RF Amplifiers Featured Articles

81. Introduction To the AR-5000 Series 9/9/2020

    This app note describes the GC (gain control), MLC (maximum level control), and ALC (automatic level control) features available on AR-5000 Series amplifiers. Controlling the gain, output power, and linearity performance enables the operator to maximize system performance.

82. Performance Of A High Efficiency, Ka-Band, GaN-on-SiC MMIC With Low Compression 9/9/2020

    The high-power density and high breakdown voltage of GaN-on-SiC make it of particular interest for power amplifiers. This white paper details the design and performance of 28 V, 3-stange, Ka-band, Gan-on-SiC, power amplifier MMIC with high efficiency and low gain.

83. A Comparative Review Of GaN, LDMOS, And GaAs For RF And Microwave 8/10/2020

    Gallium nitride (GaN) is widely viewed as a transformative technology that has enabled smaller, lighter, and more reliable RF/microwave devices than its predecessors. However, there are trade-offs to consider when selecting which technology to use for a particular application. 

84. Ka-Band Satcom Trends And Power Amplification Challenges 6/19/2020

    The ever-expanding appetite for data is driving strong growth in satellite communications (satcom), especially in higher-frequency bands. But, instead of concentrating on the lower frequency ranges, many companies are focusing on higher frequency Ka-Band, which provides more allocated spectrum for applications such as internet access and 5G.

    Operating in Ka-band creates new challenges in RF power amplification due to an increase in video bandwidth requirements and the need for high linear power to support multi-carrier systems. Thanks to advances in semiconductor technology, GaN PAs have increased performance and are now an attractive alternative to high power vacuum tube amplifiers. This article provides insights into current satcom trends and approaches to Ka-Band power amplification.
     

85. Making Effective Use Of Doherty Architecture 6/15/2020

    With the evolution of 5G technology, the need for antenna array systems is growing. This increases the demand for efficient power amplifier implementations to support high-density setups. Imagine you could get 60% more output power, 50% more bandwith and up to 20% efficiency gain per amplifier in a MIMO antenna array setup? Would you spend time on rethinking your implementation plans? This white paper takes a closer look at how this can be achieved with Doherty amplifier architecture.

86. What Is Pulse Shaping? 6/3/2020

    In this industry briefing,George Bollendorf explains a new approach to fix fidelity issues caused by the transmitting amplifier that matches input pulse signal shape, minimizes droop, overshoot, ringing, and rise and fall times.

87. Improve Doherty Amplifier In Efficiency And Output Power 1/15/2020

    The Doherty Amplifier is used in an increasing number of radio transmitter applications to improve energy efficiency. There are numerous ways to build the Doherty PA. This article begins with an overview of linearization and efficiency enhancement in Doherty amplifiers, highlights the associated challenges, and covers some of the numerous solutions for design.

88. Model-Based GaN PA Design Basics: GaN Transistor S-Parameters, Linear Stability Analysis And Resistive Stabilization 9/19/2019

    S-parameter matching is used to maximize gain and gain flatness in simple linear RF/microwave amplifier designs. This same S-parameter data is used to develop matching networks that address amplifier stability. This paper discusses the importance of using modeling for basic S-parameter and stability analyses in the gallium nitride (GaN) power amplifier (PA) design process. It also focuses attention on a simple two-port stability analysis derived from linear S-parameter calculations. The nonlinear Qorvo GaN power transistor model from the Modelithics Qorvo GaN Library, in combination with simulation templates and Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS) software.

89. Design Of Rugged High Voltage Power Supplies For Use In Low Noise Multimode Radar Transmitter Sub-Systems 7/16/2019

    A radar transmitter is generally required to amplify a low noise coherent RF waveform. This paper covers an approach to the design of high voltage power supply units for operating traveling wave tube amplifiers in pulse doppler radar transmitter sub‐systems where ultra-low noise RF output is mandatory.

90. Utilizing Modern Day MPMs For High-Power And High-Efficiency 4/25/2019

    The first MPM, developed in the early 1990s, used a solid-state driver amplifier, based on MMICs or discrete RF power transistors, to drive a mini traveling-wave tube (mini-TWT), and combined these devices with a power supply and control circuits in a very compact enclosure.