Efficiency-Driven Power Amplifier Architecture Design for Advanced 5G User Equipment Modulation Schemes

Altaf, Arslan (2024) Efficiency-Driven Power Amplifier Architecture Design for Advanced 5G User Equipment Modulation Schemes. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University in Collaboration with Sony Europe.

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Abstract

Our digitally driven society's insatiable demand for seamless, high-speed, and reliable wireless connectivity has led to the emergence of the fifth generation (5G) wireless communication technology. As we embark on the era of Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and augmented reality, the need for an advanced and efficient wireless infrastructure becomes paramount. This research focuses on designing novel power amplifiers (PAs) for 5G user equipment (UE), aiming to enhance PA efficiency, linearity, and reliability. To meet the challenging requirements of 5G, including higher order modulation schemes and spectrum efficiency, a high frequency (HF) PA with superior power, efficiency, and linearity is necessary. However, current PA technology falls short of accommodating these requirements, especially with the introduction of newer and higher frequency spectrum for deployment. This research aims to bridge this gap by developing innovative PA designs and investigating advanced techniques such as harmonic manipulation and envelope tracking (ET). The research begins with a comprehensive literature review to identify existing research gaps and unresolved issues in PA design for 5G. It becomes evident that an integrated approach considering all relevant factors simultaneously, along with a compact form factor, is lacking. The proposed research aims to fill this gap and address the limitations of current knowledge. The research questions revolve around utilizing advanced semiconductor technologies, innovative circuit topologies, and optimization strategies to improve the performance of PA designs for 5G UE applications. Additionally, the impact of harmonic manipulation and ET on PA performance was explored, with a focus on achieving enhanced efficiency and linearity. Furthermore, the research aims to investigate the potential benefits of combining harmonic manipulation with ET to propose a novel PA architecture for 5G UE applications. The research methodology involves designing, modelling, simulating, fabricating, and testing novel PA designs. Advanced III-V semiconductor technologies and circuit topologies were leveraged to optimize the PA performance for both sub-6 GHz (FR1) and mmWave (FR2) frequency bands. Analytical harmonic waveform engineering techniques were to identify optimal performance optimization strategies. Furthermore, ET will be employed to achieve superior performance at higher output power back-off levels. The outcomes of this research include high-performance PA design that exhibits improved efficiency, linearity, and reliability for 5G UE applications. The work presented addresses the challenge of wideband operation, compact form factor, and integration within limited spaces. The research has contributed to filling the existing gaps in PA design for 5G by combining advanced efficiency enhancement techniques, providing valuable results in the development of state-of-the art PAs for future wireless communication systems.