Single Stage Transistor Amplifier Design

Maximum Gain Consideration

A maximum power transfer from the input matching network to the
transistor will occur when
*
S in

A maximum power transfer from the transistor to the output matching
network will occur when
*
L out

If we assume that the matching sections at the input are lossless we get
!
!!
!
!
!" max
"
"
"
"
L
L
S
T
S
S G

L
L
in S
S
S S
S

+
!!
!" "!
""
*
"
s
s
out L
S
S S
S

+
""
!" "!
!!
*
"
*
*
* *
*
!!
!" "!
""
"
S
S S
S
L
S

+
s
s
s
s
L
S
S
S
S S S S S

""
!!
""
"! !" !! "" !!
*
" "
# $
*
!!
""
* *
*
!!
!" "!
""
# " $
S
S
S
S S
S
s
s
S

+
# $ "
# $
!!
*
""
!!
* *
*
!!
!" "!
""
s s
s
S S S
S S S
S


+
# $ # $ # " $
* *
!
""
* *
""
* !
!
!!
!" "! !! "" !!
S S S S S S S S
S S
S
+

!!
* *
!
!!
*
!" "! ""
# " $ S S S S S + +
% # $ # " $ # $
!!
* *
!
!!
!
""
!
! *
""
"" !!
+ + + S S S S S S
S
S
The relation for
S

is
"
!
"
!
" "
!
&
C
C B B
S
t

'here
! !
!!
!
"" "
" + S S B

*
"" "
!!
S S C
Similarl( we o)tain
L
as
!
!
!
!
! !
!
&
C
C B B
L
t

'here
! !
""
!
!! !
" + S S B

*
!! !
""
S S C
In the unilateral case we set %
"!
S we then ha*e
*
""
S
S

*
!!
S
L

As a result we get
!
!!
!
!"
!
""
max
"
"
"
"
S
S
S
G
TU

+xample ,
Design a amplifier for maximum gain at &-%G./ using
single stu) matching sections - The AaAs 0+T has the following S
parameter$1%#
f$G./# ""
S
!"
S
"!
S
!!
S
2-%
%
34 3% - %
%
44 35 - !
%
15 %2 - %
%
&" 65 - %
&-%
%
""5 6! - %
%
65 5% - !
%
16 %2 - %
%
1& 62 - %
1-%
%
"&! 55 - %
%
1& 24 - !
%
5! %2 - %
%
53 6! - %
In the maximum gain we ha*e
"
!
"
!
" "
!
&
C
C B B
S
t

!
% % ! !
! !
!!
!
"" "
"22 %63 - % "6% 1!1 - % # 62 - % $ # 6! - % $ " " + + S S B
7"8%-1"39%-1229%-!467%-6&3
% % *
"" "
1& 62 - % # "&1 - % &51 - % $ ""5 6! - %
!!
j S S C

# 3" - % 135 - % $ 62 - % # "&1 - % &51 - % $ # 346 - % &&" - % $ 6! - % j j j +
# 226 - % ""2 - % $ # 5&5 - % 2"6 - % $ j j
%
"!2 26 - % # 2%4 - % !%& - % $ j
%
% %
! !
"!2 35 - %
"!2 26 - % !
"" - % 6&3 - %
"!2 26 - % !
26 - % 6&3 - % 6&3 - %

t

S
%
!
!
!
!
! !
5" 36 - %
!
&

t

C
C B B
L
dB G
S
S
3& - 1 3& - 2
35 - % "
"
"
"
! !

dB S G
O
2 - 3 65 - 5
!
!"

dB
S
G
L
L
L
!! - ! 56 - "
"
"
!
!!
!

The maximum transducer gain is

dB G
T
25 - "5 !! - ! 2 - 3 3& - 1
max
+ +
Sta)ilit( of a Two :ort ;etwork
The two port network is said to )e unconditionall( sta)le at a gi*en
fre<uenc( if the real ports of
in
Z
and
out
Z
are greater than /ero for all
passi*e load and source impedances -
:otentiall( unsta)le , some passi*e load and source terminations can
produce input and output impedances ha*ing a negati*e real part -
Conditions for unconditional sta)ilit( at a gi*en fre<uenc(
"
S
"
L
where
L
L
in
S
S S
S

+
!!
!" "!
""
"
" <
in

s
s
out
S
S S
S

+
""
!" "!
!!
"
" <
out
Graphical Anal(sis =f Sta)ilit( :ro)lems
$"# To determine the regions where *alues of
L
and
S

produce
"
in
and
"
out
Setting
"
in
and sol*ing for
L

! !
!!
!" "!
! !
!!
* *
"" !!
# $
D S
S S
D S
DS S
L

where
!" "! !! ""
S S S S D
Setting
"
out
and sol*ing for
S

! !
""
!" "!
! !
""
* *
!! ""
# $
D S
S S
D S
DS S
S

L
*alue for
"
in
$output sta)ilit( circle# ,
! !
!!
!" "!
D S
S S
r
L

! !
!!
* *
"" !!
# $
D S
DS S
c
L

*alued for
"
out
$input sta)ilit( circle#
! !
""
!" "!
D S
S S
r
S

! !
""
* *
!! ""
# $
D S
DS S
c
S

"
"
!!
!" "!
""

