Fully integrated reflector-based analog predistortion for Ku-band Power Amplifiers Linearization

Abstract

This paper presents the analog predistortion abilities to linearize power amplifiers used in satellite and mobile applications. A design example is done in Ku-band downlink satellite communication application with an integrated reflector-based analog predistortion. The proposed solution implements two cells nonlinear load-based AM/AM and AM/PM generation circuits made in a 130nm BiCMOS technology. The measurements performed for different biasing voltages and at different frequencies result in a gain compensation range between 0 dB and 9 dB and a phase compensation range between 0 and 50°. The size of each cell is 0.2 mm2. The total maximum power consumption is as low as 9 mW.