibit positive phase distortion as output power increases, leading to a lack of effective methods for correcting this issue in amplifier circuits.

Innovation Solution

An amplifier circuit with a distortion compensation circuit having a negative phase distortion is connected to the GaN-based semiconductor device, allowing for phase distortion compensation, either through a single amplifier with a built-in compensation circuit or by using a second amplifier with negative phase distortion, and a control method that adjusts the phase compensation based on output information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a GaN-based semiconductor device is used for amplification, then output power is increased, but positive phase distortion occurs as output power increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput powerVSAvoidphase accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful positive phase distortion generated by the GaN-based semiconductor device into a beneficial effect by introducing a compensation circuit that generates negative phase distortion. This negative phase distortion counteracts and cancels out the positive phase distortion, thereby maintaining phase accuracy while preserving the high output power capability of the GaN device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a phase compensation circuit as an intermediary element between the input signal and the GaN-based semiconductor device. This compensation circuit acts as a mediator that pre-distorts the input signal with negative phase characteristics, which then gets corrected by the GaN device's positive phase distortion, resulting in an output signal with maintained phase accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If phase distortion is compensated using a separate compensation circuit, then phase accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the phase compensation function with the amplification function by integrating the compensation circuit closely with the GaN-based semiconductor device. The compensation circuit is designed to work in tandem with the main amplification path, combining multiple functions into a unified system that achieves phase accuracy without requiring completely separate compensation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies inversion by using a compensation circuit that generates the opposite (negative) phase distortion to counteract the positive phase distortion of the GaN device. This inverse approach allows the system to cancel out the unwanted phase effects while maintaining the desired amplification function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7388429B2Amplifier circuit, control method of the same, and amplifier circuit module

Publication Date: 2008.06.17 EUDYNA DEVICES INC

AI summary

An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier having an amplifying device composed of GaN or a GaN compound semiconductor used for an active region, and a distortion compensation circuit that is connected to the amplifier, has an attenuation characteristic, and has a negative phase distortion.