Multi-band Envelope Tracking Circuit for RF Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in reducing power consumption and heat dissipation in mobile devices due to the high average output power required for RF signals, which compromises performance and user experience, especially in multi-band communication scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A multi-band envelope tracking circuit is introduced, comprising multiple RF transceivers and envelope tracking signal paths with switching circuitry to selectively provide envelope tracking signals, allowing for efficient power amplification across various RF bands, thereby supporting multi-band wireless communications with reduced power consumption and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If sophisticated RF power amplifiers are employed to increase average output power of RF signals, then data rate and energy per bit are improved, but power consumption and thermal dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply voltage to the RF power amplifier dynamically adjustable according to the instantaneous amplitude envelope of the RF signal. Instead of using a fixed high voltage to maintain peak power output, the system continuously varies the supply voltage to match the signal envelope, allowing the amplifier to operate at high efficiency only when needed while reducing power consumption during low-signal periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of power supply voltage from a constant value to a time-varying parameter that tracks the RF signal envelope. This parameter change enables the power amplifier to maintain high output power when required while operating at lower voltage levels during low-signal conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high average output power and reducing overall power consumption.
2Power
If sophisticated RF power amplifiers are employed to increase average output power of RF signals, then data rate and energy per bit are improved, but thermal dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustment of power supply voltage directly impacts thermal dissipation by reducing the voltage applied to the power amplifier during low-signal conditions. Since thermal dissipation in power amplifiers is proportional to the square of the supply voltage, this dynamic voltage reduction significantly decreases heat generation while maintaining the capability to deliver high power when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the power supply voltage parameter from constant to time-varying, the system reduces thermal dissipation during low-signal periods while preserving the ability to achieve high output power when required. This parameter modulation resolves the contradiction between maintaining high average output power and minimizing thermal dissipation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If envelope tracking is used to improve efficiency of RF power amplifiers, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the envelope tracking circuitry to serve multiple functions: it extracts the amplitude envelope from the RF signal, generates the appropriate control voltage, and supplies it to the power amplifier. This multi-functional approach reduces overall device complexity by consolidating what could be separate components into an integrated envelope tracking system that performs multiple tasks within a unified circuit architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope tracker acts as an intermediary component between the RF signal source and the power amplifier. It processes the RF signal to extract envelope information and generates a control voltage that mediates the power delivery to the amplifier. This intermediary function enables efficient power amplification without requiring complex modifications to either the signal source or the amplifier itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-band envelope tracking circuit is disclosed. The multi-band envelope tracking circuit includes a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a second RF transceiver, each configured to communicate one or more RF signals in one or more RF bands, and an envelope tracking signal corresponding to the one or more RF signals. The multi-band envelope tracking circuit includes a first envelope tracking signal path and a second envelope tracking signal path, each configured to amplify RF signal(s) in RF band(s) based on corresponding envelope tracking signal(s). Switching circuitry is provided and configured to provide the corresponding envelope tracking signal(s) to selected one or more of the first envelope tracking signal path and the second envelope tracking signal path. As such, the multi-band envelope tracking circuit can perform envelope tracking power amplification in various RF band combinations, thus supporting multi-band wireless communications with reduced power consumption and heat dissipation.