Parallel Power Amplifier With Immittance Conversion for Precise Output Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifier systems face inefficiencies and complexity when combining adjustable output power from multiple circuits, often resulting in additional size and loss, particularly in high-power applications like RF generating systems and MRI systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple power amplifiers configured in parallel with immittance converters, where a control circuit modulates power delivery by enabling/disabling amplifiers and adjusting signal timing to achieve precise and efficient power adjustment, allowing for coarse and fine tuning of output power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power amplifier circuits are combined to achieve high power output, then power delivery capability is improved, but system complexity and losses increase due to separate power combiner circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power amplifier and immittance conversion functions into a single integrated circuit path. Each power amplifier circuit is directly coupled to an immittance converter, eliminating the need for separate power combiner circuits. This integration reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to combine multiple amplifier outputs for high power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The immittance converter serves multiple functions: it converts the output impedance of each power amplifier to match the load impedance, and it also acts as part of the power combining network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated combiner circuits, reducing overall system complexity.
2Power
If separate power combiner circuits are used to combine multiple power amplifier outputs, then power combination is achieved, but additional size and losses are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power amplification and immittance conversion functions into each parallel circuit path, eliminating separate combiner circuits. This integration reduces the number of components and interconnections, thereby reducing resistive losses and improving overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the immittance conversion function from a separate combiner circuit and places it directly at the output of each power amplifier. This extraction eliminates the need for additional combiner components that would introduce losses.
3Power
If multiple power amplifier circuits are used for high power output, then power delivery is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (power amplification, impedance matching, and power combining) into each parallel circuit path. This integration reduces the number of discrete components and their associated mounting space, thereby reducing overall system size while maintaining high power delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The immittance converter performs multiple functions including impedance matching and acting as part of the power combining network. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components needed, thereby reducing system size.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable output power levels are implemented in high power applications, then power control flexibility is improved, but efficiency of power amplifiers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power amplification function into multiple parallel circuits, each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows for efficient power control by activating only the necessary number of amplifier circuits based on the desired output power level, thereby maintaining high efficiency across different power settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of multiple parallel power amplifier circuits with immittance converters. The system can dynamically adjust the number of active amplifier circuits and their individual output levels to match the desired power output, maintaining high efficiency across a wide range of power settings through adaptive impedance matching.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary aspects are directed to a power-amplification circuit including multiple in-parallel circuit paths, each including a power amplifier driving an immittance converter. Current from each output of the respective immittance converters is combined for delivery to a load. In a more specific example, a control circuit may be used to modulate, such as by enabling or disabling power delivered from, one or more of the power amplifiers for fast, coarse resetting of the overall power delivered to the load, and/or to modulate one or more of the modulate immittance converters (e.g., via a phase or signal-timing adjustment) to finely tune the resetting of the overall power delivered to the load. Using the control circuit for providing both the coarse adjustment and the fine adjustment, and fast acting precise delivery of overall power delivered to a load may be realized for any of a variety of applications.