Variable Envelope Amplifier Stage Matching for Linear Power Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifiers, particularly in microwave frequencies, face challenges with non-linearity, leading to inefficient power balance and spectral responsivity, requiring complex and costly linearization methods that are not universal, precise, or easily implementable, especially in applications like satellite communications where resources are limited.
Innovation Solution
A method that optimizes the setting parameters of amplification stages using the instantaneous power statistical distribution of variable envelope input signals, allowing for the calculation of optimisation criteria and selection of optimum parameters to achieve linear amplification with maximum output power and minimal consumption, without the need for envelope tracking or dynamic adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high power amplifiers are used in their entire operating range up to saturation, then power balance and spectral responsivity are optimized, but non-linearity problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal setting parameters for the amplifier in lookup tables before operation. These tables contain pre-determined biasing voltages and load impedances that correspond to different input power levels, allowing the amplifier to be quickly configured without real-time computation or iterative adjustment, thus avoiding non-linearity while maintaining power efficiency
2Reliability
If complex linearization methods are implemented, then linearity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex real-time linearization circuits by pre-computing optimal amplifier settings and storing them in lookup tables. During operation, the system simply retrieves pre-determined biasing voltages and load impedances based on the desired input power level, achieving linear amplification without requiring complex feedback loops, envelope tracking circuits, or real-time signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lookup tables that contain copied or pre-recorded optimal setting parameters derived from characterizations of the amplifier device. These tables store pre-measured or pre-calculated biasing voltages and load impedances that replicate ideal amplifier performance, allowing the system to achieve linearity by referencing pre-stored data rather than implementing complex real-time correction circuits
3Measurement precision
If real time dynamic optimisation with feedback loop is implemented, then optimisation precision is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the optimisation work in advance by characterizing the amplifier across its operating range and storing optimal setting parameters in lookup tables. During actual operation, the system achieves precise optimisation by simply retrieving pre-determined parameters from these tables based on the input signal characteristics, eliminating the need for complex real-time feedback loops, iterative optimisation algorithms, or dynamic reconfiguration circuits
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for producing a stage for amplifying the power of a variable envelope signal including at least one amplifier. For each amplifier, a form of ideal variation in average power POUTL is selected. For each value of each setting parameter and for each average input power value, a value of an optimisation criterion is calculated on the basis of the mathematical expectation of at least one optimisation parameter. An optimum value of each setting parameter is determined and the amplification stage is produced with a number of amplifiers in parallel determined on the basis of an average output power value and with, for each amplifier, matching circuits providing the optimum values of the setting parameters. The invention also relates to an amplification stage produced in this manner.