A reactive matching (RM) power amplifier (PA) can achieve higher efficiency than a distributed amplifier (DA). In this paper, RM PAs that cover 18-40 GHz are proposed by using one-order and two-order synthesised transformer networks (STNs) with GaN on Si technology. In this band, the PAs can provide ≥30 dBm and ≥31.9 dBm output power, with power-added efficiency (PAE) of ≥17% and ≥15% in the continuous mode, respectively. Further, STNs are analysed using the transmission poles method (TPM) instead of the resonant frequency method (RFM). Thus, the limitations of output power and bandwidth are comprehensively derived. In the one-order STN, the impedance transformation ratio (T 1N ) has a maximum value (T MAX_1N ), limiting the output power. A two-order STN is proposed, and the impedance transformation ratio maximum (T MAX_2N ) can be improved to (T MAX_1N ) 2 . The result of this paper will be helpful for wideband high-power amplifier applications.
GaN technology has attracted main attention towards its application to high‐power amplifier. Most recently, noise performance of GaN device has also won acceptance. Compared with GaAs low noise amplifier (LNA), GaN LNA has a unique superiority on power handling. In this work, we report a wideband Silicon‐substrate GaN MMIC LNA operating in 18‐31 GHz frequency range using a commercial 0.1 μm T‐Gate high electron mobility transistor process (OMMIC D01GH). The GaN MMIC LNA has an average noise figure of 1.43 dB over the band and a minimum value of 1.27 dB at 23.2 GHz, which can compete with GaAs and InP MMIC LNA. The small‐signal gain is between 22 and 25 dB across the band, the input and output return losses of the MMIC are less than −10 dB. The P1dB and OIP3 are at 17 dBm and 28 dBm level. The four‐stage MMIC is 2.3 × 1.0 mm2 in area and consumes 280 mW DC power. Compared with GaAs and InP LNA, the GaN MMIC LNA in this work exhibits a comparative noise figure with higher linearity and power handling ability.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.