The use of a thyristor as a switching device in a Class E tuned power amplifier

The switching device in a Class E tuned power amplifier can be a thyristor instead of a bipolar or MOS transistor if the load network provides a switch current which nominally has zero value and zero slope at the time the switch turns OFF. The thyristor greatly enhances the powerhandling capabilities of Class E amplifiers and is especially attractive in low-frequency, high-power, high-efficiency applications. It is shown that the thyristor turn-off time is substantially reduced by the Class E amplifier operation which keeps the thyristor at low junction temperature and provides low reapplied voltage rate to it. Laboratory results are given which verify theoretical predictions.