Parallel Doherty Amplifier Control for Wide Input Power Range

Solution Overview

Problem

Doherty power amplifiers with existing architecture have a limited input power changing range, leading to increased power consumption when the input power range is large, which does not meet the power efficiency requirements of radio base stations.

Innovation Solution

A power amplifier structure comprising n Doherty power amplification units connected in parallel with an n-way outphasing combiner, where the power amplifier triggers all or some units and the combiner to be in a working state based on input power levels, maintaining high efficiency across a larger input power range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a traditional Doherty power amplifier architecture is used, then high efficiency is maintained within a specific input power range, but the input power changing range is relatively small and power consumption increases when the input power range is large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinput power changing range

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into multiple Doherty power amplification units (first, second, and third units) that can be independently controlled. Each unit has its own primary power amplifier and peak power amplifier, allowing selective activation based on input power levels. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high efficiency across a broader input power range by activating only the necessary units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which Doherty power amplification units are active based on the input power level. The control unit determines the working state of each amplification unit according to the current input power, enabling the power amplifier to adapt its configuration in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high efficiency whether the input power is low, medium, or high.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of Doherty power amplification units is increased, then the input power changing range is extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput power changing rangeVSAvoidamplifier structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into multiple Doherty power amplification units (first, second, and third units) that can be independently controlled. Each unit has its own primary power amplifier and peak power amplifier, allowing selective activation based on input power levels. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high efficiency across a broader input power range by activating only the necessary units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple Doherty power amplification units share common input and output connections, as well as a unified control mechanism. The n-way outphasing combiner integrates the output signals from all active units, providing a universal interface that simplifies the overall system architecture despite having multiple amplification units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If all Doherty power amplification units are activated, then high efficiency is maintained across a larger input power range, but power consumption increases when not all units are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidefficiency consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the input power level and adjusts the working state of each Doherty power amplification unit accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that only the necessary number of units are activated based on current demand, preventing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining high efficiency when units are active. The system can dynamically switch between different configurations of active units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which Doherty power amplification units are active based on the input power level. The control unit determines the working state of each amplification unit according to the current input power, enabling the power amplifier to adapt its configuration in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high efficiency whether the input power is low, medium, or high.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3316479B1Power amplifier, power amplification method, and power amplification control device and method

Publication Date: 2022.10.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of power amplifiers, and provide a power amplifier, a power amplification method, and a power amplification control apparatus and method. The power amplifier includes n Doherty power amplification units connected in parallel and an n-way outphasing combiner, where n≥2 and n is an integer; each Doherty power amplification unit includes one input end and one output end; the n-way outphasing combiner includes n input ends and one output end; and the output ends of the Doherty power amplification units are separately connected to the input ends of the n-way outphasing combiner. In the present invention, by means of the power amplifier having this structure, high efficiency can be maintained within a larger input power changing range, thereby further reducing power consumption.