A Multi-Mode Multi-Band Reconfigurable Power Amplifier for 2G/3G/4G Handset Applications

Abstract

"Fully-integrated multi-mode multi-band (MMMB) reconfigurable power amplifier (PA) is implemented using single PA-cores for high-and low-frequency bands, respectively. This PA has five output paths and covers quad-band Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying/Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution and penta-band Universal Mobile Telecommunications System/Long Term Evolution mode operation with band combination in a small form-factor. To optimize the PA, the proposed structure reconfigures the PA-core cells as well as the interstage/output matching network. When compared with the single-mode single-band dedicated PAs, the fabricated PA showed comparable RF performance for all modes and bands, except for PAE degradations of 3.1% and 1.9% for high-and low-band, respectively, thus validating the usefulness of the proposed structure for MMMB PA applications."