PA Supply Voltage Switching Between APT and ET Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power conservation in transceivers, particularly in mobile communication devices and base stations, is challenging due to inefficiencies in existing average power tracking (APT) and envelope tracking (ET) mechanisms, especially when handling LTE carrier aggregation signals with high frequency content and periodicity, which lead to power loss and unwanted spurs.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically switches between APT and ET modes based on transmission parameters, using a threshold-based or weighted factor analysis to determine the most efficient mode for each transmission time slot, optimizing power consumption and linearity by adjusting the supply voltage to match the signal envelope, thereby reducing power loss and improving PA efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If envelope tracking (ET) mechanism is used to dynamically adjust supply voltage to track amplitude modulation signal, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to requirement of fast DC-DC converter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between APT and ET modes based on real-time signal characteristics. The system dynamically adjusts the supply voltage tracking strategy: using ET when signal bandwidth exceeds threshold (improving power efficiency) and APT when bandwidth is below threshold (reducing complexity). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the complexity increase conditional rather than constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter (supply voltage control mode) based on signal bandwidth conditions. When bandwidth > threshold, the system switches to ET mode with fast DC-DC converter. When bandwidth ≤ threshold, it uses APT mode with simpler voltage control. This parameter-based switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the complexity level to the actual signal requirements.
2Device complexity
If average power tracking (APT) mechanism is used with fixed supply voltage during time slot, then device complexity is reduced, but power efficiency deteriorates due to inability to track amplitude modulation signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the supply voltage control dynamic by introducing mode switching based on signal characteristics. Instead of always using fixed APT voltage, the system dynamically selects between APT (simple) and ET (efficient) modes. This resolves the contradiction by adding dynamics only when needed (high bandwidth signals) while maintaining simplicity for low bandwidth cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter strategy based on signal bandwidth. For low bandwidth signals, simple APT voltage control is used. For high bandwidth signals, the system switches to ET mode with dynamic voltage tracking. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching the control complexity to the signal requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If envelope tracking is used for signals with high frequency content and periodicity such as LTE carrier aggregation, then power efficiency may improve, but unwanted spurs are generated due to interaction with DC-DC converter switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring signal bandwidth and switching between APT and ET modes accordingly. When high-frequency carrier aggregation signals are detected (bandwidth > threshold), the system switches to APT mode to avoid spur generation. When bandwidth is lower, ET mode is used for better efficiency. This feedback-based mode selection resolves the contradiction by avoiding ET mode under conditions that cause spurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating mode parameter based on signal bandwidth characteristics. For signals with high frequency content (carrier aggregation), the system switches to APT mode to eliminate spur generation. For signals with lower bandwidth, ET mode is maintained for power efficiency. This parameter change strategy resolves the contradiction by adapting the control mode to signal characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus of a transmitter and method are provided, the apparatus comprising a processor that calculates a supply voltage (SV) value (SVV) to provide as an SV for a power amplifier (PA) of the transmitter for transmissions during a transmission time slot (TS). When the SV < an envelope tracking (ET) threshold (ETT), then the processor configures the PA to transmit a signal in an average power tracking (APT) mode that maintains the SV at the SVV during the TS. When the SV≥ETT, and an APT condition is met, then the processor configures the PA to transmit the signal in the APT mode. When the SV≥ETT, and the APT condition is not met, then the processor transmits by an adjustment to the SVV to track an amplitude modulation envelope during the TS in an ET mode.