Mixed-Mode Power Amplifier with Dynamic Voltage Supply

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power amplifiers in mobile communication terminals face challenges in achieving high efficiency while maintaining linearity, especially in the low-power mode, leading to limited battery life and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A power amplifier is designed with two stages, utilizing a high-linearity amplifier for high output power and a non-linear amplifier for low output power, along with a dynamic voltage supplier to optimize efficiency in the most frequently used range, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional power amplifier operates in low-power mode, then power consumption is reduced, but power efficiency becomes very low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into two separate amplification paths: a linear amplification path for high-power mode and a non-linear amplification path for low-power mode. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific operating condition, with the non-linear path achieving high efficiency at low power levels while the linear path maintains linearity at high power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between linear and non-linear amplification modes based on the input signal power level. A switching mechanism selects the appropriate amplification path, and a dynamic voltage supplier adjusts the supply voltage to the non-linear amplifier to maximize efficiency in the most frequently used power range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a power amplifier uses high-power mode to satisfy peak output power, then linearity is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelinearityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into two separate amplification paths: a linear amplification path for high-power mode and a non-linear amplification path for low-power mode. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific operating condition, with the non-linear path achieving high efficiency at low power levels while the linear path maintains linearity at high power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the amplifier based on the input signal power level. For low-power signals, the non-linear amplifier operates with optimized bias conditions and voltage supply to achieve maximum efficiency. For high-power signals, the linear amplifier is activated to maintain linearity, effectively changing the operational parameters to match the signal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single amplifier is used for both high-power and low-power modes, then device complexity is reduced, but efficiency in low-power mode cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplifier structureVSAvoidefficiency in low-power mode

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into two separate amplification paths: a linear amplification path for high-power mode and a non-linear amplification path for low-power mode. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific operating condition, with the non-linear path achieving high efficiency at low power levels while the linear path maintains linearity at high power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power amplifier system is designed to perform multiple functions through two parallel paths: one path handles high-power linear amplification while the other handles low-power non-linear amplification. This multi-functional design allows the system to optimize efficiency across different power levels without requiring separate amplifier systems for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7436257B2High-efficiency mixed-mode power amplifier

Publication Date: 2008.10.14 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

Provided is a power amplifier of a low-power consumption system that has linearity at a peak output power while increasing efficiency in a most frequently used range, and thereby enables a battery to last longer. The power amplifier includes an input impedance matcher for impedance-matching a signal input from the outside; a high-power amplifier and a low-power amplifier for amplifying the signal having passed through the input impedance matcher; an amplification controller controlling the high-power amplifier and low-power amplifier according to the power level of the input signal; an output impedance matcher for impedance-matching the signal amplified by the high-power amplifier and low-power amplifier; and a dynamic voltage supplier for supplying the low-power amplifier with a variable driving voltage. With the constitution set forth above, linearity at peak output power is maintained, and efficiency increases in the most frequently used range, thereby enabling the battery of a handheld to last longer.