2.4 GHz GaN HEMT Class-F Synchronous Rectifier Using an Independent Second Harmonic Tuning Circuit

Abstract

This paper proposes a class-F synchronous rectifier using an independent second harmonic tuning circuit for the power receiver of 2.4 GHz wireless power transmission systems. The synchronous rectifier can be designed by inverting the RF output port to the RF input port of the pre-designed class-F power amplifier based on time reversal duality. The design of the class-F power amplifier deploys an independent second harmonic tuning circuit in the matching networks to individually optimize the impedances of the fundamental and the second harmonic. The synchronous rectifier at the 2.4 GHz frequency is designed and implemented using a 6 W gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT). Peak RF-dc conversion efficiency of the rectifier of 69.6% is achieved with a dc output power of about 7.8 W, while the peak drain efficiency of the class-F power amplifier is 72.8%.