Power Amplifier Modulated Power Supply Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifiers face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining signal accuracy, particularly in high-frequency component output and voltage source efficiency, due to the limitations of switching amplifiers and linear regulators in current source implementations.
Innovation Solution
A power amplifier design that includes separate voltage sources for low-frequency and high-frequency components, combined with a current source to generate a modulated power supply signal, allowing for efficient amplification and reduced power consumption by minimizing unnecessary current flow and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single voltage source is used to supply power to the RF amplifier, then the circuit structure is simple, but the power consumption increases and signal accuracy deteriorates because the voltage source must handle both low-frequency and high-frequency components simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage source is segmented into two separate sources: a first voltage source for low-frequency components and a second voltage source for high-frequency components. This segmentation allows each source to be optimized for its specific frequency range, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining signal accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different voltage sources are assigned different functional characteristics based on their frequency domains. The first voltage source handles low-frequency amplitude modulation components, while the second voltage source handles high-frequency components, allowing each to operate in its optimal performance region.
2Loss of energy
If a switching amplifier is used as a current source with high current output, then power efficiency is improved, but high-speed switching operation becomes difficult and high-frequency components cannot be output accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The current amplification function is segmented between a switching amplifier for low-frequency components and a linear amplifier for high-frequency components. This allows the switching amplifier to operate efficiently at lower frequencies while the linear amplifier handles the high-frequency switching requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different amplifier types are used in different frequency domains: switching amplifiers for low-frequency operation where efficiency is critical, and linear amplifiers for high-frequency operation where switching speed is critical.
3Measurement precision
If the voltage source outputs high current to maintain signal accuracy, then signal fidelity is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage output is segmented into low-frequency and high-frequency components handled by separate voltage sources. This segmentation reduces the current burden on each source compared to a single source handling the full spectrum, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining signal accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of a power amplifier according to the present invention is a power amplifier that amplifies a modulated signal including amplitude modulated components and phase modulated components, the power amplifier including a first voltage source 21 that amplifies low-frequency components of the amplitude modulated components of the modulated signal to output a first voltage VC_L, a second voltage source 22 that amplifies high-frequency components of the amplitude modulated components of the modulated signal to output a second voltage VC_H, a current source 24 that amplifies amplitude components of the modulated signal to output a current, a combiner circuit 23 that combines the first voltage VC_L, the second voltage VC_H, and a current IM to generate a modulated power supply signal VOUT, and an RF amplifier 30 that amplifies a signal obtained by up-converting the modulated signal to a carrier frequency and outputs the amplified signal after modulating amplitude of the amplified signal by the modulated power supply signal VOUT. In this way, power efficiency of a circuit that generates a modulated power supply can be improved.