A novel model of avalanche current generation in the GaN HEMT equivalent circuit

Abstract

We consider the large-signal equivalent circuit of a field-effect transistor (FET) with characteristics and parameters calculated using a two-dimensional (2D) quasi-hydrodynamic model while taking into account the electron velocity overshoot. In accordance with this equivalent circuit when applied to an AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT), the avalanche current (in the feedback branch) is zero at all operating points. However, this contradicts the significant difference seen between the results of time-domain simulations of a radiofrequency (RF) amplifier in which the transistor is simulated using a 2D model that does versus does not include the avalanche multiplication of the charge carriers. We propose a new model for the avalanche current generation, based on such simulations including the avalanche multiplication and on the theory of impact-ionization avalanche transit-time (IMPATT) diodes. This model allows the synthesis of amplifiers with high power-added efficiency (PAE).