PA Tracker Circuit With Bypass Path for Higher Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracker circuits for power amplifiers in envelope tracking modes suffer from reduced power-added efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A tracker circuit that includes a converter circuit to generate discrete voltages, a supply modulator to selectively output these voltages to a power amplifier, a bypass path to bypass the converter and supply modulator, and a switch to control the bypass path, allowing for improved power-added efficiency by dynamically adjusting the power supply voltage based on the RF signal envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital envelope tracking mode is used to supply discrete voltages to power amplifier, then voltage control precision is improved, but power-added efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two operating modes: digital envelope tracking mode (for high voltage control precision during signal peaks) and average power tracking mode (for improved efficiency during sustained operation). The mode selection is dynamically adjusted based on signal characteristics, allowing the system to optimize between precision and efficiency in real-time rather than being fixed in one mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the power amplifier by switching between discrete voltage levels in digital ET mode and continuous voltage adjustment in average power tracking mode. This parameter variation allows the system to adapt to different signal conditions, achieving high precision when needed while maintaining efficiency during normal operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If converter circuit and supply modulator are always connected to provide discrete voltages, then voltage adjustment capability is improved, but circuit losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bypass path as a separate, independent circuit element that can operate independently of the converter circuit and supply modulator. This bypass path provides a direct connection for average power tracking, allowing the system to eliminate the converter and modulator from the signal path when their complex voltage adjustment capability is not needed, thereby removing their associated losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass path serves multiple functions: it provides a low-loss connection for average power tracking mode, and can be rapidly switched to enable immediate transition to digital envelope tracking mode when discrete voltage control is required. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit element to serve both efficiency and precision requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed tracker circuit enhances power-added efficiency by allowing for dynamic voltage adjustments and reducing losses in the converter and supply modulator circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a switched-capacitor circuit including a first input terminal and a plurality of first output terminals
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tracker circuit (1A) includes: a switched-capacitor circuit (20) configured to generate a plurality of discrete voltages based on a first input voltage; a supply modulator (31) configured to selectively output at least one of the plurality of discrete voltages to a power amplifier (2A); a bypass path (BP1) configured to bypass the switched-capacitor circuit (20) and the supply modulator (31) to output the first input voltage to the power amplifier (2A); and a switch (S66) configured to switch between connection and disconnection of the bypass path (BP1).