JP4549163B2 - EER system and method for adjusting efficiency of high-frequency saturated amplifier in EER system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an EER (Envelope Elimination and Restoration) system and an efficiency optimization adjustment method for a high-frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system.

  Conventionally, a high-frequency amplifier for transmission used in a digital modulation type mobile phone requires linearity to amplify a broadband / high dynamic range signal with low distortion and high power efficiency to reduce the power consumption of the device. It is done. As one method for achieving both linearity and power efficiency, an EER system that can be used in a saturation operation with good power efficiency has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional EER system. The conventional EER system shown in FIG. 1 includes a high frequency signal input terminal 1, a coupler 2, an amplitude limiter 3, a high frequency amplification unit 4, a high frequency signal output terminal 5, an envelope detection unit 6, and a voltage amplification unit 7.

  A high frequency modulation signal input from the high frequency signal input terminal 1 to the coupler 2 is input to the amplitude limiter 3 and the envelope detection unit 6. The amplitude limiter 3 extracts the phase component of the high frequency modulation signal, and the envelope detector 6 extracts the amplitude component of the high frequency modulation signal. The phase component extracted by the amplitude limiter 3 is input to the high frequency amplifier 4. Since the signal input to the high frequency amplifier 4 is a phase component, the high frequency amplifier 4 does not require an amplitude amplifier. Therefore, a high-efficiency saturated amplifier is used for the high-frequency amplifier 4. After the phase component extracted by the amplitude limiter 3 and the amplitude component extracted by the envelope detector 6 are amplified by mutually independent paths, they are reconstructed by the high frequency amplifier 4 and the input high frequency modulation signal is converted into power. An amplified high frequency modulation signal is obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the synthesis of the amplitude component with respect to the phase component uses the characteristic that the output level of the high frequency amplifying unit 4 is changed by changing the power supply voltage of the high frequency amplifying unit 4. FIG. 6 shows the input / output characteristics of a general high-frequency amplifier. The power supply voltage is set to Vd1> Vd2> Vd3, and shows Pout at each power supply voltage when Pin1 is input. It can be seen that Pout increases as the power supply voltage increases. That is, Pout1> Pout2> Pout3.

  Numerous methods for the EER system have been shown in Khan's “Single Sideband Transmission by Envelope Removal and Restoration” (published July 1952, pages 803-806). There is a proposal in which a voltage amplifying unit for amplifying the amplitude component of a high-frequency modulation signal is constituted by a class S amplifier or the like. On the other hand, the output level in the EER system needs to be saturated by the saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplifier 4, and cannot be adjusted by the input level like a normal linear amplifier, and is supplied to the high-frequency amplifier 4. Adjust with the power supply voltage.

JP 2001-156554 A

  However, in the conventional EER system, when adjusting the power supply voltage supplied to the high frequency amplification unit 4, the operation efficiency of the high frequency saturation amplifier of the high frequency amplification unit 4 cannot be optimally maintained. There is a problem that it cannot be achieved.

  That is, it is assumed that the high-frequency amplifier 4 uses an ideal high-frequency saturation amplifier that operates in operation classes such as C-class, D-class, and E-class. It has not been. However, in a high-frequency amplifier configured using an actual high-frequency saturation amplifier such as an LDMOS (Laterally Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor), as shown in FIG. 6, if the power supply voltage is changed under a condition where the input level is constant, the efficiency is improved. The characteristics fluctuate and do not necessarily become optimum values. In the example of FIG. 2, when the power supply voltage is lowered from Vd1 to Vd3 and the output level is adjusted from Pout1 to Pout3 at the input level Pin1, the efficiency decreases from ηadd1 to ηadd3.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an EER system in which a high-frequency saturation amplifier of a high-frequency amplification unit always operates at an optimum efficiency, and an efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high-frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system. Objective.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations and methods.

