Time-Division Multi-Voltage Circuit for Compact RF Power Amplifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher data rates in mobile communication devices, driven by advanced wireless communication technologies like 5G-NR, requires power management integrated circuits (PMICs) to generate multiple supply voltages for power amplifiers, leading to a larger footprint due to the need for multiple DC-DC converters, making it challenging to fit these circuits into miniaturized devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A multi-voltage generation circuit that shares a single current modulation circuit based on time-division among multiple voltage modulation circuits, allowing concurrent support of multiple load circuits such as power amplifier circuits with reduced footprint, by generating multiple modulated voltages using low-frequency currents and offset capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple DC-DC converters are used to generate multiple supply voltages for power amplifiers, then the required voltage levels can be achieved, but the footprint of the PMIC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple DC-DC converter functions into a single multi-output DC-DC converter that can generate multiple supply voltages (e.g., VCC1, VCC2, VCC3) simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the number of separate converter circuits needed, thereby reducing the overall PMIC footprint while maintaining the capability to provide multiple voltage levels to power amplifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-output DC-DC converter is designed to perform multiple functions by generating different voltage levels from a single input voltage. This universal converter can serve multiple power amplifier circuits with different voltage requirements, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized DC-DC converters
2Area of stationary object
If the number of DC-DC converters is reduced to decrease PMIC footprint, then miniaturization is enabled, but the capability to concurrently generate multiple supply voltages may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple voltage generation functions into a single integrated multi-output DC-DC converter circuit. This merged circuit maintains the adaptability to generate multiple different voltage levels concurrently, preserving the versatility needed to support various power amplifier configurations while reducing the overall component count and footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-output DC-DC converter incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow it to adjust and generate different voltage levels on demand. This dynamic capability ensures that the converter can adapt to different operating conditions and voltage requirements, maintaining high versatility despite the reduced number of converter circuits
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 solution enables the concurrent amplification of multiple RF signals with significantly reduced PMIC footprint, addressing the challenge of miniaturization while maintaining the required voltage levels for advanced wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
a respective one of a plurality of offset capacitors each modulated to a respective one of a plurality of offset voltages by a respective one of the plurality of low-frequency currents such that the respective one of the plurality of offset voltages can raise the respective one of the plurality of modulated initial voltages
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-voltage power generation circuit is disclosed. More specifically, the multi-voltage generation circuit includes multiple voltage modulation circuits that are configured to generate and maintain multiple modulated voltages. In a non-limiting example, the multiple modulated voltages can be used for amplifying multiple radio frequency (RF) signals concurrently. Contrary to using multiple direct-current (DC) to DC (DC-DC) converters for generating the multiple modulated voltages, the voltage modulation circuits are configured to share a single current modulation circuit based on time-division. By sharing a single current modulation circuit among the multiple voltage modulation circuits, it is possible to concurrently support multiple load circuits (e.g., power amplifier circuits) with significantly reduced footprint.