Power Detector Using Transformer and Peak Voltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric power detectors face challenges in maintaining precision due to variations in process, voltage, and temperature (PVT), and they require complex biasing circuits and variable attenuators to operate effectively, especially when the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is varied.
Innovation Solution
The proposed power detector employs a transformer to sense the electrical current of a load and provide an image current, followed by a non-linear hard switching mixer for the first multiplication, a filter to generate a DC signal, a peak voltage detector, and a second multiplier for linear multiplication of the DC signals, with a biasing circuit that is independent of temperature and process variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a linear multiplication of RF signals is performed to achieve precise power measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for complex biasing circuits and variable attenuators
Solution Approach 1:
The power detection function is segmented into two independent paths: one path detects voltage using a peak detector, and the other path detects current using a transformer and rectifier. These two detection paths are then combined through multiplication to obtain power measurement. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex biasing circuits required in conventional linear multiplication approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a peak detector as an intermediary component that converts the RF voltage signal into a DC voltage signal. This intermediary conversion allows the subsequent multiplication operation to be performed on DC signals rather than RF signals, significantly simplifying the biasing requirements and circuit complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional linear multiplication is used for power detection, then power measurement can be obtained, but current consumption and semiconductor area increase due to complex biasing circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive and power-hungry linear multipliers with simpler, lower-power components: a peak detector for voltage measurement and a transformer-based rectifier for current measurement. These components consume significantly less current while achieving the same power measurement function, directly addressing the energy consumption problem.
3Device complexity
If conventional power detectors are used, then power measurement is achieved, but precision deteriorates when VSWR is varied or PVT conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The peak detector in the voltage detection path automatically adapts to different input conditions without requiring external biasing adjustments. The transformer-based current detection path similarly self-adjusts to different VSWR conditions. This self-service capability ensures stable and precise power measurements across varying PVT conditions and VSWR values, eliminating the precision deterioration seen in conventional detectors.
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
This design simplifies the biasing circuit and reduces the complexity of the power detector, allowing for a more compact and efficient implementation that maintains precision across varying PVT conditions and VSWR, while also saving current and semiconductor area.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer configured to sense an electrical current of a load and to provide an image current of said electric current
Data Source
AI summary
A power detector may include a transformer, first and second multipliers, a peak voltage detector, and a biasing circuit. The transformer may be configured to sense an electrical current of a load and to provide an image current of said electric current. The first multiplier may be configured to perform a multiplication of the image current with a sign of a voltage of the load and to feed a result of said multiplication to a filter to provide a DC signal. The peak voltage detector may be configured to determine a peak value of the voltage. The second multiplier may be configured to perform a linear multiplication of the output of the filter with the peak value. The biasing circuit may be configured to provide a biasing signal for the first multiplier that is independent of one or more of temperature or process of the first multiplier.