An integrated cascode DE power amplifier for RF calibration system towards measurement of bio-sensor applications

Abstract

The integrated cascode DE power amplifier for RF calibration system toward measurement of bio-sensor applications is presented in this paper. The proposed architecture includes cascode class-D and class-E amplifier stages that could provide better calibration accuracy in terms of wide bandwidth, power efficiency, high gain, minimum group delay, and lowest calibration system. The achieved high performance of proposed amplifier overcomes conventional measurement issues toward bio-sensor application. The inductive ?-shape matching network drives RF input to class-D stage and provides wide bandwidth of operation. While class-E stage with T-shape matching network maintains stable gain and high efficiency in desired band of operation. The performance of the CMOS proposed amplifier is executed in RF ADS simulator along with fabricated chip using commercial TSMC 65 nm manufacturing process. The simulated and measured data achieves Ku band (12 GHz to 18 GHz) with almost flat gain of 30 dB. The DE amplifier provides an output and saturated power of 17 dBm with highest power efficiency of 45%. The measured calibration factor at maximum resonant frequency of 13.5 GHz achieves best value of less than 2 dB within input power range of ?50 dBm to 0 dBm. The lowest calibration factor provides best accuracy along with the other parameters and could be beneficial toward bio-sensor measurement in the various applications. The calculated area of the fabricated chip is as 0.45*0.45mm2 where class-E consuming area of 38% and class-D of 44%. The fabricated chip consumes less power consumption of 3.2 mW under power supply of 1 V. 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.