A novel wideband and reconfigurable high average efficiency power amplifier

This work presents theory and measurements of a new power amplifier based on the Doherty topology. It is theoretically shown that, by using a new set of design parameters with a Doherty power amplifier topology, the proposed amplifier can provide high efficiency, both at full output power and at power back-off, over a much improved bandwidth compared to the conventional Doherty power amplifier configuration. It is also shown that the proposed amplifier allows for simple reconfiguration of the efficiency in power back-off. A demonstrator circuit using individually controlled main and peak amplifier input signals is designed to validate the theoretical findings. Measurements show state-of-the art efficiency bandwidth at both full output power and at power back-off, as well as reconfigurable efficiency, thus validating the theory and demonstrating the potential of the proposed PA for use in future wireless transmitter applications.