A broadband high-efficiency quasi class E internally-matched GaN power amplifier with a compact band-pass output matching structure

Abstract

This letter proposes a broadband high-efficiency quasi Class E internally matched power amplifier with a compact bandpass output matching structure. By setting all the harmonic impedances following the ideal Class E mode, a specific load-pull analysis is employed to achieve the optimum fundamental impedance region with both high power and high efficiency. In order to further improve the efficiency of the power amplifier, high-efficiency second harmonic impedance range is obtained by the similar load-pull analysis. A compact bandpass matching structure with only three inductors and two capacitors is utilized to realize a broadband output matching of the broadband Class E mode power amplifier. No additional choke inductor is needed for our design, which further reduces the size of the circuit. A compact broadband quasi Class E GaN power amplifier is designed and fabricated using an internal matching method. The drain efficiency of 71% to 76% is achieved at 1.3GHz to 2.0GHz, with an output power of 10W and a power gain of more than 11dB.