Large Signal Modeling of Supply Modulators for High-Efficiency RF Power Amplifier Applications H/F

Electronics components and equipments

Contract

Internship

Job title

Large Signal Modeling of Supply Modulators for High-Efficiency RF Power Amplifier Applications H/F

Subject

Future wireless systems will use wideband and complex modulated signals with high peak-to-average power ratio. This requires wideband, linear and high-efficiency Power Amplifiers (PAs) to transmit the signal with low distortion and to reduce power consumption. Envelope Tracking (ET) is a key technology to improve the energy efficiency of RF PAs. ET provides a dynamic supply voltage to the PA by using a Supply Modulator (SM), in accordance with the time-varying envelope of the modulated signal as to maximize the ratio between the RF voltage and the DC voltage, which maximize the energy efficiency. The objective of the internship is to evaluate, develop and validate large-signal electrical models of the SM building blocks. The building blocks models will be used to build system-level test-benches to compare various ET architectures and to investigate new PA architectures. The internship is followed by a Ph.D. research subject on ET and PA design, optimization and integration.

Contract duration (months)

6

Job description

The objective of this internship is to evaluate and develop models of Supply Modulator building blocks using Keysight and Cadence design platforms. The student will have to implement several large signal models of SM building blocks such as: 

– Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost DC-DC converters

– Linear Amplifier

– Control Signal generation

– Envelope Detector (nice-to-have)

In addition, the student will have to

– Validate the developed models on two different SM architectures (DC-Coupled & AC-Coupled)

– Validate the developed models on an existing SM reference design

– Write documentation et report

Methods / Means

ADS, Cadence, Matlab, Python

Applicant Profile

You are working towards a master of research or engineering degree in electrical engineering with specialization in Analog/RF design and you are interested in pursuing a PhD in this field. To achieve the internship goals, you are required to have the following:  

– Strong knowledge in Analog and RF design

– Good understanding of semiconductor process such as CMOS, SOI, BiCMOS

– Solid background  in DC-DC converters and RF circuit design

– Familiar with Analog and RF design tools (ADS, Cadence) and modeling/programming platforms (Matlab, Python, verilog/velirog-A, Spice…)

– Strong analytical problem-solving skills

– Pro-active attitude, good communication, documentation and presentation skills