An alternative process for solid state power amplifiers using large S parameters

A new method related to power amplifier design is described in this paper. Whereas linear amplifiers require only resolving the double matching problem, designing power amplifiers leads to setting up an accurate method allowing achievement of optimum performance from the transistors. Based on large signal S parameters, defined as function of the input power and of the frequency, this approach gives a very close approximation of the optimum source and load impedances to present to the active circuit for maximum added power. Designing microwave multistage power amplifiers, with the help of numerical approach and optimization routine, can then be considered. An example is given with a single stage at 5.9 GHz