Front-End Radio Power Amplifier Layout for Dual-Carrier Envelope Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front end radio architectures for LTE-Advanced user equipment face inefficiencies due to the lack of practical envelope following systems, leading to increased peak-to-average ratio and energy wastage, especially in dual intra-band carrier operations, which hinder efficient multi-carrier transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A front end radio architecture with power management that employs envelope following techniques, utilizing a control system to selectively enable and disable power amplifiers and power supplies across different frequency bands, allowing for efficient operation in various modes such as TX MIMO and UL CA, while reducing the complexity and cost of PA and power supply circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If envelope following techniques are implemented for dual intra-band carriers, then energy efficiency is improved, but bandwidth requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dual intra-band carrier transmission into two separate single-carrier transmissions by applying different frequency shifts to each carrier. This segmentation allows each power amplifier to operate independently with its own envelope following system, avoiding the need for a single high-bandwidth system to handle both carriers simultaneously. The frequency separation creates independent signal envelopes that can be tracked separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency shifting as an intermediary technique between the dual intra-band carriers and the envelope following power amplifiers. By applying frequency shifts, the system transforms the challenging dual-carrier envelope tracking problem into two simpler single-carrier problems, where each carrier's envelope can be followed independently with reduced bandwidth requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual intra-band carrier transmission is used, then multi-carrier capability is improved, but peak-to-average ratio increases by 2 dB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dual intra-band carrier signal into two separate transmission paths, each handling one carrier with its own power amplifier. This segmentation prevents the constructive interference that causes high peak-to-average ratios in combined carrier transmissions, allowing each PA to operate at lower peak power levels while maintaining overall multi-carrier capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic frequency shifting and independent power management for each carrier path. The system dynamically adjusts the operation of each power amplifier based on its respective carrier's instantaneous envelope, enabling adaptive power control that reduces peak-to-average ratio while maintaining multi-carrier transmission capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If envelope following systems are designed for high bandwidth to support dual intra-band carriers, then multi-carrier operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into multiple independent low-bandwidth envelope following circuits, each dedicated to a single carrier. This segmentation replaces the need for a single complex high-bandwidth switching power supply with several simpler, lower-bandwidth power supplies, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multi-carrier operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal building blocks - independent power amplifier modules with integrated envelope following circuits - that can be configured to support various carrier combinations. Each module serves multiple functions (power amplification, envelope tracking, frequency adaptation) and can be independently controlled, reducing the need for specialized high-bandwidth components.
Data Source
AI summary
A front end radio architecture (FERA) with power management is disclosed. The FERA includes a first power amplifier (PA) block having a first-first PA for amplifying first-first signals and a first-second PA for amplifying first-second signals. Also included is a second PA block having a second-first PA for amplifying second-first signals and a second-second PA for amplifying second-second signals. At least one power supply is adapted to selectively supply power to the first-first PA and the second-second PA through a first path. The power supply is also adapted to selectively supply power to the first-second PA and the second-first PA through a second path. A control system is adapted to selectively enable and disable the first-first PA, the first-second PA, the second-first PA, and the second-second PA.