Circuit and method for intra-symbol voltage modulation

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 12355407
  • Patent Number
    12,355,407
  • Date Filed
    Friday, September 16, 2022
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 8, 2025
    5 months ago
  • CPC
  • Field of Search
    • CPC
    • H03F2200/451
    • H03F3/245
    • H03F2200/102
    • H03F1/0227
    • H03F3/195
    • H03F3/19
    • H03F1/0222
    • H03F1/0233
    • H03F2200/105
    • H03F3/24
    • H03F3/189
    • H03F3/68
    • H03F3/211
    • H03F3/21
    • H03F1/3241
    • H03F1/02
    • H03F2200/336
    • H03F1/0216
    • H03F2200/375
    • H03F2200/111
    • H04B1/40
    • H04B2001/0408
    • H04B1/0475
    • H04B1/04
    • H04B2001/0425
    • H04B2001/0441
    • H04B1/16
  • International Classifications
    • H03F3/24
    • H04L5/00
    • Disclaimer
      This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
      Term Extension
      271
Abstract
Circuit and method for intra-symbol voltage method are disclosed. In an embodiment, a transceiver circuit is configured to divide a voltage modulation interval(s) (e.g., a symbol duration) into multiple voltage modulation subintervals each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage targets. Accordingly, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) can adapt a modulated voltage multiple times within the voltage modulation interval(s) based on multiple voltage targets, respectively. By adapting the modulated voltage within the voltage modulation interval(s), the modulated voltage can be timely adapted to closely track a time-variant power envelope of a radio frequency (RF) signal to thereby avoid potential distortion (e.g., amplitude clipping) during amplification of the RF signal.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The technology of the disclosure relates generally to intra-symbol voltage modulation.


BACKGROUND

Fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) (5G-NR) has been widely regarded as the next generation of wireless communication technology beyond the current third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) technologies. In this regard, a wireless communication device capable of supporting the 5G-NR wireless communication technology is expected to achieve higher data rates, improved coverage range, enhanced signaling efficiency, and reduced latency.


Downlink and uplink transmissions in a 5G-NR system are widely based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology. In an OFDM based system, physical radio resources are divided into a number of subcarriers in a frequency domain and a number of OFDM symbols in a time domain. The subcarriers are orthogonally separated from each other by a subcarrier spacing (SCS). The OFDM symbols are separated from each other by a cyclic prefix (CP), which acts as a guard band to help overcome inter-symbol interference (ISI) between the OFDM symbols.


A radio frequency (RF) signal communicated in the OFDM based system is often modulated into multiple subcarriers in the frequency domain and multiple OFDM symbols in the time domain. The multiple subcarriers occupied by the RF signal collectively define a modulation bandwidth of the RF signal. The multiple OFDM symbols, on the other hand, define multiple time intervals during which the RF signal is communicated. In the 5G-NR system, the RF signal is typically modulated with a high modulation bandwidth in excess of 200 MHz.


The duration of an OFDM symbol depends on the SCS and the modulation bandwidth. The table below (Table 1) provides some OFDM symbol durations, as defined by 3G partnership project (3GPP) standards for various SCSs and modulation bandwidths. Notably, the higher the modulation bandwidth is, the shorter the OFDM symbol duration will be. For example, when the SCS is 120 KHz and the modulation bandwidth is 400 MHz, the OFDM symbol duration is 8.93 μs.














TABLE 1









OFDM






Symbol
Modulation



SCS
CP
Duration
Bandwidth



(KHz)
(μs)
(μs)
(MHz)





















15
4.69
71.43
50



30
2.34
35.71
100



60
1.17
17.86
200



120
0.59
8.93
400










In a 5G-NR system, the RF signal can be modulated with a time-variant power that changes from one OFDM symbol to another. In this regard, a power amplifier circuit(s) is required to amplify the RF signal to a certain power level within each OFDM symbol duration. Such inter-symbol power variation creates a unique challenge for a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) because the PMIC must be able to adapt a modulated voltage supplied to the power amplifier circuit within the CP of each OFDM symbol to help avoid distortion (e.g., amplitude clipping) in the RF signal.


SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a circuit and method for intra-symbol voltage modulation. In an embodiment, a transceiver circuit is configured to divide a voltage modulation interval(s) (e.g., a symbol duration) into multiple voltage modulation subintervals each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage targets. Accordingly, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) can adapt a modulated voltage multiple times within the voltage modulation interval(s) based on multiple voltage targets, respectively. By adapting the modulated voltage within the voltage modulation interval(s), the modulated voltage can be timely adapted to closely track a time-variant power envelope of a radio frequency (RF) signal to thereby avoid potential distortion (e.g., amplitude clipping) during amplification of the RF signal.


In one aspect, a PMIC is provided. The PMIC includes a voltage generation circuit. The voltage generation circuit is configured to receive multiple target voltage indications each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage modulation intervals and comprising multiple voltage targets each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage modulation subintervals within the respective one of the multiple voltage modulation intervals. The voltage generation circuit is also configured to generate multiple modulated voltages in the multiple voltage modulation subintervals based on the multiple voltage targets, respectively.


In another aspect, a transmission circuit is provided. The transmission circuit includes a PMIC. The PMIC includes a voltage generation circuit. The voltage generation circuit is configured to receive multiple target voltage indications each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage modulation intervals and comprising multiple voltage targets each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage modulation subintervals within the respective one of the multiple voltage modulation intervals. The voltage generation circuit is also configured to generate multiple modulated voltages in the multiple voltage modulation subintervals based on the multiple voltage targets, respectively. The transmission circuit also includes a transceiver circuit. The transceiver circuit is coupled to the PMIC and configured to generate and provide the multiple target voltage indications to the PMIC.


In another aspect, a method for enabling intra-symbol voltage modulation is provided. The method includes receiving multiple target voltage indications each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage modulation intervals and comprising multiple voltage targets each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage modulation subintervals within the respective one of the multiple voltage modulation intervals. The method also includes generating multiple modulated voltages in the multiple voltage modulation subintervals based on the multiple voltage targets, respectively.


Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.



FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary time slot(s) and a mini time slot(s) as widely supported in a fifth generation (5G) or a 5G new-radio (5G-NR) system;



FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission circuit wherein a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) and a transceiver circuit are configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure to enable intra-symbol voltage modulation during a voltage modulation interval(s);



FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams providing exemplary illustrations of the voltage modulation interval(s) in FIG. 2;



FIG. 4 is a block diagram providing an exemplary illustration as to how the PMIC in FIG. 2 can perform intra-symbol voltage modulation during the voltage modulation interval(s);



FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary voltage modulation circuit, which can be provided in the PMIC in FIG. 2 to perform intra-symbol voltage modulation during the voltage modulation interval(s); and



FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for enabling intra-symbol voltage modulation according to embodiments of the present disclosure.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.


It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.


It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “over” or extending “over” another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over” or extending “directly over” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.


Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.


The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.


Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.


Embodiments of the disclosure relate to circuit and method for intra-symbol voltage modulation. In an embodiment, a transceiver circuit is configured to divide a voltage modulation interval(s) (e.g., a symbol duration) into multiple voltage modulation subintervals each corresponding to a respective one of multiple voltage targets. Accordingly, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) can adapt a modulated voltage multiple times within the voltage modulation interval(s) based on multiple voltage targets, respectively. By adapting the modulated voltage within the voltage modulation interval(s), the modulated voltage can be timely adapted to closely track a time-variant power envelope of a radio frequency (RF) signal to thereby avoid potential distortion (e.g., amplitude clipping) during amplification of the RF signal.


Before discussing intra-symbol voltage modulation according to the present disclosure, starting at FIG. 2, an overview of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, which can be used to define durations of voltage modulation intervals, is first provided with reference to FIG. 1.



FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary time slot 10 and a pair of mini time slots 12(1)-12(2) as widely supported in a fifth generation (5G) and 5G new-generation (5G-NR) system. The time slot(s) 10 is configured to include multiple symbols 14(1)-14(14), such as OFDM symbols. The mini time slots 12(1)-12(2) can each include at least two of the symbols 14(1)-14(14). In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of the mini time slots 12(1)-12(2) includes four of the symbols 14(1)-14(14).


