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Design >> RF Design >> Need advice about design RF power amplifier
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Message started by baab on Sep 3^rd, 2013, 8:45pm

Title: Need advice about design RF power amplifier
Post by baab on Sep 3^rd, 2013, 8:45pm

Hi,
I has to design a RF power amplifier.
Here are some specifications:
+ Center frequency: 1.575GHz
+ Banwidth: 20MHz
+ Power gain: 50dB
+ Vdd = 1 or 1.2V
+Use CMOS TSMC0.13um
These are just some requirements now.
I have little experience in this field and at present I am learning basic things from "RF microelectronics" by Razavi, RF Power Amplifiers by Dr. Marian K. Kazimierczuk and The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency by Thomas H. Lee.
Now I understand some basic about classes of power amplifier A, B, AB, C, D, E, F. But I am confused about what class should I choose for my project? As I read class A has high linearity but very low efficiency. Class D, E, F has high efficiency but low linearity. My main purpose is power gain 50dB. I can't figure out what class should I consider.
Please advise. Thanks.

Title: Re: Need advice about design RF power amplifier
Post by aaron_do on Sep 3^rd, 2013, 9:18pm

Hi,

it depends on your linearity requirements which depends on the type of modulation you are using, and the EVM and ACPR/Spectrum mask requirements.

If I were you, I would check out some literature on power amplifiers for whatever application you are designing for, or similar applications, to get an idea of what is possible.

regards,
Aaron