RF Power Supply Branching for Linear 5G Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks using the mmWave band, signal amplification leads to performance degradation due to interactions between amplifiers in RF chains, causing linearity issues and interference, especially when sharing a power supply line.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves dividing power supplies to power amplifiers within amplification chains using filtering or independent pads and branch-lines, isolating each chain to prevent interference and improve linearity, and using an AC-grounded power supply line to manage envelope frequency signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple power amplifiers share a common power supply line, then device complexity is reduced, but linearity degradation occurs due to interactions between amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common power supply line into separate branch lines for each power amplifier using filtering components and independent pads. This segmentation isolates the power supply paths, preventing interactions between amplifiers while maintaining individual linearity performance without requiring completely separate power supply structures.
2Reliability
If power amplifiers are isolated using filtering and independent pads, then linearity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies filtering components and isolation pads only at specific locations where power amplifiers connect to the power supply network, rather than redesigning the entire power supply system. This localized approach improves linearity by isolating critical amplifier power paths while minimizing overall structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a common power supply line is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but third-order intermodulation distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces filtering components and isolation pads as intermediary elements between the common power supply line and individual power amplifiers. These intermediaries block the transmission of harmful intermodulation distortion products while allowing clean power delivery, thus reducing third-order intermodulation distortion without requiring completely separate power supply lines for each amplifier.
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 approach enhances the linearity of RF circuits, reduces third-order intermodulation distortion, and improves signal transmission by isolating power amplifiers, thereby increasing the overall performance of wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
powers used by power amplifiers included in at least one amplification chain of the plurality of the amplification chains may be divided by filtering
Implementation Method 2
using an AC-grounded power supply line to manage envelope frequency signals effectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). The present disclosure is to amplify transmission signals in a wireless communication system, and a transmitting device may include an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of amplification chains for amplifying signals transmitted through the plurality of the antenna elements, and a power supply line for supplying powers to the plurality of the amplification chains. Herein, the powers used by power amplifiers included in at least one amplification chain of the plurality of the amplification chains may be divided by filtering or by independent pads and branch-lines.