Parallel Switched-Mode Power Supplies for Fast Voltage Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for amplifiers, particularly in mobile applications, face challenges in modulating output voltage at high speeds with high efficiency, especially in wireless communication devices where power consumption varies significantly with frequency.
Innovation Solution
A parallel arrangement of two switched-mode power supplies with different system bandwidths and switching frequencies is used, where a low-frequency switched-mode power supply handles average power and a high-frequency switched-mode power supply manages fast transitions, both optimized for their respective tasks to achieve efficient voltage modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single switched-mode power supply is used to supply both high power and fast transitions, then the power supply can handle high power requirements, but the system bandwidth and response speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent switched-mode power supplies with different bandwidth characteristics. The first power supply (1) is optimized for high power delivery with lower bandwidth, while the second power supply (2) is optimized for fast transitions with higher bandwidth. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in specific frequency ranges, resolving the contradiction between power capacity and response speed.
2Measurement precision
If a linear regulator is used to provide fine control and filtering, then precise power-envelope modulation is achieved, but efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional linear regulator (analog/electromechanical system) with a second switched-mode power supply that operates at higher frequencies. This substitution maintains the ability to provide fine control and precise power-envelope modulation during TDMA bursts while achieving high efficiency, as switched-mode operation is inherently more efficient than linear regulation.
3Loss of energy
If the output voltage is modulated at high speed to match varying power requirements, then power consumption is minimized, but the system requires high bandwidth components
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum of the output voltage modulation is segmented into two ranges: low-frequency components are supplied by the first power supply optimized for high power, while high-frequency components are supplied by the second power supply optimized for fast response. This segmentation enables high-speed modulation that minimizes power consumption without requiring a single component to handle the entire bandwidth.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system comprises a parallel arrangement of a first switched mode power supply (1) which has a first system bandwidth (LB1) and a second switched mode power supply (2) which has a second system bandwidth (LB2) covering higher frequencies than the first system bandwidth (LB1). The first switched mode power supply (1) is dimensioned to supply a first maximal output power (P1m), the second switched mode power supply (2) is dimensioned to supply a second maximal output power (P2m) being smaller than the first maximal output power (P1m). A control circuit (3) varies a reference voltage (Vr) of both the first switched mode power supply (1) and the second switched mode power supply (2) to obtain a corresponding variation of an output voltage (Vout) of the parallel arrangement.