Design of symmetrical class E power amplifiers for very low harmonic-content applications

Class E power amplifier circuits are very suitable for high efficiency power amplification applications in the radio-frequency and microwave ranges. However, due to the inherent asymmetrical driving arrangement, they suffer significant harmonic contents in the output voltage and current, and usually require substantial design efforts in achieving the desired load matching networks for applications requiring very low harmonic contents. In this paper, the design of a Class E power amplifier with resonant tank being symmetrically driven by two Class E circuits is studied. The symmetrical Class E circuit, under nominal operating conditions, has extremely low harmonic distortions, and the design of the impedance matching network for harmonic filtering becomes less critical. Practical steady-state design equations for Class E operation are derived and graphically presented. Experimental circuits are constructed for distortion evaluation. It has been found that this circuit offers total harmonic distortions which are about an order of magnitude lower than those of the conventional Class E power amplifier.