Direct current (DC)-DC converter having a multi-stage output filter

• US 9,008,597 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc. (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: RF Micro Devices Incorporated (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levesque, Chris, Southcombe, William David, Jones, David E., Yoder, Scott, Stockert, Terry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HANNON, CHRISTIAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/911,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20130271221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 455/127.1, 323282-290, 323/266
• US Class Current: 455/127.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0227 using supply converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0261 with control of the polarisation voltage or current, e.g. gliding Class A
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0277 Selecting one or more amplifiers from a plurality of amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/171 A filter circuit coupled to the output of an amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/222 A circuit being added at the input of an amplifier to adapt the input impedance of the amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/27 A biasing circuit node being switched in an amplifier circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/318 A matching circuit being used as coupling element between two amplifying stages
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/336 A I/Q, i.e. phase quadrature, modulator or demodulator being used in an amplifying circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/387 A circuit being added at the output of an amplifier to adapt the output impedance of the amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/411 the output amplifying stage of an amplifier comprising two power stages
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/414 A switch being coupled in the output circuit of an amplifier to switch the output on/off
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/417 A switch coupled in the output circuit of an amplifier being controlled by a circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/451 the amplifier being a radio frequency amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/504 the supply voltage or current being continuously controlled by a controlling signal, e.g. the controlling signal of a transistor implemented as variable resistor in a supply path for, an IC-block showed amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/534 Transformer coupled at the input of an amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/537 A transformer being used as coupling element between two amplifying stages
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/541 Transformer coupled at the output of an amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/21106 An input signal being distributed in parallel over the inputs of a plurality of power amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/21142 Output signals of a plurality of power amplifiers are parallel combined to a common output
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/21157 : A filter circuit being added at the output of a power amplifier stage
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/19 : with semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/191 : Tuned amplifiers H03F3/193, H03F3/195 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/193 : with field-effect devices H03F3/195 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/195 : in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/211 : using a combination of several amplifiers H03F3/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/245 : with semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/602 : Combinations of several amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/68 : Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics power amplifiers using a combination of several semiconductor amplifiers H03F3/211; combinations of amplifiers using coupling networks with distributed constants H03F3/602
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/72 : Gated amplifiers, i.e. amplifiers which are rendered operative or inoperative by means of a control signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/03828 : Arrangements for spectral shaping; Arrangements for providing signals with specified spectral properties partial response systems H04L25/497
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/06 : Dc level restoring means; Bias distortion correction ; Decision circuits providing symbol by symbol detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A direct current (DC)-DC converter that includes a first switching converter and a multi-stage filter is disclosed. The multi-stage filter includes at least a first inductance (L) capacitance (C) filter and a second LC filter coupled in series between the first switching converter and a DC-DC converter output. The first LC filter has a first LC time constant and the second LC filter has a second LC time constant, which is less than the first LC time constant. The first switching converter and the multi-stage filter form a feedback loop, which is used to regulate the first switching power supply output signal based on the setpoint. The first LC filter includes a first capacitive element having a first self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a first notch frequency of the multi-stage filter.

Claims

1. Circuitry comprising:

a first switching converter; and

a multi-stage filter comprising a first inductance (L) capacitance (C) filter and at least a second LC filter coupled in series between the first switching converter and a direct current (DC)-DC converter output, such that;

the first LC filter has a first LC time constant and the second LC filter has a second LC time constant, which is less than the first LC time constant;

a feedback loop is formed using the first switching converter and the multi-stage filter, such that loop behavior and stability of the feedback loop are substantially based on the first LC time constant;

the first LC filter comprises a first capacitive element having a first self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a first notch frequency of the multi-stage filter.

2. The circuitry of claim 1 wherein the multi-stage filter has a lowpass filter response.

3. The circuitry of claim 2 wherein the lowpass filter response includes a first notch filter response having a first notch at the first notch frequency, such that the first notch is based on the first capacitive element.

