Analysis and Optimization of Transformer-Based Series Power Combining for Reconfigurable Power Amplifiers

Transformer-based series power combiners are analyzed within the context of reconfigurable, watt-level, wideband digital envelope tracking transmitters. A model is developed for designing and analyzing transformer-based switchable series combiners. This model takes into account losses in the windings and nonideal mutual coupling, as well as the effect of switching and scaling the input amplifiers on the combiner efficiency, input impedance, and power combining ratio. Optimum combining efficiency is derived for a combiner with scaled sources. Based on the developed model, a four-element 29.5-dBm power amplifier with 31% peak efficiency at 1.9 GHz, using a 1.5-V supply is designed and simulated in IBM 130-nm CMOS technology. The efficiency drops to 14% at 12 dB power back-off when elements are turned off. The amplifier maintains an output power >; 25 dBm from 1.8 GHz to 2.5 GHz. The studies presented in this paper can be extended to any series combiner implementation and any frequency range, which can be effective in the design of watt-level power amplifiers in submicrometer CMOS technologies.