Title :
Reconfigurable PA networks using switchable directional couplers as RF switch
Author :
Lehmann, Thomas ; Hettstedt, Falk ; Knöchel, Reinhard
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Kiel, Kiel
Abstract :
Reconfigurable power amplifiers are presented, which utilize switched directional couplers. A power amplifier is built up with several individual smaller stages connected in parallel using the "balanced" amplifier scheme. If the required output power decreases, some of the stages are switched off in order to decrease the DC power consumption and increase the drive of the remaining stages, thus increasing efficiency. The idea is to use switched branch line (right handed and left handed) couplers with switches to ground at their transversal planes as rf power switch in static and dynamic "hot" switching reconfigurable PA networks. The paper presents theoretical considerations and experimental results for built networks.
Keywords :
directional couplers; power amplifiers; DC power consumption; RF switch; balanced amplifier scheme; left handed coupler; reconfigurable PA networks; reconfigurable power amplifiers; rf power switch; right handed coupler; switchable directional couplers; switched branch line; transversal planes; Broadband amplifiers; Circuits; Directional couplers; Energy consumption; Phase shifters; Power amplifiers; Power generation; Radio frequency; Radiofrequency amplifiers; Switches;
Conference_Titel :
Microwave Conference, 2007. European
Conference_Location :
Munich
Print_ISBN :
978-2-87487-001-9
DOI :
10.1109/EUMC.2007.4405378