+
L
L
S
S S
S
or
L L L
S S S S S +
!! !" "! !! ""
" # " $
;ow we define
!" "! !! ""
S S S S
'e then o)tain
L L
S S
!! ""
"
S<uare )oth sides and simplif( to o)tain
# $ " # $
!!
* *
!!
! !
!! ""
* * *
""
! ! !
"" L L L L
S S S S S S
L L
+ + + +
" # $ # $ # $
!
""
*
""
* *
!!
*
"" !!
*
! !
!!
S S S S S S
L L
L L
! !
!!
!
""
! !
!!
*
""
* *
!!
*
"" !!
*
" # $ # $

+

S
S
S
S S S S
L
L
L
L
;ow complete the s<uare )( adding
!
! !
!!
!
*
"" !!
# $

S
S S
to )oth side -
( )
!
! !
!!
!
*
"" !!
! !
!!
!
""
!
! !
!!
* *
"" !!
"
# $


+

S
S S
S
S
S
S S
L
or
! !
!!
!" "!
! !
!!
* *
"" !!
# $

S
S S
S
S S
L
0igure , Smith Chart illustration sta)le and unsta)le regions in the
L

plane
In the
L

plane on one side of the sta)ilit( circle )oundar( we will ha*e

" <
in
and on the other side
" >
in
Consider the origin point $ %
L
# corresponding ""
!!
!" "!
""
"
S
S
S S
S
L
L
in

+
-
Therefore if
"
""
< S
then
" <
in
i-e- the origin represents a sta)le
operating point - =n the other hank if
"
""
> S
then
" >
in
the origin
represents an unsta)le operating point -
The figure illustrates the two cases discussed -
Similar argument can )e extended to
S

plane to find the sta)le and

unsta)le region for
out

-
The( are shown in the next figure -
0igure , Smith Chart illustration sta)le and unsta)le regions in the S

plane -
0or unconditional sta)ilit( an( passi*e load or source in the network must
produce a sta)le condition -
0rom a graphical point of *iew for
"
""
< S
and
"
!!
< S
we want the
sta)ilit( circles to fall completel( outside the Simth Chart $as shown in the
next figure # or to completel( enclose the Smith Chart $as shown in the next
!
nd
figure#
Therefore the conditions for unconditional sta)ilit( for all passi*e sources
and loads can )e expressed in the form
" >
L L
r c
or
" >
L L
c r
for
"
""
< S
and
" >
S S
r c
or
" >
S S
c r
for
"
!!
< S
0igure , Conditions for unconditional sta)ilit( , $a#
L

plane > $)# S

plane
0igure , Conditions for unconditional sta)ilit( , $a#
L

plane > $)# S

plane
If either
"
""
> S
or
"
!!
> S
the network cannot )e unconditional sta)le
)ecause the termination
%
L
or
%
S
will produce
" >
in
or
" >
out
-
Conditions for ?nconditional Sta)ilit(
The conditions for unconditional sta)ilit( in terms of reflection
coefficient are
"
S
"
L
" <
in
" <
out
This can )e rephrased in terms of S parameters of the two port as
$"#
"
""
< S

"
!!
< S
"
# $
! !
""
* *
!! "" !" "!
>

D S
DS S S S
$
" >
S S
c r
#
"
# $
! !
!!
* *
"" !! !" "!
>

D S
DS S S S

" >
L L
c r
reference , @-'- Anderson - A S parameter techni<ues for faster and more
accurate network design A .: Application ;ote 41 "456 -
This can )e concluded from a graphical point of *iew -
$!# kB"
!" "!
!
""
" S S S >
!" "!
!
!!
" S S S >
@eference , C - Curokawa A :ower wa*es and the scattering matrix
AI+++ Transactions on Microwa*e Theor( and Techni<ues *ol - MTT9"2
pp - "4&9!%! March "451 -
D - 'oods - A @eappraisal of the unconditional sta)ilit( criteria for acti*e !
port networks in terms of S parameters AI+++ Transactions on circuits
and s(stems *ol - CAS 9!2 no -! pp- 6293" 0e)- "465 -
$2# k B " %
"
> B
or k B"
%
!
> B
@eference , G- + Dodwa( ATwo port power flow anal(sis using
generali/ed scattering parameters AMicrowa*e Eournal *ol - "% pp - 5"9
54 Ma( "456 -
$2# k B "
" < D
@eference , D - 'oods A @eappraisal of the unconditional sta)ilit(
criteria for acti*e !9 port networks in terms of S parameters A I+++
Transactions on Circuits and S(stems *ol - CAS 9!2 no - ! - pp - 6293"
0e) - "465
+xample , Sta)ilit( Circles of a Microwa*e Amplifier
A certain GaAs M+S0+T has the following S parameters measured at
4G./ with a 1%9 reference ,
%
""
"6% 5& - % S

