ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a linearity enhanced hybrid asymmetric load modulated balanced amplifier (H‐ALMBA) design methodology. An analysis and discussion of factors related to the linearity of H‐ALMBA are presented first. Once these factors have been identified, they are then included in the optimization of the design process. Compared to the high ‐ efficiency H‐ALMBA without linearity enhancement, the proposed linearity improved H‐ALMBA shows a significant improvement in AM/AM and AM/PM characteristics. The final fabricated design achieved a saturation efficiency of 60.4%–68.4% and a 5 dB OBO efficiency of 51.3%–57.6%. The 10 dB OBO efficiency is 45.1%–55.3%, and the maximum output power is 43–43.8 dBm within the frequency band of 2.8–3.3 GHz. In addition, H‐ALMBA has an AM/AM variation less than 2.8 dB and AM/PM variation less than 9°. As a result, adjacent channel power ratios (ACPRs) can be maintained at less than −38 dBc without digital predistortion under the excitation of a 20‐MHz 5G NR signal.
Jin et al. (Mon,) studied this question.