Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T05:09:22.822Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Efficient technique for ultra broadband, linear power amplifier design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 August 2012

Ahmed Sayed*
Affiliation:
Microwave Engineering, Berlin University of Technology, Einsteinufer 25, 10587 Berlin, Germany
Sebastian Preis
Affiliation:
Microwave Engineering, Berlin University of Technology, Einsteinufer 25, 10587 Berlin, Germany
Georg Boeck
Affiliation:
Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), Leibnitz Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik, Berlin, Germany
*
Corresponding author: A. Sayed Email: [email protected]

Abstract

In this paper, a 10 W ultra-broadband GaN power amplifier (PA) is designed, fabricated, and tested. The suggested design technique provides a more accurate starting point for matching network synthesis and better prediction of achievable circuit performance. A negative-image model was used to fit the extracted optimum impedances based on source-/load-pull technique and multi-section impedance matching networks were designed. The implemented amplifier presents an excellent broadband performance, resulting in a gain of 8.5 ± 0.5 dB, saturated output power of ≥10 W, and power added efficiency (PAE) of ≥23% over the whole bandwidth. The linearity performance has also been characterized. An output third-order intercept point (OIP3) of ≥45 dBm was extracted based on a two-tone measurement technique in the operating bandwidth with different frequency spacing values. The memory effect based on AM/AM and AM/PM conversions was also characterized using a modulated WiMAX signal of 10 MHz bandwidth at 5.8 GHz. Furthermore, a broadband Wilkinson combiner was designed for the same bandwidth with very low loss to extend the overall output power. Excellent agreement between simulated and measured PA performances was also achieved.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

[1]Skolnik, M.: Role of radar in microwaves. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 50 (2002), 625632.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[2]Hwi-Jae, J.; Hyung-Yun, K.: Performance analysis of CDMA-OFDM system via cooperative communication in wireless channel, in First Int. Forum on Strategic Technology, 2006, 8083.Google Scholar
[3]Ormondroyd, R.; Maxey, J.; Alsusa, E.: COFDM. An alternative strategy for future-generation mobile communications. IEE Colloq. Mob. Commun., (1996), 16. doi:10.1049/ic:19960724.Google Scholar
[4]Biggs, M.; Henley, A.; Clarkson, T.: Occupancy analysis of the 2.4 GHz ISM band. IEE Proc. Commun., 51 (2004), 481488.Google Scholar
[5]Sayed, A.; Boeck, G.: Two stage ultra wideband 5 W power amplifier using SiC MESFET. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 53 (2005), 24412449.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[6]Sayed, A.; Boeck, G.: 5W highly linear GaN power amplifier with 3.4 GHz bandwidth, in Proc. 37th European Microwave Conf., Munich, Germany, October 2007, 631634.Google Scholar
[7]Sayed, A.; Al Tanany, A.; Boeck, G.: 5W, 0.35–8 GHz linear power amplifier using GaN HEMT, in Proc. 39th European Microwave Conf., Rome, Italy, September 2009, 488491.Google Scholar
[8]Medley, M.; Allen, J.: Broad-band GaAs FET amplifier design using negative-image device models. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 27 (1979), 784787.Google Scholar
[9]Shastry, P.; Ibrahim, A.: Design guidelines for a novel tapered drain line distributed power amplifier, in Proc. 36th European Microwave Conf, Manchester, UK, September 2006, 12741277.Google Scholar
[10]Duperrier, C.; Campovecchio, M.; Roussel, L.; Lajugie, M.; Quere, R.: New design method of uniform and nonuniform distributed power amplifiers. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 49 (12) (2001), 24942500.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[11]Seo, M.; Kim, K.; Kim, M.; Kim, H.; Jeon, J.; Park, M.; Lim, H.; Yang, Y.: Ultrabroadband linear power amplifier using a frequency-selective analog predistorter. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst., 58-II (5) (2011), 264268.Google Scholar
[12]Wright, P.; Lees, J.; Benedikt, J.; Tasker, P.J.; Cripps, S.C.: A methodology for realizing high efficiency class-J in a linear and broadband PA. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 57 (12) (2009), 31963204.Google Scholar
[13]Gassmann, J.; Watson, P.; Kehias, L.; Henry, G.: Wideband, high efficiency GaN power amplifiers utilizing a nonuniform distributed topology. IEEE MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Dig., (2007), 615618. doi:10.1109/MWSYM.2007.379976.Google Scholar
[14]Dib, N.; Khodier, M.: Design and optimization of multi-band Wilkinson power divider. Int. J. RF Microw. Comput. Aided Eng., 18 (1) (2008), 1420.Google Scholar