(1) Phase component extraction means for extracting the phase component of the input high frequency modulation signal, amplitude component extraction means for extracting the amplitude component of the high frequency modulation signal, and amplifying the phase component signal from the phase component extraction means High-frequency saturation amplification means; voltage generation means for generating a voltage corresponding to the amplitude component signal from the amplitude component extraction means; variable attenuation means for adjusting the level of the phase component signal input to the high-frequency saturation amplification means; An input for adjusting the output voltage of the voltage generating means so that the output level can be obtained by inputting information of a required output level, and at the same time, the high-frequency saturation amplifying means operates at an optimum efficiency with respect to the output voltage. Control means for controlling the amount of attenuation of the variable attenuation means so as to reach a level.

(2) The EER system according to (1), further including output detection means for detecting an output level of the high-frequency saturation amplification means, wherein the control means includes the high-frequency saturation amplification means detected by the output detection means. In consideration of the output level, the output voltage of the voltage generating means and the attenuation amount of the variable attenuating means are controlled.

(3) The EER system according to (2), further including a current detection unit that detects a current flowing from the voltage generation unit to the high-frequency saturation amplification unit, wherein the control unit is further detected by the current detection unit. In consideration of the current value, the output voltage of the voltage generation means and the attenuation amount of the variable attenuation means are controlled.

(4) The mobile station apparatus includes the EER system according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

(5) The base station apparatus includes the EER system according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

(6) A wireless communication device includes the EER system according to any one of (1) to (3).

(7) A high-frequency amplification unit that has a high-frequency saturation amplifier and amplifies the phase component of the high-frequency modulation signal, and a voltage amplification unit that generates a power supply voltage of the high-frequency amplification unit corresponding to the amplitude component of the high-frequency modulation signal A method for adjusting the efficiency of a high-frequency saturation amplifier in an EER system, wherein the high-frequency saturation amplifier adjusts the output voltage of the voltage amplification unit according to a required output level and at the same time the efficiency of the high-frequency saturation amplifier is optimal for the output voltage. The level of the phase component signal input to the high-frequency amplification unit is adjusted so that the input level operates at.

(8) In the efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high-frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system described in (7) above, the output voltage of the voltage amplification unit and the high-frequency amplification unit are input in consideration of the output level of the high-frequency amplification unit. Adjust the level of the phase component signal.

(9) In the efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high-frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system according to (8) above, the output voltage of the voltage amplification unit and the high-frequency wave are also taken into account the current flowing from the voltage amplification unit to the high-frequency amplification unit The level of the phase component signal input to the amplifying unit is adjusted.

  According to the EER system described in (1) above, since the input level of the high frequency saturation amplification means is adjusted simultaneously with the power supply voltage of the high frequency saturation amplification means, the high frequency saturation amplification means always operates with optimum efficiency, Power saving can be achieved.

  According to the EER system described in (2) above, when adjusting the power supply voltage and input level of the high frequency saturation amplification means, the output level of the high frequency saturation amplification means is taken into account. Even when the characteristic (for example, gain characteristic) of the high-frequency saturation amplification means fluctuates from the initial setting due to output load fluctuation or the like, the required output level can always be maintained and the efficiency can be optimized.

  According to the EER system described in (3) above, when adjusting the power supply voltage and input level of the high frequency saturation amplification means, in addition to the output level of the high frequency saturation amplification means, it flows from the voltage generation means to the high frequency saturation amplification means. Since the current is taken into account, even if the characteristics of the high-frequency saturation amplification means (for example, gain characteristics) fluctuate from the initial setting due to aging, power supply voltage fluctuation, output load fluctuation, etc., the required output level is always maintained, Furthermore, the efficiency can be optimized.

  According to the mobile station apparatus described in (4) above, the high-frequency saturation amplification means always operates at an optimum efficiency, so that power saving can be achieved.

  According to the base station apparatus described in (5) above, the high-frequency saturation amplification means always operates with optimum efficiency, so that power saving can be achieved.

