Multi-Mode Power Management for Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems for electronic devices, particularly those supporting carrier aggregation, require large component counts and inefficient circuitry implementations to manage power amplifiers and front-end circuitry across multiple frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A power management device comprising a first DC-DC converter, a second DC-DC converter, and a controller that toggles switches associated with these converters to provide multiple regulated output voltages, thereby supporting simultaneous operations across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing power management techniques are used to support carrier aggregation across multiple frequency bands, then simultaneous communications over multiple bands are enabled, but component count and circuitry complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple DC-DC converters into a single integrated power management device that can simultaneously provide multiple regulated output voltages. The controller integrates switch control for multiple converters, and the device shares common components like inductors and capacitors across different frequency band power amplifiers, thereby reducing overall component count while maintaining multi-band capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management device is designed as a universal solution that can simultaneously power multiple front-end circuitry blocks operating at different frequency bands. The single device provides multiple regulated voltage outputs that can be dynamically allocated to different power amplifiers based on which frequency bands are actively being used, making the system adaptable to various carrier aggregation configurations.
2Ease of operation
If separate power management circuits are implemented for each frequency band, then power management for each band is simplified, but area usage and power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple DC-DC converter circuits are merged into a single integrated power management device. The device shares common inductors, capacitors, and control logic across different output channels, thereby reducing the total circuit area required compared to having separate dedicated power management circuits for each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically configures the power management device by selectively enabling or disabling specific DC-DC converter outputs based on which frequency bands are currently in use. This dynamic adaptation allows the circuit to optimize its area usage and power consumption by only activating the necessary power conversion paths.
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 solution reduces component count and circuitry complexity, enabling efficient power management for multiple frequency bands while minimizing area usage and power losses.
Implementation Method 1
a first DC-DC converter coupled to a first output voltage line
Implementation Method 2
a second DC-DC converter coupled to a second output voltage line
Data Source
AI summary
A method of implementing a carrier aggregation system is disclosed, including providing a first front-end circuit block including one or more power amplifiers associated with a high band, providing a second front-end circuit block including one or more power amplifiers associated with a low-band, providing a third front-end circuit block including one or more power amplifiers associated with a mid-band, and providing a power management device including a first DC-DC converter coupled to a first output voltage line, a second DC-DC converter coupled to a second output voltage line, the first DC-DC converter and the second DC-DC converter coupled to a third output voltage line configured to provide a combined output voltage from the first DC-DC converter and the second DC-DC converter.