Power Amplifier Dynamic Bias Control for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular devices face inefficiencies in power amplifier calibration due to static load conditions during factory calibration, which does not accurately represent real-world operating conditions, leading to sub-optimal power consumption and increased manufacturing time.

Innovation Solution

A mobile wireless communications device with a processor that determines the adjacent channel leakage value and selectively sets the control voltage for the power amplifier based on real-time feedback, allowing for dynamic adjustment of power amplifier operation to optimize efficiency and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If static factory calibration is used for power amplifier, then manufacturing process is simplified, but power consumption efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidpower consumption efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic calibration of the power amplifier by continuously adjusting the bias voltage based on real-time operating conditions such as temperature, supply voltage, and output power level. This dynamic approach replaces static factory calibration, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize power consumption efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through automated feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If individual power amplifier calibration is performed during manufacturing, then power amplifier performance is optimized, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower amplifier performance optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-calibration during normal operation by automatically adjusting the power amplifier bias voltage based on real-time measurements of operating conditions. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual calibration during manufacturing, as the power amplifier automatically optimizes its own performance in the field, reducing manufacturing time while maintaining performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors temperature, supply voltage, and output power level, then adjusts the bias voltage accordingly. This automated feedback control enables the system to achieve optimal performance without requiring precise manual calibration during manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If static lookup tables are used for power amplifier control, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol circuit complexityVSAvoidadaptability to operating conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static lookup tables with a dynamic control mechanism that continuously adjusts the bias voltage based on real-time operating conditions including temperature, supply voltage, and output power level. This dynamic approach significantly improves adaptability to different operating conditions while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of straightforward voltage adjustment circuitry and feedback control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2621093B1Mobile wireless communications device with selective power amplifier control and related methods
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2621093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2621093B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2621093B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile wireless communications device (10) may include a processor (11), a modulator (12) coupled downstream from the processor, a power amplifier (13) coupled downstream from the modulator and having a control voltage input, an antenna coupled downstream from the power amplifier (13), and a feedback path coupled between the antenna and the processor. The processor may be coupled to the control voltage input of the power amplifier, and may be configured to determine an adjacent channel leakage value based upon the feedback path (15) and to selectively set a control voltage for the power amplifier based upon the adjacent channel leakage value.