  According to the wireless communication device described in (6) above, the high-frequency saturation amplification means always operates with optimum efficiency, so that power saving can be achieved.

  According to the efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system described in the above (7), the input level of the high frequency saturation amplifier is adjusted simultaneously with the power supply voltage of the high frequency saturation amplifier. It operates with efficiency, which can save power.

  According to the efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high-frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system described in (8) above, the power supply voltage and input level of the high-frequency saturation amplifier are adjusted in consideration of the output level of the high-frequency saturation amplifier. Even if the characteristics of the high-frequency saturation amplifier (for example, gain characteristics) fluctuate from the initial setting due to aging, power supply voltage fluctuation, output load fluctuation, etc., always maintain the required output level and optimize the efficiency. Can do.

  According to the efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system described in (9) above, in addition to the output level of the high frequency saturation amplifier, the voltage amplifier is adjusted when adjusting the power supply voltage and input level of the high frequency saturation amplifier. Therefore, even if the characteristics (for example, gain characteristics) of the high frequency saturation amplifier fluctuate from the initial setting due to aging, power supply voltage fluctuation, output load fluctuation, etc. Can always be maintained, and even efficiency can be optimized.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an EER system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In this figure, parts common to those in the EER system shown in FIG.

  1, the EER system according to the present embodiment includes a variable attenuator 8 that can control the amount of attenuation from the outside, a voltage amplifying unit 9 that can control an output voltage from the outside, and the amount of attenuation of the variable attenuator 8. And the control unit 10 that controls the output voltage of the voltage amplification unit 9 is different from the above-described conventional EER system. Although the conventional EER system also includes the voltage amplification unit 7, the output voltage cannot be controlled.

  The variable attenuator 8 is inserted between the amplitude limiter 3 and the high frequency amplification unit 4 and adjusts the level of the phase component of the high frequency modulation signal input to the high frequency amplification unit 4. The control unit 10 adjusts the output voltage of the voltage amplifying unit 9 at the same time as adjusting the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 8 according to the information of the required output level.

  The amplitude limiter 3 corresponds to the phase component extraction unit, the envelope detection unit 6 corresponds to the amplitude component extraction unit, and the high frequency saturation amplifier of the high frequency amplification unit 4 corresponds to the high frequency saturation amplification unit. The voltage amplifying unit 9 corresponds to voltage generating means, the variable attenuator 8 corresponds to variable attenuating means, and the control unit 10 corresponds to control means.

  Next, the operation of the EER system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing efficiency characteristics with respect to the input level of the high-frequency amplifier 4. Here, the input / output characteristic diagram of the general high-frequency amplifier 4 in FIG. 6 is also referred to. Vd1 to Vd3 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 indicate the power supply voltage of the high-frequency amplifier 4, and Vd1> Vd2> Vd3. Pout is the output level of the high frequency amplification unit 4, and Pin is the input level of the high frequency amplification unit 4. Pin1, Pin2, and Pin3 are input levels that maximize the efficiency with respect to the power supply voltages Vd1, Vd2, and Vd3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplifier 4 operates at the maximum efficiency ηadd1 when the input voltage of Pin1 is Vd1 when the power supply voltage of the high-frequency amplifier 4 is Vd1. When the power supply voltage is Vd2, the operation is performed with the maximum efficiency ηadd1 when the input level is Pin2. When the power supply voltage is Vd3, the operation is performed with the maximum efficiency ηadd1 when the input level is Pin3. In other words, the input level is adjusted in accordance with the power supply voltage Vd so that the input level of Pin1 for the power supply voltage Vd1, the input level of Pin2 for Vd2, and the input level of Pin3 for Vd3. Thus, the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplifier 4 can always be operated with the maximum efficiency ηadd1.

