Investigation of Push-Pull Microwave Power Amplifiers Using an Advanced Measurement Setup
Journal article, 2013

In this letter, we investigate the influence of the output balun for realization of wideband and efficient microwave push-pull power amplifiers (PAs). For this, a push-pull GaN-HEMT PA operating between 1-3 GHz without an output balun has been implemented and a novel push-pull harmonic load-pullmeasurement setup that allows arbitrary balanced fundamental and second harmonic loads to be presented to the push-pull PA is proposed. The measurement results illustrate that the efficiency may be degraded up to 25% if improper common mode harmonic impedances are presented by the balun. The proposed approach allows the PA and balun to be investigated separately and is therefore expected to be an important tool for further research on balun and PA structures suitable for high efficiency and wideband push-pull applications at microwave frequencies.

Author

Paul Saad

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

GigaHertz Centre

Mattias Thorsell

GigaHertz Centre

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

Kristoffer Andersson

GigaHertz Centre

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

Christian Fager

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

GigaHertz Centre

IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters

1531-1309 (ISSN) 15581764 (eISSN)

Vol. 23 4 220-222 6477181

Areas of Advance

Information and Communication Technology

Subject Categories

Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

Nano Technology

DOI

10.1109/lmwc.2013.2249502

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 6