Microwave Power Combiners

Power Combining
Applications of Power Combining
 Power Combining Problem for Microwave PAs

Combining power from various unit PAs is one of the central

problems of high power PA design.

CMOS microprocessors have >100M transistors. Can you

produce 1uW from each of 100M small PAs and combine
them to get 100W?

Solving the power combining problem gives a solution to the

impedance matching problem - and viceversa.

Both lead to losses and bandwidth limitations

The power combining problem is related also to the problem of

separating common-mode from differential signals.
 More Power Combiners

Coax Baluns Free-space

Power Combining
 Analysis Techniques for Combiners
Generally can use Z matrix, Y matrix or S matrix
Passive combiners have reciprocal matrices
Zij=Zji, Yij=Yji, Sij=Sji
Analysis is often easier by considering even or odd mode inputs
replace V1, V2 with Ve=1/2(V1+V2), Vo=1/2(V1-V2)
Even mode = common mode
odd mode voltage=1/2 differential voltage

Ve Vo
V1 V1 + -+ -
V3 => V3
V2 V2 + - - +
 Power Combiners are Frustrating

Simple “summer” for powers from 2 sources

which is lossless and has fixed input
+ impedance for both channels
Does not exist !!!

However,
Voltage summers exist
Current summers exist
Lossy power combiners exist
“Loss-less” power combiners for different frequencies exist
“Loss-less” power combiners for identical signals exist
 Why Can’t You Make A Perfect Power Summer?

“A 3-port that is matched at all ports, loss-less

and made with reciprocal elements cannot exist”.

2 Sii=0
1 S Sij=Sji
3
SjkSkn*=djn

1/√2eja1 1/√2eja2
] 0
1/√2eja1 0
1/√2eja2 1/√2eja3
1/√2eja3
0
]
Does not satisfy
S31 S12*+S32 S22*+S33 S32*=0
 Wilkinson Combiner
2
l/4
1 Z=sqrt2 Zo Sii=0
Sij=Sji
3
SjkSkn*=djn
R=2Zo

1/√2eja1 1/√2eja1
] 0
1/√2eja1 0
1/√2eja1 0
0
0
]
Does satisfy
S31 S12*+S32 S22*+S33 S32*=0
Power Combiners are Frustrating (2)

•Combiners that provide isolation between input ports

are intrinsically lossy!
loss shows up if input signals are different

•Combiners that are lossless don't provide isolation

between ports
so some power (generally difference signal)
gets reflected to the inputs, doesn't reach
output

=> You can only efficiently combine signals that

are exactly identical (or scaled in complex
amplitude)
Power Combiners Can Be Used in Very
Creative Ways
•Combiners that are lossless don't provide isolation
between ports

=> You can only efficiently combine signals that

are exactly identical (or scaled in complex
amplitude)

When you combine signals that are scaled in

complex amplitude with a lossless combiner,
You are doing active load pulling

This is the basis for Doherty and Outphasing amplifiers

 Current Summing
1
Simplest power combiner
Used with most transistor units 3
RL
V1=V2=V3 2
I1+I2+I3=0

Odd mode signals see Zodd=0 (short)

Even mode signals see Zeven= 2RL

No port-to-port isolation Can use this to combine

Not matched to 50 ohms current sources
Z,Y matrices don't exist Or voltage sources that are
Very broadband equal
Ve=1/2(V1+V2) Ie=1/2(I1+I2)
Vo=1/2(V1-V2) Io=1/2(I1-I2)
 Current Summing
1
S parameter analysis
a1 3
b1 -1/3 2/3 2/3
b2 = 2/3 -1/3 2/3 a2
2
b3 2/3 2/3 -1/3 a3

Define ae=1/sqrt2 (a1+a2)

T
ao=1/sqrt2 (a1-a2) ae 1/sqrt2 1/sqrt2 0 a1
ao = 1/sqrt2 -1/sqrt2 0 a2
a3 0 0 1 a3
be ae
bo =TS T-1 ao be 1/3 0 sqrt(8)/3 ae
b3 a3 bo = 0 -1 0 ao
b3 sqrt(8)/3 0 -1/3 a3
T-1=T
ADS Modeling of Even, Odd Mode Impedance
(current summing)

combiner

freq S(1,1) S(2,1) S(3,1)

