RF Envelope Tracking Multiplexer for Shared PA Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and limited flexibility of existing envelope tracking (ET) power supply technologies for multiple power amplifiers in advanced wireless devices, such as those using multi-input multi-output (MIMO) and carrier aggregation, necessitate a more efficient and cost-effective solution for power supply management.
Innovation Solution
An RF module with an ET multiplexer that selectively relays ET signals from multiple transmitters to a single ET module, allowing different transmitters to share a common ET power supply during different time intervals, thereby optimizing the usage of ET power supply technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each transmitter is equipped with a dedicated ET module for envelope tracking power supply, then the power supply efficiency and performance are improved, but the device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ET modules into a single shared ET module that serves multiple transmitters. The ET module is configured to selectively receive ET signals from different transmitters and provide corresponding power supply to different power amplifiers, thereby reducing the total number of ET modules while maintaining power supply efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The ET module is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple transmitters and power amplifiers. It can selectively switch between different ET signals from different transmitters and provide power supply to different PAs, making a single ET module serve multiple purposes that previously required separate dedicated modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ET modules are used to supply power to multiple power amplifiers simultaneously, then the power supply flexibility is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ET module incorporates dynamic switching capability through a switching circuit that can selectively connect different ET signals from different transmitters to the power amplifiers based on real-time transmission needs. This dynamic reconfiguration maintains power supply flexibility without requiring separate dedicated ET modules for each transmitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple transmitters and power amplifiers, enabling a single ET module to serve multiple PAs by selectively routing ET signals. This intermediary component allows resource sharing while maintaining the flexibility needed for different transmission scenarios.
3Device complexity
If a single ET module is shared among multiple transmitters, then the cost and complexity are reduced, but the power supply performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous and uninterrupted power supply to power amplifiers by implementing selective switching between different ET signals. The switching circuit is designed to maintain continuous power delivery without interruption when switching between different transmitters, ensuring that the useful action of power supply remains continuous despite the shared ET module configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a radio frequency (RF) module and associated method with envelope tracking (ET) power supply in a device. The RF module may comprise a plurality of transmitters, an ET output, and an ET multiplexer. Each said transmitter may comprise an ET port and one or more RF outputs, and may be configured for providing an RF signal to one of said one or more RF outputs, and providing an ET signal, which reflects an envelope of the RF signal, to the ET port. The ET multiplexer may be coupled between said ET ports of the plurality of transmitters and the ET output, for selectively relaying one of said ET ports to the ET output.