Nonlinear envelope tracking for efficiency optimization of power amplifiers

Souheil Bensmida*, Kevin A. Morris, Konstantinos Mimis, Mark A. Beach, Joe P. McGeehan, Jonathan Lees, Heungjae Choi, Muhammad Akmal, Johannes Benedikt, Paul J. Tasker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

Abstract

In this paper a new characterization method is proposed to optimize envelope tracking (ET) Radio Frequency power amplifier (RFPA) average drain efficiency in the presence of variable envelope RF signals with high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). The proposed method consists of measuring the input and output signal complex envelopes as well as instantaneous envelope efficiency of the tested RFPA in the presence of an original configuration of envelope and RF driving signals. The improvement of the average efficiency is obtained by optimizing the input power level of the RF driving signal only. This, results in a Nonlinear Envelope Tracking (NET) system that compensates for the efficiency drop in classic ET architectures. A drain efficiency improvement of 21 percentage points has been achieved with a class-J PA operating at 2 GHz in the presence of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) modulated signal that exhibits a PAPR of 14.4 dB while complying with the 3GPP LTE standard linearity requirements.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEuropean Microwave Week 2012: "Space for Microwaves", EuMW 2012, Conference Proceedings - 7th European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference, EuMIC 2012
Pages480-483
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Event7th European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference, EuMIC 2012 - Held as Part of 15th European Microwave Week, EuMW 2012 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 29 Oct 201230 Oct 2012

Conference

Conference7th European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference, EuMIC 2012 - Held as Part of 15th European Microwave Week, EuMW 2012
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
Period29/10/1230/10/12

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