  The control unit 10 adjusts the power supply voltage and the input level so that the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplification unit 4 always operates with the maximum efficiency η. For this reason, the output voltage of the voltage amplifying unit 9 is controlled, and the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 8 is controlled. That is, the control unit 10 controls the output voltage of the voltage amplifying unit 9 so that the output level is obtained when information on a required output level is input from the outside, and at the same time, a high frequency saturation amplifier for the voltage. The amount of attenuation of the variable attenuator 8 is controlled so as to obtain an input level that obtains optimum efficiency. By doing so, even if the power supply voltage is changed in order to change the output level of the high-frequency amplifier 4, an EER system in which the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplifier 4 always operates with optimum efficiency can be realized.

  As described above, according to the ERR system of the present embodiment, the variable attenuator 8 capable of controlling the amount of attenuation from the outside, the voltage amplifying unit 9 capable of controlling the output voltage from the outside, and the attenuation of the variable attenuator 8. And a control unit 10 for controlling the output voltage of the voltage amplification unit 9. The control unit 10 controls the output voltage in the voltage amplification unit 9 so that a desired output level can be obtained from the high frequency amplification unit 4. The attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 8 is controlled so that the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplifier 4 has an input level for obtaining the optimum efficiency ηadd1 with respect to the voltage. As a result, the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplifying unit 4 always operates with the optimum efficiency ηadd1, so that power saving can be achieved.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the EER system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  3, the EER system according to the present embodiment includes a comparison control unit 11 that replaces the control unit 10 according to the first embodiment, and an output coupler (output) that detects the output of the high-frequency amplification unit 4 and feeds back to the comparison control unit 11. Detection means) 12. The comparison control unit 11 compares the required output level information with the output level of the high frequency amplification unit 4 detected by the output coupler 12 and generates a control signal to be supplied to the variable attenuator 8 and the voltage amplification unit 9. That is, the control signal is not generated from only the information on the required output level, but is generated in consideration of the output level of the high-frequency amplifier 4.

  As described above, according to the ERR system of the present embodiment, the output of the high frequency amplifying unit 4 is used to control the variable attenuator 8 and the voltage amplifying unit 9, so that the high frequency due to aging, power supply voltage fluctuation, output load fluctuation, etc. Even when the characteristics (for example, gain characteristics) of the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the amplifying unit 4 change from the initial setting, the input level to the high-frequency amplifying unit 4 and the output voltage of the voltage amplifying unit 9 are controlled to provide the necessary high-frequency amplification. It is possible to always maintain the output level of the section 4 and to optimize the efficiency.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the EER system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the EER system of the present embodiment is provided with a current monitor (current detection means) 14 for monitoring the output current of the voltage amplification unit 9 in addition to the EER system of the second embodiment. The output current of the voltage amplification unit 9 detected by the current monitor 14 is input to the comparison control unit 13. The comparison control unit 13 compares the required output level information, the output level of the high frequency amplification unit 4 detected by the output coupler 12, and the output current of the voltage amplification unit 9 detected by the current monitor 14, and makes the variable A control signal to be supplied to the attenuator 8 and the voltage amplifier 9 is generated.

Here, the efficiency ηd of the high-frequency amplifier 4 can be calculated from the supply voltage Vd, the supply current Id, and the output level Pout.
ηd = (Pout / (Vd × Id)) × 100%
In the EER system, the supply voltage Vd is uniquely determined by the baseband signal, and the output level at that time also corresponds to Vd (t) on a one-to-one basis. On the other hand, the high-frequency saturation amplifier has a region where only the efficiency ηd changes without changing the output level even if the input level is changed. The present invention is characterized in that the area is used. The change in efficiency here means that the current changes. Therefore, since the output level Pout and the supply voltage Vd are fixed values, the efficiency ηd can be optimally adjusted by adjusting the input level to optimize the current Id.

