Estimating Power Amplifier Large Signal Gain.

摘要

Microwave power amplifier large signal gain is determined by calculating the input power needed to produce a given output power. Both closed-form solutions and a CAD-based solution are presented, all based on device DCI-V characteristics and small signal models. A practical power amplifier design procedure is given and used to design a 22 GHz permeable base transistor (PBT) power amplifier. Although the analysis and design results presented here are useful by themselves, they also are intended to be used in conjunction with other CAD and measurement techniques, such as harmonic balance and load pull, to arrive at a starting point. Device designers should find these results useful, allowing them to predict how changes in a device's parameters will affect its microwave power amplifier performance. (Author)