Novel Design Methodology for High Efficiency Class E Microwave Frequency Triplers

A novel class E frequency tripler is presented that achieves high efficiency with low supply voltages and operates with a 50% duty cycle. A novel analysis for class E networks is also presented which is much more tractable than previously published analyses. This analysis is applied to the novel class E tripler topology to generate explicit closed-form design equations. A 1 to 3 GHz frequency tripler is designed which validates the new analysis. Measurements of the fabricated pHEMT tripler show 57% efficiency with 4.5 dB conversion gain and harmonic rejection greater than 25 dBc. A maximum conversion gain of 5.5 dB is also achieved. This is the highest published drain efficiency and conversion gain for a single-ended microwave frequency tripler to the best of the author´s knowledge