Digital Doherty Transmitter

Abstract

A digital Doherty amplifier compromises a baseband signal processing block including a digital predistortion unit, a digital signal distribution unit and a digital phase alignment unit; a signal up-conversion block, an RF power amplification block, the RF power amplification block including the carrier amplifier and one or two peaking amplifiers; and a RF Doherty combining network. In another aspect, a digital Doherty amplifier compromises a baseband signal block including a digital predistortion unit, a digital signal distribution unit and an adaptive digital phase alignment unit; a signal up-conversion block; a signal up-conversion block, the signal up-conversion block including three digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and a tri-channel up-converter or three single-channel up-converters; a RF power amplification block, the RF power amplification block including the carrier amplifier and two peaking amplifiers; and an RF Doherty combining network which includes quarter wavelength impedance transformers.

Claims

1. A multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter, compromising: a. a baseband processing block implemented for digital conditioning of the digital input baseband signal and for generating three digital baseband signals that are adapted to enhance one of power efficiency and linearity of the multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter, said baseband processing block having an input and an output; b. a signal up-conversion block, having an input and an output, said input of said signal up-conversion block being connected to said output of said baseband processing block, said signal up-conversion block being adapted to generate analog RF signals based on digital baseband signals obtained from the baseband processing block; c. an RF power amplification block having an input and an output, said input of said RF power amplification block being connected to said output of said signal up-conversion block, said RF power amplification block being adapted to amplify the analog RF signals present at its inputs; d. an RF Doherty combining network having an input connected to said output of said RF power amplification block, and an output that combines the amplified analog RF signals obtained from the RF power amplification block.

2. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein said baseband processing block compromises a digital predistortion unit, a digital adaptive signal distribution unit, and a digital phase alignment unit.

3. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein said signal-up conversion block compromises first, second, and third digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and one of either a first, second and third single up-converter and a tri-channel up-converter.

4. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein said RF power amplification block compromises a carrier amplifier having an input and an output, a first peaking amplifier having an input and an output, and a second peaking amplifier having an input and an output, said carrier amplifier and said first and second peaking amplifiers being one of identical and different in size and power handling.

5. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, further compromising a plurality of high-directivity couplers connected to said output of said carrier amplifier and to said output of each of said first and second peaking amplifiers.

6. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein said RF Doherty combining network compromises passive quarter wavelength λ/4-transmission line impedance transformers and passive λ/4-transmission line impedance inverters, disposed according to a predefined configuration depending on the mode of operation and output currents profiles of the carrier amplifier and first and second peaking amplifiers.

7. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein said RF Doherty combining network output is in communication with said input of said baseband processing block.

8. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein linearization of said multiple-branch digital Doherty transmitter is accomplished by using digital predistortion (DPD).

9. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, wherein said RF power amplification block compromises a carrier amplifier having an input and an output, and a first peaking amplifier having an input and an output, said carrier amplifier and said first peaking amplifier being one of identical and different in size and power handling.

10. The multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter of claim 1, further compromising a plurality of high-directivity couplers connected to said output of said carrier amplifier and to said output of said peaking amplifier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the digital Doherty transmitter architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is one embodiment illustrating a detailed block diagram of the architecture of FIG. 1, using a single tri-channel up-converter.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment illustrating a detailed block diagram of the architecture of FIG. 1, using three single channel up-converters.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an example of a possible signal distribution scheme of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is an example of a possible phase alignment mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the prior art.

[0023] FIG. 7 is an electrical diagram of the prior art.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the ideal output currents profile at the fundamental frequency of the circuit of FIG. 7.

[0025] FIG. 9 is an electrical diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier.

[0027] FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the invention architecture shown in FIG. 10, where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier, and a dual-channel up-converter.

[0028] FIG. 12 is an electrical diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11.

[0029] FIG. 13 is another possible block diagram of the architecture of FIG. 10 where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier, and two single channel upconverters.

[0030] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the execution of the digital adaptive signal distribution algorithm performed by Digital Signal Distribution Unit of the Baseband Processing Block.

[0031] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the execution of the digital phase alignment algorithm for the Digital Phase Alignment Unit of the Baseband Processing Block.

[0032] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the execution of the digital predistortion (EPE) algorithm for the Digital Predistortion Unit of the Baseband Processing Block.

