Continuous Mode Power Amplifier Design Using Harmonic Clipping Contours: Theory and Practice

A novel graphical power amplifier (PA) design tool, the "clipping contour," is introduced and described. Using the now well-publicized continuous Class-B/J voltage waveform formulation as a starting point, a process is derived that allows contours to be constructed on a Smith chart that de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques 2014-01, Vol.62 (1), p.100-110
Main Authors: Canning, Tim, Tasker, Paul J., Cripps, Steve C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amplifiers
Applied sciences
Bandwidth
Channels
Circuit properties
Class B/J
clipping contour
continuous modes
Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits
Electronic circuits
Electronic equipment and fabrication. Passive components, printed wiring boards, connectics
Electronics
Equations
Exact sciences and technology
Harmonic analysis
Impedance
Linearity
Mathematical model
power amplifier (PA)
Power harmonic filters
waveform engineering
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Description
Summary:A novel graphical power amplifier (PA) design tool, the "clipping contour," is introduced and described. Using the now well-publicized continuous Class-B/J voltage waveform formulation as a starting point, a process is derived that allows contours to be constructed on a Smith chart that define the "zero-grazing" fundamental and harmonic impedance conditions. Theoretical equations are defined and solved whereby the contours can be drawn in real time in a computer-added design environment. A key and novel result from this theory is the definition of a 2-D harmonic design space that opens up rapidly as small concessions from optimum power and efficiency matching conditions are made. A design example is described and fabricated, which demonstrates the utility of using the second harmonic clipping contour during the PA design process. A 10-W GaN demonstrator gives measured continuous wave power > 8.5 W, efficiency > 60%, and better than -30-dB adjacent channel power ratio over a bandwidth of 1-2.9 GHz.
ISSN:0018-9480
1557-9670
DOI:10.1109/TMTT.2013.2292675