Load-Modulation Power Amplifier With Lumped Matching for Wider 5G Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load modulation power amplifiers have a limited bandwidth range, which restricts their efficiency at power back-off and fails to meet the bandwidth requirements of 5G mobile communication technology, particularly in wide frequency bands like the n77 frequency band.
Innovation Solution
A high-bandwidth load modulation power amplifier design incorporating an orthogonal coupler, main and auxiliary power amplifiers, and matching networks with lumped elements, including inductors and capacitors, to achieve impedance transformation and widen the operating bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional load modulation power amplifier uses quarter-wave transmission lines for impedance transformation, then it achieves high efficiency at power back-off, but the bandwidth range is limited and cannot meet 5G frequency band requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed quarter-wave transmission line structure into a variable impedance transformation network using lumped elements (inductors and capacitors). By changing the impedance transformation ratio dynamically through adjustable lumped elements, the system maintains high efficiency at power back-off while extending the operational bandwidth to cover 5G frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the distributed quarter-wave transmission line structure with a lumped element equivalent circuit. This substitution allows for more flexible impedance transformation ratios and broader bandwidth operation while maintaining the load modulation functionality and efficiency characteristics.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the impedance transformation ratio of the quarter-wave output transmission line is switched for different power levels, then high efficiency is achieved, but the bandwidth is limited due to the fixed transformation ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic impedance transformation capability through adjustable lumped elements (inductors and capacitors) in the output matching network. This allows the impedance transformation ratio to be optimized for different operating conditions and frequency points, thereby extending the bandwidth while maintaining high efficiency across the extended frequency range.
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
The solution significantly increases the operating bandwidth and improves efficiency at power back-off, reducing insertion loss and better aligning with 5G mobile communication technology requirements for high-bandwidth and low-loss performance.
Implementation Method 1
an orthogonal coupler configured to divide an inputted radio frequency signal into two channels of radio frequency signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees
Implementation Method 2
a main power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency signal of the two channels of radio frequency signals
Implementation Method 3
an output combination radio frequency signal matching network configured to combine two channels of the amplified radio frequency signals to output a radio frequency signal
Implementation Method 4
matching networks with lumped elements, including inductors and capacitors, to achieve impedance transformation and widen the operating bandwidth
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in the present invention are a high-bandwidth load modulation power amplifier, comprising a main-path power amplifier, an auxiliary-path power amplifier, a quadrature coupler, a main-path radio frequency signal matching network, an auxiliary-path radio frequency signal matching network and an output combined-path radio frequency signal matching network. When an input of a radio frequency signal is received, the quadrature coupler divides the input radio frequency signal into two paths of radio frequency signals, which have a 90-degree phase difference therebetween, wherein the radio frequency signal, which has a +45-degree phase, enters the main-path power amplifier, and the radio frequency signal, which has the −45-degree phase, enters the auxiliary-path power amplifier; and the output combined-path radio frequency signal matching network synthesizes a main-path signal and an auxiliary-path signal and then outputs a radio frequency signal.