%
"!
"1 %1 - % S

%
!"
2% "% - ! S

%
!!
41 16 - % S
Compute $a# the delta factor

and $)# the sta)ilit( factor C- $c# 0ind

the center and radius of the input sta)ilit( circle and plot the circle - $d#
Determine the center and radius of the output sta)ilit( circle and plot the
circle -
Solution , $a# The delta factor is
!" "! !! ""
S S S S

% % % %
2% "% - ! "1 %1 - % 41 16 - % "6% 5& - %
%-2%
%
&1 - """

7%-2%F"
!

7%-%4
$)# The sta)ilit( factor C is
!" "!
!
!!
!
""
!
!
"
S S
S S
K
+

"% - ! %1 - % !
16 - % 5& - % 2% - % "
! ! !

7"-6" B "
$c# The input sta)ilit( circle is determined as follows ,
% % %
!!
* *
""
*
"
41 16 - % &1 - """ 2% - % "6% 5& - % S S C

%
1! - "65 &3 - %
The center of the input sta)ilit( circle is
%
! !
%
! !
""
*
"
&! - "65 1% - "
2% - % 5& - %
&! - "65 &3 - %

S
C
c
S
The radius is
22 - %
2% - % 5& - %
"% - ! %1 - %
! ! ! !
""
!" "!

S
S S
r
S
$d# The output sta)ilit( circle is found as follows ,
% % %
""
* *
!!
*
!
"6% 5& - % &1 - """ 2% - % 41 16 - % S S C

%
2! - "%2 24 - %
The center of the output sta)ilit( circle is
%
! !
%
! !
!!
*
!
2! - "%2 6% - "
2% - % 16 - %
2! - "%2 24 - %

S
C
c
L
The radius is
&3 - %
2% - % 16 - %
"% - ! %1 - %
! ! ! !
!!
!" "!

S
S S
r
L
Doth the input and output sta)ilit( circles are completel( outside the
Smith Chart as shown in 0ig S2 sot the amplifier is unconditionall(
sta)le -
0igure - S2 Sta)ilit( circles for +xample
;ote , "- +*en when the selection of L

and S

produces
" >
in or
" >
out the circuit can )e made sta)le if
% # @e$ > +
in S
Z Z
and
% # @e$ > +
out L
Z Z
!- A potentiall( unsta)le transistor can )e made unconditionall( sta)le (
either resisti*el( loading the transistor or )( adding negati*e feed)ack-
+xample ,
The S parameters of a transistor at f73%%M./ are
%
""
41 51 - % S

%
"!
&% %21 - % S

%
!"
""1 1 S

%
!!
21 3 - % S
Determine the sta)ilit( and show how resisti*e loading can sta)ili/e the
transistor -
Solution ,
Since CF" the transistor is potentiall( unsta)le at f73%%M./ -
The input and output sta)ilit( circles are calculate
%
"!! 64 - "
S
C

%
&3 2 - "
L
C
%& - "
S
r

&1 - %
L
r
0igure S" shows the plot of the sta)ilit( circles together with the sta)le
region - It can )e seen that a series resistor of approximatel( !4 or a
shunt resistor of approximatel( 1%% at the output produces sta)ilit( at
the output - The three choices of resisti*e loading are shown in 0ig - S! -
The most popular is the shunt resistor configuration in 0ig - S! $c#
0or the sta)ili/ed shunt resistor configuration in 0ig - S! $c# $i-e- with a
1%% shunt resistor # the resulting S parameters are
%
""
4& 51 - % S

%
"!
! - &" %2! - % S

%
!"
! - ""5 5! - & S

%
!!
25 55 - % S
and from $2-2-"2# and $2-2-"6# C7"-%& and
%
"2 - !1% &%4 - % which show
that the sta)ili/ed network in 0ig - S! $c# is unconditionall( sta)le at
f73%%M./ -
0igure S" Input and output sta)ilit( circles -
0igure S! Three t(pes of resisti*e loading to impro*e sta)ilit( -
Simultaneous ConGugate Match Dilateral Case
L
L
in
S
S S
S

+
!!
!" "!
""
"
s
s
out
S
S S
S

+
""
!" "!
!!
"
for simultaneous ConGugate match
*
S in


*
L out
then
% # " #$ $
!" "! !!
*
""
+
L L
S S S S
S
H $2#
% # " #$ $
!" "! ""
*
!!
+
S S L
S S S S
H $&#
from $2# $&# we ha*e
D S
S
S
S
L



