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6 - Tuned power amplifier design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2013

Sorin Voinigescu
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Summary

What is a tuned power amplifier?

Tuned power amplifiers are key components in the transmission path of wireless communication systems and in automotive radar. They typically deliver the power required for transmitting information to the antenna with high efficiency and, usually, high linearity, over bandwidths of 10% to 20% relative to the center frequency of the amplifier. For battery-operated applications in particular, minimum DC power consumption at a specified output power level is required.

As shown in Figure 6.1, in its idealized representation, a tuned power amplifier consists of a common-emitter or common-source (very large) transistor operating under large signal conditions with large output voltage swing. The transistor drain/collector is biased through a bias T (which presents an infinite inductor to the power supply and an infinite capacitor towards the load) and is loaded with a parallel resonant tank (formed by RL, C1, L) at the frequency of interest. For the sake of simplicity, we will assume that the transistor output capacitance, Cout = Cds + Cgd or Cbc + Ccs, is absorbed in the load capacitance C1. In a similar manner, RL includes the loss resistance of inductor L1 and capacitor C1. The circuit draws DC power from the supply to amplify the input signal power and deliver it to the load. Ideally all of the DC power and the input signal power should be converted to output signal power. In practice, at least some of the DC power is dissipated as heat.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2013

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