Fully Integrated Class-J Power Amplifier in Standard CMOS Technology

• Published in: IEEE microwave and wireless components letters Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 64 - 66
• Main Authors: Dong, Yezi, Mao, Luhong, Xie, Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-01-2017
• Subjects: Broadband; Class-J; CMOS integrated circuit; CMOS technology; Harmonic analysis; harmonic losses; Impedance; inductor losses; Inductors; Power generation; Resistance; Transistors
• ISSN: 1531-1309; 1558-1764
• DOI: 10.1109/LMWC.2016.2630920

This letter discusses the integration of Class-J power amplifiers (PA). A set of modified design equations considering harmonic losses is derived and the inductor losses are discussed. Based on the discussion, a fully integrated Class-J PA with stacked-FET structure is designed and implemented in a 0.18 μm CMOS process. The proposed Class-J PA, powered by a 3.3 V supply, achieves a power-added efficiency (PAE) and drain efficiency (DE) of 43.7% and 45.1%, respectively, with a saturated output power of 22 dBm. Along with a maximum gain of 17.4 dB, the broadband PA exhibits a 3-dB band from 2.1 GHz to 4.8 GHz.