Using the load-pull method for RF and microwave power amplifier design
This new book on RF power amplifier design, by industry expert Dr. John F. Sevic, provides comprehensive treatment of RF PA design using the load-pull method, the most widely used and successful method of design. Intended for the newcomer to load-pull, or the seasoned expert, the book presents a systematic method of generation of load-pull contour data, and matching network design, to rapidly produce a RF PA with first-pass success. The method is suitable from HF to millimeter-wave bands, discrete or integrated, and for high-power applications. Those engaged in design or fundamental research will find this book useful, as will the student new to RF and interested in PA design.
The author presents a complete pedagogical methodology for RF PA design, starting with treatment of automated contour generation to identify optimum transistor performance with constant source power load-pull. Advanced methods of contour generation for simultaneous optimization of many variables, such as power, efficiency, and linearity are next presented. This is followed by treatment of optimum impedance identification using contour data to address specific objectives, such as optimum efficiency for a given linearity over a specific bandwidth. The final chapter presents a load-pull specific treatment of matching network design using load-pull contour data, applicable to both single-stage and multi-stage PA's. Both lumped and distributed matching network synthesis methods are described, with several worked matching network examples.
Readers will see a description of a powerful and accessible method that spans multiple RF PA disciplines, including 5G base-station and mobile applications, as well as sat-com and military applications; load-pull with CAD systems is also included. They will review information presented through a practical, hands-on perspective. The book:
Helps engineers develop systematic, accurate, and repeatable approach to RF PA design Provides in-depth coverage of using the load-pull method for first-pass design success Offers 150 illustrations and six case studies for greater comprehension of topics
Author(s): John F. Sevic
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: xxxii+152
The Load-Pull Method of RF and Microwave Power Amplifier Design
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Notation
Preface
References
Foreword
Biography
1 Historical Methods of RF Power Amplifier Design
1.1 The RF Power Amplifier
1.2 History of RF Power Amplifier Design Methods
1.2.1 Copper Tape and the X-Acto Knife
1.2.2 The Shunt Stub Tuner
1.2.3 The Cripps Method
1.3 The Load-Pull Method of RF Power Amplifier Design
1.3.1 History of the Load-Pull Method
1.3.2 RF Power Amplifier Design with the Load-Pull Method
1.4 Historical Limitations of the Load-Pull Method
1.4.1 Minimum Impedance Range
1.4.2 Independent Harmonic Tuning
1.4.3 Peak and RMS Power Capability
1.4.4 Operating and Modulation Bandwidth
1.4.5 Linearity Impairment
1.4.6 Rigorous Error Analysis
1.4.7 Acoustically Induced Vibrations
1.5 Closing Remarks
References
2 Automated Impedance Synthesis
2.1 Methods of Automated Impedance Synthesis
2.1.1 Passive Electromechanical Impedance Synthesis
2.1.2 The Active-Loop Method of Impedance Synthesis
2.1.3 The Active-Injection Method of Impedance Synthesis
2.2 Understanding Electromechanical Tuner Performance
2.2.1 Impedance Synthesis Range
2.2.2 Operating Bandwidth
2.2.3 Modulation Bandwidth
2.2.4 Tuner Insertion Loss
2.2.5 Power Capability
2.2.6 Vector Repeatability
2.2.7 Impedance State Resolution and Uniformity
2.2.8 Factors Influencing Tuner Speed
