Fully Integrated CMOS X-band Power Amplifier Quad with Current Reuse and Dynamic Digital Feedback (DDF) Capabilities

F. Bohn, B. Abiri, A. Hajimiri

A 10GHz fully-integrated stacked PA quad with dynamic digital feedback and control loops provides total output power of 200mW at 37% PAE. It utilizes data provided by multiple on-chip sensors to maintain safe operating conditions and regulate the individual power PA power supply voltages and independent power control for each PA. This digitally controlled stacked PA quad with on- chip matching allows higher operation voltages while maintaining current consumption constant, leading to higher overall system efficiency, as ohmic drop losses under large supply-to-breakdown voltage ratios are reduced.