Switched Capacitor Transmitter Circuits With Inductive Power Combining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional analog power amplifiers in communication systems consume significant power, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy demands in wireless devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of switched capacitor transmitter circuits with inductive power combining networks, which use thermometer encoding and bit order reversal to control capacitors, enabling efficient power amplification by combining voltages from multiple switched capacitor transmitter circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional analog power amplifiers are used for signal transmission, then the transmission function is achieved, but power consumption is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower amplification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The power amplifier is divided into multiple switched capacitor circuits operating at different power levels. Each circuit processes a portion of the signal, and their outputs are combined through an inductive network. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high power amplification capability while each individual circuit operates efficiently at lower power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional analog power amplifier circuits with switched capacitor circuits that operate in a digital-like switching regime. This substitution transforms the continuous analog power amplification process into discrete switching operations, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining the required power output through constructive combination of multiple switched capacitor outputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If switched capacitor transmitter circuits are used to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple switched capacitor transmitter circuits are combined through an inductive power combiner network. The inductive network merges the outputs of several simpler switched capacitor circuits to produce the required high-power output signal. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high power efficiency while managing circuit complexity by distributing functionality across multiple identical modular units rather than requiring a single complex circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If multiple switched capacitor transmitter circuits are combined to achieve power amplification, then power consumption is reduced, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossesVSAvoidnumber of circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of increased component count into a benefit by using the inductive power combiner network. The multiple switched capacitor circuits, which individually produce lower power output, are combined such that their outputs constructively interfere and add up. The inductive network transforms the quantity of components from a disadvantage into an advantage, where more circuits mean better power distribution and reduced switching losses through parallel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reduces power consumption and enhances efficiency in wireless transmission systems by minimizing switching losses and improving the overall power amplification process.

Implementation Method 1

an inductive network combining voltages from the switched capacitor transmitter circuits to produce a combined voltage on an output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3836392A1Switched capacitor transmitter circuits and methods
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3836392A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3836392A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3836392A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure includes switched capacitor transmitter circuits and methods. In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a plurality of switched capacitor transmitter circuits coupled to inputs of an inductive network. The inductive network combines voltages from the switched capacitor transmitter circuits to produce a combined voltage on an output. In another embodiment, a digital data signal is thermometer encoded and a negative thermo-encoded signal is bit order reversed to control capacitors in a switched capacitor transmitter circuit.