A dual-band outphasing transmitter using broadband class E power amplifiers

Abstract

In this paper, a dual-band outphasing transmitter (able of operating either at 770 MHz or 960 MHz frequency bands) is presented. Two broadband RF power amplifiers (PAs) have been designed over packaged GaN HEMT devices, switching close to the nominal zero-voltage and zero-voltage-derivative class E conditions. A reactive combiner, using transmission lines of appropriate electrical lengths at both bands, together with compensating reactances, allows positioning the drain impedance loci to produce high efficiency and good dynamic range profiles. Average drain efficiency figures over 68% and 38% have been measured for WCDMA signals with a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of 5.1 dB and 8.4 dB, respectively.