Design and Simulation of Doherty Power Amplifier for 2.4 GHz Frequency Applications

Abstract

Abstract: The Doherty Power Amplifiers (DPA) are specialized Radio Frequency (RF) amplifiers designed to improve efficiency, particularly at high output power levels. They are used in base stations of cellular communication systems, and other wireless infrastructure applications. This work endeavors the design and simulation of a Doherty Power Amplifier (DPA) utilizing the Cadence Virtuoso environment using 45nm technology, precisely tuned to operate at 2.4 GHz frequency. The DPAs are pivotal components in modern RF communication systems, renowned for their efficiency and linearity. The work begins with a detailed examination of DPA architecture, focusing on key components such as power splitter, main amplifier, auxiliary amplifier, transmission line, and matched network. Each component is meticulously designed and optimized to ensure precise operation. Advanced simulation techniques are employed to analyze the performance of the DPA, including power gain, and Power Added Efficiency (PAE). Leveraging 45 nm VLSI process semiconductor technology, the undertaking aims at achieving high efficiency and signal integrity while minimizing power consumption and distortion. The tuning process entails iterative adjustments to component parameters guided by simulation results to achieve optimal performance characteristics, with a focus on impedance matching, power combining, and phase alignment. The final outcomes are evaluated based on comprehensive simulation results, offering valuable insights into the design and optimization of DPAs using advanced semiconductor technology.

Index Terms: Doherty Power Amplifier, Wi-Fi Standard, RF Design, Wireless Communications, VLSI Design, Power Added Efficiency.