Selective RF Amplifier Voltage Supply for Wideband Envelope Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher data transmission rates in wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, poses challenges for power amplifiers due to wider signal bandwidths and larger peak-to-average power ratios (PAPR), leading to inefficiencies in RF power amplifiers and difficulties in tracking complex signal modulation schemes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a linear regulator within the transmission circuitry of an electronic device to enable envelope tracking (ET) technology, which adjusts the voltage supply to the amplifier based on the RF signal's envelope, thereby improving efficiency and linearity, and using a switching regulator connected to the amplifier to provide the necessary voltage adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a switching regulator is used to supply voltage to multiple amplifiers, then power management efficiency is improved, but voltage control precision for each amplifier deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage supply system into multiple independent paths by inserting individual linear regulators between the switching regulator and each amplifier. This segmentation allows the switching regulator to handle bulk power conversion efficiently while each linear regulator provides precise voltage control to its specific amplifier, resolving the contradiction between power management efficiency and voltage control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear regulator acts as an intermediary component between the switching regulator and the amplifier. It receives voltage from the switching regulator and provides precisely controlled voltage to the amplifier, thereby mediating between the high-efficiency but low-precision switching regulator and the precision-requiring amplifier.
2Loss of energy
If envelope tracking technology is applied to amplifiers with wide signal bandwidths, then power efficiency is improved, but tracking capability deteriorates due to distance limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places linear regulators locally at or near each amplifier that requires envelope tracking. This local placement ensures that the voltage control signal remains high-frequency and maintains its integrity even over longer distances, enabling envelope tracking to function effectively for wideband signals without the distance limitations that would otherwise constrain the system.
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 configuration allows for efficient power management and reduced power consumption, enabling high-efficiency and high-linearity performance even with wideband and high-PAPR signals, while minimizing distortion and signal attenuation, thus supporting advanced wireless communication standards.
Implementation Method 1
switching regulator connected to the amplifier to provide the necessary voltage adjustments
Implementation Method 2
linear regulator provides the amplifier with a voltage corresponding to an envelope of an input signal input to the amplifier
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments disclose a method and a device including: an antenna, a switching regulator, communication chip including an amplifier and a linear regulator operably connected to the amplifier and the switching regulator, the communication chip configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal from the electronic device through the antenna; and control circuitry configured to control the communication chip such that the linear regulator provides the amplifier with a voltage corresponding to an envelope of an input signal input to the amplifier, the input signal corresponding to the radio-frequency signal.