Multi-Regulator Amplifier Supply for Wideband Envelope Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for high data transmission rates in wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, leads to wider signal bandwidths and higher peak-to-average power ratios (PAPR), making it challenging to develop power amplifiers with high efficiency and linearity, especially due to the complexity of signal modulation schemes and the inefficiency of existing envelope tracking (ET) technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic device with multiple linear regulators within a communication chip, where a control circuit produces an envelope signal to adjust voltages provided by the regulators, optimizing power supply to the amplifier for efficient operation across varying signal ranges, thereby enhancing the amplifier's efficiency and linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single linear regulator is used to supply voltage to the amplifier, then the device complexity is low, but the amplifier efficiency and linearity deteriorate under wideband and high-PAPR conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage supply system is segmented into multiple linear regulators (first linear regulator and second linear regulator) that operate in different voltage ranges. The first linear regulator handles lower voltage ranges while the second linear regulator handles higher voltage ranges, allowing each regulator to be optimized for its specific operating range, thereby improving overall amplifier efficiency and linearity under wideband and high-PAPR conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different linear regulators based on the envelope voltage range. The control circuit monitors the envelope signal and selectively activates the appropriate linear regulator (first or second) depending on whether the voltage is in the first range or second range, enabling adaptive optimization of amplifier performance across varying operating conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If envelope tracking technology is applied to improve amplifier efficiency, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional voltage regulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation system is divided into multiple linear regulators, each optimized for specific voltage ranges encountered during envelope tracking operation. This segmentation allows efficient power management across different signal power levels while maintaining manageable complexity through specialized design of each regulator for its designated range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (voltage range) of the linear regulators based on the envelope signal characteristics. By adjusting which linear regulator is active according to the voltage range requirements, the system adapts to varying power consumption needs while maintaining efficient operation across different signal conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments disclose a method and a device. The device includes: an antenna; a switching regulator; a communication chip including an amplifier, a first linear regulator operably connected to the amplifier and the switching regulator and configured to be supplied with a first voltage from the switching regulator, and a second linear regulator operably connected to the amplifier and the switching regulator and configured to be supplied with a second voltage higher than the first voltage from the switching regulator, the communication chip configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal outside of the electronic device through the antenna; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to produce an envelope of an input signal input to the amplifier in connection with the radio-frequency signal and to provide the produced envelope to at least one of the first linear regulator or the second linear regulator. The first linear regulator is configured to provide a third voltage corresponding to the envelope to the amplifier using the first voltage based on the envelope having a voltage in a first range. The second linear regulator is configured to provide a fourth voltage higher than the third voltage to the amplifier using the second voltage based on the voltage of the envelope being in a second range including values larger than values included in the first range.