!!
*
""
*
H $1#
D S
S
L
L
S



""
*
!!
*
H-$5#
Su)stitute $1# into $&# then

%
# " $ # $
!!
* *
*
!" "!
*
!! ""
!
""
!
!!
! *
!" "!
*
!! "" ""
""
!! !!
+
+ + +
S D S
D S S D S S S S S S S S S S S
S
S
or
%
*
" "
!
"
+ C B C
S S
The solution for $6# is
*
" "
!
"
" "
"
&
!
"
!
C C B
C C
B
sm
t

"
&
!
!
"
!
!
"
!
"
"
" "
"
t
C
B
C
C C
B
"
&
!
!
"
!
"
"
"
"
"
t
C
B
C
C
C
B
1
1
]
1

,
_

t "
! !
!
"
"
"
"
"
*
"
C
B
C
B
C
C
Similarl( if we su)stitute $5# into $2# we ha*e
%
*
! !
!
!
+ C B C
L L
The solution for $3# is
1
1
]
1

,
_

t "
! !
!
!
!
!
!
!
*
!
C
B
C
B
C
C
sm
0rom $3# if
"
B B% and
"
!
"
"
>
C
B

then the minus sign
" <
sm
the plus sign
" >
sm
if
"
B F% and
"
!
"
"
>
C
B
then the minus sign
" >
sm
the plus sign
" <
sm
if
"
!
"
"
<
C
B
then
"
sm
no matter what
"
B
positi*e or negati*e
Similar considerations appl( to $"%#
Since "
!
!
>
i
i
C
B
$i7"!# "
!
> k
therefore
"
!
>
i
i
C
B
$i 7 "!#
" > k

TADI+ , 0our Case of $3#
%
"
> B
;ormal Condition
%
"
< B
Case " Case ! Case 2 Case &
"
!
"
"
>
C
B
"
!
"
"
<
C
B "
!
"
"
>
C
B
"
!
"
"
<
C
B
kB" kF" kB" kF"
?seful solution
gi*en in
;ot useful
"
sm
:otentiall(
unsta)le e*en
though kB"
"
sm not
useful
A simultaneous conGugate match ha*ing unconditional sta)ilit( is
possi)le if kB" and
" < D
i-e- kB" and
%
"
> B
or kB" and
%
!
> B
-
The minus sign must )e chosen in $3# and $"%# - In what follows an(
reference to a simultaneous conGugate match assumes that the two port
network is unconditionall( sta)le - In a potentiall( unsta)le situation the
design procedure is )et done in terms of P
G
and A
G
The maximum transducer power gain under simultaneous conGugate
match conditions $ Sm s

Lm L

# is
!
!" "! !! ""
! !
!"
!
max
# " #$ " $
# " $ # " $
Lm Sm Lm Sm
Lm Sm
T
S S S S
S
G

!
!!
!
! !
!"
" # " $
# " $
Lm Sm
Lm
S
S

$ max p
G
#
!
""
!
! !
!"
" # " $
# " $
Sm Lm
Sm
S
S

$ max A
G
#

# " $
!
"!
!"
k k
S
S
Transducer :ower Gain Circles Dilateral Case
$"# ?nconditionall( sta)le )ilateral case kB" and
" < D
In this situation the terminations Sm

and Lm

will produce a
simultaneous conGugate match which results in the maximum *alue of the
transducer power gain -
If the design not for a maximum a constant gain circle procedure can
)e used - Iet
L O S T
G G G G
where !
!
"
"
S in
S
S
G



!
!"
S G
O

and !
!!
!
"
"
L
L
L
S
G

The procedure ,
$"# 0rom L
G
the constant gain circles for L
G
can )e drawn using i
g
i
R
i
d
and i

$i7I# - Select the desired L

for a gi*en L
G

gain-
$!# Calculate
L
L
in
S
S S
S

+
!!
!" "!
""
"
in

depends on L

> therefore this

*alue is the maximum a*aila)le power gain and the maximum
operation power gain -
$2# 'hen k7" we ha*e the maximum sta)le gain as
"!
!"
S
S
G
MSG

