The Interdisciplinary World of Microwave and Mm-Wave Power Amplifiers
Wireless communication systems depend critically on the accuracy and efficiency of
power amplifiers. Meeting the requirements for today’s PAs in smart phones has led to
extensive optimization of semiconductor materials; device designs; microwave circuit
techniques; and digital control algorithms. As the world moves from 4G to more broadband 5G systems with large antenna arrays, new issues arise, and there is heated competition among technologies for the emerging slots. The III-V PAs in your pocket today may be replaced by something else. This presentation reviews system considerations for emerging 5G technology, and their implications for the RF front-end circuits; it presents advances made in devices and circuits for power amplifiers at 4, 28, 45 and 73GHz, with a particular focus on application of scaled CMOSSOI; and it discusses pathways for future development of 5G IC solutions.
Peter Asbeck is the Skyworks Chair Professor in the ECE Department at UCSD, La
Jolla, CA, and a member of the UCSD Center for Wireless Communications. His
research focuses on high frequency transistors and circuits, particularly power
amplifiers for wireless communications. Dr. Asbeck is a member of the NAE and
received the IEEE Sarnoff award based on his work in power amplifier transistor
technology.