Title :
A 3-V monolithic SiGe HBT power amplifier for dual-mode (CDMA/AMPS) cellular handset applications
Author :
Tseng, Pei-Der ; Zhang, Liyang ; Gao, Guang-Bo ; Chang, M. Frank
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., California Univ., Los Angeles, CA, USA
Abstract :
A dual-mode (CDMA/AMPS) power amplifier has been successfully implemented by using a monolithic SiGe/Si heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) foundry process for cellular handset (824-849 MHz) applications. The designed two-stage power amplifier satisfies both CDMA and AMPS requirements in output power, linearity, and efficiency. At V/sub cc/=3 V,the power amplifier shows an excellent linearity (first ACPR<-44.1 dBc and second ACPR<-57.1 dBc) up to 28 dBm of output power for CDMA applications. Under the same bias condition, the power amplifier also meets AMPS handset requirements in output power (up to 31 dBm) and linearity (with second and third harmonic to fundamental ratios lower than -37 dBc and -55 dBc, respectively). At the maximum output power level, the worst power-added efficiencies (PAEs) are measured to be 36% for CDMA and 49% for AMPS operations. The power amplifier also tolerates severe output mismatch (VSWR>12:1) up to V/sub cc/=4 V, with spurs measured to be <-22 dBc in CDMA outputs at two specific tuning angles, but with no spur in AMPS outputs at any tuning angle.
Keywords :
Ge-Si alloys; MMIC power amplifiers; UHF integrated circuits; UHF power amplifiers; bipolar analog integrated circuits; cellular radio; code division multiple access; heterojunction bipolar transistors; semiconductor materials; telephone sets; 3 to 4 V; 36 percent; 49 percent; 824 to 849 MHz; AMPS handset requirements; CDMA applications; CDMA/AMPS cellular handset applications; SiGe HBT monolithic power amplifier; SiGe-Si; dual-mode cellular handset applications; heterojunction bipolar transistor foundry process; linearity; monolithic SiGe/Si HBT foundry process; two-stage power amplifier; Foundries; Germanium silicon alloys; Heterojunction bipolar transistors; Linearity; Multiaccess communication; Power amplifiers; Power generation; Power measurement; Silicon germanium; Telephone sets;
Journal_Title :
Solid-State Circuits, IEEE Journal of
