Wire-Stacked Transformer Reduces DAT Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed active transformers (DATs) in power amplifiers suffer from high loss due to their inherent design, which affects the efficiency of the power amplifier module, particularly when used as an output matching circuit, due to the limited thickness of metal plates and the resulting spacing of magnetic field centers.
Innovation Solution
A wire-stacked transformer design is introduced, featuring a first loop with metal plates and a concentric second loop, both equipped with loop wires in an elongated arrangement, which effectively increases the thickness and reduces resistance by connecting the wires in parallel, thereby reducing power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the metal plates forming the first loop and the second loop are made thicker, then the distance between the virtual centers of the first loop and the second loop becomes shorter, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces loop wires stacked in the vertical dimension (z-axis) rather than increasing the horizontal thickness of metal plates. This dimensional transition allows the effective thickness to be increased through stacking multiple thin wire layers, thereby reducing the horizontal distance between loop centers while maintaining manufacturability of thin individual layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by stacking multiple loop wires together to form an equivalent thick conductor. This composite approach achieves the electrical and magnetic effects of a thick metal plate while using thinner, more manufacturable wire components that can be processed and assembled separately
2Loss of energy
If the metal plates are made thicker to reduce the distance between virtual centers, then the power loss is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the thickness adjustment to the vertical stacking dimension, the patent decouples the thickness parameter from the horizontal positioning precision. Multiple thin wires can be stacked with relaxed horizontal alignment tolerances, reducing the manufacturing precision requirements compared to machining a single thick metal plate with tight center positioning constraints
3Device complexity
If conventional DAT structure is used with single loop configuration, then the structure is simple, but the virtual centers of loops are spaced apart causing high loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple loop wires into a stacked configuration where they occupy the same horizontal footprint but are separated vertically. This merging approach allows the first and second loops to be positioned closer together horizontally, reducing the distance between their virtual centers and decreasing power loss, while the vertical stacking maintains structural organization
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked loop wires are arranged in a nested configuration where multiple wire loops are concentric or closely positioned around a common center point. This nesting allows the loops to share the same spatial envelope, minimizing the distance between their effective centers while maintaining individual loop integrity
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 wire-stacked transformer design enhances the efficiency of the power amplifier by reducing DAT loss, leading to improved Power Amplifier Efficiency (PAE) across various frequency bands, with a maximum reduction of 0.4 dB compared to conventional DATs, and increasing PAE from 35.75% to 38.76% in linear power amplifiers and from 53.63% to 58.15% in switching power amplifiers.
Implementation Method 1
a first loop supplied with electric power and built with one or more metal plates forming a magnetic field, a second loop disposed in a concentric circle with the first loop and generating induction current
Data Source
AI summary
A wire-stacked transformer has a first loop supplied with electric power and built with one or more metal plates forming a magnetic field, a second loop disposed in a concentric circle with the first loop and generating induction current, and loop wires disposed between the respective metal plates of the first loop and supplying electric power to each metal plate. Accordingly, efficiency of a power amplifier can be enhanced by reducing the loss of the DAT.