Optimization Based Broadband PA Design with Chebyshev low-pass topology

Abstract

In this paper, a broadband power amplifier (PA) is designed using a 10W GaN device. Load-pull technique is employed to fix the matching impedance across the target frequency band. The matching networks are established based on the Chebyshev low-pass topology, and the performance is optimized by the gradient algorithm from the commercial tool - advanced design system (ADS). The measurement results show that the designed PA has a gain higher than 10 dB, a drain efficiency greater than 60%, and can achieve output power over 40 dBm in the frequency band between 2GHz to 3GHz, which proves the consistency between measured and simulated performance, and verifies the feasibility of the design procedure.