MSG
G
is a figure of merit that represents the maximum *alue that nax T
G
can
ha*e - It can )e achie*ed )( resisti*el( loading the two port $i-e- the
transistor# to make k7" or )( using feed)ack-
S
G
depends on L
G
$2# 0rom S
G
the constant gain circles for S
G
can )e drawn using i
g
i
R

i
d
and i

$i7I# - Select the desired S

for a gi*en S
G
gain - The *alue of
S
G
might not )e satisfactor( and will re<uire the selection of another
L

and
the procedure repeated -
$&# Design the matching networks -
The outlined procedure is not recommended for a practical design since
in

is a function of L

making the S
G
function dependent of the L
G

function - 0urthermore the centers of the gain circles do not gi*e nax T
G
- In
fact the graphical approach )ecomes tedious )ecause of the iterati*e
process re<uired for o)taining the desired gain -
It is recommended to use operation power gain for the design of a
microwa*e transistor amplifier in the unconditional sta)le )ilateral case -
Conclusion , 'hen transistor "!
S
cannot )e neglected $)ilateral case#
unconditionall( sta)le ,
$"#
nax T
G

, Simultaneous conGugate match Sm

and Lm

$!# other from nax T

G
, $i# output constant gain circles
$ii# gi*en a L

calculate in

$iii# input constant gain circles

$i*# matching networks -
or alternati*el( input part first then output port later -

:otentiall( unsta)le ,
operating power gain or a*aila)le power gain
+xample ,
Design a microwa*e amplifier using a GaAs 0+T to operate at f 7 5./ with
maximum transducer power gain - The transistor S parameters at the linear
)ias point

DS
&
and DSS DS
! ! 1 - %
are
%
""
2 - "6" 5&" - % S
%
"!
2 - "5 %16" - % S
%
!"
1 - !3 %13 - ! S
%
!!
6 - 41 16! - % S
Solution ,
'e o)tain k7"-1%& and
%
33 - "%4 2%"& - %
Since kB" and
" <
the GaAs 0+T is unconditionall( sta)le -
;ext we must decide if the amplifier can )e considered unilateral
?7%-"%31 and
9%-34dDF
TU
T
G
G
F"dD
The ine<ualit( a)o*e shows that "!
S
cannot )e neglected -
The reflection coefficients for a simultaneous conGugate match are
calculated as follows ,
"
B
7%-44!3
!
B
7%-3!11
%
"
6 - "3! &635 - % C
%
!
" - !15 24"" - % C
%
2 - "66 65! - %
MS
and
%
4 - "%2 6"3 - %
ML
The maximum transducer power gain
6& - "2 # " # 1%& - " $ 1%& - " $
%16 - %
%13 - !
!
max

T
G
or ""-23 dD
The design of the matching networks using microstrip lines is illustrated in
0ig- p" where the admittances associated with
MS

and ML

are
S j
j
"
MS
2
"% # 5 - !& "&& $
1%
!2 - " ! - 6

+

and
S j
j
"
ML
2
"% # 3 - !2 !3 - 3 $
1%
"4 - " &"& - %

+

The input matching network can )e designed with an open shunt stu) of
length %-"31

and a series transmission line of length %-%5"1

- The output
matching network is designed with an open shunt stu) of length %-"65

and a series transmission line of length %-"54

-
The ac amplifier schematic is shown in Eig- p!- ?sing Duroid$
r
7!-!2 h7
%-636& mm #for the )oard material we find that '7!-&"mm for a
characteristic impedance of 1% ##

7"-4%1! and

7%-6!&1 %

where %

71cm at f75G./-The microstrip lengths at f75G./ are

%"31

75-6%mm
%-%5"1

7!-!2mm
0igure p" $a# Design of the input matching network > $)# design of the
output matching network -
%-"54

75-"!mm
%-"65

75-23mm
The design for max T
G
will
MS

and ML

at 5G./ assures that the input and

output JS'@ are " -
0inall( we should point out that the sta)ilit( must )e checked at all
fre<uencies so that the reflection coefficients
MS

and ML

pro*ide sta)le
operation -
0igure p" $continued#
0igure p! The ac schematic of a GaAs 0+T microwa*e amplifier - All
microstrip lines ha*e a characteristic impedance of 1% -
=perating :ower Gain Circles
The operating power gain circle procedure for )oth unconditionall( sta)le
and potentiall( unsta)le transistors is simple and practical -
$"# unconditionall( sta)le )ilateral case
p
L in
L
P
g S
S
S
G
!
!"
!
!!
!
! !
!"
" # " $
# " $

where
!
!!
!
!!
""
!
" #
"
" $
"
L
L
L
L
p
S
S
D S
g

L L
L
D S S

""
!
!!
!
"
"

# @e$ ! # $ "
"
!
! !
!!
! !
""
!
C D S S
L L
L
+

where
*
"" !! !
DS S C
Iet L L L
j$ u +
@e$
K ImL K @eL #
! ! !
C $ C u C
L L L

then
!
! !
!!
*
!
!
! !
!!
*
!
# $ "
K ImL
# $ "
K @eL
1
1
]
1

+
+
1
1
]
1

D S g
C g
$
D S g
C g
u
P
P
L
P
P
L
[ ]
!
! !
!!
!
"
!
!
!" "! !" "!
# $ "
! "
1
1
1
]
1

