Low power consumptive mixed mode MMIC power amplifier module for WCDMA handset applications

A high average-efficient MMIC power amplifier is implemented utilizing mixed mode power stage techniques with proper linearity. The average power efficiency, which is more important fact to save the battery in handsets, is improved about three times than commercial PAs with only supply voltage of 3.0-V. The power amplifier has been optimized for different P1dB (1-dB compression point) value: one for 16 dBm for the low power mode, targeting the most probable transmission power, and the other for 28 dBm for the high power mode. A PAE of 29.0% at 16 dBm of out power, which is the maximum bound of the most probable transmission power in IS-95 systems, was obtained, as well as 46.7% at 28.2 dBm for the high power mode. The measured adjacent channel leakage power ratios (ACLR) at the high and low power mode of P_1dB are -36.17 and -36.16 dBc, respectively, and satisfy the Third-Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) WCDMA specification.