GOALI: Loadline Based Design of High Efficiency Microwave Power Amplifiers

ECS-0622003P。Roblin，俄亥俄州州立大学无线技术向更高数据速率的快速发展，推动了对高效宽带RF功率放大器的需求。在GOALI项目中，我们将研究一种基于实验的功率放大器设计技术，为此，我们将开发一种先进的测试平台，结合大信号网络分析仪、有源负载牵引和红外显微镜，用于晶体管波形的全波采集、可视化和工程设计。在调制、开关和脉冲操作下晶体管负载线和瞬时功率耗散的可视化将为高效率功率放大器的设计提供新的机会。拟议研究活动的智力价值在于为以下方面发展新的理解和新的技术：1）调制和脉冲操作下功率RF晶体管的实验表征，2）E类的交互式设计，F和Doherty放大器使用负载线和3）线性化的这种放大器。拟议的GOALI计划将依赖于与安德鲁公司的正式合作（基站功率放大器）以及与赖特帕特森空军基地空军研究实验室的各种非正式合作（功率GaN HEMT）和Avago（手机放大器）。拟议研究的更广泛的社会影响是通过开发用于设计功率晶体管的新的先进技术来为无线行业提供关键支持，频谱效率结果将在工程文献中传播，在NSF ConnectionOne IUCRC成员中共享，并直接在课堂上介绍，以使工程专业的学生受益。

ECS-0622003P. Roblin, Ohio State UniversityThe rapid evolution of wireless towards higher data-rates is fueling the need for high-efficiency wide-band RF power amplifiers. In this GOALI project an alternative experimental-based technique for the design of power amplifiers will be investigated.For this purpose an advanced testbed combining a large-signal network analyzer, an active loadpull and an infrared microscope will be developed for the full-wave acquisition, visualization, and engineering of the transistor waveforms. This visualization of the transistor loadline and instantaneous power dissipation under modulated, switched and pulsed operation will offer new opportunities for the design of high-efficiency power amplifiers.The intellectual merits of the proposed research activity consist in developing new understanding and novel techniques for 1) the experimental characterization of power RF transistors under modulated and pulsed operation, 2) the interactive design of class E, F and Doherty amplifiers using load-lines and 3) the linearization of such amplifiers. The proposed GOALI program will rely on a formal collaboration with Andrew Corporation(basestation power amplifiers) and also various informal collaborations with the AirForce Research Lab at Wright Patterson AFB (power GaN HEMTs) and Avago (Cell phone amplifiers).The broader societal impact of the proposed research is to provide critical support to the wireless industry by developing new advanced techniques for designing power transistors which are power and spectral efficient. The results will be disseminated in engineering literature, shared within the NSF ConnectionOne IUCRC members and directly introduced in the classroom to benefit engineering students.