Doherty Power Amplifier Design

David W. Runton, Michael D. LeFevre, Matthew K. Mellor

RFMD, Chandler, AZ, drunton@rfmd.com
Introduction
Intentions
With high peak to average ratio signals in full use in the
commercial world and expanding in the military world, how do
we efficiently amplify these signals?

Doherty is old news!
PA suppliers are getting very nearly equal results
Optimizations/tweaks are simply exploiting tradeoffs

How do we put it all together?
And most importantly, do it quickly
Page 2
Doherty Design - Outline
Concept Introductions
Operational Fundamentals
The Functional Doherty Design Load Modulation
Empirical Doherty Design Example
Building the Doherty Amplifier
1
2
3
4
5
Page 3
Doherty Design - Outline
Concept Introductions
Operational Fundamentals
The Functional Doherty Design Load Modulation
Empirical Doherty Design Example
Building the Doherty Amplifier
1
2
3
4
5
Page 4
The Traditional Balanced Amplifier
Both amplifier A1 and A2 contribute equally to Pout
Both have standard Efficiency vs. Pout characteristics
A2
A1
Pout
q
,

D
r
a
i
n

E
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
y

Page 5
The Doherty Amplifier
A1 operates most of the time - handles average signal
A2 operates only when peak power is needed
A1 and A2s operation is dependent on each other

Pout
q
,

D
r
a
i
n

E
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
y

A1
A2
Ideal - A1 + A2
Carrier Amp
Peaking Amp
Page 6
Doherty Design - Outline
Concept Introductions
Operational Fundamentals
The Functional Doherty Design Load Modulation
Empirical Doherty Design Example
Building the Doherty Amplifier
1
2
3
4
5
Page 7
Operational Fundamentals Class A
Page 8
0 90 180 270 360 450 540 630 720
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Waveforms


Voltage
Zero knee Current
V
knee
= 0 I
bias
= 0.5
V
DC
= 1.0 I
signal
= 0.5
V
signal(fund)
= 1.0
Under basic loadline condition
*Reference [1]

cos ()

cos ( + )
Operational Fundamentals Class B
Page 9
0 90 180 270 360 450 540 630 720
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Waveforms


Voltage
Zero knee Current
Load Resistor R
L
Adjust Input Drive for Max V

V
knee
= 0 I
bias
= 0
V
DC
= 1.0 I
signal
= 1.0
V
signal(fund)
= 1.0

=
0
+
1
cos ()
+
2
cos (2)
+
3
cos 3 +

1
cos ()
The output waveforms must be
expanded into its Fourier series
components
Vds is simplified due to short
circuited harmonics
*Reference [1]
Operational Fundamentals Class B at half power
Page 10
V
knee
= 0
V
DC
= 1
I
bias
= 0
0 90 180 270 360 450 540 630 720
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Waveforms


Voltage
Zero knee Current
Drive Signal -6dB
Efficiency Drops by 2
*Reference [2]
Operational Fundamentals Class B (Load Modulation)
Page 11
V
knee
= 0
V
DC
= 1
I
bias
= 0
0 90 180 270 360 450 540 630 720
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Waveforms


Voltage
Zero knee Current
R
L
2xR
L
Efficiency Restored
*Reference [2]
Doherty Design - Outline
Concept Introductions
Operational Fundamentals
The Functional Doherty Design Load Modulation
Empirical Doherty Design Example
Building the Doherty Amplifier
1
2
3
4
5
Page 12
Textbook Load Modulation
Doherty achieves Load
modulation by using the
principle of load pulling
using two devices*
R
L
V
I
1
I
2
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
1
2
1
1
I
I
R Z
L
Page 13
*Reference [3]
+
-
+
-
Textbook Load Modulation
L
R Z Z 2
2 1
= =
R
L
+
-
+
-
V
I
1
I
2
R
L
+
-
V
I
1
0
2
= I
L
R Z =
1
Case I
Both amplifiers contributing equally
Case II
Peaking amp off
Page 14
*Reference [3]
Car
Pk
4
,

