Supply Modulator Calibration for Transmitter Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid supply modulators in radio transmitters face challenges in maintaining stability, frequency characteristics, and linearity due to variations in output load resistance and Process Voltage Temperature (PVT) variations, leading to potential oscillation and deterioration of RF spectrum characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A calibration method and apparatus that adjust the Gain-Bandwidth product (GBW) of the linear amplifying stage and calibrate the phase margin characteristic, transistor level, and bias characteristics of the push-pull output stage using a detector and modem, employing a Resistor-Capacitor (RC) compensator and Operational Trans-conductance Amplifier (OTA) input stage, to ensure stable operation across varying conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the linear amplifying stage operates with fixed GBW and bias characteristics, then the circuit design is simple, but the stability and linearity deteriorate under PVT variations and load resistance changes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the GBW product by making the compensation capacitor value variable rather than fixed. The compensation capacitor is divided into multiple sub-capacitors that can be selectively connected or disconnected based on operating conditions (PVT variations, load resistance changes), allowing the amplifying stage to maintain optimal stability margins across different operating points without requiring a completely redesign of the circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the compensation capacitor from a fixed value to a variable value that can be adjusted according to operating conditions. By varying the capacitance value through selective connection of sub-capacitors, the system adapts to PVT variations and load resistance changes, maintaining stable operation and linearity without increasing the fundamental circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the transistor level of push-pull output stage is increased to handle high input signal levels, then the power handling capability is improved, but the parasitic capacitance increases causing frequency characteristic deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower handling capabilityVSAvoidfrequency response
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the compensation capacitor into multiple sub-capacitors (e.g., C1, C2, C3) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows selective connection of appropriate capacitance values based on the operating conditions - smaller capacitance values for high-power operations to maintain frequency response, and larger values for low-power operations to optimize stability. The same segmentation principle applies to the push-pull output stage transistors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the transistor level and compensation capacitance based on the input signal level and operating conditions. During calibration, the system determines optimal transistor levels and capacitance combinations for different power ranges, allowing the circuit to switch between configurations to simultaneously achieve high power handling capability and good frequency characteristics without being constrained by a fixed design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic calibration is implemented to adjust GBW and bias characteristics, then the adaptability to PVT variations is improved, but the calibration time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to PVT variationsVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs calibration in advance during the manufacturing process or initial system setup. The calibration procedure measures the actual characteristics of the amplifying stage under various conditions and pre-determines the optimal capacitance combinations and transistor levels for different power ranges. These calibration results are stored in a lookup table or configuration memory, allowing the system to quickly switch between pre-optimized settings during operation without requiring time-consuming real-time calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements calibration at periodic intervals or at specific trigger events (e.g., power-on, mode switching) rather than continuously. The calibration process is executed when the system enters a calibration mode, and the results are stored for subsequent operations. This periodic calibration approach balances the need for adaptability with the constraint of calibration time, ensuring the system remains accurate without requiring constant calibration overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8908795B2Apparatus and method for calibration of supply modulation in transmitter
Publication Date: 2014.12.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US8908795B2 patent drawing
  • US8908795B2 patent drawing
  • US8908795B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A transmit apparatus having a supply modulator is provided. The apparatus includes a detector and the supply modulator. In the method, the detector detects an output signal of the supply modulator. Also, the supply modulator receives the detected output signal of the supply modulator from the detector and calibrates a modulation characteristic of the supply modulator. The transmit apparatus having a supply modulator includes a modulator/demodulator (modem) and the supply modulator. The modem provides a calibration signal for calibrating a modulation characteristic of the supply modulator, to the supply modulator. The supply modulator outputs a modulated signal in accordance with the calibrated modulation characteristic of the supply modulator based on the calibration signal from the modem.