RF Amplifier Voltage Tracking for Battery Shutdown Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio frequency amplifiers in battery-powered communications equipment experience high current spikes due to increased current demand from constant voltage power supplies, leading to early battery shutdowns and potential radio frequency signal splattering, which can result in ungraceful termination of communications and non-compliance with transmission regulations.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency amplifier module with a voltage monitor and adjustable power supply that controls the voltage output in response to the input supply voltage, reducing peak voltage levels to maintain operation near the 1 dB to 1.5 dB compression point and optimizing power consumption, thereby minimizing current demand and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a constant voltage power supply is used to supply the RF power amplifier, then the amplifier can operate with stable voltage, but high current spikes are generated that cause battery voltage to drop below operating thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a constant voltage power supply to a dynamic power supply that adjusts its output voltage in real-time based on the RF signal envelope. The power supply voltage trackes the envelope of the RF input signal, allowing the system to reduce voltage during low-power periods and maintain adequate voltage during high-power periods, thereby reducing average current demand and preventing battery voltage drops while maintaining amplifier operation stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically rather than maintaining it constant. The power supply output voltage is varied to track the envelope of the RF signal, changing from a fixed parameter to a time-varying parameter that adapts to signal conditions. This parameter change reduces the average power consumption while maintaining sufficient voltage levels during peak transmission periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply output voltage tracks the envelope of the RF signal, then power consumption is optimized, but the voltage may be higher or lower than battery voltage causing current demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the RF signal envelope and using this information to adjust the power supply output voltage. The power supply responds to the signal conditions in real-time, creating a closed-loop system where the supply voltage is continuously adjusted based on the actual RF signal characteristics, optimizing power consumption while managing current demand through intelligent control.
3Power
If high current peaks are drawn by the RF power amplifier, then the amplifier can deliver required RF output power, but battery monitoring circuits trigger early shutdown that leaves considerable energy in the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic power supply voltage tracking reduces the average current demand by lowering the supply voltage during periods when full power is not required. This dynamic adjustment allows the amplifier to deliver required RF output power during peak transmission while consuming significantly less average power, extending battery operational life and preventing premature shutdowns that would leave energy unused.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency amplifier module (500) has a voltage monitor (546) that monitors an input supply voltage of an input power supply (534) and an adjustable power supply (512) that accepts power from the input power supply (534) and produces an adjustable power supply output that has a controllable voltage. The radio frequency amplifier module (500) further has an amplifier (402) that is supplied by the adjustable power supply output and that amplifies a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency amplifier module (500) also has an output controller (546) that is communicatively coupled to the voltage monitor and the adjustable power supply (512). The output controller (546) controls, in response to the input source voltage, the controllable voltage of the adjustable power supply output.