Multiple envelope tracking system for an active antenna array

A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and the computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for the manufacture of an active antenna array comprising:

• a plurality of transmission paths in the active antenna array, the plurality of transmission paths being adapted to process a plurality of transmission path signals substantially identical to each other, such substantially identical transmission path signals differing only in at least one of their overall relative amplitude level or their overall relative phase-shift, wherein each of the plurality of transmission paths comprises an amplifier having a power input and a signal input for one of the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals;
• a plurality of variable power supply units connected to the power inputs of the amplifiers for supplying power to the amplifiers, wherein each of the plurality of variable power supply units comprises an envelope signal input;
• an envelope detection system connected to the envelope signal inputs of the plurality of variable power supply units, the envelope detection system being adapted to provide a common envelope signal to the plurality of variable power supply units;
• wherein each of the plurality of variable power supply units comprises:
• an envelope power supply, an output of which is connected to the power input of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers;
• a comparator adapted to compare the common envelope signal with a threshold to provide a comparator output signal;
• and
• a selector switch controlled by the comparator output signal and adapted to selectively connect an input of the envelope power supply with the envelope signal if the envelope signal is greater than the threshold and with a constant signal if the envelope signal is smaller than the threshold.

A method for performing envelope tracking on a plurality of amplifiers that amplify a plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals in an active antenna array, such substantially identical transmission path signals differing only in at least one of their overall relative amplitude level or their overall relative phase-shift, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting an envelope of at least one of the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals;
• generating a common envelope signal based on the detected envelope of the at least one of the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals;
• distributing the common envelope signal to a plurality of variable power supply units;
• controlling the plurality of variable power supply units with the common envelope signal;
• supplying power provided by the plurality of variable power supply units to the plurality of amplifiers;
• connecting an output of an envelope power supply to the power input of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers;
• comparing the common envelope signal with a threshold to provide a comparator output signal;
• controlling a selector switch based on the comparator output signal to selectively connect an input of the envelope power supply with the envelope signal if the envelope signal is greater than the threshold and with a constant signal if the envelope signal is smaller than the threshold.

A computer program product stored on a non-transitory medium comprising instructions that enable a processor to carry out a method comprising the steps of:

• detecting an envelope of at least one of the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals in an active antenna array;
• generating a common envelope signal based on the detected envelope of the at least one of the plurality of substantially identical transmission path signals;
• controlling the plurality of variable power supply units with common envelope signal;
• supplying power provided by the plurality of variable power supply units to the plurality of amplifiers;
• connecting an output of an envelope power supply to the power input of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers;
• comparing the common envelope signal with a threshold to provide a comparator output signal;
• and
• controlling a selector switch based on the comparator output signal to selectively connect an input of the envelope power supply with the envelope signal if the envelope signal is greater than the threshold and with a constant signal if the envelope signal is smaller than the threshold.