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A CMOS PA system intended for long-distance sensor communication is presented. The PA utilizes a dynamic-V DD and operates directly off of a super-capacitor energy-storage element, obviating the need for a voltage regulator. A power-combining PA impedance scaling approach has been implemented to eliminate energy loss from a high-current voltage regulator. The device integrates a 2-to-1 power combiner with a set of pre-drivers and an output stage. The PA monitors the output power, and digitally modulates the PA load impedance. The entire power control loop is integrated in a 90nm, 9-metal-layer TSMC process and delivers 24dBm of output power at 1.9GHz, making it suitable for sensor data communication over distances of several hundred meters. During a TX-burst, the PA V DD varies from 2.5V to 1.4V, while the power control loop maintains constant output power with an accuracy of 1.6dB.

Enabling long-range, small form-factor transceivers can address many remote and/or mobile sensing applications. This paper explores an alternative method for sensor data communication using long-range wireless transceivers to transmit sensor data which is ideally suited for many military applications. A study is also provided for one of the most challenging hardware blocks in a WARNS radio, the Power Amplifier (PA). This paper concludes with some comments on potential future areas of research for long-range highlyintegrated transceivers.