A multi-mode multi-band reconfigurable power amplifier for low band GSM/UMTS handset applications

A compact multi-mode multi-band power amplifier with harmonic-suppression matching networks for GSM/TD-SCDMA/LTE terminals

“…Explosive-growth demand for information, inevitably motivate modern wireless communication systems to upgrade the existing obsolete devices by employing more complicated technologies (3G/3.9G/4G) with spectral efficient modulation schemes to meet the strict requirements of large data service, but also using many of given limited spectrum fragmentations for multi-use applications, which demands stringent abilities of multi-band and multi-mode (MMMB) [1,2,3]. Although there is no need to design a ubiquitous-coverage phone to cover excess frequency bands due to the minimum worldwide multi-mode requirements (2/2.5/ 3/4G) and region frequency multiplexing techniques, this increased complexity becomes a critical issue, especially for integrated RF front ends [4].…”

A Multi-Mode Multi-Band Reconfigurable Power Amplifier for 2G/3G/4G Handset Applications

“…To implement MMMB PAs, the easiest approach, in which a single-mode single-band PAs are just accumulated for each communication circumstance, cannot be used anymore due to its excessive size and cost. Thus, researchers have studied multi-band PA structures sharing a PA-core and using either the broadband matching or reconfigurable matching techniques [1]- [6]. The broadband approach has recently been adopted commercially with small form-factor, for which, however, it is not easy to obtain optimum performance for narrow bands, and which requires bulky band-selection switches for routing single PA to multiple outputs, causing additional losses [1], [2].…”

“…The broadband approach has recently been adopted commercially with small form-factor, for which, however, it is not easy to obtain optimum performance for narrow bands, and which requires bulky band-selection switches for routing single PA to multiple outputs, causing additional losses [1], [2]. On the other hand, the reconfigurable matching approach has a great potential for MMMB PA implementation, in which the switchable networks provide optimum matching conditions for each band without significant efficiency degradation [3]- [6]. approaches and showed minimal post-PA distribution loss by using simple path selection networks [4] or compact post-PA distribution switches integrated into the reconfigurable network with silicon-on-insulator CMOS process [5].…”

“…However, it is worthwhile to note that these kinds of the reported MMMB approaches have been mainly limited just for 3G/4G multi-band application, in which a 2G/2.5G PA is separately added in a module for multi-mode operation, meaning a MMMB PA module needs more than two PA-cores. Recently, a novel reconfigurable MMMB PA idea has been newly suggested for proof-of-concept by the authors, which simultaneously reconfigures 2G and 3G mode using "single PA-core" and advanced broad-band reconfigurable output matching network [6]. However, the mode/band coverage of PA was limited just for 2G/3G low-band applications and size of the PA was not practical for handset devices.…”

“…However, the mode/band coverage of PA was limited just for 2G/3G low-band applications and size of the PA was not practical for handset devices. In this work, the authors' previous concept [6] is successfully implemented for a practical MMMB PA, which is fully integrated into a small form-factor. It is also verified in this work that the idea can be extended to high-frequency bands as well as low-frequency bands.…”