2018 Volume 15 Issue 24 Pages 20180980
A novel methodology for designing broadband high-efficiency power amplifiers (PAs) based on the harmonic-tuned is presented in this letter. All harmonics can be effectively manipulated by the innovative structure to achieve high-efficiency and the dual frequencies point harmonic matching method is also applied to the harmonic control network, which has a positive effect on the expansion bandwidth. To verify the validity of the proposed methodology, a gallium nitride PA is designed, implemented, and measured. Measured results manifest a wide bandwidth from 1.1 to 2.5 GHz, with drain efficiency (DE) of 67–86%, saturated output power greater than 39.5 dBm, and large signal gain larger than 9.5 dB. The in-band second and third harmonic suppression levels are maintained at −13 to −36 dBc and −23 to −44 dBc, respectively. Measurement results confirm the theoretical findings reported in this paper.
