An RF-input outphasing power amplifier with RF signal decomposition network

Abstract

This work presents an outphasing power amplifier that directly amplifies a modulated RF input. The approach eliminates the need for multiple costly IQ modulators and baseband signal component separation found in conventional outphasing power amplifier systems, which have previously required both an RF carrier input and a separate baseband input to synthesize a modulated RF output. A novel RF signal decomposition network enables direct RF-input / RF-output outphasing by directly synthesizing the phase- and amplitude-modulated RF signals that drive the branch PAs from the modulated RF input waveform. The technique is demonstrated at 2.14 GHz in a four-way lossless outphasing amplifier system with transmission-line-based power combiner. The resulting proof-of-concept outphasing power amplifier has a peak CW output power of 95 W, and peak drain efficiency of 72%.