Power Supply Radiated Power Variation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supplies for RF power amplifiers face challenges in reducing the variation of total radiated power due to impedance mismatch, which complicates circuit design and increases area requirements, especially when using directional couplers for feedback control.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system comprising a voltage regulator, a transistor, a current-to-voltage transform circuit, and a comparator that adjusts the supply voltage based on sensed output current, eliminating the need for directional couplers by duplicating the output current and using comparators to control the voltage, thereby reducing power variation and simplifying circuit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If directional couplers are used to sense output current for controlling the power amplifier, then the variation of total radiated power can be reduced, but the chip area increases and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a copy of the output current signal instead of directly sensing the actual output current. By creating a current copy through the current copying circuit, the system can control the power amplifier without requiring additional sensing components like directional couplers, thus reducing chip area while maintaining total radiated power stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the current sensing function from separate directional coupler components and integrates it into the existing power supply circuit through the current copying mechanism. This eliminates the need for additional directional coupler components, reducing both chip area and circuit complexity while maintaining the ability to control total radiated power variation
2Reliability
If directional couplers are used to sense output current for controlling the power amplifier, then the variation of total radiated power can be reduced, but the circuit design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current sensing function with the existing power supply circuit by using the current copying mechanism. Instead of adding separate directional coupler components for sensing, the system copies the output current signal through existing circuit elements, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining the ability to stabilize total radiated power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the power supply circuit multi-functional by enabling it to perform both power delivery and current sensing functions through the current copying mechanism. The same circuit elements serve dual purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated sensing components and reducing overall circuit complexity
3Productivity
If feedback path is designed with enough bandwidth to control the power amplifier effectively, then the control performance improves, but the routing between circuits becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback control function into local circuit operations rather than requiring complex long-distance routing. By using the current copying mechanism, the sensing and control functions are distributed to local circuit elements, reducing routing complexity while maintaining control effectiveness through adequate bandwidth design
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 solution effectively reduces the variation of total radiated power while minimizing chip area and simplifying circuit design by directly sensing and adjusting the supply voltage without directional couplers, improving power amplifier efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a current-to-voltage transform circuit having a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, and a second terminal for receiving a reference voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes a voltage regulator, a transistor, a current-to-voltage transform circuit, and a comparator. The voltage regulator receives a control signal, a source voltage, and a control voltage, and outputs a supply voltage according to the control voltage and the control signal. The transistor has a first terminal receiving the source voltage, and a control terminal coupled to the voltage regulator. The current-to-voltage transform circuit has a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, a second terminal for receiving a reference voltage. The comparator has a first input terminal for receiving a comparison signal, a second input terminal coupled to the first terminal of the current-to-voltage transform circuit, and an output terminal for outputting the control voltage.