Abstract

Software-defined radio (SDR) is a rapidly evolving technology that offers reconfigurablilty and interoperability in radios, but poses challenges in designing highly efficient, programmable hardware modules. The RF front-end transmit path, specifically the power amplifier (PA), is one of the major bottlenecks in SDR implementations, as current state-of-the-art power amplifiers cannot support the modulation bandwidths and dynamic range required to implement SDR systems in low-power wireless handsets. This work presents a polar-modulated SiGe CMOS class-E power amplifier with switch-mode supply modulator (SMPS) that is designed for an RF frequency near 900MHz and a variable envelope BW from baseband to 10MHz. The output filter of the SMPS is eliminated in order to implement the Class E PA and supply modulator on the same chip and reduce the number of filter banks required for SDR applications. The envelope dynamic range is 16dB with an ACPR of -43dBc for a GSM/EDGE waveform. The maximum PA efficiency with constant supply voltage is 62%. When operating the supply modulator with a switching speed of 4.3MHz at 50% duty cycle, the system efficiency is 41%.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the IASTED International Conference on WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS, Part of the Sixth IASTED International Multi-Conference on WIRELESS AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS
Volume2006
StatePublished - 2006
EventIASTED International Conference on WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS, Part of the Sixth IASTED International Multi-Conference on WIRELESS AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS - Banff, AB, Canada
Duration: Jul 3 2006Jul 4 2006

Other

OtherIASTED International Conference on WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS, Part of the Sixth IASTED International Multi-Conference on WIRELESS AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityBanff, AB
Period7/3/067/4/06

Keywords

  • DC-DC converter
  • Polar modulation
  • Power amplifiers
  • RF transmitter
  • Software defined radio

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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