Design of an Octave-multimode Hybrid Broadband High-efficiency Power Amplifier

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges faced by existing power amplifier configurations in meeting the bandwidth requirements of modern communication technology while maintaining high efficiency due to the overlap of fundamental and harmonic frequencies. To address this issue, the paper proposes a matching method based on mode combination theory that utilizes the overlap of harmonic and fundamental impedance to simplify the design of broadband amplifiers. In this paper, a Chebyshev low-pass filter is used to control the higher harmonics instead of the conventional quarter-wavelength harmonic control network with a combination of harmonic impedances. The proposed method combines three modes of Resistive-Reactive class F [−1], class J, and class F power amplifiers, which can achieve high efficiency and octave frequency at the same time. The paper verifies the proposed method by designing and fabricating a multimultiplier power amplifier with a drain efficiency of 61.8-73.9%, an operating bandwidth of 1.4-2.9 GHz, and a saturation output of 41.1-42.3 dBm. The amplifier also has a gain greater than 11.1-12.3 dBm, and at an output power of 36 dBm, the ACPR value is −32 to −33.1 dBc across the band.