Design of Wideband Continuous Class-F Power Amplifier Using Low Pass Matching Technique and Harmonic Tuning Network

Abstract

Many countries have allocated new frequency bands for fifth generation (5G) communication systems. In this paper, a wideband continuous class-F (CCF) radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA) is presented for the new 5G frequency band, from 3.3 GHz to 4.3 GHz using a 10 W Cree CGH40100F device. A unique wideband RFPA design approach for the output matching network (OMN) is also presented by applying a harmonic tuning network (HTN) for the harmonics and a low pass matching technique (LPMT) for the fundamental frequency. The RFPA is fabricated, and promising measurement results show a drain efficiency of 55.9% to 65.3% is achieved at an output power of 40 dBm (± 0.3 dBm) over a frequency range of 3.3 GHz to 4.3 GHz. A two-tone signal with a 10 MHz spacing was also applied to investigate the linearity of the RFPA.

Keywords

• GaN HEMT
• 5G communication
• wideband
• high efficiency
• radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA)
• low pass matching