Design of dual-band high-efficiency power amplifiers based on a novel matching network with expanded parameter solution space

Abstract

In this letter, a novel matching network (MN) is proposed for the design of dual-band high-efficiency power amplifiers (PAs). The proposed MN consists of a compact harmonic control network and a fundamental MN integrating series two-section transmission lines, wherein multiple free parameters are introduced to improve design flexibility and expand the parameter solution space. The impedance transformation relationships are analyzed in detail, and explicit design formulas are given for directly solving the circuit parameters. The performance of the fundamental MN is also demonstrated and compared under varying complex load impedances and frequency-ratios. For verification, a 10 W GaN dual-band PA is designed. The measurement results show that the fabricated PA achieves drain efficiencies of 60.5% - 73.7% within the 2.05 - 2.30 GHz band and 65.6% - 76.8% within the 3.35 - 3.75 GHz band. A saturated output power of over 40.3 dBm is achieved in both operating bands.