Low power consumption InGaP/GaAs HBT MMIC power amplifier for 5-6 GHz wireless LAN terminals

Abstract

We report a 5 GHz linear InGaP/GaAs HBT monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifier for wireless LAN applications. The three-stage power amplifier operates with 103 mA - low quiescent current of Class AB mode using active bias circuit under a single supply of +3.3 V. A total current of 196 (194) mA is consumed with an output power of 18 dBm and PAE (power-added efficiency) of 9.7% at 5.25 (5.15) GHz. The power amplifier exhibits a power gain of 19.6 (17.8/18.5) dB, 1-dB compression point (P(1) dB) of 26 (25/25)dBm, and PAE of 27.8 (25.4/20)% at 5.25 (5.15/5.85)GHz. Measured third-order IMD (intermodulation distortion) is less than -25 dBc at 3 dB back-off and less than -30 dBc at 5 dB back-off from P(1) dB for the frequency range between 5.15 and 5.85 GHz.