Power Amplifier Supply Voltage Tracking for Dropout Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices, power amplifiers often operate with a supply voltage higher than the actual operating voltage, leading to excessive power loss and heat generation due to a 'dropout voltage' gap, resulting in high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method to control the supply voltage of power amplifiers by acquiring the state of a signal envelope's rising and falling edges, using a first voltage during falling edges and a second voltage corresponding to the signal's peak value during rising edges, as determined from a pre-stored correspondence table, to synchronize and optimize the supply voltage with the actual operating voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed high supply voltage is provided to power amplifiers to ensure proper operation across all devices, then reliability is improved, but power loss increases due to the dropout voltage gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed supply voltage to a dynamic supply voltage that changes according to the signal envelope. The supply voltage is adjusted in real-time based on the instantaneous signal level, allowing the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing power loss during low-signal conditions. This is achieved through envelope detection and dynamic voltage control circuits that modulate the supply voltage according to signal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a constant high voltage. By varying the supply voltage level according to the signal envelope amplitude, the system adapts the electrical parameters to match actual operational needs, thereby reducing the dropout voltage gap and minimizing power loss while ensuring sufficient voltage is provided when the signal requires it.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a high supply voltage is used to cover the maximum operating requirements, then adaptability is improved, but power consumption increases due to excessive voltage conversion to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the supply voltage to match the instantaneous signal requirements rather than maintaining a static high voltage. This dynamic adaptation allows the power amplifier to operate efficiently across different signal conditions, providing high voltage when needed for maximum output while reducing voltage during low-signal conditions to minimize power consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the signal itself to control the supply voltage through envelope detection. The detected envelope directly modulates the supply voltage, creating a self-regulating system that automatically adapts the voltage level to match signal requirements without external intervention, thereby optimizing the balance between adaptability and power consumption.
3Loss of energy
If the supply voltage is reduced to match the actual operating voltage, then power loss is reduced, but signal distortion may occur due to insufficient voltage during signal peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The supply voltage dynamically tracks the signal envelope, automatically increasing voltage during signal peaks to prevent distortion and decreasing voltage during low-signal periods to minimize power loss. This dynamic response ensures that the voltage is always sufficient for the current signal level while avoiding excessive voltage during low-demand conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback through envelope detection, where the signal envelope is detected and used to control the supply voltage. This closed-loop approach ensures that the supply voltage responds to actual signal requirements, preventing distortion by providing sufficient voltage when needed while reducing power loss by lowering voltage when the signal amplitude is low.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling a supply voltage of a power amplifier, and an electronic device that are provided in embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications technologies, and resolve a problem of high power consumption caused when the supply voltage of the power amplifier is much higher than an actual operating voltage. The method includes: acquiring a state of an envelope of a to-be-amplified signal, where the state of the envelope includes a rising edge and a falling edge; acquiring a first voltage corresponding to the envelope when the state of the envelope is the falling edge, and controlling the supply voltage of the power amplifier according to the first voltage; and acquiring a second voltage corresponding to a maximum peak value of the to-be-amplified signal in a first preset time when the state of the envelope is the rising edge, and controlling, according to the second voltage, the supply voltage of the power amplifier in the first preset time.