+
+

D S g
g S S g S S k
P
P P
This e<uation is a famil( of circles in the L L
$ u
plane with P
g
as a
parameter - The centers of the circles are located at
+
P P P
j$ u
# $ "
K @eL
! !
!!
*
!
D S g
C g
P
P
+
8G
# $ "
K ImL
! !
!!
*
!
D S g
C g
P
P
+
The distance from the origin of the Smith Chart to the centers of the circles
is gi*en )(
# $ "
! !
!!
*
!
! !
D S g
C g
$ u d
P
P
P P
P P
+
+
The radii of the circles are gi*en )(
[ ]
# $ "
! "
! !
!!
!
"
!
!
!" "! !" "!
D S g
g S S g S S k
R
P
P P
P
+
+

The centers of the power gain circles are located along a line with an angle
K @eL
K ImL
tan
*
!
*
! "
C
C

'e can also expect that the maximum operation power gain occurs when
P
R
7% - Therefore
% " !
max !" "!
!
!" "!
!
max
+
P P
g S S k S S g
The solution for this e<uation for unconditional sta)ilit( is
# " $
"
!
!" "!
max
k k
S S
g
P
# " $
!
"!
!"
max
k k
S
S
G
P

0or a gi*en
P
G
L
is selected from the constant operating power gain
circles -
max P
G
results when
L
is selected at the distance where max P
g
7
!
!"
max
S
G
P
-The maximum output power results when a conGugate match is
selected at the input $i-e-
*
in S

#and the input power is e<ual to the
maximum a*aila)le input power - Therefore under these circumstances the
maximum transducer power gain $ max T
G
# and the maximum operating
power gain are e<ual and the *alues of
S

and
L
that result in max P
G
are
identical to Sm

and Lm

respecti*el( -
The procedure for drawing a constant operating power gain circles in the
Smith Chart is as follows ,
$"# 0or a gi*en
P
G the radius and center of the constant operating power
gain circles are gi*en )( P

and P
R
-
$!# Select the desired L

-
$2# 0or the gi*en L

maximum output power is o)tained with a conGugate

match at the input - $
*
in S

# - This *alue of
S

produces the transducer

power gain P T
G G
-
+xample ,
Design the amplifier in last example to ha*e an operating power gain of
4)D instead of
- 23 - ""
max max
dB G G
P T

Solution , Since
!21 - & # %13 - ! $
!
!
!"
S
or 5-!6dD
then
361 - "
!21 &
4& - 6
!
!"

S
G
g
P
P
0rom the results in +xample :" k7"-1%&
2%"& - %
and
%
!
" - !15 24"" - % C
- Therefore the radius and center of the 49dD operating
power gain circle
&2" - %
P
R
and
%
4 - "%2 1%3 - %
P
C
-
0igure :2 =perating power gain circle for
dB G
P
4
- The load reflection
coefficient can )e selected at point A namel(
%
1 - &6 25 - %
L
- Then the
re<uired S

for maximum output power is

%
*
!!
!" "!
""
*
1" - "61 5!4 - %
"

1
]
1

+
L
L
in S
S
S S
S
The location of
dB G
P
23 - ""
max

can )e found as follows ,
max P
g
7
!& - 2
# %13 - ! $
6& - "2
!
!
!"
max

S
G
P
max P
R
7%
and
%
! !
!! max
*
! max
max
4 - "%2 6"3 - %
# $ "

+

S g
C g
g
P
P
P
At the location of max P
G
we o)tain from 0ig- :2
%
max
4 - "%2 6"3 - %
L - This
*alue of max L

is identical to the *alue ML

found in last example - The

associated S

for maximum output power is

%
*
max !!
max !" "!
"" max
2 - "66 65! - %
"

1
]
1

+
L
L
S
S
S S
S
which is identical to the *alue of MS

in last example -
+xample , Constant =perating :ower Gain Circles
A certain AaAs M+S0+T has the following S parameters measured at 3
G./ with a 1%9 resistance ,
%
""
11 !5 - % S
%
"!
3% %3 - % S
%
!"
51 "& - ! S
%
!!
2% 3! - % S
:lot the power gain circles -
Solution ,
$"# Compute the delta factor and the sta)ilit( factor k ,
7

%
11 !5 - %
%
2% 3! - % 9

%
3% %3 - %
% %
6 - 5! 25 - % 51 "& - !
" 25 - % <
"2 - %
!

