RF Power Amplifier Switching for Multi-Class Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power amplifier circuits in mobile communication devices face challenges in supporting both high and non-high power classes, leading to degraded signal quality and power efficiency, and require separate circuits for each class, resulting in increased size.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency circuit with a divider and combiner circuit, along with a switch to select paths for amplification by multiple power amplifiers, allowing support for both high and non-high power classes in a single compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate power amplifier circuits are provided for high power class and non-high power class, then signal quality and power efficiency are maintained, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both high power class and non-high power class operations through a single circuit configuration. The circuit can dynamically adjust its operating mode based on the required power level, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each power class while maintaining signal quality and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The power amplifier circuit incorporates dynamic switching capability between different operating modes (high power class and non-high power class) through control signals. This allows the circuit to adapt its characteristics in real-time based on the required output power, enabling a single circuit to replace multiple static circuits while maintaining optimal performance for each operating condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If separate power amplifier circuits are provided for high power class and non-high power class, then power efficiency is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both high power class and non-high power class operations through a single circuit configuration. The circuit can dynamically adjust its operating mode based on the required power level, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each power class while maintaining signal quality and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of separate high power class and non-high power class amplifier circuits into a single integrated circuit. By combining the amplification paths and control mechanisms, the design reduces the overall number of components and interconnections while maintaining the power efficiency benefits of having specialized circuits for each power class.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a single power amplifier circuit supports both high and non-high power classes, then device size is reduced, but signal quality and power efficiency are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier circuit incorporates dynamic switching capability between different operating modes (high power class and non-high power class) through control signals. This allows the circuit to adapt its characteristics in real-time based on the required output power, enabling a single circuit to replace multiple static circuits while maintaining optimal performance for each operating condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power amplifier circuit is segmented into distinct functional paths or modes for high power class and non-high power class operations. By providing separate amplification paths within the single circuit and using switching mechanisms to select the appropriate path, the design maintains the signal quality benefits of specialized circuits while achieving size reduction through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12574064B2Radio frequency circuit, radio frequency module, and communication device

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A radio frequency circuit includes: a divider circuit configured to divide a radio frequency signal input through a first terminal, and output radio frequency signals resulting from the dividing, respectively through a second terminal and a third terminal; a combiner circuit configured to combine a radio frequency signal input through a fourth terminal and a radio frequency signal input through a fifth terminal, and output a radio frequency signal resulting from the combining, through a sixth terminal; a first amplifier disposed on a first path connecting the second terminal and the fourth terminal; a second amplifier disposed on a second path connecting the third terminal and the fifth terminal; and a first switch connected between the third terminal and an input terminal of the second amplifier, the first switch being switched between a conducting state and a non-conducting state according to a power class.