Stacked Power Amplifier Circuit With Shared DC Bias Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifiers in RF communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing power to prolong battery life and maintain suitable transmit power levels, especially in multi-frequency and multi-band operations.
Innovation Solution
A stacked power amplifier configuration is introduced, where two power amplifiers are electrically connected in a stack between high and low supply voltages, sharing a DC bias current to reduce power dissipation and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate power amplifiers are used for different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power amplifiers into a stacked configuration where they share a common DC bias current source. The first and second power amplifiers are connected in series between a high supply voltage and low supply voltage, allowing them to operate at different frequency bands while drawing power from the same current source, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared DC bias current source serves multiple power amplifiers simultaneously, making it a universal power supply mechanism. This single current source enables the stacked power amplifiers to cover multiple frequency bands (e.g., FR1 and FR2) without requiring separate power supply circuits for each amplifier.
2Power
If multiple power amplifiers operate independently, then signal amplification capability is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By stacking power amplifiers in series and sharing their DC bias current, the patent reduces the total power dissipation in the system. Since the same current flows through multiple amplifiers, the overall power consumption (P = V × I) is reduced compared to independent parallel operation, thereby reducing heat generation while maintaining signal amplification capability.
3Reliability
If separate DC bias currents are used for each power amplifier, then amplification performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the DC bias current supplies of multiple power amplifiers into a single shared current source. The stacked configuration connects the amplifiers in series between high and low supply voltages, eliminating the need for separate bias current circuits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining amplification performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and the methods for stacked power amplifiers are provided. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a transceiver that generates a first radio frequency input signal and a second radio frequency input signal, and a front end system including a stacked power amplifier that receives power from a power high supply voltage and a power low supply voltage. The stacked power amplifier includes a first power amplifier that amplifies the first radio frequency input signal and a second power amplifier that amplifies the second radio frequency input signal. The first power amplifier and the second power amplifier are electrically connected in a stack between the power high supply voltage and the power low supply voltage and operate with a shared DC bias current.