A Push-Pull 6-12GHz GaN Dual-Stage MMIC PA with Capacitive Cross-Coupling Neutralization for Increased Gain

Paper in proceeding, 2023

This paper presents a 6-12GHz\quad GaN on SiC two-stage MMIC push-pull PA using Marchand baluns. The differential topology is used to implement capacitive cross-coupling neutralization to increase the amplifier gain. A methodology to create an accurate model of the neutralized transistor including the parasitics of the neutralization network is discussed. An octave bandwidth balun with amplitude and phase imbalances below 0.2~dB and 2.5° is described. The MMIC PA is fully characterized and 26~dB of small signal gain and a peak output power of 37.2dBm with a PAE of 30.5\% is measured at 7GHz.