Shared-Capacitor PET Circuit for MIMO Power Amplifier Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional partial envelope tracking (PET) circuits are large in size and inefficient for multi-input-multi-output (MIMO)-based systems, particularly in handheld wireless devices where size is a critical constraint, due to the need for multiple storage capacitors to support multiple transmit channels.
Innovation Solution
A PET circuitry with a common charging circuit and a single storage capacitor, along with logic to control its charging based on operation modes, is implemented to provide supplemental drain current to each power amplifier, allowing efficient transitions between normal and tracking modes without the need for multiple capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple storage capacitors are used to support multiple transmit channels in MIMO systems, then each power amplifier can independently transition between normal and tracking modes, but the size and complexity of the PET circuit increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent storage capacitors into a single shared storage capacitor that serves all power amplifiers in the MIMO system. The common charging circuit intelligently distributes current to the storage capacitor based on which power amplifiers are in tracking mode, allowing multiple transmit channels to share the same energy storage resource while maintaining independent operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single storage capacitor is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it can supply supplemental drain current to any combination of power amplifiers that are in tracking mode. The common charging circuit with logic control enables the storage capacitor to dynamically respond to different operational states of multiple power amplifiers, making it a universal energy storage solution for the entire MIMO system.
2Device complexity
If a single storage capacitor is shared among multiple power amplifiers, then circuit size is reduced, but the ability to provide supplemental current to multiple amplifiers simultaneously may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The common charging circuit continuously monitors the operational states of all power amplifiers and proactively charges the shared storage capacitor in advance when any amplifier enters tracking mode. The logic circuit is configured to detect when power amplifiers are in tracking mode and accordingly charge the storage capacitor, ensuring that sufficient energy is available before it is needed, thus maintaining high power delivery capability despite using a single capacitor.
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 solution reduces the size and complexity of PET circuits, enabling efficient partial envelope tracking in MIMO-based handheld devices while maintaining spectral purity and supporting high-bandwidth wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
a common charging circuit connected to each of the plurality of sub-PET circuits and a power source, wherein the common charging circuit comprises a storage capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A partial envelope tracking (PET) circuitry for improving the dynamic range of a plurality of power amplifiers amplifying radio frequency signals in a MIMO based handheld wireless computing device. The circuitry includes a plurality of sub-PET circuits respectively connected to the plurality of power amplifiers; and a common charging circuit connected to each of the sub-PET circuits and a power source, wherein the common charging circuit comprises a storage capacitor and a logic configured to control the charging of the storage capacitor respective of an operation mode of each of the sub-PET circuits, wherein the operation mode is any one of: a tracking mode and normal mode, wherein during the normal mode of all of the sub-PET circuits the storage capacitor is charged at the voltage level provided by the power source and during the tracking mode of at least one of the sub-PET circuits the storage capacitor is discharged.