A fully integrated CMOS 2.4GHz and 24dBm linear power amplifier

Design of a Ka-band power amplifier

“…In order to use the transformer structure in the matching network, the values of parameter of the transformer structure are required to be determined. Generally, to balance the output performance of PA considering both maximum gain and maximum power added efficiency (PAE), the impedance point with balanced performance can be obtained by the load-pull method [5]. Load-pull technology is to measure and record the power and PAE at output end of 1 dB compression point by connecting different load impedances at the end of the structure in the simulation software or load pull equipment [6].…”

“…Through the analysis of the simulation software, find the impedance points corresponding to different power on the Smith chart, calculate the P out and PAE of each impedance point, and finally find the load impedance with the highest P out and PAE. Then the contour map of P out and PAE can be drawn on the Smith chart, which is usually composed of a circle of contour lines with different colors, and the impedance points corresponding to the optimal output power and additional efficiency can be found [5][6][7][8]. Figure 1 shows the topology of the output matching network of the designed transformer structure.…”