Large-signal characterization of an 870 MHz inverse class-F cross-coupled push-pull PA using active mixed-mode load-pull

摘要

An inverse class-F cross-coupled push-pull PA in a 0.5/spl mu/m SiGe technology is presented. It is shown that inverse class-F in combination with C/sub BC/ compensation is preferred over class-F operation in terms of gain roll-off and efficiency as function of collector supply voltage. The active mixed-mode load-pull system is used to set up the proper output differential and common-mode impedances at the fundamental (870MHz) and harmonics to experimentally verify inverse class F operation with a measured PAE of 67% at 20dBm output power.