Reconfigurable and tunable efficient power amplifiers for transmitters in telecommunication devices

Abstract

We summarize the most important results from the first author's PhD dissertation. We primarily address the improvements in power amplifier circuits. We design, fabricate, and validate a reconfigurable amplifier with PIN diode and a tunable amplifier with a varicap diode. In addition, we present a novel theory about the class-J amplifier design confirming that it can sustain high efficiency over relatively wide frequency band — wider than class-B or class-F amplifiers. Measured results of a novel class-J amplifier verify the proposed theory. In addition, we discuss the benefits and shortcomings of circuit-based and full-wave electromagnetic-based analysis. Finally, we present two switchable circuits, based on graphene controlled by either electric or magnetic polarization.