RF Power Amplifier Supply Voltage Tuning for ACLR and Power Trade-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio-frequency power amplifiers in wireless communications circuitry face a trade-off between power consumption and linearity, with lower supply voltages reducing power consumption but degrading linearity and increasing adjacent channel leakage ratio.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with adjustable power supply circuitry and storage and processing circuitry determines an optimum supply voltage level by calculating a cost function that balances adjacent channel leakage ratio margin and current savings ratio, optimizing power amplifier bias for enhanced linearity and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the supply voltage is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but amplifier linearity degrades and adjacent channel leakage ratio increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the supply voltage to the power amplifier across multiple discrete levels (e.g., 1.8V, 2.0V, 2.2V, 2.4V, 2.6V, 2.8V, 3.0V) and measuring the corresponding ACLR performance. This allows identification of the optimal voltage point where power consumption is minimized while maintaining acceptable linearity, directly resolving the contradiction between power savings and amplifier performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through automated measurement and analysis systems that monitor ACLR performance at each supply voltage level. The system calculates current savings ratios and cost functions based on measured ACLR values, providing feedback that guides the selection of optimal operating voltage. This closed-loop approach ensures that power optimization decisions are based on actual performance data, balancing power consumption with linearity requirements
2Reliability
If the supply voltage is increased to improve amplifier linearity, then amplifier linearity improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the supply voltage to the power amplifier across multiple discrete levels (e.g., 1.8V, 2.0V, 2.2V, 2.4V, 2.6V, 2.8V, 3.0V) and measuring the corresponding ACLR performance. This allows identification of the optimal voltage point where power consumption is minimized while maintaining acceptable linearity, directly resolving the contradiction between power savings and amplifier performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through automated measurement and analysis systems that monitor ACLR performance at each supply voltage level. The system calculates current savings ratios and cost functions based on measured ACLR values, providing feedback that guides the selection of optimal operating voltage. This closed-loop approach ensures that power optimization decisions are based on actual performance data, balancing power consumption with linearity requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic devices with wireless communications capabilities are provided. The electronic device may include storage and processing circuitry, power amplifier circuitry, power supply circuitry, etc. The storage and processing circuitry may direct the power amplifier circuitry to operate using a desired gain mode, in a particular radio channel, and at a given output power level. The power supply circuitry may bias the power amplifier circuitry with a power supply voltage. The performance of the power amplifier circuitry may be characterized by an adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) margin. The power consumption of the power amplifier circuitry may be characterized by a current savings ratio. A cost function may be calculated by taking the product of the ACLR margin and current savings ratio. A minimum point for each cost function curve may be determined. It is desirable to bias the power amplifier circuitry with a supply voltage corresponding to the minimum point.