Abstract
This article presents the analysis and design of a Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{E}_{\mathrm {M}}/\text{F}_{\mathrm {n}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> power amplifier (PA). The high peak switch voltage factor of the classical Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{E}_{\mathrm {M}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> PA is reduced by 27.3% through the adoption of the Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{F}^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> third-harmonic termination on the main circuit, resulting in a novel topology called the Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{E}_{\mathrm {M}}/\text{F}_{\mathrm {n}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> . The adoption of a finite dc-feed inductance enables the introduction of the design parameter <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , which can be exploited to extend the maximum operating frequency of the PA. The idealized voltage and current waveforms of the PA show that the main circuit fulfills not only zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero voltage derivative switching (ZVDS) conditions as in the Class-E but also zero-current switching (ZCS) and zero-current derivative switching (ZCDS) conditions as in the Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{E}^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , thus minimizing power dissipation during OFF-to-ON and ON-to-OFF transitions. The load-network parameters of the main and auxiliary circuits are derived, and harmonic-balance simulations are performed to confirm the analytical results. A Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{E}_{\mathrm {M}}/\text{F}_{3,5}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> PA employing a transmission-line load network was designed and implemented using GaN HEMTs. The constructed Class- <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{E}_{\mathrm {M}}/\text{F}_{3,5}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> PA delivered a drain efficiency of 83%, a power-added efficiency of 76%, and an output power of 42.3 dBm at 1.8 GHz.
Highlights
T HE Class-E power amplifier (PA), analyzed in [1]–[5], delivers a theoretical power conversion efficiencyManuscript received February 4, 2021; revised March 24, 2021; accepted March 28, 2021
Rüdiger Quay is with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics, 79108 Freiburg, Germany, and with the Energy-Efficient HighFrequency Electronics (EEH), Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
The chief contributions of this article can be summarized as follows: 1) introducing the new Class-EM/Fn PA with reduced peak switch voltage factor compared to the Class-EM PA in [10]–[16]; 2) providing insights into design tradeoffs between different circuit parameters; 3) expanding the design space of the Class-EM/F3 PA in [22] by providing a continuum of operating modes through parameter k, offering more degrees of freedom in the design; 4) presenting a transmission-line (TL) load network that fulfills the operational conditions of the Class-EM/F3,5 PA while absorbing the output capacitance Cout of the active device at the fundamental frequency
Summary
T HE Class-E power amplifier (PA), analyzed in [1]–[5], delivers a theoretical power conversion efficiency. The chief contributions of this article can be summarized as follows: 1) introducing the new Class-EM/Fn PA with reduced peak switch voltage factor compared to the Class-EM PA in [10]–[16]; 2) providing insights into design tradeoffs between different circuit parameters; 3) expanding the design space of the Class-EM/F3 PA in [22] by providing a continuum of operating modes through parameter k, offering more degrees of freedom in the design; 4) presenting a transmission-line (TL) load network that fulfills the operational conditions of the Class-EM/F3,5 PA while absorbing the output capacitance Cout of the active device at the fundamental frequency.
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