[0033] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the Baseband Signal Processing Block of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the architecture when used in adaptive mode according to an embodiment of the present invention where high directivity couplers are used at the output of the RF power amplification block.

[0035] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the architecture of FIG. 10, where high directivity couplers are used at the output of the RF power amplification block.

[0036] FIG. 20 is the measured performance of the prior art compared to a practical implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 21 is another measured performance of the prior art compared to a practical implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 22 is the measured performance, in terms of spectrum, of a practical implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0040] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter architecture and digital signal processing algorithms for impairments-free operation and linearized three-stage Doherty amplifier.

[0041] As seen in FIGS. 1-3, for a given mode of operation of the digital Doherty transmitter and starting from an initial baseband signal, shown at I.sub.IN/Q.sub.IN, corresponding to a given communication standard, the baseband processing Block 20 generates three different input baseband signals (I.sub.IN,C/Q.sub.IN,C, I.sub.IN, P1/Q.sub.IN, P1, I.sub.IN, P2/Q.sub.IN, P2) so that, after up-conversion via Signal Up-Conversion Block 28 and RF power amplification via RF Power Amplification Block 44, the magnitudes of the currents at the input of the RF Doherty Combining Network 52 follow the ideal currents profile that is predefined depending on the mode of operation of the multiple stage Doherty transmitter.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows an example of a possible signal distribution scheme executed at the digital signal distribution unit 24 of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier. The Present Invention graph line illustrates the digital Doherty transmitter, while the Prior Art graphline illustrates the state of the prior art.

[0043] The baseband signals generated at the digital signal distribution unit 24 are further updated to compensate for any phase misalignment resulting from the non-linear behavior of the devices. The phase misalignment behavior is identified from the amplitude-dependent phase distortion (AM/PM) of the carrier amplifier and the (AM/PM) responses of the peaking amplifiers. The characterization can be achieved by only driving one amplifier at a time with its specific input signal generated at the digital signal distribution unit 24 and collecting its corresponding amplified signal at the output of the digital Doherty transmitter. The output RF signal is down-converted to baseband and benchmarked against the known driving input baseband signal which permits obtaining the AM/PM of the amplifier under test. In the case that the AM/PM responses of the three amplifiers follow similar trend (i.e., AM/PM is quasi-constant versus input power) but with a constant phase difference, a static digital phase alignment is applied to the input baseband data at the input of each peaking branch to align the AM/PM response of the peaking amplifiers with that of the carrier amplifier. In the case that the AM/PM responses of the peaking amplifiers do not follow the same trend as that of the carrier amplifier (i.e., AM/PM responses of peaking amplifiers fluctuate versus input power), an adaptive digital phase alignment is applied to the baseband data at the input of each branch to ensure that the AM/PM response of the carrier amplifier and those of the peaking amplifiers are overlapping at all time. This may be achieved by applying phase digital predistortion (PDPD) to each peaking input baseband signal. This results in three similar AM/PM responses having a constant phase shift that can be aligned as in the case of static phase alignment by just adding a constant phase offset to the input signal. The graph presented in FIG. 5 shows an example of a possible adaptive digital phase alignment of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where the RF power amplification block 44 has only one peaking amplifier and where the carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier have dissimilar AM/PM characteristics.

[0044] The digital phase alignment mechanism ensures the quasi-perfect active load modulation behavior (when the input signal is properly distributed at the digital signal distribution unit 24) and prevents the destructive power summation at the RF Doherty combining network.

[0045] Both digital adaptive signal distribution unit and digital phase alignment unit ensure the impairments-free operation of the multiple (three) stage digital Doherty transmitter.

[0046] To get the linear operation, the digital predistortion (DPD) is required. This can be achieved by considering the system that consists of {digital adaptive signal distribution unit+digital phase alignment unit 26+signal up-conversion block 28+RF power amplification block 44+RF Doherty combining network 52} as device-under-test (DUT). As such, the initial characterization and DPD model identification of the digital Doherty transmitter can be derived based on the initial input baseband signal and the equivalent baseband version of the RF signal at the output of the RF Doherty combining network 52.

