Switched Capacitor Power Amplifier for Programmable Peak Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency transmitter circuitry is inefficient when operating at lower output powers, requiring complex solutions with additional hardware and power domains to achieve programmable output power.
Innovation Solution
A switched capacitor power amplifier with a first positive signal path and a second negative signal path, selectively activated based on a digital control signal to operate in either differential mode for higher peak power or single-end mode for lower peak power, improving efficiency by activating the more efficient signal path during single-end operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power amplifier operates in differential mode with both signal paths activated, then the peak output power level is higher, but the efficiency deteriorates at lower output powers
Solution Approach 1:
The power amplifier dynamically switches between differential mode (both signal paths active) and single-end mode (one signal path inactive) based on the required output power level. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the amplifier to maintain high efficiency across different operating conditions by selecting the appropriate mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between high peak power and efficiency at lower powers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the power amplifier by selectively activating or deactivating signal paths based on the desired output power level. By controlling the activation state of signal paths through digital control signals, the amplifier can transition between high-power differential mode and efficient single-end mode, effectively managing the trade-off between power output and efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If additional hardware and power domains are added to achieve programmable output power, then the efficiency at lower output powers improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing differential power amplifier circuit is made multi-functional by enabling it to operate in both differential mode and single-end mode using the same hardware infrastructure. By selectively controlling the activation of signal paths through digital control signals, the amplifier achieves programmable output power and improved efficiency at lower powers without requiring additional dedicated hardware or power domains, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency improvement and device complexity.
3Power
If the power amplifier uses fixed differential mode operation, then the peak power output is maximized, but the adaptability to different power levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power amplifier is transformed from a fixed differential mode operation to a dynamic system that can adapt between differential mode and single-end mode. This dynamic capability allows the amplifier to maintain maximum peak power output when operating in differential mode while also being adaptable to lower power levels through single-end mode operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between peak power maximization and adaptability to different power levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A switched capacitor power amplifier comprising a first, positive signal path and a second, negative signal path. The switched capacitor power amplifier is arranged to receive a digital control signal and, based on the digital control signal, to selectively activate both the first signal path and the second signal path, in a differential mode, to provide a first peak output power level, or either the first signal path or the second signal path, to produce a second peak output power level, wherein the second peak output power level is lower than the first output power level.