Microwave and millimeter-wave amplifier design via load-pull techniques

Microwave and millimeter-wave amplifier designs using load-pull techniques are presented. The design is based on a newly developed CAD software for multi-stage power amplifiers using source- and load-pull data. It can calculate small- and large-signal characteristics such as gain, power, efficiency, distortion, etc of multi-stage power amplifiers by using source-pull and load-pull data. The CAD software is introduced first, addressing the features, calculation method, and interpolation of load-pull data. Then the design, fabrication, and performance of an S-band 2-stage power amplifier using the CAD software are presented. Finally the calculated and measured results are compared, discussing how to improve the accuracy and enhance the performance.