4. The circuitry of claim 1 wherein:

the first LC filter further comprises a first inductive element coupled between the first switching converter and the first capacitive element;

the second LC filter comprises a second inductive element coupled between the first inductive element and the DC-DC converter output; and

the second LC filter further comprises a second capacitive element coupled to the DC-DC converter output.

5. The circuitry of claim 4 wherein:

the second capacitive element has a second self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a second notch frequency of the multi-stage filter;

the multi-stage filter has a lowpass filter response having a first notch filter response and a second notch filter response;

the first notch filter response has a first notch at the first notch frequency; and

the second notch filter response has a second notch at the second notch frequency.

6. The circuitry of claim 5 wherein the first notch is based on the first capacitive element and the second notch is based on the second capacitive element.

7. The circuitry of claim 1 wherein the at least the second LC filter further comprises a third LC filter having a third LC time constant, which is less than the second LC time constant.

8. The circuitry of claim 7 wherein:

the first LC filter further comprises a first inductive element coupled between the first switching converter and the first capacitive element;

the second LC filter comprises a second inductive element coupled between the first inductive element and a second capacitive element;

the second LC filter further comprises the second capacitive element;

the third LC filter comprises a third inductive element coupled between the second inductive element and the DC-DC converter output; and

the second LC filter further comprises a third capacitive element coupled to the DC-DC converter output.

9. The circuitry of claim 8 wherein:

the second capacitive element has a second self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a second notch frequency of the multi-stage filter;

the third capacitive element has a third self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a third notch frequency of the multi-stage filter;

the multi-stage filter has a lowpass filter response having a first notch filter response, a second notch filter response, and a third notch filter response;

the first notch filter response has a first notch at the first notch frequency;

the second notch filter response has a second notch at the second notch frequency; and

the third notch filter response has a third notch at the third notch frequency.

10. The circuitry of claim 9 wherein the first notch is based on the first capacitive element, the second notch is based on the second capacitive element, and the third notch is based on the third capacitive element.

11. The circuitry of claim 1 wherein the first switching converter is a charge pump buck converter.

12. The circuitry of claim 1 further comprising a DC-DC converter, such that:

the DC-DC converter provides a first switching power supply comprising the first switching converter and the multi-stage filter; and

;

the DC-DC converter provides a second switching power supply.

13. The circuitry of claim 12 wherein:

the first switching converter is a charge pump buck converter; and

the second switching power supply comprises a charge pump.

14. The circuitry of claim 12 wherein:

the first switching power supply is adapted to receive and convert a DC power supply signal from a DC power supply to provide a first switching power supply output signal via the DC-DC converter output;

the second switching power supply is adapted to receive and convert the DC power supply signal to provide a second switching power supply output signal;

a setpoint is based on a desired voltage of the first switching power supply output signal; and

the first switching power supply uses the feedback loop to regulate the first switching power supply output signal based on the setpoint.

15. The circuitry of claim 12 wherein:

the first switching power supply is adapted to receive and convert a DC power supply signal from a DC power supply to provide an envelope power supply signal for a first radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA); and

the second switching power supply is adapted to receive and convert the DC power supply signal to provide a bias power supply signal used for biasing the first RF PA.

16. The circuitry of claim 15 further comprising:

the first RF PA comprising;

a first non-quadrature PA path having a first single-ended output; and

a first quadrature PA path coupled between the first non-quadrature PA path and an antenna port, such that the first quadrature PA path has a first single-ended input, which is coupled to the first single-ended output; and

a second RF PA comprising a second quadrature PA path coupled to the antenna port,

wherein the antenna port is configured to be coupled to an antenna.

17. The circuitry of claim 15 further comprising:

the first RF PA, which is a first multi-mode multi-band quadrature RF PA coupled to multi-mode multi-band alpha switching circuitry via a single alpha PA output; and

the multi-mode multi-band alpha switching circuitry having;

a first alpha non-linear mode output associated with a first non-linear mode RF communications band; and

a plurality of alpha linear mode outputs, such that each of the plurality of alpha linear mode outputs is associated with a corresponding one of a first plurality of linear mode RF communications bands.

