Linearity improvement of HBT-based doherty power amplifiers based on a simple analytical model

A simple analytical model is proposed and shown to be effective in predicting the nonlinear behavior of single-ended amplifiers, as well as Doherty amplifiers implemented with GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) for handset applications. The analytical model is based on linear and nonlinear components extracted from a vertical bipolar inter-company model for Skyworks Solutions Inc.'s InGaP/GaAs HBT devices. Equations derived from the model provide insights into effects of individual components on the gain and phase of both the single-ended and Doherty amplifiers. The model indicates that tuning the phase delay inserted in front of the auxiliary power amplifier (PA) within the Doherty can improve linearity at a high input power. The efficacy of the model is demonstrated by experimental results in which, for a Doherty PA with a tuned phase delay at the auxiliary PA side, the measured gain and phase agree with the simulation results. Furthermore, the third-order intermodulation distortion performance is improved as much as 8 dB when compared with a Doherty PA without phase delay tuning. Index Terms--Code division multiple access (CDMA), Doherty amplifier, heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT).