Class–CTA: Concept and Theoretical Analysis of a High Linearity and Efficiency Power Stage Architecture

Abstract

This work presents a power stage architecture that combines high–linearity with high–efficiency. The power stage is configured as a push–pull Class–A topology with two buck–converters providing its supply rails. The buck–converters continuously track the stage’s output with a small constant margin, creating a minimum, constant voltage drop on the output devices; thus, the stage’s efficiency is increased and its linearity is improved. Theoretical analysis of the topology and its feedback control are presented, while a design example is implemented and simulated in Cadence Spectre as proof–of–concept.

Keywords

• Buck–converter
• push–pull Class–A
• Class–CTA
• efficiency
• linearity
• power stage