Multi-RAT Envelope Tracking Amplifier With Shared ETIC Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current amplifier technologies for 5G-capable mobile communication devices face challenges in efficiently amplifying and managing power across multiple radio access technologies (RATs) while minimizing power consumption and heat dissipation, particularly in supporting concurrent communication of RF signals for different RATs like 3G, 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi.
Innovation Solution
A multi-RAT envelope tracking (ET) amplifier apparatus is developed, incorporating an ET integrated circuit (ETIC) and a distributed ETIC, which generate ET voltages and distributed ET voltages respectively to amplify RF signals for different RATs concurrently, sharing circuitry to reduce footprint and improve efficiency and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate amplifier circuits are used for different RATs, then each RAT can be amplified independently, but the device footprint and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple amplifier circuits for different RATs (5G, 4G, Wi-Fi) into a single integrated amplifier apparatus. The power amplifier is configured to receive multiple input signals corresponding to different RATs and amplify them concurrently using a shared power amplifier stage, thereby reducing device footprint while maintaining support for multiple RATs.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple RATs through a single device. The power amplifier can operate in different modes (single-RAT and multi-RAT) and can be controlled via I2C interface to adapt to different operating scenarios, making it a universal solution for concurrent RAT amplification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional amplifier operation is used for multiple RATs, then implementation is simpler, but power consumption and heat dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier apparatus dynamically adjusts its operating mode based on the communication scenario. It can switch between single-RAT mode and multi-RAT concurrent mode, and within multi-RAT mode, it can adjust power distribution among different RATs. This dynamic operation optimizes power consumption and heat dissipation by activating only the necessary amplifier stages for the current communication requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as power amplifier bias conditions, signal routing configurations, and power distribution levels based on the active RATs. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves efficient power utilization and reduced heat dissipation while supporting concurrent RAT communications.
3Reliability
If separate ETIC circuits are used for each RAT, then each RAT can have optimized ET control, but the device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ET control functionality is segmented into separate processing paths for different RATs within a single integrated ETIC. The ETIC includes separate envelope detection and voltage control circuits for 5G, 4G, and Wi-Fi signals, allowing independent ET optimization for each RAT while sharing common infrastructure components, thus reducing overall complexity compared to completely separate ETIC circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The ETIC acts as an intermediary that receives control signals from multiple RAT interfaces, processes them through separate ET control paths, and generates appropriate envelope tracking voltages for the power amplifier. This intermediary structure enables optimized ET control for each RAT while consolidating control functions in a single device, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-radio access technology (RAT) envelope tracking (ET) amplifier apparatus is provided. The multi-RAT ET amplifier apparatus may be configured to enable concurrent communication of at least two radio frequency (RF) signals associated with at least two different RATs. Specifically, the multi-RAT ET amplifier apparatus includes an ET integrated circuit (IC) (ETIC) and a distributed ETIC (DETIC) configured to generate respective ET voltages for amplifying the two RF signals. In addition, the DETIC can be configured to utilize certain circuit(s) in the ETIC to help reduce a footprint of the DETIC. By amplifying the two different RF signals based on the respective ET voltages and sharing certain circuit(s) between the ETIC and the DETIC, it may be possible to improve overall efficiency and heat dissipation in the multi-RAT ET amplifier apparatus concurrent to reducing the footprint of the DETIC.