A method for pulse width modulation, and a transmitter therefor

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This patent describes an improved method for pulse width modulation (PWM) and a corresponding transmitter design. The proposed method introduces a pre-processing step (pre-emphasis) to the input signal, making it easier to generate high-efficiency modulated signals at radio frequencies. By performing pre-emphasis based on fixed comparator thresholds and then upconverting the signal, it simplifies transmitter design, reduces system complexity, increases coding efficiency, and lowers energy consumption. The invention is particularly suited for radio transmitters and high-frequency communications involving switching power amplifiers.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Radio transmitters in base stations for mobile or wireless communication systems (e.g., 4G/5G/6G cellular networks).
• Remote radio heads in distributed antenna systems, where energy-efficient, high-performance RF transmission is needed.
• Wireless backhaul links requiring efficient signal amplification and transmission.
• Other RF transmitters using switching power amplifiers in applications like broadcasting or military communications.
• Energy-efficient audio amplifiers implementing PWM techniques for improved sound quality and reduced power losses.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Higher coding efficiency—more power delivered at the desired frequency, resulting in reduced energy waste.
• Simpler transmitter architecture—avoids complex real-time threshold adjustment circuitry, leading to easier and more cost-effective implementations.
• Lower quantization noise and cleaner signal spectra—relaxed requirements for output filtering, improving signal quality and further reducing power losses.
• Enables efficient switching amplifier operation at high frequencies, which leads to better energy efficiency and potentially smaller device sizes.
• Flexible integration—method can be adapted for optical transmission lines and various switching amplifier topologies.

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Patent Abstract

The invention concerns a method for pulse width modulation of a signal using at least one pulse width modulator, wherein a pre-emphasis of the signal dependent on a comparator threshold of one of said at least one pulse width modulator is performed with a subsequent upconversion to a radio frequency resulting in a pre-emphasized radio frequency signal with an envelope above said comparator threshold, the pre-emphasized radio frequency signal is compared to said threshold in said one of said at least one pulse width modulator and a pulse width modulated signal is generated by means of pulses that are generated when a difference between said pre-emphasized radio frequency signal and said threshold has a predefined algebraic sign, and a transmitter therefor.