Power Amplifier Supply Voltage Control for ACLR-Efficient Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power amplifiers in wireless communication devices operate inefficiently even when their output signals satisfy the required adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) value, due to their non-linear characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A power amplifier control device is introduced, comprising a measuring circuit to determine the ACLR and a supply voltage regulation circuit that uses an ACLR model to adjust the supply voltage of the power amplifier, thereby optimizing efficiency while maintaining compliance with ACLR regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power amplifier operates at high supply voltage to maintain linear characteristics, then the ACLR requirement is satisfied, but the power consumption increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveACLR complianceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic supply voltage regulation that adapts the power amplifier's operating voltage in real-time based on the actual ACLR measurement. The control circuit continuously monitors ACLR and adjusts the supply voltage dynamically, transitioning from static high-voltage operation to adaptive voltage control, thereby optimizing the trade-off between linearity and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the measured ACLR value is fed back to the control circuit, which then adjusts the supply voltage accordingly. This closed-loop control system uses the ACLR measurement as feedback to continuously optimize the power amplifier's operating point, reducing voltage when ACLR is already compliant and thereby lowering power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the power amplifier operates at low supply voltage to reduce power consumption, then the efficiency increases, but the ACLR requirement may not be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidACLR compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the power amplifier system to self-regulate its operating voltage based on real-time ACLR measurements. The control circuit automatically determines the appropriate supply voltage level by monitoring the ACLR output, allowing the system to serve itself by optimizing voltage without external intervention, thus achieving efficient operation while maintaining compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameter (supply voltage) dynamically based on the measured ACLR performance. Instead of fixing the voltage at a conservative high level, the system adjusts the voltage parameter in real-time according to actual ACLR measurements, enabling operation at lower voltages when conditions permit, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the supply voltage is reduced to increase efficiency, then the power consumption decreases, but the non-linear characteristics worsen and ACLR increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidadjacent channel leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback control where the ACLR measurement (representing adjacent channel leakage) is continuously monitored and fed back to adjust the supply voltage. When leakage increases due to voltage reduction, the feedback mechanism detects this and adjusts voltage accordingly, creating a self-correcting system that maintains acceptable leakage levels while optimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static voltage operation to dynamic voltage regulation, where the supply voltage continuously adapts based on real-time ACLR measurements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to operate at lower voltages when conditions permit (reducing leakage and power consumption) and increase voltage when leakage becomes excessive, optimizing the trade-off between efficiency and harmful emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4518151A1Power amplifier control device and operation method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4518151A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4518151A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4518151A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power amplifier control device includes a measuring circuit and a supply voltage regulation circuit. The measured circuit measures an adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of a power amplifier to generate a measured ACLR. The supply voltage regulation circuit determines a regulated supply voltage from an ACLR model defined based on a change level of a supply voltage of the power amplifier and a change level of the measured ACLR defined, and transfers the regulated supply voltage to the power amplifier. The measured ACLR is a difference between a reference ACLR and the measured ACLR.