A 14-GHz-Band Highly Linear Stacked FET Power Amplifier IC with 20.1 dBm P1dB and 40.1% PAE in 56-nm SOI CMOS

Abstract

A high efficiency linear power amplifier (PA) IC is presented for 14 GHz-band wireless communication systems. A novel adaptive bias circuit with four-stacked MOSFET structure is proposed to enhance both the linearity and efficiency of the PA IC over the wide input power range. The PA IC is designed, fabricated and fully tested in 56-nm SOI CMOS. In linear mode, the PA IC has exhibited an output P1dB of 20.1 dBm at 14 GHz and a supply voltage of 4.0 V. The measured PAE at P1dB is as high as 40.1%. Moreover, the peak PAE of 41.6% is achieved in efficient mode.