Millimeter-Wave RF Module With Shared Discrete PA Supply Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing demand for a compact RF circuit that improves power-added efficiency (PAE) using multiple power amplifiers capable of amplifying millimeter-wave signals.
Innovation Solution
A compact RF circuit and RF module are designed with multiple power amplifiers, a voltage generation circuit, and supply modulators that generate and selectively output discrete voltages to each power amplifier based on a digital control signal, enhancing power-added efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multiple power amplifiers are used to amplify millimeter-wave signals, then power-added efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage generation circuit is segmented into multiple discrete voltage levels, allowing selective supply to different power amplifiers based on signal requirements. This segmentation enables efficient power management across multiple PAs while maintaining a unified voltage generation architecture, thus improving power-added efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage generation circuit serves multiple power amplifiers simultaneously, providing a universal voltage supply mechanism. By generating multiple discrete voltages that can be selectively distributed to different PAs, the circuit achieves multi-functionality, reducing the need for separate voltage generation circuits for each amplifier and thereby controlling device complexity.
2Loss of energy
If multiple discrete voltages are generated and selectively output to power amplifiers, then power-added efficiency is improved, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete voltage generation functions are merged into a single voltage generation circuit that can selectively output different voltage levels. Instead of having separate voltage generation circuits for each power amplifier, the invention combines these functions into one unified circuit, reducing the overall circuit area while maintaining the capability to improve power-added efficiency through selective voltage supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage generation circuit incorporates dynamic switching capability to selectively output different discrete voltages based on real-time signal requirements. This dynamic operation allows the circuit to adapt its output without requiring multiple static voltage generation paths, thereby improving power-added efficiency while minimizing the circuit footprint through time-multiplexed voltage supply.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency circuit is provided that includes a power amplifier connected to an antenna and configured to amplify a millimeter-wave signal; a power amplifier connected to an antenna different from the antenna and configured to amplify the millimeter-wave signal; a voltage generation circuit configured to generate multiple discrete voltages based on an input voltage; a first supply modulator configured to selectively output one of the multiple discrete voltages to the power amplifier; and a second supply modulator configured to selectively output one of the multiple discrete voltages to the power amplifier. The first and second supply modulators are configured to select a same voltage from among the multiple discrete voltages in accordance with a first digital control signal.