Chapter 4 - Microwave Amplifier

Dung Trinh, PhD HCMUT / 2017
Chapter 4
Microwave Amplifier
Trinh Xuan Dung, PhD

dung.trinh@hcmut.edu.vn
Department of Telecommunications
Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology
Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 1
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Transducer Power Gain ( )
3. Stability
4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design
5. Specified Gain Amplifier
6. Low Noise Amplifier
7. Power Amplifier

1. Introduction
The function of an amplifier is simple: to amplify signals
o Recall from last lecture the typical strength of a GPS signal: -125 dBm; that is an
extremely small power: -125 dBm 10-15 W!
o We want to make this signal stronger, actually a lot stronger, in order to be able to
process it; all without distorting it in any way.
o Similar need is in the transmitter: signal generated by the oscillator is often quite
weak; needs a lot of amplification before transmitting it in order to reach longer
distances
Low Noise Amplifier Variable Gain Amplifier
Generic Gain Block
Power Amplifier Variable Gain Amplifier

1. Introduction
Ideal RF/Microwave Amplifier: Real RF/Microwave Amplifier:
o Infinite bandwidth o Finite bandwidth
o Constant gain o Gain variation, even within the
bandwidth
o Signal travels only from input to o Single feedback from output to
output (unilateral) input!
o Perfectly matched at the input and o Finite (and sometimes intentional )
the output mismatch at the input/output
o No signal distortion o Signal distortion
Doesnt add noise to the Noise
signal Amplitude
Doesnt change the shape Phase (less of a concern)
(either in amplitude or phase)
of the signal
o Limited output power (of course!)
o Amplifies any level of signal
o <100% efficiency (of course!)
o 100% efficient
1. Introduction
Linearity
Frequency Power
(Amplitude Efficiency
Range Limitations
Distortion)
Gain
Noise Matching
Variation
1. Introduction
Types of RF amplifiers: Most vendors categorize RF amplifier by their intended use.

1. Introduction
Common types of RF amplifiers
o Low noise amplifiers: Optimized for low noise and high gain
o Power amplifiers:
Optimized for high output power and efficiency
Gain can be moderate if there is no driver included
o Variable gain amplifiers
Gain can be changed analogly or digitally
o Linear amplifier
Optimized for linearity
o Gain block/Driver amplifiers
General purpose amplifier with well balanced specs
o Wideband amplifiers
Optimized for wide bandwidth; its not uncommon to see decade (10:1)
bandwidth amplifiers in this category.
Bottom line is: look at the quantitative metrics (noise, linearity, power handling,
efficiency, size, cost) when choosing your amplifier
1. Introduction
Power Amplifier: for Transmitter (Tx)
o Considerations: Output power, Gain
Efficiency, non-linear intermodulation
effects.
Example: TGA2216-SM

1. Introduction

1. Introduction
Low Noise Amplifiers: Optimized for low noise and high gain
Connectorized 2.3 2.7-GHz Waveguide LNA modules up Packaged LNA IC with

LNA module with 0.8-dB NF to 100 GHz (NRAO, US) 0.27-dB NF (Avago, US)
(AdaptiveRF, UK)
LNA circuits of a microwave

receiver implemented on PCB;
They are easily recognizable as
the first block after the antenna
feeds (this is a dual-
polarization system so there
are two feeds)
1. Introduction
An example of Low Noise Amplifier: Hittite HMC517LC4.

1. Introduction

1. Introduction
Variable Gain Amplifier: Analog Devices ADL5240.

1. Introduction

2. Transducer Power Gain


Definition of Two-port power gains:
1+ 0 2+ 0
= = = =
1 + 0 2 + 0
A two-port network with arbitrary source and load impedances.
Transducer power gain: = is the ratio of the power delivered to the load to
the power available from the source. This depends on both and where:
=
=
1 0 12 21
= + = = 11 +
1 + 0 1 22
2 0 12 21
= += = 22 +
2 + 0 1 11

The voltage at input port is given by
1
1 = = 1+ + 1 = 1+ 1 + 1+ = =
+ 1 + + 2 1
The average power deliver to the network is

1 2 1 2
= 1+ 2
1 2
= 1 2
2 8 1 2
The average power deliver to the load is
1 1+ 2 21 2
= 2 2
1 2
= 2
1 2
2 2 1 22
2 21 2 1 2 1 2
=
8 1 22 2 1 2


21 2 1 2
The power gain can be expressed as: = =
1 22 2 1 2
The power available from the source, , is the maximum power that can be
delivered to the network. This occurs when the input impedance of the terminated
network is conjugately matched to the source impedance:
2 1 2
= = 2
= 8 1
2 21 2 1 2 1 2
= = 2 2
= 8 1 22 1
12 21 2
1 11 2 1 2 2
where: = 11 + 1 = 2
1 22 = 1 22
2 21 2 1 2
Then: =
8 1 11 2 1 2