As previously shown in Table 1, each of the symbols 14(1)-14(14) has a symbol duration that depends on the subcarrier spacing (SCS). In this regard, once the SCS is chosen, the duration and the CP of each of the symbols 14(1)-14(14) are set accordingly. Hereinafter, the duration of the symbols 14(1)-14(14) is used to define the duration of a voltage modulation interval.



FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission circuit 16 wherein a PMIC 18 and a transceiver circuit 20 are configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure to enable intra-symbol voltage modulation during each of multiple voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1. Herein, the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 represent three consecutive voltage modulation intervals among any number of voltage modulation intervals, so chosen for the sole purpose of illustration. Understandably, the voltage modulation interval SX−1 is an immediately preceding voltage modulation interval of the voltage modulation interval SX, the voltage modulation interval SX is an immediately preceding voltage modulation interval of the voltage modulation interval SX+1, and so on.


The transmission circuit 16 further includes a power amplifier circuit 22. The power amplifier circuit 22 is configured to amplify an RF signal 24 based on a modulated voltage VCC, which can be an envelope tracking (ET) modulated voltage or an average power tracking (APT) modulated voltage. Herein, the transceiver circuit 20 is configured to generate the RF signal 24 and the PMIC 18 is configured to generate the modulated voltage VCC.


Herein, the transceiver circuit 20 is configured to generate the RF signal 24 with a time-variant power envelope P(t) that can increase or decrease multiple times during each of the symbols 14(1)-14(14) in FIG. 1. As such, the PMIC 18 is configured to adapt the modulated voltage VCC multiple times to thereby generate multiple modulated voltages VCC1-VCCN during each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1. As such, the modulated voltages VCC1-VCCN can better track (increase or decrease) the time-variant power envelope P(t) on an intra-symbol basis to help avoid potential distortion (e.g., amplitude clipping) to the RF signal 24 when the RF signal 24 is amplified by the power amplifier circuit 22.


According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the PMIC 18 includes an inter-chip interface 26, a memory circuit 28, and a voltage generation circuit 30. In a non-limiting example, the inter-chip interface 26 can be a multi-wire interface, such as an RF front-end (RFFE) interface, that is coupled to the transceiver circuit 20. The transceiver circuit 20 is configured to provide a respective target voltage indication VTGT(i) (i=X−1, X, X+1, and so on) for each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1. Each target voltage indication VTGT(i) is divided into multiple voltage modulation subintervals T1-TN and each of the modulation subintervals T1-TN is associated with a respective one of multiple voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N.


The transceiver circuit 20 is configured to divide each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 into the modulation subintervals T1-TN. In this regard, FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams providing exemplary illustrations of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1. Common elements between FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B are shown therein with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.


In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the transceiver circuit 20 can divide each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 equally. As such, each of the modulation subintervals T1-TN will have an identical duration.


In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the transceiver circuit 20 can divide each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 unequally such that each of the modulation subintervals T1-TN will have different durations. For example, the transceiver circuit 20 can make any of the modulation subintervals T1-TN longer if a variation of the modulated voltage VCC exceeds a preset threshold between adjacent ones of the modulation subintervals T1-TN, or make any of the modulation subintervals T1-TN shorter if the modulated voltage VCC remains unchanged or the variation of the modulated voltage VCC is below the preset threshold in between the adjacent ones of the modulation subintervals T1-TN.


In another embodiment, the transceiver circuit 20 can also divide some of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 into the modulation subintervals T1-TN with an equal duration, while dividing some other voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 into the modulation subintervals T1-TN with unequal durations. For example, the transceiver circuit 20 can equally divide the voltage modulation interval SX−1 into the modulation subintervals T1-TN with an equal duration and divide each of the voltage modulation intervals SX and SX+1 into the modulation subintervals T1-TN with unequal durations.


