Power Amplifier Boost Circuit for Faster Low-Power Bias Transients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biasing circuits for power amplifiers rely on current mirrors that consume a lot of power, leading to prolonged transient response times due to their inefficiency in compensating gain variations during the transition from a disabled to an enabled state.

Innovation Solution

A boost circuit comprising a voltage-to-voltage generator, a voltage-to-current generator, and a differential current generator, which generates a converting voltage with a slower slope than the reference voltage, allowing for the production of operational current that shortens transient response times without relying on current mirrors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current mirrors are used to generate correction current for compensating gain variations, then gain compensation during transient state is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain compensationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using a capacitor to store energy and a resistor to generate a voltage signal proportional to the rate of change of bias current. This analog approach with passive components achieves gain compensation without the high power consumption of active current mirrors, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If current mirrors are used to provide correction current, then gain variation compensation is achieved, but transient response time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain compensationVSAvoidtransient response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic current mirror system with an analog circuit using a capacitor and resistor. The capacitor charges/discharges to generate a transient voltage signal that directly compensates for gain variations, eliminating the delay inherent in current mirror operation and thus reducing transient response time while maintaining compensation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If faster transient response is achieved through aggressive correction current, then stabilization time is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransient response timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor in the circuit naturally charges and discharges in periodic cycles, generating correction current only when needed during transient states. This periodic action provides fast response during activation while automatically reducing to zero power consumption during stable operation, resolving the contradiction between speed and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The boost circuit effectively reduces transient response times in power amplifiers while minimizing power consumption, enabling faster stabilization and improved performance during initial activation.

Implementation Method 1

The voltage-to-voltage generator is coupled to the input end and configured to generate a converting voltage according to the reference voltage, wherein an absolute value of a rising edge slope on a waveform of the converting voltage is smaller than an absolute value of a rising edge slope on a waveform of the reference voltage, or an absolute value of a falling edge slope on the waveform of the converting voltage is smaller than an absolute value of a falling edge slope on the waveform of the reference voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion with slope control:

Implementation Method 2

The voltage-to-current generator is coupled to the voltage-to-voltage generator and configured to convert the converting voltage into first current, wherein a waveform of the first current corresponds to a waveform of the converting voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage-to-current conversion:

Implementation Method 3

The differential current generator is coupled between the input end and the voltage-to-current generator and configured to generate second current associated the waveform the reference voltage and output the operational current, wherein the operational current is associated with the first current and the second current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential current generation:

Data Source

PatentUS10135397B2Boost circuit for use in power amplifier

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 RICHWAVE TECH CORP

AI summary

A boost circuit for use in a power amplifier includes a voltage-to-voltage generator, a voltage-to-current converter, and a differential current generator. The voltage-to-voltage generator is configured to generate a converting voltage according to a reference voltage, wherein the absolute value of the slope at the rising edge of the converting voltage is smaller than the absolute value of the slope at the rising edge of the reference voltage. The voltage-to-current converter is configured to generate first current according to the converting voltage, wherein the waveform of the first current corresponds to the waveform of the converting voltage. The differential current generator is configured to generator second current associated with the waveform of the reference voltage, thereby outputting operational current whose value is associated with the first current and the second current.