Radio Transmitter PA Distortion Control With DPD and DPoD

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power amplifiers in radio transmitter devices face challenges in controlling non-linearity and distortion, particularly in 5G and 6G wireless networks, where strict emission requirements must be met.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a radio transmitter device that applies a first distortion operation, such as digital pre-distortion (DPD), to control out-of-band distortion, and a second distortion operation, such as digital post-distortion (DPoD), for collaborative processing to control in-band distortion, using neural networks for partial application of these operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If digital pre-distortion is applied to control out-of-band distortion, then out-of-band distortion (ACLR) is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveout-of-band distortionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Digital pre-distortion applies a distortion compensation operation before the power amplifier processes the signal. The transmitted signal is intentionally pre-distorted in the opposite direction of the expected power amplifier distortion, so that when the power amplifier applies its non-linear transformation, the overall effect is linear output. This preliminary action prevents out-of-band distortion before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A digital signal processing block acts as an intermediary between the modulator and the power amplifier. This intermediary applies the pre-distortion transformation to the signal, modifying it in a controlled manner before it enters the non-linear power amplifier stage, thereby compensating for the upcoming distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If digital post-distortion is applied to control in-band distortion, then in-band distortion (EVM) is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvein-band distortionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Digital post-distortion uses feedback from the received signal to compensate for in-band distortion. The receiver measures the actual distortion that occurred during transmission and applies a corrective transformation to the received signal, using this feedback information to undo the power amplifier's non-linear effects and reduce in-band distortion such as EVM.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If power amplifier operates at high efficiency, then power efficiency is improved, but distortion control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoiddistortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By applying pre-distortion before the power amplifier, the signal is prepared in advance to compensate for the amplifier's non-linear behavior. This allows the power amplifier to operate at high efficiency points (such as saturation) without producing excessive out-of-band distortion, because the pre-distortion has already pre-compensated for the expected non-linear transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Post-distortion techniques provide feedback-based correction that allows the system to tolerate higher power amplifier efficiency operation. The feedback loop measures the actual distortion produced and applies corrective transformations, enabling the power amplifier to operate more efficiently while maintaining acceptable distortion levels through active compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4531292A1Collaborative control of power amplifier related distortions in a radio transmitter device, and related devices and methods
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4531292A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4531292A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4531292A1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Devices and methods for collaborative control of power amplifier related distortions in a radio transmitter device are disclosed. At least some example embodiments may allow controlling the distortions in the power amplifiers used in the radio transmitter devices in way that also takes into account various emission requirements.