18. The circuitry of claim 15 further comprising:

the first RF PA comprising a first final stage having a first final bias input, such that bias of the first final stage is via the first final bias input;

PA control circuitry;

a PA-digital communications interface (DCI) coupled between a digital communications bus and the PA control circuitry; and

a final stage current digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) coupled between the PA control circuitry and the first final bias input.

19. The circuitry of claim 15 further comprising:

the first RF PA having a first final stage and adapted to;

receive and amplify a first RF input signal to provide a first RF output signal; and

receive a first final bias signal to bias the first final stage;

PA bias circuitry adapted to receive the bias power supply signal and provide the first final bias signal based on the bias power supply signal; and

a DC-DC converter adapted to receive the DC power supply signal from the DC power supply and provide the bias power supply signal based on the DC power supply signal, such that a voltage of the bias power supply signal is greater than a voltage of the DC power supply signal.

20. The circuitry of claim 15 further comprising:

multi-mode multi-band RF power amplification circuitry having at least a first RF input and a plurality of RF outputs, such that;

the multi-mode multi-band RF power amplification circuitry comprises the first RF PA;

configuration of the multi-mode multi-band RF power amplification circuitry associates one of the at least the first RF input with one of the plurality of RF outputs; and

the configuration is associated with at least a first look-up table (LUT);

PA control circuitry coupled between the multi-mode multi-band RF power amplification circuitry and a PA-digital communications interface (DCI), such that the PA control circuitry has at least the first LUT, which is associated with at least a first defined parameter set; and

the PA-DCI, which is coupled to a digital communications bus.

21. Circuitry comprising:

providing a first switching converter;

providing a multi-stage filter comprising a first inductance (L) capacitance (C) filter and at least a second LC filter, such that;

the first LC filter has a first LC time constant and the second LC filter has a second LC time constant, which is less than the first LC time constant;

a feedback loop is formed using the first switching converter and the multi-stage filter, such that loop behavior and stability of the feedback loop are substantially based on the first LC time constant; and

the first LC filter comprises a first capacitive element having a first self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a first notch frequency of the multi-stage filter;

receiving and converting a DC power supply signal from a DC power supply to provide a first switching power supply output signal; and

regulating the first switching power supply output signal based on a setpoint using the feedback loop.

22. A method for selecting components for a multi-stage filter used with a switching converter comprising:

determining a desired switching frequency of the switching converter;

determining a first notch frequency of the multi-stage filter based on the desired switching frequency and a desired lowpass filter response of the multi-stage filter; and

selecting a first capacitive element of a first inductance (L) capacitance (C) filter of the multi-stage filter, such that a self-resonant frequency of the first capacitive element is about equal to the first notch frequency.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

determining desired loop behavior and stability of a feedback loop of the switching converter and the multi-stage filter;

determining a desired first LC time constant of the first LC filter based on the desired loop behavior and stability; and

selecting a first inductive element, such that the first capacitive element and the first inductive element have an LC time constant about equal to the desired first LC time constant.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

determining a second notch frequency of the multi-stage filter based on the desired switching frequency and the desired lowpass filter response of the multi-stage filter;

selecting a second capacitive element of a second LC filter of the multi-stage filter, such that a second self-resonant frequency of the second capacitive element is about equal to the second notch frequency; and

selecting a second inductive element of the second LC filter based on the desired lowpass filter response of the multi-stage filter.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

determining a third notch frequency of the multi-stage filter based on the desired switching frequency and the desired lowpass filter response of the multi-stage filter;

selecting a third capacitive element of a third LC filter of the multi-stage filter, such that a third self-resonant frequency of the third capacitive element is about equal to the third notch frequency; and

selecting a third inductive element of the third LC filter based on the desired lowpass filter response of the multi-stage filter.