Shared Charge Pump PMIC for Multi-Band Voltage Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems for 5G-NR wireless communication devices face challenges in reducing complexity and footprint while supporting multiple RF bands and ensuring isolation between modulated voltages.
Innovation Solution
A power management apparatus that employs a single switcher circuit with a multi-level charge pump (MCP) shared by multiple reference voltage circuits, allowing for concurrent generation of multiple modulated voltages with improved isolation and reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate power management circuits are used to generate multiple modulated voltages for different RF bands, then voltage generation capability is improved, but device footprint and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power management circuits into a single integrated PMIC that can generate multiple modulated voltages for different RF bands. The switcher circuit includes a charge pump that can operate in different modes to generate voltages for licensed and unlicensed bands, Wi-Fi, and 5G-NR, eliminating the need for separate power management circuits and reducing overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The switcher circuit is designed with multi-functionality to support various RF technologies including 5G-NR, Wi-Fi (802.11ax), LAA, and other licensed/unlicensed band operations. The charge pump can be configured to generate different voltage levels and modulation schemes depending on which RF technology is active, making a single circuit capable of replacing multiple dedicated circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate power management circuits are used for different RF bands, then voltage generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power management functions into a single integrated circuit. The switcher circuit contains control logic that manages charge pump operation for different RF bands and technologies, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate circuits with their own control logic, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump operates dynamically, switching between different operational modes based on which RF technology is active. The control circuit adjusts the charge pump's behavior to generate appropriate voltages for 5G-NR, Wi-Fi, LAA, or other bands, allowing a single circuit to adapt to different requirements without requiring multiple dedicated circuits.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple reference voltage circuits share a single charge pump, then footprint is reduced, but isolation between modulated voltages may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump operates in different dynamic modes depending on which RF technology is active. When 5G-NR is active, the charge pump operates in a first mode to generate voltages for the 5G-NR power amplifier. When Wi-Fi or LAA is active, it switches to a second mode to generate voltages for those technologies. This dynamic operation ensures proper voltage isolation for each technology while sharing the same charge pump hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump's operational parameters are changed based on the active RF technology. The control circuit adjusts the charge pump's switching frequency, voltage levels, and modulation scheme depending on whether 5G-NR, Wi-Fi, or LAA is active, ensuring that voltage isolation requirements are met for each technology while sharing the same hardware resource.
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
The solution effectively reduces the footprint of the power management apparatus while enhancing isolation between modulated voltages, thereby simplifying the design and improving performance for multi-band RF operations.
Implementation Method 1
The switcher circuit includes an MCP configured to generate a low-frequency voltage as a function of a battery voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power management apparatus operable with multiple configurations is disclosed. In embodiments disclosed herein, the power management apparatus can be configured to concurrently generate multiple modulated voltages based on a configuration including a single power management integrated circuit (PMIC) or a configuration including a PMIC and a distributed PMIC. Regardless of the configuration, the power management apparatus employs a single switcher circuit, wherein multiple reference voltage circuits are configured to share a multi-level charge pump (MCP). As a result, it is possible to reduce footprint of the power management apparatus while improving isolation between the multiple modulated voltages.