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Load-Modulated PA Architecture Comparison Using Nonlinear Embedding
Determining the appropriate Power Amplifier (PA) architecture for a given design specification can be a time-consuming task that could be better used designing the chosen architecture instead. Given the various number of load-modulated PA architectures that are deployed in communication systems today, selecting the optimal architecture is a non-trivial task microwave engineers regularly deal with. One method to facilitate a comparison between several architectures in a timely manner is using a nonlinear embedding device model. With a nonlinear embedding device model, one could quickly simulate the desired performance of a given PA architecture at the intrinsic reference planes and retrieve the broadband PA performance at the manifold or package reference planes. This permits the designer to determine the PA architecture which is best suited for the design objectives in terms of output power, efficiency, and bandwidth. This talk will present a comparison study of several load-modulated PA architectures such as the Doherty, LMBA, Chireix, and Hybrid Chireix-Doherty Outphasing PAs highlighting the benefit of using a nonlinear embedding model in the design cycle of a PA. Examples of integrated load-modulated PAs designed at X and Ku will be presented.