Highly Efficient Packaged 11–13 GHz Power Amplifier in SiGe-Technology With 37.3% of PAE

A power amplifier for a frequency range of 11-13 GHz that is incorporated in 0.35 μm SiGe-technology is presented in this letter. The two-stage push-pull amplifier uses monolithically integrated transformers for input and interstage matching and a monolithically integrated modified LC-balun as an output-matching network. For stabilization purposes and gain improvement in the operating frequency range a passive frequency selective feedback in parallel to the base-collector was introduced. The power amplifier is mounted on a 7 × 7 mm VQFN package. From a single 1.8 V voltage supply, the amplifier has a power-added efficiency of greater than 30% from 11.2 to 13 GHz with a maximum of 37.3% at 12.5 GHz. The maximum output power is 23.4 dBm (saturation), as measured in the continuous mode.