High efficiency continuous mode power amplifiers using waveform engineering

This paper discusses the design of different broadband continuous mode power amplifiers (PAs) using waveform engineering. The continuous mode provides wider design space for the realization of broadband high efficiency PAs by proper tuning of fundamental, second, third and fourth harmonic impedances. This work discusses in detail the process of waveform synthesis for class-J, continuous class-F and continuous inverse class-F PAs, which are the most popular continuous mode classes. The validation of our analysis is performed using a 10-Watt Gallium Nitride (GaN) device from Cree Inc. Three different PAs are implemented in Advanced Design Systems (ADS). These PAs are operated in Class-J, continuous class-F and continuous inverse class-F, respectively. Distinctive performance in terms of drain efficiency, output power and transducer gain over wide frequency band is exhibited. The operational class of each PA under study is verified depending on the shaping of voltage and current waveforms that are de-embedded at current generator plane of the packaged device.