" "1 - "
"& - ! %3 - % !
3! - % !5 - % 25 - % "
! ! !
>

+
k
$!# The maximum operating power gain is
[ ] " # "1 - " $ "1 - "
%3 - %
"& - !
!
max

P
G
7"1-1!7""-4"dD
$2# Compute max P
g
,

24 - 2
"& - !
1! - "1
! max

P
g
$&# The distance of the circle center is computed as
% % %
""
* *
!
11 !5 - % 6 - 5! 25 - % 2% 3! - %
!!
S S C
7
%
32 - 2! 62 - %
[ ]
%% - %
25 - % 3! - % 24 - 2 "
# 24 - 2 $ "& - ! %3 - % 24 - 2 "& - ! %3 - % "1 - " ! "
! !
!
!

+
+

pt
d
$5# Compute the distances and the radii of the circles for the power gains of
"% 3 and 5 dD
$6# The computed *alues are ta)ulated in Ta)le
TADI+ C=M:?T+D JAI?+S
max P
G
# $dB
$;umerical# P
g
P
d
P
r
""-4" "1-1! 2-24 %-36 %
"% "% !-"3 %-62 %-!1
3 5-2" "-23 %-13 %-&"
5 2-43 %-36 %-&2 %-15
$3# :lot the power 9 gain circles on the Smith Chart as shown in 0ig- :&
$4# The normali/ed load impedance for ""-4"9dD power gain is read from
the plot at %

as
!% - 2 3% - % j &
%
+
The load impedance is
+ "5% &% j Z
%
$"%# 0or each *alue of the distance p
d
used for the power gain desired
maximum output power occurs with a conGugate match at the input for
which s in

*
-
'e ha*e
*
% %
% % %
%
#
32 - 2! 36 - % 2% 3! - % "
32 - 2! 36 - % 51 "& - ! 3% %3 - %
11 !5 - % $


+
s

%
36 - 65 2" - %
Then read s
&
at s

as
51 - % 41 - % j &
s

and the input impedance is
1 - 2! 1 - &6 j &
s
0igure :& Constant operating power gain circles for +xample
$!# :otentiall( ?nsta)le Dilateral Case
Design :rocedures
"- Draw the constant operating power gain circle for a gi*en power gain
P
G
in deci)els -
!- Draw the output sta)ilit( circles -
2- Choose %

in the sta)le region -

&- Compute in

and determine if a conGugate match at the input is possi)le -

1- Draw the input sta)ilit( circle and determine if
*
in s

is within the input
sta)le region -
5- If
*
in s

is not in the sta)le region $or in the sta)le region )ut *er( close
to the input sta)ilit( circle# a new *alue of s

must )e selected ar)itraril(

or a *alue of P
G
is chosen again - De careful to ensure that the *alues of %

and s

should not )e too close to their respecti*e sta)ilit( circles )ecause

oscillation ma( occur when the input and output circles are not matched -
Design +xample , =perating :ower Gain Circles for :otentiall( ?nsta)le
Dilateral Case
A certain GaAs M+S0+T has the following S parameter measured at 4G./
with a 1%9 resistance reference ,
%
""
5% &1 - % S
%
"!
6% %4 - % S
%
!"
6& 1% - ! S
%
!!
1% 3% - % S
Design an amplifier for an operating power gain of "%
dB
Solution ,
"- Compute the delta factor and the sta)ilit( factor k
7
%
5% &1 - %
%
1% 3% - % 9

%
6% %4 - %
%
6& 1% - !

%
6 - 6% !% - %
" !% - % <
%& - %
!

" && - %
1 - ! %4 - % !
3% - % &1 - % %& - % "
! !
<

+
k
The de*ice is potentiall( unsta)le )ecause kF"
!- Compute the maximum sta)le power gain at k7" -
dB
S
S
G
msp
&& - "& 63 - !6
%4 - %
1 - !
"!
!"

A "%9
dB
power gain is possi)le -
2- Compute p
d
and p
r
for the "%9
dB
operating power gain circle -
5% - "
1 - !
"%
! !
!"

S
G
g
P
p
% % % %
""
* *
!!
*
!
11 - 1& 62 - % 5% &1 - % !% !% - % 1% 3% - % S S C
%
! !
%
11 - 1& 5% - %
# !% - % 3 - % $ 5 - " "
11 - 1& 62 - % 5% - "

+

pt
d
&5 - %
# !% - % 3% - % $ 5 - " "
# 5 - " $ 1 - ! %4 - % 5 - " 1 - ! %4 - % && - % ! "
! !
!
!

+
+

p
r
The "%9
dB
power gain circle is plotted on the Smith Chart shown in 0ig- p1
&- Compute %
d
and %
r
for the output sta)ilit( circle -
% *
!
11 - 1& 62 - % C
%
! !
%
11 - 1& !! - "
!% - % 3% - %
11 - 1& 62 - %

%
C
23 - %
!% - % 3% - %
1% - ! %4 - %
! !