With reference back to FIG. 2, the transceiver circuit 20 is also configured to set the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N for each of the modulation subintervals T1-TN based on the time-variant power envelope P(t) of the RF signal 24. In a non-limiting example, the transceiver circuit 20 can set a respective one of the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N for a respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN based on a maximum of the time-variant power envelope P(t) during the respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN.


The transceiver circuit 20 is configured to write the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N, in association with the modulation subintervals T1-TN, into the memory circuit 28 via the inter-chip interface 26. In one embodiment, the transceiver circuit 20 may write the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N associated with any of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 prior to a start of the respective voltage modulation interval. For example, the transceiver circuit 20 may write the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N associated with the voltage modulation interval SX+1 during the voltage modulation interval SX−1 or the voltage modulation interval SX. Preferably, the transceiver circuit 20 will write the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N associated with any of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 during an immediately preceding one of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1. For example, the transceiver circuit 20 will write the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N associated with the voltage modulation interval SX during the voltage modulation interval SX−1 and write the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N associated with the voltage modulation interval SX+1 during the voltage modulation interval SX.


Prior to each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1, the voltage generation circuit 30 retrieves the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N, in association with the modulation subintervals T1-TN, from the memory circuit 28. Accordingly, the voltage generation circuit 30 can generate the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N during the modulation subintervals T1-TN based on the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N, respectively.



FIG. 4 is a block diagram providing an exemplary illustration as to how the PMIC 18 in FIG. 2 can perform intra-symbol voltage modulation during each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1. Common elements between FIGS. 2 and 4 are shown therein with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.


The voltage generation circuit 30 is configured to determine multiple starts TSTART-1-TSTART-N of the modulation subintervals T1-TN, respectively. In a non-limiting example, the voltage generation circuit 30 can receive the start TSTART-1-TSTART-N of the modulation subintervals T1-TN from the transceiver circuit 20 together with or separately from the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N. Accordingly, the voltage generation circuit 30 can generate each of the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N no later than a respective one of the determined start TSTART-1-TSTART-N of the voltage modulation subintervals T1-TN.


According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage generation circuit 30 is configured to determine whether each of the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N is set to increase or decrease during a respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN. If any of the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N is set to increase during the respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN, the voltage generation circuit 30 may start transitioning to the respective one the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N prior to the respective start TSTART-1-TSTART-N of the respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN. For example, the voltage generation circuit 30 determines that the modulated voltages VCC-1 and VCC-3 are set to increase during the modulation subintervals T1 and T3, respectively. Accordingly, the voltage generation circuit 30 will start transitioning to the modulated voltages VCC-1 and VCC-3 with a timing advance Ta prior to the respective starts TSTART-1 and TSTART-3 of the modulation subintervals T1 and T3. By starting the transition with the timing advance Ta, the voltage generation circuit 30 can ensure that the modulated voltages VCC-1 and VCC-3 can be ramped up to desired levels in time to help avoid amplitude clipping in the RF signal 24.


In contrast, if any of the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N is set to decrease, or remain unchanged, during the respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN, the voltage generation circuit 30 may start transitioning to the respective one the modulated voltages VCC-1-VCC-N at the respective start TSTART-1-TSTART-N of the respective one of the modulation subintervals T1-TN. For example, the voltage generation circuit 30 determines that the modulated voltages VCC-2 and VCC-N are set to decrease during the modulation subintervals T2 and TN, respectively. Accordingly, the voltage generation circuit 30 will start transitioning to the modulated voltages VCC-2 and VCC-N right at the respective starts TSTART-2 and TSTART-N of the modulation subintervals T2 and TN.



FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the voltage generation circuit 30 configured according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Common elements between FIGS. 2 and 5 are shown therein with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.


Herein, the voltage generation circuit 30 includes a current modulation circuit 32, a voltage modulation circuit 34, and a control circuit 36. The current modulation circuit 32 includes a multi-level charge pump (MCP) 38 and a power inductor 40. During each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1, the MCP 38 is configured to generate multiple low-frequency voltages VDC-1-VDCN, each as a function of a battery voltage VBAT, during the modulation subintervals T1-TN, respectively. Accordingly, in each of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1, the power inductor 40 is configured to induce multiple low frequency currents IDC1-IDCN based on the low-frequency voltages VDC-1-VDCN, respectively.


