Cascode Power Amplifier Bandwidth and Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF power amplifiers using cascade amplifiers have limited operational bandwidth and cannot handle higher currents/power, necessitating a more efficient amplification solution.
Innovation Solution
A cascode power amplifier configuration with multiple adjacent and remote cascode amplifiers, where adjacent amplifiers operate in parallel and their outputs are power combined with a remote amplifier, to achieve higher voltage and lower current operation, reducing Ohmic losses and expanding bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cascade amplifiers are used for RF power amplification, then the amplifier can operate at radio frequencies, but the operational bandwidth is limited and the amplifier cannot handle higher currents and power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is divided into multiple cascode amplifier stages (first, second, third cascode amplifiers) that can be independently configured. Each cascode amplifier consists of a common gate transistor and a common source transistor, creating modular units that can be scaled and arranged to achieve both wide bandwidth and high power handling capability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-stage cascade amplifier to a multi-stage cascode configuration, adding dimensional complexity to the circuit architecture. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to achieve both wide bandwidth (through multiple frequency-response characteristics) and high power handling (through parallel current paths) that cannot be achieved in a single dimension
2Power
If higher current operation is implemented to increase power output, then power handling capability improves, but Ohmic losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The total current is segmented across multiple parallel cascode amplifier paths. Each cascode amplifier handles a portion of the total current, allowing high power output to be achieved while distributing the current load to minimize Ohmic losses in any single path
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cascode amplifiers are merged in a parallel configuration where their outputs are combined. This merging allows the system to achieve high power output through constructive combination of multiple lower-current paths, reducing individual path Ohmic losses while maintaining high overall power capability
Data Source
AI summary
An amplifier for amplifying signals is presented. A cascode power amplifies includes two or more adjacent cascode amplifiers and at least one remote cascode amplifier. The adjacent cascode amplifiers are lined up adjacent each other with inputs of the adjacent cascode amplifiers connected to a common input line and outputs of the of adjacent cascode amplifiers connected to a common output line. The adjacent cascode amplifiers generally operate in parallel. The remote cascode amplifier is spaced apart from the adjacent cascade amplifiers. An input transmission line connects an input of the remote cascode amplifier to the common input line. An output transmission line connects an output of the remote cascode amplifier to the common output line. Amplified outputs of the adjacent cascode amplifiers and amplified outputs of the remote cascode amplifier are power combined and summed into a coherent amplified output signal that is output on the output transmission line.