Description:
Market Opportunity
Sensing and communication using the millimeter wave band is a promising new approach for applications like mm-wave 5G systems and radar. These systems generally utilize power amplifiers (PAs), the peak and power back-off efficiency of which is crucial for power and thermal management. While class E/F switching PA has emerged as a favorable technology, it has relatively poor power back-off (PBO) efficiency, illustrating the need for improved PBO efficiency in mm-wave class EF power amplifiers.
USC Solution
USC inventors propose a concurrent harmonic and subharmonic tuning Class E/F2,2/3 SHS PA for mm- wave operation that improves PBO efficiency. The system 1) employs both harmonic and subharmonic tuning to reduce conduction loss for both peak and PBO operation and 2) enables the PA cells to toggle at a much lower frequency in PBO. These improvements promote square switching waveform and reduce the loss of high-frequency clock routing.
Value Proposition
- Augmented PBO efficiency
- Decreased conduction loss
- Facilitates subharmonic switching operation while providing different harmonic load impedance
Applications
Publications
A 24-28 GHz Concurrent Harmonic and Subharmonic Tuning Class E/F2,2/3 Subharmonic Switching Power Amplifier Achieving Peak/PBO Efficiency Enhancement, Zhang et al., 2021
Stage of Development
- Proof of concept demonstrated
- Prototype designed
- Available for licensing