21 2 1 2
Available power gain: = =
1 11 2 1 2
1 2 1 2
Transducer power gain: = = 2 = 0
1 2 21 1 22 2
2
Both input and output are matched for zero reflection: = = 0: = 21
1 1 2
If = and = : = 2
21 2
1 1 22 2
1 2 1 2
If 12 = 0: unilateral transducer power gain: = 2
1 11 2 21 1 22 2
1 1
o If = 11 and = 22 : = 2 21 2
2
1 11 1 22


Example 1: A silicon BJT has the following scattering parameters at 1.0GHz with a
50 reference impedance:
0
= 0.38 150 0.11540
3.5800 0.4 430
The source impedance is 50 and the load impedance is 40. Compute the power
gain G = , the available power gain = and the transducer power
gain = .
= 13.1
= 19.8
= 12.6

3. Stability
Oscillation is possible if either the input or output port impedance has a negative real
part. This would then imply < 1 and < 1
Unconditional Stability: < 1 and < 1 for ALL passive source impedance
and load impedance.
Conditional Stability: < 1 and < 1 for a certain range of passive source
impedance and load impedance.
Stability condition is frequency dependent. Hence an amplifier may be stable in the

design frequency but unstable at other frequencies.
12 21 12 =0
= 11 + <1 11 < 1
1 22
Unconditional Stability:
12 21 12 =0
= 22 + <1 22 < 1
1 11

3. Stability
Output Stability: <
= is the border between stable and unstable region.
12 21
= 11 + =1 11 1 22 + 12 21 = 1 22
1 22
2 2 where: = 11 22 12 21
11 = 1 22
11 11 = 1 22 1 22

11 2
2
2
11 + 11 = 1 + 22 2
2
22 + 22
22 2
2
22 11

22 11 = 11 2
1

22 11 + 22 11 11 21
=
22 2 2 22 2 2

3. Stability
2 2 2 2
Adding 22 11 22 to both side, we get:
2 2 2
22 11 11 1 22 11
= 2+
22 2 2 22 2 2 2
22
2 2
In the complex plane, this defines the output stability circle with a center and
radius :
12 21
22 11
= =
22 2 2 22 2 2
Similar results can be obtained for the input stability circle:
12 21
11 22
= =
11 2 2 11 2 2

3. Stability
Given S parameters of the device, we can plot output and input stability circles to
define where = 1 and = 1.
If we set = 0: = 0 and = 11
= 0 is the center of the Smith Chart. It will be used as the reference point to
determine the stable region.
Case A: If the output stability circle does not

include the center of the Smith Chart
Case A1: 11 < 1 < 1
o The center of the Smith Chart must be in

the stable region.
o All of the Smith Chart defines the stable
range for

3. Stability
Case A2: 11 > 1 > 1
o The center of the Smith Chart must be in the unstable region.

o The stable region is the inside region of the stability circle that intersects the
Smith Chart.

3. Stability
Case B: If the output stability circle include the center of the Smith Chart
Case B1: 11 < 1 < 1 Case B2: 11 > 1 > 1

o The center of the Smith Chart o The center of the Smith Chart
must be in the stable region. must be in the unstable region.
o All of the Smith Chart that is o The stable region is exterior to the
inside region of the stability circles stability circle that intersects the
define the stable range for Smith Chart.

3. Stability
Tests for Unconditional Stability:
o test: the device will be unconditional stability if Rollets conditions are satified
2 2 2
1 11 22 +
= >1
2 12 21
= 11 22 12 21 < 1
o test: new criterion that can be used to compare the stability between two devices
1 11 2
= >1
22 11 + 12 21

3. Stability
Example 2: The Triquint T1G6000528 GaN HEMT has the following scattering
parameters at 1.9 GHz 0 = 50 :
0
= 0. 869 159 0.031 90
4.25610 0.507 1170
Determine the stability of this transistor by using the test and test. Plot the
stability circles on a Smith chart.

3. Stability

3. Stability
Example 3: Determine the stability regions of the BJT BFG505W (NXP) biased at
= 6 and = 4 . The corresponding S-parameters as functions of
frequency are given in the following table:
Frequency
500 0. 70 570 0. 04470 10.51360 0.79 330
750 0. 56 780 0. 05330 8.61220 0.66 420
1000 0. 46 970 0. 06220 7.11120 0.57 480
1250 0. 38 1150 0. 06140 6.01040 0.50 520

3. Stability


Design Process:
o Step 1: Determine the stability of the transistor and the stable regions for and
on the Smith chart.
o Step 2: Design the input and output matching sections.
o Step 3: Compute maximum gain.
0 is fixed for a given transistor. The overall transducer gain will be controlled by
the gain and of the matching sections.
1 2 2
1 2
= = = 0
1 2 21 1 22 2


Maximum gain will be realized by conjugate match between the source, load and the
transistor.

