Performance Comparison of a Single and Multi-Band Power Amplifiers Using IHP 0.25 um SiGe HBT Technology

Official URL: http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-MMCE.html

In this work, a single-band Power Amplifier (PA) with a fixed-frequency/band output matching network and multi -band PA with a switch -tuned output matching network is designed, using IHP (Innovations for High Performance), 0.25μm-SiGe HBT process. The behavior of the amplifiers has been optimized for 2.4 GHz (WLAN), 3.6 GHz (UWB-WiMAX) and 5.4 GHz (WLAN) frequency bands for a higher 1-dB compression point and efficiency. Multi-band characteristics of the amplifier were obtained by using a MOS -based switching network. Two MOS switches were utilized for tuning the band of the output matching network. Post-Layout simulations of the PA, with multi -band capability, provided the following performance parameters: 1-dB compression point of 25.2 dBm, gain value of 36 dB, efficiency value of %12.8 operation and maximum output power of 26.8 dBm for the 2.4 GHz WLAN band, 1-dB compression point of 25.5 dBm, gain value of 32 dB, efficiency value of %13.3 and maximum output power of 26.6 dBm for the 3.6 GHz UWB-WiMAX band and 1-dB compression point of 24.8 dBm, gain value of 23 dB, efficiency value of %12.5 and maximum output power of 26.3 dBm for the 5.4 GHz WLAN band. For the fixed-band, at 3.6 GHz, the post-layout simulations resulted the following parameters: 1-dB compression point of 25.5 dBm, gain value of 32 dB, efficiency value of %18 and maximum output power value of 26.8 dBm. These results proved that the PA with switching/tunable output matching network, provides compatible or better performance parameters, when compared to fixed-band PA. The ability of being capable of operation in different frequency bands with better or compatible performance parameters, when compared to fixed-band PA, multi -band PA can be realized with additional less parasitics, area, and cost advantages.