The voltage modulation circuit 34 includes a voltage amplifier 42, an offset capacitor COFF, and a bypass switch SBYP. The voltage amplifier 42 is configured to generate multiple modulated initial voltages VAMP1-VAMPN based on the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N in the modulation subintervals T1-TN, respectively. The offset capacitor COFF is modulated by the low frequency currents IDC1-IDCN to multiple offset voltages VOFF1-VOFFN in the modulation subintervals T1-TN, respectively. Each of the offset voltages VOFF1-VOFFN will raise a respective one of the modulated initial voltages VAMP1-VAMPN to a respective one of the modulated voltages VCC1-VCCN. For a specific example as to how the offset voltages VOFF1-VOFFN can be modulated by the low frequency currents IDC1-IDCN to raise the modulated initial voltages VAMP1-VAMPN to the modulated voltages VCC1-VCCN, please refer to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/946,224, entitled “MULTI-VOLTAGE GENERATION CIRCUIT.”


The transmission circuit 16 of FIG. 2 can be configured to enable intra-symbol voltage modulation based on a process. In this regard, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process 200 for enabling intra-symbol voltage modulation according to embodiments of the present disclosure.


Herein, the PMIC 18 receives the target voltage indications VTGT(i) each corresponding to a respective one of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 and comprising the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N each corresponding to a respective one of the voltage modulation subintervals T1-TN within the respective one of the voltage modulation intervals SX−1, SX, SX+1 (step 202). Accordingly, the PMIC 18 generates the modulated voltages VCC1-VCCN in the voltage modulation subintervals T1-TN based on the voltage targets VTGT-1-VTGT-N, respectively (step 204).


Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

Claims
  • 1. A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) comprising: a voltage generation circuit configured to: receive a plurality of target voltage indications each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of voltage modulation intervals, wherein: each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals has a duration of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol and is divided into a plurality of voltage modulation subintervals each shorter than the duration of the OFDM symbol; andeach of the plurality of target voltage indications comprises a plurality of voltage targets each setting a voltage target for a respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals within the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals; andgenerate a plurality of modulated voltages in the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals based on the voltage target set in the plurality of voltage targets, respectively.
  • 2. The PMIC of claim 1, further comprising: an inter-chip interface coupled to a transceiver circuit to receive each of the plurality of target voltage indications prior to the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals; anda memory circuit configured to store the plurality of received target voltage indications.
  • 3. The PMIC of claim 2, wherein the inter-chip interface receives a corresponding one of the plurality of target voltage indications for the respective one of the of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals during one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals immediately preceding the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals.
  • 4. The PMIC of claim 1, wherein the voltage generation circuit is further configured to generate each of the plurality of modulated voltages for the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals based on the respective one of the plurality of voltage targets no later than a respective start of the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
  • 5. The PMIC of claim 4, wherein the voltage generation circuit is further configured to: generate a respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages prior to the respective start of the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals in response to the respective one of the plurality of voltage targets indicating that the respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages will increase during the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals; andgenerate the respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages at the respective start of the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals in response to the respective one of the plurality of voltage targets indicating that the respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages will decrease during the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
  • 6. The PMIC of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals has an equal temporal duration.
  • 7. The PMIC of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals has an unequal temporal duration.
  • 8. A transmission circuit comprising: a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) comprising a voltage generation circuit configured to: receive a plurality of target voltage indications each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of voltage modulation intervals, wherein: each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals has a duration of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol and is divided into a plurality of voltage modulation subintervals each shorter than the duration of the OFDM symbol; andeach of the plurality of target voltage indications comprises a plurality of voltage targets each setting a voltage target for a respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals within the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals; andgenerate a plurality of modulated voltages in the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals based on the voltage target set in the plurality of voltage targets, respectively; anda transceiver circuit coupled to the PMIC and configured to generate and provide the plurality of target voltage indications to the PMIC.
  • 9. The transmission circuit of claim 8, wherein the PMIC further comprises: an inter-chip interface coupled to the transceiver circuit to receive each of the plurality of target voltage indications prior to the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals; anda memory circuit configured to store the plurality of received target voltage indications.
  • 10. The transmission circuit of claim 8, wherein the transceiver circuit is further configured to: divide each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals into the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals;determine the plurality of voltage targets for the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals, respectively; andprovide each of the plurality of target voltage indications to the PMIC prior to the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals.
  • 11. The transmission circuit of claim 10, wherein the transceiver circuit is further configured to provide a corresponding one of the plurality of target voltage indications for the respective one of the of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals to the PMIC during one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals immediately preceding the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals.
  • 12. The transmission circuit of claim 10, wherein the transceiver circuit is further configured to equally divide each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals into the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
  • 13. The transmission circuit of claim 10, wherein the transceiver circuit is further configured to unequally divide each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals into the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
