Compact dual-fed distributed power amplifier

The dual-fed distributed amplifier (DFDA) allows efficient combining of field-effect transistors (FETs) at the device level without using n-way power combiners. However, the FETs must be spaced 180°, resulting in physically large circuits. In this paper, meandered artificial transmission lines (TLs) comprised of microstrip lines periodically loaded with short open-circuit stubs can be used in place of TLs to reduce the size. The approach incorporates FET input and output capacitances with the artificial TLs, thereby eliminating their detrimental effects on bandwidth and performance. Both simulation and experimental results of a class-A three-FET single-ended DFDA designed to operate at 1.8 GHz demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and the validity of the design method. The size reduction is approximately one-third compared to realization using microstrip lines only, and the maximum efficiency is greater than 35% over a bandwidth of 15%.