Millimeter-Wave Power Amplifier Feedback for Wider Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power amplifiers fail to achieve large bandwidth, high linearity, and low power consumption simultaneously, especially at millimeter wave frequencies, making them unsuitable for high-quality mobile device transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A multistage power amplifier design with weak negative feedback and interleaved double feedback loops is employed, using resistors and other components to increase bandwidth and provide electrostatic discharge protection, allowing for flexible feedback configurations around odd or even numbers of stages with phase shift adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional open loop designs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but bandwidth and linearity performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms (both series and shunt feedback) to improve bandwidth and linearity performance. The feedback paths allow the amplifier to maintain stability while achieving the required 25 GHz bandwidth and high linearity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
2Reliability
If feedback loops are added to increase bandwidth, then bandwidth is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple feedback loops (double feedback configuration) where each loop provides partial improvement. The series feedback path and shunt feedback path work together to achieve the 182% bandwidth improvement while managing power consumption through distributed feedback rather than a single heavy feedback mechanism.
3Reliability
If multiple feedback loops are implemented, then bandwidth increases by 182%, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system is segmented into distinct series feedback path and shunt feedback path, each with specific components (resistors, capacitors, inductors). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each feedback loop while achieving the combined 182% bandwidth improvement, making the complexity manageable through modular design.
4Reliability
If feedback elements are coupled across odd number of stages, then bandwidth is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies coupling feedback elements across odd numbers of stages (1st-3rd, 3rd-5th, etc.) to achieve bandwidth improvement. This parameter specification (odd number of stages) provides a clear design rule that simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for precise phase matching, as the odd-stage coupling inherently provides the required phase relationship.
Data Source
AI summary
A millimeter wave power amplifier is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a MM wave power amplifier (PA) includes a plurality of amplifier stages coupled together to receive a MM wave input signal and produce an amplified MM wave output signal, and one or more feedback elements coupled across the amplifier stages, each feedback element coupled across an odd number of the amplifier stages to increase an operating bandwidth of the PA.