Automatic Methodology for Wideband Power Amplifier Design

Abstract

This letter presents an automatic power amplifier (PA) design methodology that uses a multi-dimensional search algorithm to find the best compromise between fundamental and harmonic impedance terminations for a specified bandwidth. In conventional design methodologies, PA designers need to preselect the optimum impedances, which normally follow non-Foster trajectories, and are thus impossible to achieve with passive matching networks for a wide frequency range. Instead, the proposed automatic design method directly synthesizes the matching networks to achieve the desired output power, efficiency, and gain performance, without forcing any impedance profiles. For that, load-pull data is interpolated using artificial neural networks, and an algorithm based on the simplified real frequency technique is used to obtain the matching networks. Finally, the method is validated with a single-ended PA implementation.

Design of a Compact GaN Power Amplifier With High Efficiency and Beyond Decade Bandwidth

“…However, the harmonic engineering approaches rely on achieving precise impedance values at harmonic frequencies, which makes them inherently difficult for beyond-octave operation. To obtain high PA efficiency over a wider bandwidth, the design in [3] uses artificial neural networks and an algorithm based on the simplified real frequency technique to obtain matching networks with desired bandwidth. Alternatively, design automation with particle swarm optimization This research has been carried out in GigaHertz Centre in a joint project financed by the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (VIN-NOVA), Chalmers University of Technology, Ericsson, Gotmic, Infineon Technologies Austria, Qamcom, RISE, and SAAB.…”