RF Tracker Circuit With Switched-Capacitor Supply Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The power efficiency of power amplifiers and tracker circuits deteriorates due to differences in maximum output power, modulation band width, and required quality between Sub6 signals of cellular networks and WLAN signals or millimeter-wave signals.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency circuit with a tracker module that includes a converter circuit to generate regulated voltages, switched-capacitor circuits to produce discrete voltages, and supply modulators to selectively output these voltages to power amplifiers based on specific radio frequency signals, optimizing power amplification for both Sub6 and WLAN signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single power amplifier is used for both Sub6 signals and WLAN signals, then device complexity is reduced, but power efficiency deteriorates due to different maximum output power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of power amplifiersVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into multiple independent power amplifier units, each dedicated to specific signal types (Sub6 or WLAN). This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific signal characteristics, improving overall power efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each power amplifier unit is configured with specific local characteristics tailored to its designated signal type. The first power amplifier unit is optimized for Sub6 signals with specific output power characteristics, while the second power amplifier unit is optimized for WLAN signals with different output power characteristics, ensuring optimal performance for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If different power amplifiers are used for Sub6 signals and WLAN signals, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of power amplifiers

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracker circuit is designed as a universal power supply system that can serve multiple power amplifier units with different signal requirements. It generates multiple regulated voltages that can be selectively supplied to different power amplifier units based on the active signal type, providing multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity despite having multiple power amplifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically configures which power amplifier unit is active based on the incoming signal type. The tracker circuit dynamically adjusts voltage supply to the appropriate power amplifier unit, enabling the system to adapt its configuration in real-time, which manages complexity through dynamic control rather than static hardwired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If voltage is not regulated for different signal types, then device complexity is reduced, but power efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation circuitryVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tracker circuit changes the voltage parameters supplied to different power amplifier units based on the active signal type. It generates multiple regulated voltages with different parameter values (voltage levels, current characteristics) that are selectively supplied to match the specific requirements of Sub6 or WLAN signals, optimizing power efficiency through parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a single tracker circuit supplies voltage to both power amplifiers, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different signal characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of tracker circuitsVSAvoidadaptability to signal characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage supply function is segmented within the tracker circuit, with separate voltage generation paths or separate tracker circuit units for different signal types. This allows the single tracker system to provide specialized voltage characteristics to each power amplifier unit, maintaining adaptability to different signal characteristics while avoiding the need for completely separate tracker circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260045913A1Radio frequency circuit, tracker module and amplification method

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A radio frequency circuit is provided that includes power amplifiers that amplify first and second radio frequency signals, respectively; and a tracker circuit that supplies a voltage to the power amplifiers. The tracker circuit includes a pre-regulator circuit that converts an input voltage into a regulated voltage; switched-capacitor circuits that generate a first plurality and a second plurality of discrete voltages, respectively, based on the regulated voltage; a first supply modulator that selectively outputs at least one voltage of the first plurality of discrete voltages to a power amplifier; and a second supply modulator that selectively outputs at least one voltage of the second plurality of discrete voltages to a power amplifier. The first radio frequency signal is different than the second radio frequency signal.