Power Amplifier Ramp Scaling for Multi-Level Time Slot Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soft modem implementations for power amplifier ramping in communication systems require multiple ramp patterns for different output power levels, leading to inflexibility and wasteful memory usage, as they struggle to adjust profiles effectively over a wide range of operating powers.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single reference ramp pattern scaled by software to accommodate various output power levels, allowing flexible and efficient ramping by applying a scaling function, which can be either additive or multiplicative, depending on the radio access technology mode, thus reducing memory requirements and enabling easy updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ramp patterns are stored for different output power levels, then the system can meet power-versus-time and switching spectra specifications at all power levels, but memory usage increases and the system becomes less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
A single reference ramp pattern is designed to serve multiple output power levels through software-based scaling operations. The ramp pattern is stored once in memory and then scaled via software to generate appropriate ramp profiles for different power levels, making the single reference pattern universal across multiple operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the amplitude parameter of the reference ramp pattern through software scaling to adapt it for different output power levels. By applying scaling factors to the reference pattern's amplitude, the system generates appropriate ramp profiles for various power levels without storing multiple separate patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ramp patterns are stored for different output power levels, then the system can accommodate different power requirements, but the system becomes less adaptable and harder to update
Solution Approach 1:
The single reference ramp pattern serves multiple functions across different power levels and radio access technologies. Software scaling enables this universal pattern to adapt to various output requirements, making the system more flexible and easier to update since only the reference pattern needs to be modified rather than multiple stored patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional approach of storing multiple discrete ramp patterns (analogous to mechanical switching between different stored profiles) with a software-based scaling mechanism. This substitution allows dynamic generation of appropriate ramp patterns through mathematical operations on a single reference pattern, enhancing adaptability and reducing complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If a single reference ramp pattern is scaled using software, then memory usage is reduced and flexibility is improved, but the system must process and scale patterns in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The reference ramp pattern is prepared in advance and stored in memory in its reference form. The scaling operations are performed in real-time by the processor based on the required output power level, but the fundamental pattern structure is pre-established, reducing the computational burden during real-time operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, program and apparatus for transmitting a signal in a time slot of a channel comprising a plurality of time slots. Using a transmitter having a processor and a power amplifier, the method comprises: retrieving a reference ramp pattern from a memory; determining an output power level for the slot from a plurality of possible output power levels, each requiring a respective corresponding ramp pattern; executing software on the processor to apply a scaling function to the reference ramp pattern in dependence on the determined output power level, thus generating a scaled ramp pattern corresponding to the pattern required for that determined level; supplying the scaled ramp pattern to a control input of the power amplifier, to control the gain of the power amplifier during the time slot; and using the power amplifier, controlled according to the scaled ramp pattern, to transmit the signal in the time slot.