[0047] A digital predistortion technique consisting of pre-processing an input baseband signal according to the complement of the transmitter response to compensate for its nonlinearity effects. To achieve this correction, a complex function of the predistorter is determined while satisfying the following conditions:

f(x.sub.out(t)/G)=x.sub.in(t) and g(x.sub.in(t))=x.sub.out(t)

with f[g(x.sub.in(t))]=G[x.sub.in(t)]

where f and g represent the complex nonlinear functions of the predistorter and the PA/transmitter, respectively. G represents the small-signal gain of the Doherty amplifier. The variables x.sub.in and x.sub.out denote the input and output signals respectively. Both f and g are determined using baseband records at the input and output of the Doherty transmitter.

[0048] Following the identification of the predistorter and its cascade before the digital signal distribution unit 24, one can write the following equation for the linearized transmitter:

x.sub.out(t)=g[f(x.sub.in(t))]=G[x.sub.in(t)]

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the digital Doherty amplifier/transmitter architecture includes a baseband signal processing block 20; a signal up-conversion block 28; a RF power amplification block 44; and a RF Doherty combining network 52, the topology of the RF Doherty combining network is predefined topologies and is depending on the mode of operation of the multiple branch digital Doherty amplifier/transmitter of the present invention. The specific number of multiple branches n of the digital Doherty amplifier/transmitter of the present invention architecture is equal to one (carrier amplifier branch) plus the value n−1 which value equals the number of peaking amplifiers in a particular circuit.

[0050] The baseband signal processing block 20 includes a digital predistortion unit 22, an adaptive digital signal distribution unit 24 and a digital phase alignment unit 26. The baseband signal processing block 20 is a set of digital signal processing algorithms best shown in FIG. 17 that are implemented to ensure impairments-free and linear operation of multiple-stage Doherty amplifiers/transmitters. In this regard, the implementation of digital predistortion unit 22 is best shown in FIG. 16; the implementation of digital signal distribution unit 24 is best shown in FIG. 14; the implementation of digital phase alignment unit 26 is best shown in FIG. 15. The operation and algorithms performed by baseband signal processing block 20 allow for digital processing of digital signals, and for a digital signal output.

[0051] In operation, the digital predistortion unit 22 is an algorithm that takes the initial input digital baseband in-phase/quadrature (I.sub.IN/Q.sub.IN) signal to generate the predistorted baseband digital signal (I.sub.Pred/Q.sub.Pred) intended to feed the digital adaptive signal separation unit 24 according to the equations stated above (see FIG. 16).

[0052] The digital signal distribution unit 24 is an algorithm that is applied (according to FIG. 14) to the digital baseband signal (I.sub.Pred/Q.sub.Pred) obtained from the digital predistortion unit 24 to generate the digital baseband signals (I.sub.C/Q.sub.C), (I.sub.P1/Q.sub.P1) and (I.sub.P2/Q.sub.P2) to: first, ensure that, after up-conversion and RF power amplification, the magnitudes of the currents at the input of the RF Doherty combining network follow the ideal currents profile for the mode of operation of the multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter; and second, to minimize the waste of input power into the peaking branches while peaking amplifiers are in the turn-off state.

[0053] The digital phase alignment unit 26 is an algorithm (according to FIG. 15) that is applied to the baseband signal (I.sub.C/Q.sub.C), (I.sub.P1/Q.sub.P1) and (I.sub.P2/Q.sub.P2) to generate the baseband signals (I.sub.IN,C/Q.sub.IN,C), (I.sub.IN,P1/Q.sub.IN,P1) and (I.sub.IN,P2/Q.sub.IN,P2) in order to compensate in digital domain for the phase imbalance problem.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the signal up-conversion block 28 may include first, second and third digital-to-analog converters (DACs) 30, 32, and 34, respectively, and a tri-channel up-converter 36. The DACs 30, 32, 34 and the tri-channel up-converter 36 may be any commercially available parts. Each DAC 30, 32, 34 is an electrical device that converts the baseband streams (I.sub.IN,C/Q.sub.IN,C), (I.sub.IN,P1/Q.sub.IN,P1) and (I.sub.IN,P1/Q.sub.IN,P1) obtained at the output of the baseband signal processing block 20 into continuous analog signals. The tri-channel up-converter 30 is an electrical device that takes the low frequency input analog signals from the DACs 30, 32, 34 to produce the RF signals RF.sub.IN,C (from first single-channel up-converter 38), RF.sub.IN,P1 (from second single-channel up-converter 40), and RF.sub.IN,P2 (from third single-channel up-converter 42) that are feeding the input of the RF power amplification block 44.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the signal up-conversion block 28 may include three digital-to-analog converters (DACs) 30, 32, 34, respectively, and first, second, and third single-channel up-converters 38, 40, 42, respectively. The DACs 30, 32, 34 and the single-channel up-converter 38, 40, 42 may be any commercially available parts. Each DAC 30, 32, 34 is an electrical device that converts the baseband streams (I.sub.IN,C/Q.sub.IN,C), (I.sub.IN,P1/Q.sub.IN,P1) and (I.sub.IN,P1/Q.sub.IN,P1) obtained at the output of the baseband signal processing block 20 into continuous analog signals. The up-converter 36 is an electrical device that takes the low frequency input analog signals from the DACs 30, 32, 34 to produce the RF signals RF.sub.IN,C, RF.sub.IN,P1 and RF.sub.IN,P2 that are feeding the input of the RF power amplification block 44.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the RF power amplification block 44 includes the carrier amplifier 46 and two peaking amplifiers 48 and 50. The carrier amplifier 46 is an electrical device that amplifies the input radio frequency signal RF.sub.IN,C. The two peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 are electrical devices that amplify the input radio frequency signals RF.sub.IN,P1 and RF.sub.IN,P2. The carrier amplifier 46 and peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 are implemented based on transistors and input and output matching networks. The matching networks may be implemented using passive distributed elements, transmission lines based structures or lumped elements.

