RF Amplifier Package Lead Shunt Inductor Bandwidth

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Solution Overview

Problem

In RF power amplifier circuits, the existing impedance matching networks increase the electrical distance between the active device and decoupling capacitors, limiting the instantaneous bandwidth and making it difficult to handle wideband signal modulations effectively, especially in mobile communication applications where video bandwidth is critical.

Innovation Solution

The output package lead incorporates a shunt inductor that replaces the in-package impedance matching network, reducing the connecting inductance between RF and baseband decoupling capacitors and allowing them to be coupled at the same node, thereby shortening the electrical distance and enhancing impedance matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an in-package impedance matching network is used, then impedance matching is achieved, but the electrical distance between the active device and decoupling capacitors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance matchingVSAvoidelectrical distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance matching function is extracted from the in-package network and relocated to an external network on the printed circuit board. This removes the bulky in-package matching components that increase electrical distance, while preserving the impedance matching capability through the external network configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The impedance matching function is moved from the spatial dimension (in-package physical distance) to the circuit dimension (external PCB trace routing). By implementing matching networks on the PCB rather than within the package, the electrical distance is reduced while maintaining matching performance through optimized trace design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If traditional impedance matching networks are used, then power transfer is optimized, but the instantaneous bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transferVSAvoidinstantaneous bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters by reducing the electrical distance between the active device and decoupling capacitors. This parameter change enables the system to handle wider bandwidth signals while maintaining effective power transfer, as the reduced distance minimizes signal degradation and distortion effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If in-package impedance matching is implemented, then signal reflection is reduced, but handling wideband signal modulations becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reflectionVSAvoidwideband signal handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance matching function is extracted from the in-package network and relocated to an external network on the printed circuit board. This removal of in-package matching components reduces the electrical distance and enables better wideband signal handling while maintaining reflection reduction through the external matching network configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 improves the instantaneous bandwidth performance by reducing the electrical distance and allowing better handling of wideband signal modulations, addressing the limitations of traditional impedance matching networks in RF power amplifiers.

Implementation Method 1

The output package lead incorporates a shunt inductor that replaces the in-package impedance matching network, reducing the connecting inductance between RF and baseband decoupling capacitors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductance: Inductor

Implementation Method 2

enhancing impedance matching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching:

Data Source

PatentEP3142252B1Video bandwidth in RF amplifiers
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 AMPLEON NETHERLANDS
  • EP3142252B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3142252B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3142252B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A package lead for a package comprising at least one integrated circuit is provided. The package lead comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a low impedance. The second portion has a high impedance. The first and second portions are coupled together and the first portion is further coupled to an output of an integrated circuit.