2.2.9 The Slab-Line to Coaxial Transition
2.3 Advanced Considerations in Impedance Synthesis
2.3.1 Independent Harmonic Impedance Synthesis
2.3.2 Sub-1 ? Impedance Synthesis
2.4 Closing Remarks
References
3 Load-Pull System Architecture and Verification
3.1 Load-Pull System Architecture
3.1.1 Load-Pull System Block Diagram
3.1.2 Source and Load Blocks
3.1.3 Signal Synthesis and Analysis
3.1.4 Large-Signal Input Impedance Measurement
3.1.5 AM–AM, AM–PM, and IM Phase Measurement
3.1.6 Dynamic Range Optimization
3.2 The DC Power Source
3.2.1 Charge Storage, Memory, and Video Bandwidth
3.2.2 Load-Pull of True PAE
3.2.3 The Effect of DC Bias Network Loss
3.3 The ?GT Method of System Verification
3.4 Electromechanical Tuner Calibration
3.5 Closing Remarks
References
4 Load-Pull Data Acquisition and Contour Generation
4.1 Constant Source Power Load-Pull
4.1.1 Load-Pull with a Single Set of Contours
4.1.2 Load-Pull with Two or More Sets of Contours
4.1.3 Load-Pull for Signal Quality Optimization
4.1.4 Large-Signal Input Impedance
4.2 Fixed-Parametric Load-Pull
4.2.1 Fixed Load Power
4.2.2 Fixed Gain Compression
4.2.3 Fixed Peak–Average Ratio
4.2.4 Fixed Signal Quality
4.2.5 Treating Multiple Contour Intersections
4.3 Harmonic Load-Pull
4.3.1 Second Harmonic Load-Pull
4.3.2 Third-Harmonic Load-Pull
4.3.3 Higher-Order Effects and Inter-harmonic Coupling
4.3.4 Baseband Load-Pull for Video Bandwidth Optimization
4.4 Swept Load-Pull
4.4.1 Swept Available Source Power
4.4.2 Swept Bias
4.4.3 Swept Frequency
4.5 Advanced Techniques of Data Acquisition
4.5.1 Simplified Geometric-Logical Search
4.5.2 Synthetic Geometric-Logical Search
4.5.3 Multidimensional Load-Pull and Data Slicing
4.5.4 Min–Max Peak Searching
4.6 Closing Remarks
References
5 Optimum Impedance Identification
5.1 Physical Interpretation of the Optimum Impedance
5.2 The Optimum Impedance Trajectory
5.2.1 Optimality Condition
5.2.2 Uniqueness Condition
5.2.3 Terminating Impedance
5.3 Graphical Extraction of the Optimum Impedance
5.3.1 Optimum Impedance State Extraction
5.3.2 Optimum Impedance Trajectory Extraction
5.3.3 Treatment of Orthogonal Contours
5.4 Optimum Impedance Extraction from Load-Pull Contours
5.4.1 Simultaneous Average Load Power and PAE
5.4.2 Simultaneous Average Load Power, PAE, and Signal Quality
5.4.3 Optimum Impedance Extraction Under Fixed-Parametric Load-Pull
5.4.4 PAE and Signal Quality Extraction Under Constant Average Load Power
5.4.5 Optimum Impedance Extraction with Bandwidth as a Constraint
5.4.6 Extension to Source-Pull
5.4.7 Extension to Harmonic and Base-Band Load-Pull
5.5 Closing Remarks
6 Matching Network Design with Load-Pull Data
6.1 Specification of Matching Network Performance
6.2 The Butterworth Impedance Matching Network
6.2.1 The Butterworth L-Section Prototype
6.2.2 Analytical Solution of the Butterworth Matching Network
6.2.3 Graphical Solution of the Butterworth Matching Network
6.3 Physical Implementation of the Butterworth Matching Network
6.3.1 The Lumped-Parameter Butterworth Matching Network
6.3.2 The Distributed-Parameter Butterworth Matching Network
6.3.3 The Hybrid-Parameter Butterworth Matching Network
6.4 Supplemental Matching Network Responses
6.4.1 The Chebyshev Response
6.4.2 The Hecken and Klopfenstein Responses
6.4.3 The Bessel–Thompson Response
6.5 Matching Network Loss
6.5.1 Definition of Matching Network Loss
6.5.2 The Effects of Matching Network Loss
6.5.3 Minimizing Matching Network Loss
6.6 Optimum Harmonic Termination Design
6.6.1 Optimally Engineered Waveforms
6.6.2 Physical Implementation of Optimum Harmonic Terminations
6.6.3 Optimum Harmonic Terminations in Practice
6.7 Closing Remarks
References
Index
