A new power amplifier behavioral model for simultaneous linearity and efficiency calculations

This paper proposes an innovative power amplifier, PA, low-pass equivalent behavioral model, BM, intended to enable the simultaneous prediction of linearity and efficiency in modern wireless transmitter chains. Contrary to the main PA behavioral modeling stream that has been exclusively focused in predicting the device´s input-output power characteristics in the fundamental zone, this new model also provides the system designer with predictions of the PA absorbed dc power, this way enabling power efficiency calculations. For that, this new BM gives the fundamental output current or voltage across the load, as well as the base-band current flowing from the power supply to the PA dc bias terminal, Idc. Beyond the model format, a model extraction methodology and the corresponding laboratory test bench are shown. These were then validated comparing static and dynamic Idc-versus-Vin modeled and experimental data.