Transmission Line Transformer for Switchless Power Amplifier Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifiers for wireless communication systems face efficiency deterioration at low output power ranges and require additional switches, leading to performance loss and increased manufacturing costs due to parasitic resistance components.
Innovation Solution
A power amplifier design incorporating a drive amplification unit and a power amplification unit connected to a matching circuit and power coupler within a transmission line transformer, allowing the drive amplification unit to directly output power to a load by switching on/off the power amplification unit, eliminating the need for additional switches and optimizing efficiency across the entire output power range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple power amplification units are included to improve efficiency in the entire output power range, then efficiency is improved, but the level of signal from the secondary drive amplification unit becomes larger than the output power of the power amplification units
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission line transformer is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive amplification unit and power amplification unit. This transformer includes a primary transmission line connected to the drive amplification unit and a secondary transmission line connected to the power amplification unit, with coupling elements that enable controlled signal transfer. The transformer acts as a mediator that properly scales and transfers the signal from the drive amplification unit to drive the power amplification unit, preventing signal level mismatch while maintaining efficiency improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission line transformer enables parameter changes in signal level and impedance transformation. By adjusting the coupling factors and transmission line characteristics, the signal level from the drive amplification unit is transformed to match the required drive level for the power amplification unit, resolving the signal level mismatch problem while preserving the efficiency benefits of multiple amplification units.
2Use of energy by moving object
If switches are added to output drive amplification unit power directly when power amplification units are switched off, then efficiency is improved, but parasitic resistance components cause performance loss and increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line transformer serves as an intermediary that enables direct signal transfer from the drive amplification unit to the output when power amplification units are switched off. This eliminates the need for additional switching components, thereby avoiding parasitic resistance losses and performance degradation while maintaining the ability to improve efficiency through selective switching of amplification units.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary switch components from the signal path. By using the transmission line transformer's inherent coupling capability to enable direct signal transfer, the design removes the parasitic elements associated with switches, thereby improving reliability and reducing manufacturing costs while preserving efficiency improvements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If switches are added to output drive amplification unit power directly, then efficiency is improved, but circuit size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line transformer is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides impedance transformation, signal level scaling, and enables both buffered operation (when power amplification units are on) and direct output operation (when power amplification units are off). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional switch components and their associated circuitry, thereby maintaining efficiency improvements without increasing circuit size or manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of signal transformation and signal routing into the transmission line transformer structure. By combining these functions, the design eliminates the need for separate switch components and their control circuitry, thereby improving efficiency without increasing device complexity or manufacturing cost.
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 design enhances efficiency and extends the dynamic range of the power amplifier without additional switches, preventing power loss and performance deterioration, while maintaining a compact circuit size and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission line transformer including a secondary transmission line connected to an output terminal and a plurality of primary transmission lines which are correspondingly located at both sides of the secondary transmission line and have different parasitic components
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a power amplifier which is used in a wireless communication system and is capable of improving efficiency in an entire output power range and extending the dynamic range without additional switches, by including a drive amplification unit and a power amplification unit, connecting the drive amplification and the power amplification unit to a matching circuit, and a power coupler included in a transmission line transformer such that the drive amplification unit drives the power amplification unit, or directly outputs power to an output terminal, through the transmission line transformer, that is, the output power of the drive amplification unit is outputted to a load by switching on/off the power amplification unit and the drive amplification unit.