Tracking Power Supply Switching Network for Fast Rail Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking power supplies for power amplifiers face challenges in quickly responding to voltage changes due to limitations in power supply inductance and capacitance, making it difficult to implement envelope tracking effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tracking power supply system that includes a power conversion subsystem generating multiple power rails and a switching network, where the load voltage is varied by changing the operating state of the switching network rather than the power conversion subsystem, allowing for rapid voltage changes without the need for fast response from the power conversion subsystem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the power conversion subsystem responds quickly to voltage changes, then the tracking power supply can effectively track load voltage requirements, but the inductance and capacitance limitations of the power supply prevent fast response
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power supply into two independent parts: a power conversion subsystem that generates multiple power rails with fixed voltages, and a switching network that selectively connects these rails to the load. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the power conversion subsystem doesn't need fast response, while the switching network provides rapid voltage changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching network dynamically reconfigures the connection between power rails and the load based on instantaneous voltage requirements. By rapidly switching between different power rail combinations, the system achieves dynamic voltage tracking without requiring the power conversion subsystem to respond quickly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power rails are generated to enable voltage selection, then voltage flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is segmented into a static power conversion stage that generates multiple fixed voltage rails, and a dynamic switching stage that selects appropriate rails. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by separating the complex voltage generation function from the voltage selection function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of generating all possible voltage values through a complex continuous regulation system, the invention creates multiple discrete power rails that copy the essential voltage levels needed by the load. The switching network then selects from these copied voltage levels, achieving flexibility with simpler components.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking power supply includes a power conversion subsystem and one or more tracking subsystems. The power conversion subsystem is configured to generate N power rails, where N is an integer greater than one. Each tracking subsystem includes a switching network and a controller. The switching network is electrically coupled between each of the N power rails and a tracking power rail of the tracking power supply. The controller is configured to control operation of the switching network according to a tracking signal associated with a load powered by the tracking power supply, such that a voltage at the tracking power rail is one of two or more values, as determined at least partially based on the tracking signal. The controller is further configured to adjust voltage of at least one of the N power rails.