Sirenza design improves RF amplifier efficiency
RF component supplier Sirenza Microdevices has been awarded a US patent featuring an invention that promises to improve RF amplifier technology.
Patent 6,927,634 details a self-biased Darlington amplifier invented by Sirenza engineering fellow Kevin Kobayashi.
The Darlington amplifier is a component used in base station pre-driver amplifiers, fiber-optic receivers, cellular transceivers and other RF applications.
According to the patent claims, the new device improves output power efficiency and linearity, reduces temperature sensitivity by a factor of two, and enables dynamic bias operation. It is also said to be applicable to SiGe-based HBTs operating at 3.3 V, as well as GaAs-based amplifiers.
Kobayashi says that the new amplifier enables a 35% improvement in RF efficiency and allows lower supply voltage operation for a range of wireless applications.
"The patent has been applied to our SBB InGaP amplifier series, currently in demand from our customers seeking high linearity, lower voltage operation, temperature robustness and improved efficiency," said Kobayashi.
Sirenza has also implemented the patented design with other technologies to address applications for frequency operation up to 20 GHz. These products should be released by Sirenza within the next year.
