The Research Of Continuous Class-F Power Amplifiers In S-Band

With the deep development of wireless communication technology which goes forward tothe directions of digitization, high data rates, broadband and high frequency,there is an increasing demand for the application of RF power amplifiers that features of high efficiency, high linearity, broadband and high frequency. This thesis is studied in this background, and mainly focused on the latest idea of continuous Class-F power amplifiers. In this thesis, by the guidance of the‘continuous’ idea, broadband high efficiency PAs and linear high efficiency PAs are designed. Finally, the main research of this thesis is summarized as follows:(1) The 3D columnar Smith Chart which is based on conventional Smith Chart is presented in this thesis. And it provides an elaborate approach to illustrate the optimal impedance, impedance of matching network and some other parameters successfully in MATLAB. For the broadband matching network design, the understanding of continuous Class-F PAs and so on, this chart can provide an important gist and reference.(2) A novel topology of broadband matching network is proposed in this thesis. This topology can realize zero Ohms in very wide band for high efficient harmonic controlling Class-F PAs at second harmonic frequency, and also meet the requirement of matching network of continuous Class-F PAs. In addition, the theory of this topology isanalyzed in detail, and validated by the experimental results of prototypes.(3) The theory of continuous Class-F PAs is systematically summarized in this thesis. For the fabricated prototype, a broadband high efficiency of PA is achieved which realized from 1.4GHz to 2.5GHz, the drain efficiency is between 73% and 88.6%, and the output power is between 11.2W and 17.4W. In addition, based on the extended‘continuous’ theory and Sweet Spot theory, two linear high efficiency PAs are achieved: 1) From 1805 MHz to 1850 MHz, the output power is up to 40 dBm, the three order intermodulation distortion(IMD3) component is lower than-32 dBc, and the drain efficiency is 59%~70%. 2) At 2140 MHz, the output power is up to 38 dBm, all the order intermodulation distortion components are lower than-30 dBc, and the drain efficiency is over 53%.The continuous Class-F PAs’ theory and design methods are illustrated in detail in this thesis. These theories can be well demonstrated with 3D columnar Smith Chart, and finally, three fabricated PAs verify the continuous Class-F PAs’ idea.