PA Drain Voltage Control for Lower RF Module Power Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The power consumption of power amplifiers (PAs) in radio frequency modules is high due to constant drain voltage operation, even when maximum transmit power is not required, leading to inefficiency and unnecessary power consumption, especially with limited transmit power levels and individual component variations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that adjust the drain voltage of the PA based on real-time link status indications, such as MSE, EVM, or SNR, to reduce power consumption while ensuring communication system reliability, allowing for maximum reduction in power consumption across different batches and transmit powers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drain voltage of the PA is kept at a maximum value to ensure reliability, then the reliability of the communications system is improved, but the power consumption of the PA increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drain voltage adjustable rather than fixed. The drain voltage is dynamically adjusted based on link status quality indicators (such as EVM, MSE, or SNR) to match the actual transmission requirements. When link quality is good, the drain voltage is reduced; when link quality degrades, the drain voltage is increased to maintain reliability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain reliability only when necessary while reducing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the PA by adjusting the drain voltage based on link status indicators. Instead of operating at a fixed maximum drain voltage, the system monitors link quality parameters and adjusts the drain voltage accordingly. This parameter change allows the PA to operate at optimal voltage levels that balance reliability requirements with power consumption efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the drain voltage of the PA is reduced to lower power consumption, then the power consumption of the PA is reduced, but the reliability of the communications system may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring link status indicators (such as EVM, MSE, or SNR) and using this information to adjust the drain voltage. The feedback mechanism ensures that the drain voltage is reduced only when link quality is sufficient, and is increased when link quality degrades. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by providing real-time adjustments that maintain reliability while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by autonomously adjusting the drain voltage based on monitored link status without requiring external intervention. The PA system monitors its own operating conditions and automatically optimizes its voltage level to balance power consumption and reliability, making the system self-regulating and adaptive to changing conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If three levels of transmit powers are provided with fixed drain bias currents, then the power consumption of the PA can be adjusted, but drain current design redundancy and unnecessary power consumption are caused due to individual differences between batches of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed drain bias currents with dynamically adjustable drain voltage. Instead of providing three discrete power levels with fixed currents that must account for component variations, the system continuously adjusts the drain voltage based on actual link status. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for design redundancy while enabling fine-grained power consumption optimization tailored to each operating condition and component characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed drain bias current to adjustable drain voltage. By monitoring link status indicators and adjusting the drain voltage accordingly, the system can optimize power consumption for each specific operating condition and component batch without requiring conservative design margins. This parameter change eliminates unnecessary power consumption caused by over-design for component variations.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and a device for reducing power consumption of a PA, and relate to the field of communications technologies, which can reduce the power consumption of the PA to a maximum extent for components of different batches. A detailed solution is as follows: The station A receives a first link status indication sent by a station B, where the first link status indication includes a parameter of a status of a link from the station A to the station B; and if the parameter included in the first link status indication is greater than a first threshold, the station A decreases a drain voltage of the PA, to reduce the power consumption of the PA. The embodiments of the present invention are applied to a process of communication between point-to-point radio frequency modules.