12 21
12 21
= = 11 + = = 22 +
1 22 1 11

Maximum gain will be: =

and can be solved as:

1 = 1 + 11 2 22 2 2
1 12 4 1 2
= 2 = 1 + 22 2
11 2
2
21
where
1 = 11 22
2 22 4 2 2
=
2 = 22 11
22


Example 4: Design an amplifier for maximum gain at 4 GHz using single-stub
matching sections. Calculate and plot the input return loss and the gain from 3 to 5
GHz. The transistor is a GaAs MESFET with the following scattering parameters
(0 = 50):
Design Process:
o Step 1: Check stability of the transistor by calculating and .


Design Process:
o Step 2: Design matching sections to maximize gain.
o Step 3: Compute maximum gain

= =

1
= = 4.17 = 6.2 2
2 0 = 21 = 6.76 = 8.3
1
1 2
= = 1.67 = 2.22 = .
1 22 2


Matching Network using stubs:


Matching Network using lumped elements (L-section network)


Matching Network using lumped elements (L-section network)
Exercise: Pozar 12.1, 12.2,

12.3, 12.4

5. Constant Gain Circles and Specified Gain Amplifier

In many cases it is preferable to design for less than the maximum obtainable gain, to
improve bandwidth or to obtain a specific value of amplifier gain.
For these cases, mismatches are purposely introduced.
Design process:
o Step 1: Plot constant gain circles on the Smith Chart (loci of and that give
fixed and ).
Two scenarios:
o Case 1: Unilateral amplifier 12 = 0 : Pozar P.576, Lugwig P.483.
o Case 2: Bilateral amplifier 12 0 : Lugwig P.492.


In many cases, 12 is small enough to be ignored and the device can then be assumed
to be unilateral to simplify the design process.

= =

For unilateral case: 12 = 0, matching equations is equivalent:

12 21
12 21
= = 11 + = 11 = = 22 + = 22
1 22 1 11
Then:

= =

= =



The normalized gain factors and are defined as

= = = =

For fixed values of and , the above equations can be shown to represent circles
in the and planes.
= =
where:

= =

= =



Example 5: Design an amplifier to have a gain of 11 dB at 4.0 GHz. Plot constant-
gain circles for = 2 and 3, and = 0 and 1. Calculate and plot the input
return loss and overall amplifier gain from 3 to 5 GHz. The transistor has the
following scattering parameters (0 = 50):
Since 12 = 0 and 11 < 1, 22 < 1, the transistor is unilateral and unconditionally

stable. The maximum matching section gains:
1 1
= 2 = 2.29 = 3.6 = 2 = 1.56 = 1.9
1 11 1 22
2
The gain of mismatched transistor: = 21 = 6.25 = 8


The maximum unilateral transducer gain is: = 3.6 + 1.9 + 8 = 13.5
We have 2.5dB more available gain than is required by the specifications.
Constant-gain circles:
Choose = 2 and = 1 then the overall gain: = 2 + 8 + 1 = 11.
Select and along these circles to minimize the distance from the center of
the Smith Chart: = 0.331200 and = 0.22700 . Matching network can be
designed using shunt stubs:


Constant-gain matching
has wider bandwidth
than maximum gain (by
conjugate matching).
Exercise: Pozar 12.9, 12.10, 12.11, 12.12


Besides stability and gain, noise figure (NF) is another important design
consideration for a RF/microwave amplifier.
As shown in Chapter 2, 1st stage RF amplifier in a receiver has the dominant
effect on the noise performance. This is the idea of Low Noise Amplifier design.
2 1 3 1
= 1 + + +
1 1 2
The values of the gain and NF of a LNA depend on the communication system
design, typical values for wireless communication handset are G 20 and
2 3.


Constant-gain matching has wider bandwidth than maximum gain (by conjugate
matching).

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Dung Trinh, PhD HCMUT / 2017

Trinh Xuan Dung, PhD

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 2

Generic Gain Block

Power Amplifier Variable Gain Amplifier

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 3

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 6

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 8

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 9

Connectorized 2.3 2.7-GHz Waveguide LNA modules up Packaged LNA IC with

LNA circuits of a microwave

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 11

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 12

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 13

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 14

2. Transducer Power Gain

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 15

2. Transducer Power Gain

2. Transducer Power Gain

The average power deliver to the network is

The average power deliver to the load is

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 17

2. Transducer Power Gain

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 18

2. Transducer Power Gain

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 19

2. Transducer Power Gain

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 20

Stability condition is frequency dependent. Hence an amplifier may be stable in the

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 21

= is the border between stable and unstable region.

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 22

Similar results can be obtained for the input stability circle:

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 23

Case A: If the output stability circle does not

o The center of the Smith Chart must be in

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o The center of the Smith Chart must be in the unstable region.

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Case B1: 11 < 1 < 1 Case B2: 11 > 1 > 1

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Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 27

Dept. of Telecoms Engineering 28

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

and can be solved as:

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

o Step 3: Compute maximum gain

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

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4. Maximum Transducer Power Gain Design

Exercise: Pozar 12.1, 12.2,

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