Asymmetric Wilkinson Power Splitter for Compact Doherty Amplifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Doherty power amplifiers require significant space and suffer from insertion losses due to separate power splitters and inter-stage matching networks, which increase size and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a Wilkinson power splitter that combines power splitter and inter-stage matching network functionalities into a single circuit, optimizing impedance matching and reducing the need for separate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power splitter and inter-stage matching networks are used, then impedance matching is achieved, but device size increases and insertion losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power splitter and inter-stage matching networks into a single integrated circuit. The power splitter is designed with inherent impedance transformation capabilities, eliminating the need for separate matching networks. This integration reduces the overall device size while maintaining proper impedance matching between the driver amplifier and final-stage amplifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The power splitter is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: signal splitting and impedance transformation. By making the power splitter universal, it can directly interface with the final-stage amplifiers without requiring additional dedicated matching networks, thus reducing component count and device size.
2Reliability
If separate power splitter and inter-stage matching networks are used, then impedance matching is achieved, but insertion losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the power splitter and matching networks into a single integrated circuit, the patent eliminates multiple interfaces and connections between separate components. This reduction in interface points minimizes reflection losses and insertion losses, while the integrated design ensures continuous impedance transformation throughout the signal path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used, then functionality is complete, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (power splitter and inter-stage matching networks) into a single circuit module. This consolidation maintains all necessary functionalities while reducing the total number of discrete components, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture and reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power splitter is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs signal splitting and impedance transformation. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated matching networks for each amplifier path, reducing component count and simplifying the device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An amplifier device is presented that may include an integrated passive device (IPD). The IPD includes a substrate and a power splitter on the substrate. The power splitter includes a power splitter input terminal, a first power splitter output terminal having a first output impedance, and a second power splitter output terminal having a second output impedance that is different from the first output impedance. The power splitter is an asymmetric Wilkinson power splitter configured to receive a first signal at the power splitter input terminal, divide the first signal into a first output signal and a second output signal, output the first output signal at the first power splitter output terminal, and output the second output signal at the second power splitter output terminal.