= = length Z Z
O Doherty
Carrier
o
Peaking
o
Carrier
o
Peaking
o
4

= length
4
,
2

= = length
Z
Z
O
xfmr
Create a splitter
Wilkinson
Gysel
Hybrid
Doherty Topology Definitions
Page 15
The real implementation modulates Z
o
2xZ
o
At the current source plane we want R
L
2xR
L

How do we get this?
2xZ
O
2
O
Z
Car
4
,

= = length Z Z
O Doherty
Carrier
o
In package/PCB
Match
2xR
L
Practical Circuit Load Modulation
+
-
I

High Power Low Power
Page 16
At the combiner node, we want Z
pk
=
When the peaking amp is off
An additional phase shift can create this,
2
O
Z
Car
4
,

= = length Z Z
O Doherty
Carrier
o
Peaking
o
Pk
= Z
Peaking
o
Includes: In package
and PCB Match
Designing the Doherty Peaking off state
Page 17
Doherty The Key to Operation or Why Doesnt it Work?
Page 18
0 V
in
V
in
2
I
max
2
I
max
4
D
e
v
i
c
e

C
u
r
r
e
n
t

Input Drive
0
V
max
V
max
2
D
e
v
i
c
e

V
o
l
t
a
g
e

Input Drive
V
in
V
in
2
No Clipping Allowed
*Reference [3]
Doherty Topologies
There is no differentiation between standard and inverted
Doherty topologies
The Point of a Doherty amplifier is load modulation
how you achieve target impedances is irrelevant


Page 19
Doherty Design - Outline
Concept Introductions
Operational Fundamentals
The Functional Doherty Design Load Modulation
Empirical Doherty Design Example
Building the Doherty Amplifier
1
2
3
4
5
Page 20
GaN Device used for Design Example
RF IN
VGQ
Pin 1 (CUT)
RF OUT
VDQ
Pin 2
GND
BASE
Features
- Advanced GaN HEMT Technology
- Peak Modulated Power > 240W
- Single Circuit for 865 960MHz
- 48V Operation Typical Performance
o Pout 47dBm
o Gain 20dB
o Drain Efficiency 39%
o ACP -31.5dBc
o Linearizable to -55dBc with DPD
- Optimized for video bandwidth and minimized
memory effects
- RF tested for 3GPP performance
- RF tested for peak power using IS95
- Large signal models available
Page 21
Being Statistically Realistic
-20 -18 -16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Doherty Efficiency, CW Case
Backoff (dB)
E
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
y

(
%
)


1:1
1:1.5
1:2
1:2.5
-20 -18 -16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Doherty Efficiency, Modulated Case 7.5dB PAR
Backoff (dB)
E
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
y

(
%
)


1:1
1:1.5
1:2
1:2.5
CHALLENGE: Design a symmetric Doherty Amplifier for odBm
average power operation with tdB peak to average ratio
Page 22
Choosing the Load Conditions
CHALLENGE: Design a symmetric Doherty Amplifier for odBm
average power operation with tdB peak to average ratio

To achieve the best efficiency, we need:
Pout = o+tdBm composite power (full peak power)
Full contribution of peak power from each amplifier
Pout = (o+t6)dBm
Carrier amplifier is fully saturated
Peaking amplifier is just about to turn on
(o+t6)dBm > Pout > (o+t)dBm
Carrier amplifier maintains saturation without clipping
Peaking amplifier is load modulating the carrier amplifier
Page 23
Choosing the Load Conditions
CHALLENGE: Design a symmetric Doherty Amplifier for odBm
average power operation with tdB peak to average ratio

Break the challenge into two static cases
At odBm composite power
Each amplifier is functioning at (o3)dBm
Full addition of power from carrier and peaking amp recreating all peaks
Amplifier must not clip
At slightly < odBm composite power
If t is 6dB
Carrier amplifier is functioning < odBm and is fully saturated (high efficiency)
If the peaking amplifier is off, this represents the best case efficiency
Be careful if t is 6dB (for the symmetric case)