1.000 GHz 0.333 / 1... 0.667 / 0... 0.667 / 0...

freq
1.000 ...
S(4,4)
0.333 ...
S(5,5)
1.000 ...
S(6,4)
0.943 ...
S(6,5)
0.000 ...
Zineven
Zinodd
Eqn Zine=50*(1+S(4,4))/(1-S(4,4)) freq Zine Zino
1.000 GHz 100.000 / 0.000 1.388E-14 / 0....
Eqn Zino=50*(1+S(5,5))/(1-S(5,5))
freq Zin(4,4) Zin(5,5)
Eqn Zin=stoz(S)
1.000 GHz 2.123E17 / 0.... 1.421E-14 / 0....
Not what you want
 Lossless Combiner with Z Transformation
1
l/4 3
Widely used inside of Z=sqrt2 Zo
high frequency ICs
2

Odd mode signals see Zodd=open

Even mode signals see Zeven=RL (=Zo)

No port-to-port isolation Can use this to combine

Not matched to 50 ohms voltage sources
Limited bandwidth Or current sources that are
equal
 Corporate combiner (non-isolated)

l/4
Z=sqrt2 Zo

T.L.
l/4
Z=sqrt2 Zo
2 in
Parallel
l/4
Z=sqrt2 Zo

Effect of each stage

 Wilkinson Combiner
1
l/4 3
Widely used in circuit Z=sqrt2 Zo
boards and systems
2

R=2Zo

Odd mode signals see Zodd= 50 ohms

Even mode signals see Zeven=RL (=Zo)
Can use this to combine
Ports are isolated!
voltage or current sources
Matched to 50 ohms!
Limited bandwidth
Get loss to the extent that
the sources are not equal
 Even & Odd Mode Analysis
Wilkinson Combiner (or Divider)

Odd
Mode
Short at
symmetry
plane

Even
Mode
Open at
symmetry
plane
 Wilkinson Combiner

m1
freq=1.000GHz
S(4,4)=1.510E-4 / -180.000
impedance = Z0 * (1.000 - j4.330E-17)
m2
freq=1.000GHz
S(5,5)=2.165E-17 / 90.000
0.0 impedance = Z0 * (1.000 + j4.330E-17)

-0.1
m2
m1
S(6,5)
S(6,4)
S(5,5)
S(4,4)

-0.2
dB(S(6,4))

-0.3

-0.4

-0.5

-0.6
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
freq (100.0MHz to 2.000GHz)
freq, GHz
 More Combiner Possibilities
Most matching structures can become combiners

m2
freq=1.000GHz
S(2,2)=1.000 / -96.478
impedance = Z0 * (-1.611E-12 - j0.893)
m1
freq=900.0MHz
S(1,1)=0.006 / 45.165
impedance = Z0 * (1.008 + j0.008)

m1

S(2,2)
S(1,1)
0.0

-0.2
dB(S(3,1))

-0.4

-0.6 m2

freq (100.0MHz to 2.000GHz)

-0.8

-1.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0

freq, GHz
 More Combiner Possibilities
Most matching structures can become combiners

m2
freq=1.000GHz
S(2,2)=1.000 / 78.143
impedance = Z0 * (-2.256E-12 + j1.232)
m1
freq=800.0MHz
S(1,1)=0.008 / -72.429
impedance = Z0 * (1.005 - j0.015)
m2

0.0

-0.2 m1

S(2,2)
S(1,1)
dB(S(3,1))

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

freq (100.0MHz to 2.000GHz)

-1.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0

freq, GHz
 Load Pulling Effect of Combiners
Source 1

Current summing
combiner provides load
pull for current sources
Source 2=a Source1

Impedance Seen By Source 1

Z1=V1/I1
300

250
mag(Z1)
200

150
Assumes
100
source 2 is
50
coherent 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

with source 1 a

Current multiplier
 Load Pulling Effect of Combiners
Source 1

Summing with l/4 lines

provides load pull for
voltage sources
Source 2=a Source1

Impedance Seen By Source 1

50

40
mag(Z1)
30

20
Assumes
10
source 2 is
coherent with 0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
source 1
a
Voltage multiplier
 Load Pulling Effect of Combiners
Source 1

Source 2=a Source1

Impedance Seen By Source 1

80

60

40
imag(Z1)
real(Z1)
20

-20

-40

-60
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

a
Voltage multiplier
 General 4 Ports
With Matched Inputs & 2 Isolated Ports
(assuming lossless reciprocal components)

Not
Physically
Symmetric

Physically
Symmetric
Customary Embodiment of Coupled Line Coupler
Baluns

Differential
Balun amplifier Balun

+ +
- -
 Key Issue In Balun

1 2

Equality of forward and

reverse currents
must be enforced
Broadband Coax Balun Using Ferrites
Good for low frequencies (to ~ 1GHz)
Coaxial Balun

infinite
ADS Simulation Coaxial "Balun"

Matched for odd mode input

Open for even mode input
Matched for single-ended output
 ADS has a variety of transmission line models

Care must be exercised in describing T.L. baluns!

