A New Continuous Class-E Mode Based on the General Theory of
High-Efficiency Continuous Power Amplifier
Abstract
By multiplying with the continuous factor (CF), the conventional Class-
F / F - 1 , Class-J power amplifier (PA) can be expanded to their
corresponding continuous modes, resulting in a great degree of freedom
for broadband design. However, this method can hardly apply to other
types of PAs. In view of this problem, the continuous mode is deeply
analyzed from the perspective of equation solving for the first time,
and a general theory for high-efficiency broadband continuous PA design
is proposed. In this theory, the continuous impedance space does not
rely on a mapping relationship achieved by multiplying with the CF, but
on a direct solution of the high-efficiency equations to obtain the
broadband design space. This approach is simpler and has the potential
to provide greater design space. As a validation, this theory is used
for the analysis of Class-E PAs and a new continuous Class-E (NC-E) PA
is presented. With knee-point voltage and finite harmonics taken into
account, this type of PA greatly expands the broadband design space of
Class-E PAs, and also has the advantage of harmonic matching. The NC-E
PA is designed and manufactured using GaN HEMT CGH40010F, which achieves
40.6∼41.6dBm output power and 66.2%∼74.2% drain efficiency (DE) in the
frequency band of 2.5-3.8GHz.