Experimental comparison of I/sub c/-V/sub ce/ parameters and large-signal performance for III-V HBTs

In this work, we experimentally explore the correlation between DC parameters extracted from the device I/sub c/-V/sub ce/ curve and large-signal load-pull performance. We define a set of "saturation parameters" from the I/sub c/-V/sub ce/ curve that allow for comparisons of different materials and technologies. These parameters are then compared to typical load-pull parameters. Our results show that the assumption that DC parameters correlate to the PAE is only valid close to class A operation. As more realistic conditions are used (towards class AB and class E), this assumption is no longer valid.