Journal of electromagnetic engineering and science

The Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science (한국전자파학회)
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A Fully Integrated Dual-Band WLP CMOS Power Amplifier for 802.11n WLAN Applications

  • Baek, Seungjun (School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • Ahn, Hyunjin (School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • Ryu, Hyunsik (School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • Nam, Ilku (School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • An, Deokgi (RAONTECH Inc.) ;
  • Choi, Doo-Hyouk (RAONTECH Inc.) ;
  • Byun, Mun-Sub (RAONTECH Inc.) ;
  • Jeong, Minsu (RAONTECH Inc.) ;
  • Kim, Bo-Eun (RAONTECH Inc.) ;
  • Lee, Ockgoo (School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Pusan National University)
  • Received : 2016.10.05
  • Accepted : 2016.12.30
  • Published : 2017.01.31
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Abstract

A fully integrated dual-band CMOS power amplifier (PA) is developed for 802.11n WLAN applications using wafer-level package (WLP) technology. This paper presents a detailed design for the optimal impedance of dual-band PA (2 GHz/5 GHz PA) output transformers with low loss, which is provided by using 2:2 and 2:1 output transformers for the 2 GHz PA and the 5 GHz PA, respectively. In addition, several design issues in the dual-band PA design using WLP technology are addressed, and a design method is proposed. All considerations for the design of dual-band WLP PA are fully reflected in the design procedure. The 2 GHz WLP CMOS PA produces a saturated power of 26.3 dBm with a peak power-added efficiency (PAE) of 32.9%. The 5 GHz WLP CMOS PA produces a saturated power of 24.7 dBm with a PAE of 22.2%. The PA is tested using an 802.11n signal, which satisfies the stringent error vector magnitude (EVM) and mask requirements. It achieved an EVM of -28 dB at an output power of 19.5 dBm with a PAE of 13.1% at 2.45 GHz and an EVM of -28 dB at an output power of 18.1 dBm with a PAE of 8.9% at 5.8 GHz.

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References

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