A linear-high range output power control technique for cascode power amplifiers

In this paper a new linear power control technique is presented to control the output power of cascode power amplifiers. Using this technique the output power of power amplifier can be controlled from the maximum output power to 136 dBm, continuously. The characteristic of the output voltage versus control voltage is linear from 15.9 to 18.6 dBm (a range of 34.5 dB) of the output power. Also at this range the Amplitude Modulation to Phase Modulation (AM-PM) distortion is 431. Furthermore, the input dynamic range is 0.373 V, which is less than the conventional techniques. Having a power controller in a low power path and a low input dynamic range leads to minimizing the controller dissipation and reduction of power added efficiency (PAE). The proposed technique is simulated using 0.13 mm CMOS process model using Advanced Design System and the results obtained are presented. & 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.