Assumes grounds Allows ground to Can describe T.L.

be assigned but balun
does not consider Want Ze=> infinity
coupling of outer Zo=>50 ohms
conductor to
external elements
Balun-like Structures Can Be Impedance Transformers
If one can enforce If=Ir

I1 If I2 I1=If+Ir=2 If
I2= If = I1/2
V2= 2 V1
Ir
1:4 Z transformation

If

2I I1=If+Ir=3 If
I2= If = I1/3
V2= 3 V1

1:9 Z transformation
 Other Balun Designs

5) Transformer baluns
 Transformers

For ideal transformer

with 2 windings
Transformers (2)

L1-M L2-M

It is somewhat difficult to show

the equivalence of these models!
 Detailed Models of Transformer
(1-k2)L1 K:1
Leakage inductance Ideal transformer

Magnetizing Zload
inductance k2L1

K>0.95 for low frequency with ferrite core

K~0.5-0.8 for IC layout
 K=0.99999

Pretty good transformer balun

Zdiffin~50ohms

K=0.6

Not so good transformer balun

Zdiffin~30ohms + 14 nH
Integrated Transformers for PAs
Advantages
Provides impedance matching
Combines power of multiple unit PAs
DC isolation of primary/secondary
Primary inductance can be used in
matching transistor Cout
With IC process can achieve
excellent control and matching
Low cost

Disadvantages
Resistive & substrate losses
BW limitations
Die area
 Different Methods of Combining
I2
I1a Transformers in “series”
For equal turns
I1b

I1a=I1b=I1c… = I2
I1c
V1a+V1b+V1c… = V2

Transformers in “parallel”
For equal turns

I1a+I1b+I1c … = I2
V1a=V1b=V1c… = V2

An et al JSSC 43, 1064 (2008)

 Integrated Transformers for CMOS PAs
Power combining ratio (serial)

Efficiency (serial)

CMOS layout

An et al JSSC 43, 1064 (2008)

 Simple Integrated Balun - Transformer Based

Secondary
windings 2x as
many as for each
primary

Leakage inductance Ideal transformer

Magnetizing Zload
inductance Zcom

Ideally Zdiffin = ZL/2 but have added inductance in series and in shunt
 Balun Characterization
Common mode input balun

Differential
mode input
 Push-Pull Amplifier

Classic amplifier for audio applications

Combine two Class B amplifiers to get linear output
Vce
Vrf
Vo
time match
IC1

Iave Irf RL
time Vo
IC2
Iave Irf
time
match

Can put in
hmax=p/4*(Vmax-Vmin)/(Vmax+Vmin) harmonic tuning
here
 Benefits of Push-Pull Amplifier
•Gets rid of even harmonics
can be used for very wide bandwidths (more than x2)
in situations where filtering cannot be done

•Push pull leads to more uniform current draw from supply,

so grounding source is not a big problem

•The output voltage swing is double that for a single transistor

=> higher output impedance

Drawbacks
Need for balun: potentially lossy and bandwidth limiting

Push-pull suffers same IM3 distortion as single Class B!

Perfect Class B does not generate IM3
but low gm at low bias causes problems in real life

If both transistors “on” at same time, get cross-over distortion

 Balanced Amplifiers
Commonly used arrangement with 2 amplifiers fed by signals coming
from a 90o splitter (ie Lange coupler)

90 degree 90 degree
hybrid hybrid

j j
j j
 Benefits of Balanced Amplifiers

90 degree 90 degree
hybrid hybrid

•Output power x2 higher

•IP3 x2 higher
•Gain the same
•Input and output match for combo much
better than for individual elements
• Output is less sensitive to impedance
mismatch of load
Effects of Amplitude and Phase Mismatch
a1
b3

a2
Would like r=1, q=0

-0.1

Combining loss (dB) -0.2

-0.3

-0.4
r=1
-0.5

-0.6
r=1.2
-0.7
0 10 20 30 40 50
Angle of mismatch (degrees)
Effects of Amplitude and Phase Mismatch (2)

Consider case of power subtraction (to cancel nonlinearity)

0
-5
-10
Combining loss (dB)

-15
-20 r=1.2
-25
-30
-35
-40
r=1
-45
-50
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Angle of mismatch (degrees)