Power Tracking Supply for Multi-Carrier RF Amplifier Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifiers in wireless devices face challenges in efficiently providing high transmit power and maintaining high power-added efficiency when processing multiple transmit signals sent simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and increased circuit complexity.
Innovation Solution
A power tracking supply voltage generation technique is employed, where a power tracker determines a power tracking signal based on the in-phase and quadrature components of multiple transmit signals, generating a power supply voltage to efficiently amplify these signals using a single power amplifier, thereby reducing circuit components and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate power amplifiers are used to process multiple transmit signals simultaneously, then each signal can be amplified independently, but the circuit complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transmit signals (I and Q components) into a single RF signal path that is amplified by one power amplifier. The power tracking supply voltage is generated based on the combined signal envelope, allowing a single amplifier to efficiently handle multiple signals without requiring separate amplifier chains for each signal path.
Solution Approach 2:
The single power amplifier is designed to handle multiple transmit signals simultaneously by processing the combined I and Q components. The power tracking mechanism provides universal power supply control that adapts to the envelope of the combined multi-signal output, enabling one amplifier to perform the function that would otherwise require multiple amplifiers.
2Reliability
If multiple separate power amplifiers are used to process multiple transmit signals simultaneously, then each signal can be amplified independently, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal paths into a single amplification chain, eliminating the redundant power consumption of multiple separate amplifiers. The power tracking supply voltage is generated based on the combined signal envelope, ensuring efficient power utilization across all transmit signals through a single amplifier.
Solution Approach 2:
The power tracking mechanism dynamically adjusts the power supply voltage to the power amplifier based on the instantaneous envelope of the combined multi-signal output. This parameter change in the power supply voltage ensures the amplifier operates at optimal efficiency levels, reducing overall power consumption compared to fixed or over-provisioned power supplies.
3Device complexity
If a single power amplifier is used to process multiple transmit signals, then circuit complexity is reduced, but maintaining high power-added efficiency becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements power tracking that monitors the envelope of the combined output signal from the power amplifier and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the power supply voltage. This feedback mechanism ensures the amplifier maintains high power-added efficiency by providing exactly the right amount of power needed for the instantaneous signal level, preventing energy waste while handling multiple transmit signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply voltage is made dynamic through the power tracking mechanism, which continuously adjusts the voltage level based on the instantaneous envelope of the combined multi-signal output. This dynamic power supply allows the single power amplifier to maintain high efficiency across varying signal conditions and multiple simultaneous transmit signals.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for generating a power tracking supply voltage for a circuit (e.g., a power amplifier) are disclosed. The circuit may process multiple transmit signals being sent simultaneously on multiple carriers at different frequencies. In one exemplary design, an apparatus includes a power tracker and a power supply generator. The power tracker determines a power tracking signal based on inphase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of a plurality of transmit signals being sent simultaneously. The power supply generator generates a power supply voltage based on the power tracking signal. The apparatus may further include a power amplifier (PA) that amplifies a modulated radio frequency (RF) signal based on the power supply voltage and provides an output RF signal.