  As described above, according to the ERR system of the present embodiment, since the output of the high frequency amplifier 4 and the output current of the voltage amplifier 9 are used for controlling the variable attenuator 8 and the voltage amplifier 9, the secular change, the power supply voltage Even when the characteristics (for example, gain characteristics and efficiency characteristics) of the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplification unit 4 vary from the initial setting due to fluctuations and output load fluctuations, the input level and the voltage amplification unit are adjusted and required. An EER system capable of constantly maintaining the output level of the high-frequency amplifier 4 and optimizing the efficiency can be realized.

  In addition to the method shown in the embodiment, the phase extraction and the amplitude component of the modulation signal are separated and extracted by generating data from the baseband signal in advance and inputting the generated signal to each amplification path. Also good.

  The EER system of each of the embodiments described above is suitable for use in a wireless communication device such as a mobile station device (such as a mobile phone) or a base station device of a mobile communication system, or a digital broadcast wireless communication device.

  The present invention has an effect that the high-frequency saturation amplifier of the high-frequency amplification unit of the EER system can always be operated with optimum efficiency. In addition to the mobile station device and the base station device of the mobile communication system, the wireless communication of digital broadcasting It can be applied to devices.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the EER system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the efficiency characteristic with respect to the input level of the high frequency amplifier The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the EER system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the EER system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the conventional EER system Diagram showing input / output characteristics of high-frequency amplifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 High frequency signal input terminal 2 Coupler 3 Amplitude limiter 4 High frequency amplification part 5 High frequency signal output terminal 6 Envelope detection part 8 Variable attenuator 9 Voltage amplification part 10 Control part 11, 13 Comparison control part 12 Output coupler 14 Current monitor

Claims (7)

Phase component extraction means for extracting the phase component of the input high frequency modulation signal;
Amplitude component extracting means for extracting the amplitude component of the high frequency modulation signal;
High-frequency saturation amplification means for amplifying the phase component signal from the phase component extraction means;
Voltage generating means for generating a voltage corresponding to the amplitude component signal from the amplitude component extracting means;
Variable attenuation means for adjusting the level of the phase component signal input to the high-frequency saturation amplification means;
By adjusting the output voltage of the voltage generating means so that the output level can be obtained by inputting the required output level information, the input level at which the high-frequency saturation amplifying means operates at an optimum efficiency with respect to the output voltage. Control means for controlling the amount of attenuation of the variable attenuation means so that
Output detection means for detecting the output level of the high-frequency saturation amplification means,
The EER system wherein the control means controls the output voltage of the voltage generation means and the attenuation amount of the variable attenuation means in consideration of the output level of the high frequency saturation amplification means detected by the output detection means . Further comprising a current detecting means for detecting a current flowing from said voltage generating means to the high-frequency saturation amplifying means,
The EER system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the attenuation amount of the variable attenuation unit in consideration of the current value detected by the current detection unit . A mobile station apparatus comprising the EER system according to claim 1 . A base station apparatus comprising the EER system according to claim 1 . A wireless communication apparatus comprising the EER system according to claim 1 . A high-frequency amplifier that has a high-frequency saturation amplifier and amplifies the phase component of the high-frequency modulation signal; a voltage amplifier that generates a power supply voltage of the high-frequency amplifier corresponding to the amplitude component of the high-frequency modulation signal ; An output detection means for detecting an output level, and an efficiency optimization adjustment method for a high-frequency saturation amplifier in an EER system comprising:
The output voltage of the voltage amplifying unit is adjusted according to the required output level and the output level of the high frequency amplifying unit, and at the same time, the high frequency saturation amplifier becomes an input level at which the output voltage operates with optimum efficiency. As described above, the efficiency optimization adjustment method of the high frequency saturation amplifier in the EER system for adjusting the level of the phase component signal input to the high frequency amplification unit. The method of adjusting the efficiency of a high-frequency saturation amplifier in an EER system according to claim 6 , wherein the level of the phase component signal input to the high-frequency amplifier is adjusted in consideration of the current flowing from the voltage amplifier to the high-frequency amplifier. .

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