RF Power Amplifier Linearity Compensation Without Load Impedance Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing stringent requirements for linearity in RF power amplifiers, particularly in 5G wireless communication systems, are not adequately met by existing technologies, leading to nonlinear distortions and efficiency issues as input power increases, causing AM-AM distortion and intermodulation interference.

Innovation Solution

A linearity compensation circuit is introduced between the transistor amplification circuit and the biasing circuit of the power amplifier, comprising a field-effect transistor, resistors, and capacitors, which reduces the real part of the port admittance of the RF signal input end, thereby compensating nonlinear distortions and improving power gain without altering load impedance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the power amplifier operates at higher input power to meet 5G communication requirements, then the output power increases, but nonlinear distortion and AM-AM distortion worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput powerVSAvoidlinearity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output signal is sampled and fed back to the input stage through a feedback network. This feedback loop detects nonlinear distortion and automatically adjusts the input signal to compensate for AM-AM and AM-PM distortions, enabling the power amplifier to maintain high linearity even at elevated output power levels required for 5G communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts biasing parameters and operating conditions of the power amplifier stages based on detected distortion levels. By changing parameters such as gate voltage, drain voltage, and current bias points in response to operating conditions, the amplifier maintains optimal linearity across different output power levels without requiring complex external correction circuits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional power amplifier designs are used, then the device complexity remains low, but linearity requirements for 5G systems are not met

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelinearityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the linearity correction function directly into the existing power amplifier biasing and control circuits. By integrating distortion compensation functionality within the amplifier's internal structure rather than adding separate external correction modules, the design achieves high linearity while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the feedback network and control circuitry to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors output power levels, detects nonlinear distortion, generates correction signals, and adjusts biasing conditions. This multi-functionality allows a single integrated circuit block to address linearity requirements without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11894815B2Power amplifier and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.02.06 GUANGZHOU HUIZHI MICROELECTRONICS
  • US11894815B2 patent drawing
  • US11894815B2 patent drawing
  • US11894815B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A power amplifier includes: a power amplification circuit and a linearity compensation circuit; and herein the linearity compensation circuit is connected between a transistor amplification circuit and a biasing circuit of the power amplification circuit, to linearly compensate a nonlinear distortion of the power amplification circuit.