  • 14. A method for enabling intra-symbol voltage modulation comprising: receiving a plurality of target voltage indications each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of voltage modulation intervals, wherein: each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals has a duration of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol and is divided into a plurality of voltage modulation subintervals each shorter than the duration of the OFDM symbol; andeach of the plurality of target voltage indications comprises a plurality of voltage targets each setting a voltage target for a respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals within the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals; andgenerating a plurality of modulated voltages in the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals based on the voltage target set in the plurality of voltage targets, respectively.
  • 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: generating a respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages prior to the respective start of the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals in response to the respective one of the plurality of voltage targets indicating that the respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages will increase during the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals; andgenerating the respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages at the respective start of the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals in response to the respective one of the plurality of voltage targets indicating that the respective one of the plurality of modulated voltages will decrease during the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
  • 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: dividing each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals into the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals;determining the plurality of voltage targets for the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals, respectively; andreceiving each of the plurality of target voltage indications prior to the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of target voltage indications for the respective one of the of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals during one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals immediately preceding the respective one of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals.
  • 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising equally dividing each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals into the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
  • 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising unequally dividing each of the plurality of voltage modulation intervals into the plurality of voltage modulation subintervals.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/255,656 filed on Oct. 14, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (128)
Number Name Date Kind
5982233 Hellmark et al. Nov 1999 A
7859338 Bajdechi et al. Dec 2010 B2
8159309 Khlat et al. Apr 2012 B1
8718188 Balteanu et al. May 2014 B2
8912769 Lin et al. Dec 2014 B2
9020453 Briffa et al. Apr 2015 B2
9069365 Brown et al. Jun 2015 B2
9148090 Tsuji Sep 2015 B2
9172331 Nagasaku et al. Oct 2015 B2
9231527 Hur et al. Jan 2016 B2
9252724 Wimpenny Feb 2016 B2
9350299 Tsuj May 2016 B2
9356512 Chowdhury et al. May 2016 B2
9356760 Larsson et al. May 2016 B2
9391567 Kacman Jul 2016 B2
9407476 Lim et al. Aug 2016 B2
9496828 Ye Nov 2016 B2
9560595 Dakshinamurthy et al. Jan 2017 B2
9590563 Wimpenny Mar 2017 B2
9614477 Rozenblit et al. Apr 2017 B1
9634560 Ek Apr 2017 B2
9755677 Talty et al. Sep 2017 B2
9991913 Dinur et al. Jun 2018 B1
10097145 Khlat et al. Oct 2018 B1
10103926 Khlat Oct 2018 B1
10142074 Wang et al. Nov 2018 B2
10243524 Orr Mar 2019 B2
10326408 Khlat et al. Jun 2019 B2
10476437 Nag et al. Nov 2019 B2
10778094 de Cremoux Sep 2020 B2
10862428 Henzler et al. Dec 2020 B2
10998859 Khlat May 2021 B2
11018627 Khlat May 2021 B2
11018638 Khlat et al. May 2021 B2
11088660 Lin et al. Aug 2021 B2
11223323 Drogi et al. Jan 2022 B2
11223325 Drogi et al. Jan 2022 B2
11349513 Khlat et al. May 2022 B2
11539330 Khlat Dec 2022 B2
11569783 Nomiyama et al. Jan 2023 B2
11588449 Khlat et al. Feb 2023 B2
11665654 Park et al. May 2023 B2
11716057 Khlat Aug 2023 B2
11728774 Khlat Aug 2023 B2
11757414 Drogi et al. Sep 2023 B2
11894767 Khlat et al. Feb 2024 B2
11909385 Khlat Feb 2024 B2
11973469 Retz et al. Apr 2024 B2
11984853 Khlat May 2024 B2
11984854 Khlat et al. May 2024 B2
12063018 Khlat Aug 2024 B2
20030099230 Wenk May 2003 A1
20040179382 Thaker et al. Sep 2004 A1
20110109393 Adamski et al. May 2011 A1
20120068767 Henshaw et al. Mar 2012 A1
20130141063 Kay et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130141068 Kay et al. Jun 2013 A1
20140055197 Khlat et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140097895 Khlat et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140232458 Arno et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140312710 Li Oct 2014 A1
20140315504 Sakai et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140361837 Strange et al. Dec 2014 A1
20150270806 Wagh et al. Sep 2015 A1
20160094192 Khesbak et al. Mar 2016 A1
20160241208 Lehtola Aug 2016 A1
20160294587 Jiang et al. Oct 2016 A1
20170331433 Khlat Nov 2017 A1
20170373644 Gatard et al. Dec 2017 A1
20180092047 Merlin Mar 2018 A1
20180234011 Muramatsu et al. Aug 2018 A1
20180257496 Andoh et al. Sep 2018 A1
20180278213 Henzler et al. Sep 2018 A1
20180351454 Khesbak et al. Dec 2018 A1
20190068234 Khlat et al. Feb 2019 A1
20190109566 Folkmann et al. Apr 2019 A1
20190181813 Maxim et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190222175 Khlat et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190288645 Nag et al. Sep 2019 A1
20190334750 Nomiyama et al. Oct 2019 A1
20190356285 Khlat et al. Nov 2019 A1
20200076297 Nag et al. Mar 2020 A1
20200127612 Khlat et al. Apr 2020 A1
20200136575 Khlat et al. Apr 2020 A1
20200204422 Khlat Jun 2020 A1
