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
Engineering 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Data Source
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.