%
r
The output sta)ilit( circle is plotted on the same Smith Chart-
1- Since
"
""
< S
the sta)le region is the region outside the output sta)ilit(
circle -
The load reflection coefficient %

is chosen on the "%9

dB
power gain
circle at the location A -Then

%
"%& 23 - %
%
1% - % 6% - % j &
%
+

+ !1 21 j Z
%
0igure :1 :otential sta)ilit( for +xample
5- Compute s

for a possi)le conGugate match-

% *
% %
% %
% *
! - !55 2% - % #
"%& 23 - % 1% 3% - % "
6& 1% - ! 6% %4 - %
5% &1 - % $


+
in s
6- Compute s
d
and s
r
for the input sta)ilit( circle -
% % % % *
"
26 - 65 21 - % 1% 3% - % 6 - 6% !% - % 5% &1 - % C
! !
%
!% - % &1 - %
26 - 65 21 - %

s
c
%
26 - 65 "4 - !
&" - "
!% - % &1 - %
1% - ! %4 - %
! !

s
r
The input sta)ilit( circle is plotted on the same Smith Chart -
3- 0rom 0ig :1 s

is a sta)le source reflection coefficient )ecause it is

located in the sta)le region outside the input sta)ilit( circle -
+xample ,
The S parameters of a GaAs 0+T at DSS D
! ! M 1%

mA !
DSS
"%


DS
1
and
f73G./ are
%
""
"3% 1 - % S
%
"!
2% %3 - % S
%
!"
6% 1 - ! S
%
!!
"%% 3 - % S
Design an amplifier with dB G
P
"% -
Solution ,$"# 0irst check the sta)ilit( of the transistor - 'e o)tain k7%-& and
D7%-!!2
%
"! - 5! - This GaAs 0+T is potentiall( unsta)le - The
!1 - 2"
"!
!"

S
S
G
MSG
or "&-4
dB
-
$!# In order to design for
dB G
P
"%
$&-4dD less than the MSG
G
# the
dB "%

operating power gain circle and the output sta)ilit( circle must )e
calculated - The radius and center of the
dB "%
power gain circle are
&62 - %
P
R
and
%
! - 46 16! - %
P
C
- The radius and center of the output sta)ilit(
circle are
2& - %
L
r
and
%
! - 46 "3 - "
L
C
-
$2# The Smith Chart in 0ig- :5 shows the construction of the dB "%
operating power gain circle and the output sta)ilit( circle - Since
"
""
< S

the sta)le region is the region outside the output sta)ilit( circle - L

is
selected on the
dB "%
power gain circle at location A namel(
%
46 " - %
L

or
+ # "4 - % 45 - % $ 1% j Z
L -
$&# 0or a conGugate match at the input S

is gi*en )(
% *
2! - "64 1! - %
in S
and we must determine if the *alue of S

is in the sta)le region - The radius

and center of the input sta)ilit( circle are
% - "
S
r
and
%
"6" 56 - "
S
C
where
the sta)le region is the region outside the input sta)ilit( circle - Therefore
S

is a sta)le source reflection coefficient -

0igure, p5 :ower and sta)ilit( circles construction for +xample
A*aila)le :ower Gain Circles
The a*aila)le power gain is independent of the load impedance - The
deri*ation of the constant a*aila)le power gain circles is similar to that of
the operating power gain circles -
$"# unconditionall( sta)le )ilateral case
a
S out
S
A
g S
S
S
G
!
!"
!
""
!
! !
!"
" # " $
# " $

where !
""
!
""
!!
!
" #
"
" $
"
S
S
S
S
a
S
S
D S
g

!
!!
!
""
!
"
"
S S
S
D S S

# @e$ ! # $ "
"
"
! !
""
! !
!!
!
C D S S
S S
S
+

Iet S S S
j$ u +
K ImL K @eL # @e$
" " "
C $ C u C
S S S

then
!
! !
""
*
"
!
! !
""
*
"
# $ "
K ImL
# $ "
K @eL
1
1
]
1

+
+
1
1
]
1

D S g
C g
$
D S g
C g
u
a
a
S
a
a
S
[ ]
!
! !
""
!
"
!
!" "! !" "!
# $ "
! "
1
1
]
1

+
+

D S g
g S S g S S k
a
a a
This e<uation is a famil( of circles in the S S
$ u
plane with a
g
as a
parameter - The centers of the circles are located at
# $ "
! !
""
*
"
D S g
C g
j$ u
a
a
a a a
+
+
The distance from the center of the Smith Chart to the centers of the circles
is gi*en )(
# $ "
! !
""
*
"
! !
D S g
C g
$ u d
a
a
a a a a
+
+
The radii of the circles are gi*en )(
[ ]
# $ "
! "
! !
""
!
"
!
!
!" "! !" "!
D S g
g S S g S S k
R
a
a a
a
+
+

The centers of the a*aila)le power gain circles are located along a line with
an angle
K @eL
K ImL
tan
*
"
*
" "
C
C