A 28-GHz CMOS-65nm Dual Mode Class-J Doherty Power Amplifier with Integrated Class-G Driver and Impedance-Modulated-Quadrature-Transformer Achieving 21% Back-Off Efficiency


Mariappan S., Rajendran J., Idros N., Hamid S. S., Manaf A. A., Kumar N., ...Daha Fazla

IEEE Access, cilt.13, ss.17236-17245, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 13
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1109/access.2025.3530958
  • Dergi Adı: IEEE Access
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.17236-17245
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: 5G, back-off efficiency, class-G, class-J, CMOS, Doherty, Ka-band, millimeter-wave, power amplifier (PA), quadrature-transformer
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this paper, a CMOS Class-J Doherty power amplifier (PA) integrating a Class-G driver and an Impedance-Modulated-Quadrature-Transformer (IMQT) to enhance back-off efficiency for multimode operations is presented. The Class-J Doherty PA utilizes a second harmonic termination to improve its efficiency. To further augment efficiency at deep back-off output power, a single-supply-rail Class-G driver operates with the IMQT, modulating the interstage impedance between the driver and the Doherty stages. The IMQT features a stacked transformer architecture and dynamically adjusts its impedance by switching a floating, intermediate coil between the transformer's primary and secondary windings. A comparator regulates the IMQT based on the Class-G driver's operation. The IMQT-DPA, fabricated using a 65nm CMOS process, operates at a center frequency of 28 GHz with a supply headroom of 1.8V. The PA achieves an average output power of 14 dBm with a back-off efficiency of 21%, representing a 1.4-fold efficiency enhancement compared to conventional Class-B operation. Under low-power mode (VDD/2) with a Class-G driver operation, the average output power is 11.3 dBm with a 1.3-fold efficiency improvement.