Power Tracking Supply for Multi-Carrier RF Amplifier Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power amplifiers in wireless devices face inefficiencies when handling multiple transmit signals simultaneously, leading to wasted power and potential intermodulation distortion due to the need for high power supply voltages that exceed the envelope of the output RF signals.
Innovation Solution
A power tracking system that generates a power supply voltage based on the in-phase and quadrature components of multiple transmit signals, allowing a single power amplifier to efficiently amplify multiple signals by tracking the envelope of the output RF signal, thereby reducing circuit complexity and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a high power supply voltage is used to handle multiple transmit signals simultaneously, then the amplifier can provide sufficient power for all signals, but power waste increases and intermodulation distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply voltage adjustment by using a power tracker that continuously monitors the envelope of the combined RF signal and adjusts the power supply voltage in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the amplifier to use only the necessary power at each moment, avoiding the waste associated with static high voltage operation while preventing intermodulation distortion through precise tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the power tracker monitors the I and Q components of the transmit signals, calculates the required power supply voltage based on the signal envelope, and feeds this information back to the power supply generator. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the power supply voltage precisely matches the instantaneous requirements of the amplifier, eliminating both power waste and distortion.
2Device complexity
If a single power amplifier is used to amplify multiple transmit signals, then device complexity is reduced, but power efficiency decreases without proper power tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single power amplifier universal by enabling it to handle multiple transmit signals simultaneously through carrier aggregation. The power tracker and power supply generator work together to provide the necessary power control, allowing one amplifier to perform the function that would traditionally require multiple amplifiers, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining power efficiency through intelligent power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply voltage parameter dynamically based on the instantaneous envelope of the combined RF signal. By continuously adjusting this critical parameter, the system maintains high power efficiency when using a single amplifier for multiple signals, overcoming the efficiency loss that would otherwise occur with fixed power supply operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If separate power amplifiers are used for each transmit signal, then power efficiency can be optimized for each signal, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power amplifier functions into a single amplifier by implementing a power tracking system that provides intelligent power control. Instead of using separate amplifiers for each transmit signal, the system combines the signals and uses one amplifier with a power tracker that monitors the combined envelope and adjusts the power supply accordingly, achieving both reduced complexity and maintained efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The power tracker acts as an intermediary between the multiple transmit signals and the single power amplifier. It processes the I and Q components of all signals, determines the required power supply voltage, and mediates the power delivery to the amplifier, enabling efficient operation of a single amplifier handling multiple signals without requiring separate amplifiers for each channel.
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.