Devices intrinsic capacitances, packaging parasitics, low gain and intrinsic losses are the main limiting factors of high efficiency modes. The constraints become even more severe if high output power levels are involved. This article will discuss the design of a high efficiency VHF power amplifier (collector efficiency 0 = 85%, power added efficiency (PAE) = 72 %, output power (POUT) = 20 W) based on the proper control of the load and source impedance at fundamental and harmonic frequencies. Recent relevant works2 have shown the influence of proper load termination to achieve good approximations to high efficiency classes. Some practical works have shown that these approaches are feasible in practice3. It also has been proven that if the strict conditions of pure high efficiency classes cannot be fulfilled, good efficiency results can be achieved using approximated but proper design.
Operating principles
The main cause precluding class E operation at high frequencies is the large intrinsic capacitances of most power transistors. The reactance of intrinsic transistor capacitances is often very low. So, to obtain optimum class E operation at high frequencies low-load impedances are needed. Unfortunately, most times low loads lead to higher output power levels and currents than specified for safe transistor operation. Maintaining high efficiency and safe operation forces the use of load impedances different from loads for optimum class E operation. High efficiency can be retained with different loads but they may cause negative collector-to-emitter voltage VCE < 0 during part of the signal period. Negative VCE voltage does not necessarily mean breakdown of the device or collector efficiency reduction. Using a proper base circuit and high reactive source impedance at the harmonics, the transistor can be forced to operate in inverse active and saturation regions.
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During this period, VCE is low (zero for an ideal device) and the power derated by the transistor is also low, even for a significant collector current level. Nevertheless, because of the existence of inverse collector current the overall conduction angle of the device is effectively reduced. Therefore, the output power POUT is also reduced compared to the output power in optimum class E conditions, PE 1 . This power reduction can be considered a benefit in some extreme situations. These effects are illustrated Figure 1. This figure is a simulation of the collector current I C and V CE for the referred load conditions (note that the
fier, is derived from Z L = 4.3+4.6j. Assuming a parasitic inductance from the package and printed circuit board LP = 1.5 nH (0.84j @90 MHz), the effective load for the transistor is established as Z'L = 4.3 + 3.7j. On the other hand, the source impedance at the fundamental frequency is optimized for maximum power gain. The load and source impedances at the harmonics are set strongly reactive (at least 3 times the load at the fundamental). Discrete three-element matching networks are used to provide both the source an load impedances at the fundamental frequency while keeping strong inductive behavior at harmonic frequencies.
drive with very low 0 improvement is achieved but both, power gain and PAE. degrade very fast. The reason for this behavior is that fast degradation of gain occurs with high driving levels. Figure 3 shows this effect, output power (POUT) and power gain (G) are plotted vs. input power. The degradation of gain with only small improvement in output power POUT is evident. Figure 4 shows the collector to emitter voltage VCE and emitter current IE measured at the active device working under high efficiency conditions. Note that the effect of non negligible base current appears in this measurement as well.
intrinsic capacitances of the transistor have been extracted outside the device during the simulation in order to clarify the discussed effect).
Amplifier design
The amplifier presented to illustrate this technique is based on the well known classical 2N6083 RF bipolar power transistor. The transistor manufacturer announces collector efficiency 0 = 65% and output power POUT = 30 W at 175 MHz for this device. The amplifier achieves 0C = 85% and POUT = 20 W at 90 MHz using the same device. In order to design the output load at the fundamental frequency, a linear equivalent value of the output capacitance C OUT = 105 pF was estimated from the measured open-base collector capacitance C OB . This capacitance exhibits a reactance XCOUT = 15.36j at 90 MHz. If this capacitance is the only reactive component used in the load network it forces an output power level PE = 31.2 W at VCC = 12.5 VDC for optimum class E operation 1 . The desired output power for this amplifier is POUT = 20 W. The curves published in3 have been used to design the amplifier load network. The relationship P OUT /P E = 0.64, (from3) the optimum load for this ampli-
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very high collector efficiency and good PAE. with remarkable output power level at high frequencies.
References:
[1] Nathan O. Sokal, Alan D. Sokal, Class E-A New Class of high efficiency Tuned Single-Ended Switching Power Amplifiers", IEEE Journal of SolidState Circuits, VOL. SC-10, NO. 3, pp. 168-176, june 1975. [2 Frederick H. Raab, Class-E, class-C, and class-F power amplifiers based upon a finite number of harmonics", IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Volume: 49, NO. 8, pp. 1462-1468, Aug 2001. [3] Francisco Javier OrtegaGonzlez, Alberto Asensio-Lpez, Jos Luis Jimnez Martin, Germn Torregrosa-Penalva, High Efficiency Load-Pull Harmonic Controlled Class E Power Amplifier", IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, VOL 8, No 10, pp. 348-350, october 1998. [4] Frederick H. Raab, Effects of
Circuit variations on the Class E Tuned Power Amplifier", IEEE Journal of SolidState Circuits, VOL. SC-13, NO.2, pp. 239-247, april 1978. [5] Willian H.. Cantrell, Tuning Analysis for the High-Q Class-E Power Amplifier", I E E E Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, VOL. 48, NO. 12, Figure 3. P and gain versus P OUT IN pp. 2397-2402, december 2000. [7] Marian K. Kazimierczuk, [6] Francisco Javier Ortega-Gonzlez, Wojiech A. Tabisz, Class C-E High Alberto Asensio-Lpez, Jos Luis Efficiency Tuned Power Amplifier," Jimnez Martin, Effects of Matching on IEEE Transactions on Circuit and RF Power Amplifier Efficiency and Systems, VOL. 36, NO. 3, pp. 421-428, Output Power", Microwave Journal, pp. march 1989. 60-72, april 1998.
Continued on page 52
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Acknowledgements:
This work was supported by project TIC 2001-3839-C03-01 of the Spanish National Board of Scientific and Technology Research (MCYT).
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