20200212796 Murphy et al. Jul 2020 A1
20200228063 Khlat Jul 2020 A1
20200266766 Khlat et al. Aug 2020 A1
20200295708 Khlat Sep 2020 A1
20200321917 Nomiyama Oct 2020 A1
20200336105 Khlat Oct 2020 A1
20200336111 Khlat Oct 2020 A1
20200382061 Khlat Dec 2020 A1
20200382062 Khlat Dec 2020 A1
20200389132 Khlat et al. Dec 2020 A1
20210036604 Khlat et al. Feb 2021 A1
20210099137 Drogi Apr 2021 A1
20210126599 Khlat et al. Apr 2021 A1
20210175798 Liang Jun 2021 A1
20210184708 Khlat Jun 2021 A1
20210194517 Mirea Jun 2021 A1
20210218374 Poulin Jul 2021 A1
20210226585 Khlat Jul 2021 A1
20210257971 Kim et al. Aug 2021 A1
20210265953 Khlat Aug 2021 A1
20210288615 Khlat Sep 2021 A1
20210389789 Khlat et al. Dec 2021 A1
20210391833 Khlat et al. Dec 2021 A1
20220021302 Khlat et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220029614 Khlat Jan 2022 A1
20220037982 Khlat et al. Feb 2022 A1
20220052655 Khalt Feb 2022 A1
20220057820 Khlat et al. Feb 2022 A1
20220066487 Khlat Mar 2022 A1
20220069788 King et al. Mar 2022 A1
20220123744 Khlat Apr 2022 A1
20220200447 Khlat Jun 2022 A1
20220224364 Kim et al. Jul 2022 A1
20220271714 Khlat Aug 2022 A1
20220294486 Cao Sep 2022 A1
20220407465 Khlat Dec 2022 A1
20230081095 Khlat Mar 2023 A1
20230085587 Shute Mar 2023 A1
20230118768 Khlat Apr 2023 A1
20230124652 Khlat et al. Apr 2023 A1
20230124941 Khlat Apr 2023 A1
20240172131 Ballantyne May 2024 A1
20240223129 Retz et al. Jul 2024 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number Date Country
102019218816 Jun 2020 DE
2254237 Nov 2010 EP
2018187245 Oct 2018 WO
2021016350 Jan 2021 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (45)
Entry
U.S. Appl. No. 17/942,472, filed Sep. 12, 2022.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/946,170, filed Sep. 16, 2022.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/946,224, filed Sep. 16, 2022.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/947,567, filed Sep. 19, 2022.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/316,828, mailed Sep. 13, 2023, 8 pages.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/942,472, mailed Jul. 19, 2023, 15 pages.
Advisory Action Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/942,472, mailed Sep. 15, 2023, 3 pages.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/061721, mailed Apr. 4, 2023, 21 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/325,482, mailed Nov. 30, 2022, 8 pages.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/408,899, mailed Dec. 27, 2022, 13 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/217,654, mailed Jul. 1, 2022, 9 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/218,904, mailed May 25, 2022, 14 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/315,652, mailed Jun. 20, 2022, 8 pages.
Mellon, L., “Data Transmission—Parallel vs Serial,” Jul. 10, 2017, https://www.quantil.com/content-delivery-insights/content-acceleration/data-transmission/, 4 pages.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/044596, mailed Apr. 21, 2022, 13 pages.
Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/044596, mailed Jun. 10, 2022, 6 pages.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/044596, mailed Sep. 1, 2022, 19 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/182,539, mailed Sep. 14, 2022, 7 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/217,654, mailed Oct. 12, 2022, 8 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/237,244, mailed Sep. 20, 2021, 14 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/237,244, mailed Jan. 27, 2022, 8 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/218,904, mailed Aug. 26, 2022, 9 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/325,482, mailed Sep. 30, 2021, 10 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/325,482, mailed Mar. 15, 2022, 10 pages.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/325,482, mailed Aug. 16, 2022, 12 pages.
Advisory Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/325,482, mailed Oct. 14, 2022, 3 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/315,652, mailed Sep. 2, 2021, 7 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/315,652, mailed Feb. 14, 2022, 12 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/408,899, mailed Aug. 29, 2022, 13 pages.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/061721, mailed Mar. 14, 2022, 13 pages.
Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/061721, mailed Sep. 9, 2022, 7 pages.
Paek, J.S. et al., “15.2 A 90ns/V Fast-Transition Symbol-Power-Tracking Buck Converter for 5G mm-Wave Phased-Array Transceiver,” 2019 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, Feb. 2019, San Francisco, CA, USA, IEEE, 3 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/217,594, mailed Apr. 3, 2023, 7 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/408,899, mailed Feb. 24, 2023, 9 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/942,472, mailed Feb. 16, 2023, 13 pages.
Extended European Search Report for European Patent Application No. 22195683.2, mailed Feb. 10, 2023, 12 pages.
Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/061721, mailed Mar. 1, 2023, 7 pages.
Extended European Search Report for European Patent Application No. 22200302.2, mailed Mar. 1, 2023, 14 pages.
Extended European Search Report for European Patent Application No. 22200322.0, mailed Mar. 1, 2023, 13 pages.
Extended European Search Report for European Patent Application No. 22200300.6, mailed Feb. 24, 2023, 10 pages.
Extended European Search Report for European Patent Application No. 22200111.7, mailed Feb. 20, 2023, 9 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/942,472, mailed Oct. 18, 2023, 10 pages.
Corrected Notice of Allowability for U.S. Appl. No. 17/942,472, mailed Nov. 17, 2023, 5 pages.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 18/203,197, mailed Sep. 16, 2024, 6 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 17/947,567, mailed Oct. 23, 2024, 11 pages.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20230119987 A1 Apr 2023 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
63255656 Oct 2021 US