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High efficiency continuous mode RF power amplifier based on second and third harmonic manipulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2020

Firas M. Ali Open the ORCID record for Firas M. Ali [Opens in a new window] ,
Mahmuod H. Al-Muifraje  and
Thamir R. Saeed
Firas M. Ali*
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
Mahmuod H. Al-Muifraje
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
Thamir R. Saeed
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
*
Author for correspondence: Firas M. Ali, E-mail: firas.alraie@ieee.org
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Abstract

Continuous mode class-J radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier is a promising technique that extends the operating bandwidth of the conventional class-B power amplifier. However, the maximum theoretical efficiency is limited to that of the class-B power amplifier. In this paper, an enhanced mode of operation for the class-J power amplifier is proposed by incorporating a third harmonic voltage component to produce an optimum waveform for maximizing the fundamental voltage component and thereby to increase the drain efficiency and introduce a new design space. A detailed derivation for the necessary relations of output power, drain efficiency, and the required harmonic load impedances is provided, showing a significant improvement in theoretical maximum efficiency from 78.5 to 89.8%. In order to confirm the developed analytic approach, a 10 W prototype amplifier model was designed and fabricated to operate within the global system for mobile communications (GSM) frequency band 850–950 MHz using a commercial GaN power high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). The experimental results have indicated that the drain efficiency of the circuit varies from 68 to 80% within the desired band.

Keywords

Harmonically tuned PAclass-JGaN HEMT
Type
Power Amplifiers
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , April 2021 , pp. 223 - 233
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2020

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