Variable Gain Amplifier Resonance Tuning for Back-Off Linearity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio frequency amplifiers in wireless communication devices often exhibit reduced linearity across a range of amplitude gains, leading to distorted amplitude and phase in normal and reduced power modes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a variable gain amplifier circuit utilizing degeneration inductors and a tunable degeneration resistor forms a resonant circuit, improving linearity by adjusting gain across a range of output powers, including peak and back-off output powers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an amplifier operates in normal output power mode or reduced power mode, then the output power is adjusted to meet different communication requirements, but the linearity of the amplified signal deteriorates leading to distorted amplitude and phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput power adjustmentVSAvoidsignal linearity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a portion of the amplified output signal is fed back to the input through a feedback network. This feedback signal is combined with the original input signal to create a corrected output that compensates for nonlinear distortions. The feedback loop continuously monitors and adjusts the amplification process to maintain signal linearity across different output power levels, directly resolving the contradiction between power adaptability and signal precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts circuit parameters including gain settings, bias conditions, and impedance matching across different output power modes. By changing these parameters adaptively based on the operating mode (normal or reduced power), the amplifier maintains optimal linearity performance throughout its operating range, preventing the degradation of signal quality that would otherwise occur during power back-off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If an amplifier is designed for high gain operation, then the signal amplification is improved, but the harmonic distortions and intermodulation distortions increase reducing signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal amplificationVSAvoidharmonic and intermodulation distortions
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback network captures the amplified signal containing harmonic and intermodulation distortions and feeds it back to cancel these unwanted components. By comparing the distorted output with the original clean input signal, the system generates correction signals that subtract the harmful distortions, allowing high gain operation without proportional increases in distortion products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary feedback network that acts as a mediator between the amplification stage and the output. This network processes the amplified signal to extract and cancel distortion components before the signal reaches the final output, effectively separating the useful amplified signal from the harmful distortions and preventing their propagation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enhances linearity of amplified signals across a range of gains and output powers, reducing harmonic signals and intermodulation distortions, thereby improving the overall performance of the amplifier.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing degeneration inductors and a tunable degeneration resistor forms a resonant circuit, improving linearity by adjusting gain across a range of output powers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20240372511A1Feedback-tuning based variable gain amplifier
Publication Date: 2024.11.07 APPLE INC
  • US20240372511A1 patent drawing
  • US20240372511A1 patent drawing
  • US20240372511A1 patent drawing

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to an amplifier (e.g., a variable gain amplifier (VGA)) with improved linearity compared to other amplifiers. The amplifier may include degeneration inductors and a tunable degeneration resistor to generate amplified signals. The degeneration inductors and the tunable degeneration resistor may form a resonant circuit to improve linearity of the amplified signal at a desired frequency by reducing direct current (DC) components and harmonic components of the amplified signal having the desired frequency. Moreover, the amplifier may also generate the amplified signals with improved linearity at back-off output powers based on using the tunable degeneration resistor and the degeneration inductors. As such, the amplifier may include the degeneration inductors and the tunable degeneration resistor to generate the amplified signals having an output power across a range of output powers, such as a peak output power and one or multiple back-off output powers, with improved linearity.