Development of 2.4 and 3.5 GHz 0.15 μm GaAs PHEMT medium‐power amplifier employing core‐based design approach

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss medium‐power amplifier (MPA) design using parasitic‐aware core‐based approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses a core‐based design approach, which can also deliver multi‐band radio frequency integrated circuit.

Findings

A fabricated 3.5 GHz MPA achieved a P1dB of 16.81 dBm, power‐added efficiency (PAE) of 16.74 percent and gain of 6.81 dB at the 10 dBm of input power under a low‐power supply of 3 V. The maximum current, I_max is 80.7 mA and the power consumption of the device is 242.10 mW. A fabricated 2.4 GHz MPA achieved a P1dB of 14.83 dBm, PAE of 11.73 percent and gain of 9.83 dB at the 5.0 dBm of input power under a low‐power supply of 3.0 V. The maximum current, I_max is 84.4 mA and the power consumption for this device is 253.20 mW.

Originality/value

This paper shows the merits of the parasitic‐aware design methods used in designing the core circuit.

Citation

Rasmi, A., Marzuki, A., Nizam Osman, M., Ismat Abdul Rahim, A., Razman Yahya, M. and Fatah Awang Mat, A. (2010), "Development of 2.4 and 3.5 GHz 0.15 μm GaAs PHEMT medium‐power amplifier employing core‐based design approach", Microelectronics International, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 25-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/13565361011009496