Multi-Port Ring Combiner for Outphasing Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Carrier Aggregation (CA) transmitter architectures waste energy and limit high power handling capabilities due to duplicated amplifier chains and inefficient power management, leading to suboptimal spectrum utilization and increased chances of data transmission blockages.
Innovation Solution
Embedding signal multiplexing within a power amplifier design combined with a multi-channel aggregate ring combiner, which enables outphasing signal combination and independent routing of channels to specific output ports based on phase relationships, reducing the need for duplicate amplifier chains and improving thermal dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional Carrier Aggregation transmitter architecture dedicates a transmitter chain for each carrier channel, then channel specific amplifier and filter component optimizations are achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase due to duplicated amplifier chains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple amplifier chains into a single shared amplifier by using a multi-port ring combiner to combine signals from multiple channels. This allows one amplifier to serve multiple carrier channels simultaneously, eliminating the need for duplicated amplifier chains while maintaining channel-specific optimization capabilities through the combiner's routing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared amplifier is designed to be universal, capable of amplifying signals from multiple different carrier channels. The multi-port ring combiner enables this amplifier to handle multiple channels by routing their signals appropriately, making the amplifier multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single channel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transfer switches are used to select transmission antennas, then channel flexibility is improved, but energy is wasted in the transfer switch and high power handling capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the transfer switch and amplifier into a single integrated structure. The multi-port ring combiner directly routes signals to appropriate output ports without requiring a separate transfer switch, eliminating the energy-wasting switching operation while maintaining the ability to select different transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port ring combiner acts as an intermediary device that eliminates the need for a transfer switch. It provides direct signal routing between input and output ports through its inherent structure, avoiding the energy loss associated with active switching while preserving channel flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If outphasing artifacts are dumped to a matching resistor, then amplifier operation is simplified, but high power handling capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful outphasing artifacts, which would normally be wasted as heat in a matching resistor, into useful signal energy. The multi-port ring combiner routes these artifacts to appropriate output ports where they can be constructively combined with other signals, transforming what was previously a loss into a beneficial contribution to the overall signal power.
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 efficiency and linearity in high power combining, increases channel flexibility, and reduces the probability of data transmission blockages by optimizing power amplifier performance and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-port ring combiner includes multiple channels that are independently routed to a first output, to a second output, or to a third output, according to a phase relationship of the multi-port ring combiner
Implementation Method 2
Embedding signal multiplexing as part of a power amplifier design in combination with a multi-channel aggregate ring combiner
Implementation Method 3
The 5-port ring combiner includes six 90-degree electrical length sections connecting the three input ports to the two output ports
Implementation Method 4
The multi-port ring combiner enables an outphasing signal combination which provides output port selection
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include different multi-port ring combiners which are configured to act as multi-output signal routers. One type of multi-port ring combiner includes input ports that are driven by pairs of outphasing signals. The multi-port ring combiner also includes multiple channels that are independently routed to a first output, to a second output, or to a third output, according to a phase relationship of the multi-port ring combiner. The multi-port ring combiner enables an outphasing signal combination which provides output port selection. The multi-port ring combiner may be a 4-port ring combiner, a 5-port ring combiner or a 6-port ring combiner.