Devices and methods for increasing reliability of scalable periphery amplifiers

摘要

Devices and methods for improving reliability of sealable periphery amplifiers is described. Amplifier segments of the sealable periphery architecture can be rotated to distribute wear. Further, extra amplifier segments can be implemented on amplifier dies to extend the overall lifetime of amplifiers.

主权项

1. A method of increasing reliability of a power amplifier, the method comprising:
establishing a set of operating characteristics of the power amplifier; based on the set of operating characteristics, establishing a minimum number of amplifier segments to enable the set of operating characteristics; providing the power amplifier with a plurality of amplifier segments comprising a total number of amplifier segments in excess of the minimum number, the plurality of amplifier segments adapted to be turned on or turned off, thus providing the power amplifier with a scalable configuration; establishing an application-dependent number of amplifier segments to be kept turned on during performance of an application, the application-dependent number of amplifier segments being inferior to the plurality of amplifier segments, wherein during performance of the application, the power amplifier operates within the set of operating characteristics; establishing a timewise rotation sequence and a plurality of equal time intervals whereby the amplifier segments to be kept turned on are changed in rotation at the beginning of each time interval; and turning on and/or turning off the plurality of amplifier segments according to the established timewise rotation sequence and the equal time intervals.