Analysis and design of continuous class-E power amplifier at sub-nominal condition

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe continuous class-E power amplifier at sub-nominal condition is proposed in this paper. The class-E power amplifier at continuous mode means it can be high efficient on a series matching networks while at sub-nominal condition means it only requires the zero-voltage-switching condition. Comparing with the classical class-E power amplifier, the proposed design method releases two additional design freedoms, which increase the class-E power amplifier’s design flexibility. Also, the proposed continuous class-E power amplifier at sub-nominal condition can perform high efficiency over a broad bandwidth. The performance study of the continuous class-E power amplifier at sub-nominal condition is derived and the design procedure is summarised. The normalised switch voltage and current waveforms are investigated. Furthermore, the influences of different sub-nominal conditions on the power losses of the switch-on resistor and the output power capability are also discussed. A broadband continuous class-E power amplifier based on a Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistor is designed and testified to verify the proposed design methodology. The measurement results show, it can deliver 10–15 W output power with 64–73% power-added efficiency over 1.4–2.8 GHz.