A high-efficiency, low-power 2.4 GHz class AB PA for WBAN applications using load pull

A low-power, 2.4 GHz, class AB power amplifier (PA) for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications was designed using load-pull te chniques in TSM C 0.18 μm pr ocess. Measurement results show ed a power gain of 14 dB, an input return loss Su of −14.5 dB, and an output return loss S22 of −26 dB at 2.4 GHz. The PA achieved a maximum power-added efficiency (PAE) of39.5 % while delivering 9.5 dBm of power at an input 1 dB compression of-1 dBm. The PA consumed 6 mW from a 1.8V supply. In addition, a class F PA with maximum PAE of 47 % at 2.4 GHz was designed using the third harmonic peaking technique in T SMC 0.18 μm technology. Although class F PA achieved better PAE, it consumed 50% more area compared to the designed class AB PA.