Page 24
Car
Pk
Composite Power odBm
Power from each amp (o3)dBm
Choosing the Load Conditions
Page 25
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
1
9
.2
1
9
.6
19.6
2
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
.
4
20.4
2
0
.
4
2
0
.8
2
0
.
8
2
0
.
8
3
2
3
6
3
6
4
0
4
0
40
4
4
44
44
4
8
48

(
Z
0
l
d
1
)
9(Z0
ld1
)
RFG1M09050 880MHz Pout=41.6dBm


4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
PAR (prpl 6.6)()()
Gt_dB (prpl 20.3)()()
Drain_eff (prpl 39.4)()()
Data Point (prpl 11.7+j6.9)()()
Load Contours: (o3)dBm
Page 26
Car
Pk
Power from Carrier amp: odBm
Page 27
3
4
4
4
5
5
18.4
18
.8
1
9
.2
1
9
.
2
1
9
.
2
1
9
.2
19.6
1
9
.
6
1
9
.6
19.6
2
0
2
0
2
0
4
4
4
4
4
8
4
8
5
2
5
2
52
5
6
5
6
56
6
0

(
Z
0
l
d
1
)
9(Z0
ld1
)
RFG1M09050 880MHz Pout=44.1dBm


6 8 10 12 14 16
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
PAR (prpl 4.9)(blk 4.2)()
Gt_dB (prpl 19.8)(blk 20.0)()
Drain_eff (prpl 50.8)(blk 55.4)()
Data Point (prpl 11.7+j6.9)(blk 12.6+j10.0)()
Load Contours: odBm
Page 28
Doherty Design - Outline
Concept Introductions
Operational Fundamentals
The Functional Doherty Design Load Modulation
Empirical Doherty Design Example
Building the Doherty Amplifier
1
2
3
4
5
Page 29
Static Tuning Reality sets in
Model the circuit
Tune under static conditions
Assume load modulation
Z
O
Pkg/wires PCB Doherty xfmr Carrier
o
Pkg/wires PCB Doherty xfmr Carrier
o
2
O
Z
Z
High Power
2xZ
O
Z
Low Power
o3dBm
odBm
Page 30
The Carrier Amp is where it all happens!
We want no Clipping at full power with Zo impedance
Saturation with peaking amplifier off
Must make assumptions about peaking amp and its ability to load modulate
Car
Pk
Carrier
o
Tuning Tips Carrier Amp
Car
Pk
Carrier
o
Option 1 Peaking Amp in place Option 2 Peaking Amp removed
Page 31
Car
Pk
Carrier
o
Peaking
o
Carrier
o
Peaking
o
Tuning Tips Peaking Amp
Set the off-state Z of peaking amp with
Is this really so important
Can we find some advantage not to set the off-state to ideal?
Conventional wisdom says equal phase in each
branch
Class-C peaking amp has large AM-PM component
Where do we want phase alignment?
Peaking
o
Page 32
50% Drain Efficiency
(7.5dB PAR @ 0.01% CCDF)
Fully Linearizable with peak power recovery
15% bandwidth
Tuning Tips Putting it all together
Page 33
Broadband Performance and Reality
Performance is only as good as your load modulation bandwidth
Page 34
Summary
The Doherty Amplifier topology can provide efficiency
benefits
Implementation is full of pitfalls
Variants are many, based on the same concept
Page 35
Do You Have
Any Questions?
Page 36
References
[1] Colantonio, Giannini, Limiti, High Efficiency RF and Microwave Solid State
Power Amplifiers, Wiley and Sons, 1999, p 49-82

[2] Cripps, S., Doherty RF Power Amplifiers, Theory and Practice, Short
Course SC-4, 2009 International Microwave Symposium, Boston

[3] Cripps, S., RF Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications, Artech
House, 1999, p 225-235

Page 37