[0057] In one possible configuration of the multiple stage/branch Doherty transmitter, the transistor of the carrier amplifier 46 and the transistors of the peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 are identical in size. In other possible configurations of the multiple stage/branch Doherty amplifier, the transistors of the carrier amplifier 46 and the transistors of the peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 have different sizes. For a given configuration of device's size ratio between the carrier device and peaking devices, there is predefined mode of operation and ideal output fundamental current profile describing the proper operation of the multiple stage/branch Doherty amplifier.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, the Doherty combining network 52 compromises passive structures including quarter wavelength (λ/4)-transmission line impedance transformers as well as λ/4-transmission line impedance inverters that are arranged according to a predefined configuration depending on the mode of operation of the multiple branch Doherty transmitter.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, the general architecture of one kind of multiple branch digital Doherty transmitter, a three-stage digital Doherty transmitter, shown generally at 18 includes an input analog power divider 43 which may be physically located in signal up conversion unit 28 or in RF power amplification unit 44, one carrier amplifier 46 and two peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 and a RF Doherty combining network 52.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, the RF Doherty combining network 52 when the identical devices are used to implement the carrier amplifier and the peaking amplifiers compromises four λ/4-transmission lines 54 (with characteristic impedances Z.sub.0) 58 (with characteristic impedances Z.sub.0/2) and 60 (with characteristic impedances 1.734 Z.sub.0 62 is the output load impedance of the three-stage Doherty amplifier.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 8, the ideal currents profile of a three-stage Doherty amplifier, the carrier amplifier 46 and the peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 of which are implemented using identical devices, are such that all output currents are aligned at peak power drive; and, the output current from the carrier amplifier is as twice as the output current of peaking amplifier 48 when peaking amplifier 50 turns ON.

[0062] FIG. 9 shows an electrical diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which the carrier amplifier 46 and the peaking amplifiers 48 and 50 are built using identical devices.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the digital Doherty amplifier may further or alternatively compromise a first, second, and/or third high-directivity coupler 68, 70, 72, respectively, at the out of the carrier amplifier 46 and at the output of each of the peaking amplifiers 48 and 50. The high directivity coupler 68, 70, 72 may be built using passive coupling based structure and embedded within the output matching network of each of the amplifiers of the RF power amplification block 44. The high directivity coupler 68, 70, 72 is used to probe a sample of the output signals of amplifiers in order to: first, continuously monitor their AM/PM responses that may vary with time; and, second, update the input signals as needed.

[0064] FIG. 20 shows the measured power efficiency performance of a practical implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier and where only digital adaptive phase alignment was applied.

[0065] FIG. 21 shows the measured performance of the analog Doherty prior art compared to a practical implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the Present Invention (the digital Doherty transmitter of the present invention) where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier and where only digital adaptive power distribution was applied.

[0066] FIG. 22 shows the measured performance, in terms of spectrum of a practical implementation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where the RF power amplification block has only one peaking amplifier and where digital predistortion in addition power distribution and phase alignment schemes were applied.

[0067] As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.