RF Transmitting Front-End Module With Integrated Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio frequency front-end modules in communication terminals require multiple external power supply chips, leading to high hardware costs and large PCB area occupation, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a multifunctional power supply within the transmitting front-end module, incorporating a logic control and power supply management chip, power amplifier chips, and a filter bank, which manages power distribution and switching based on control signals, reducing the need for external power supply chips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external power supply chips are used to provide multiple power supplies for radio frequency front-end, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the hardware cost and PCB area occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidPCB area occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the power supply management function into a single PMIC chip that consolidates multiple power supply channels (VDDA, VDDR, VDDO, VDDL, VDDPA) into one device. This merging approach maintains the reliability of multiple power supplies while significantly reducing the PCB area occupied compared to using separate external power supply chips for each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The PMIC chip performs multiple functions including voltage regulation, power switching, and power distribution to different radio frequency components (power amplifier, filter bank, output switch). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated power supply chips for each function, reducing both hardware cost and PCB area while maintaining system reliability.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If external power supply chips are used to provide multiple power supplies for radio frequency front-end, then the power supply stability is improved, but the hardware cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidhardware cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple power supply regulation functions into a single PMIC chip, which provides stable voltage output through integrated voltage regulators. This integration reduces the total number of external components and interconnections, thereby reducing hardware cost while maintaining the stability required for radio frequency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The PMIC chip provides multiple regulated voltage outputs (different voltages for different RF components) from a single device, eliminating the need for multiple separate voltage regulator chips. This multi-functional approach ensures power supply stability for all components while significantly reducing the overall hardware cost compared to using individual external power supply chips for each function.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple external power supply chips are integrated into the transmitting front-end module, then the power distribution capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution capabilityVSAvoidmodule complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple power distribution functions into a single PMIC chip that can simultaneously provide different voltage levels to multiple RF components. This consolidation maintains the adaptability and versatility of power distribution while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate power supply chips and their associated control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The PMIC chip serves as a universal power management solution that can distribute power to various RF components (power amplifier, filter bank, output switch) with different voltage requirements through a single device. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall module architecture while maintaining the capability to adaptively power different components as needed.

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

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 solution achieves a reliable power supply with reduced hardware costs and PCB area occupation, ensuring efficient operation and improved performance by integrating power management and switching power distribution within the module.

Implementation Method 1

the LDO unit is a linear regulated power supply, an input terminal thereof is connected to the battery voltage port... and an output terminal thereof is connected to the power amplifier chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear voltage regulation:

Implementation Method 2

the DC-DC unit includes a buck DC power supply converter and a boost DC power supply converter, or is a buck-boost DC power supply converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuck DC power supply conversion:

Implementation Method 3

the DC-DC unit includes a buck DC power supply converter and a boost DC power supply converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoost DC power supply conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP4664767A1Transmitting front-end module integrated with multifunctional power supply and communication terminal
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 VANCHIP TIANJIN TECH
  • EP4664767A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664767A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4664767A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention are a transmitting front-end module integrated with a multifunctional power supply and a communication terminal. The transmitting front-end module comprises a logic control and power management chip, at least one power amplifier chip, an output switch chip, and a filter bank, wherein an input end of the logic control and power supply management chip is at least respectively connected to an MIPI control port and a battery voltage port, receives, through the battery voltage port, power supplied by an external battery assembly, and receives a first control signal from a baseband through the MIPI control port, so that the state of an output voltage and a path are controlled to supply power to the power amplifier chip or an external linear power amplifier module, and the working states of the power amplifier chip and the output switch chip are controlled. According to the transmitting front-end module, by using the technical solution of integrating time division multiplexing of the power supply chip and optimization, reliable power supply is ensured, external power supply chips are reduced, the hardware cost is reduced, and the occupied PCB layout area is reduced.