A Systematic Analytical Design Procedure for Distributed Amplifiers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive analytical design method for distributed amplifiers, focusing on their wideband capabilities, self-matching properties, and frequency behavior, validated through practical examples.

Contribution

It provides the first analytical explanation of the frequency behavior of tapered distributed amplifiers and offers a practical design flowchart for wideband amplifier development.

Findings

Bandwidth estimation equations for distributed amplifiers

Analytical explanation of tapered distributed amplifier frequency behavior

Validation using published and previous designs

Abstract

In this paper we present a simple while comprehensive analytical design procedure for distributed amplifiers. Distributed amplifiers are attractive for designers due to their wideband capability. When designing a distributed amplifier, the first question that comes to mind is how wide the bandwidth can be. This paper answers this question by using the self-matching and low-pass properties of a distributed amplifier. Self-matching property of a distributed power amplifier is an interesting point that distinguishes it from other types of power amplifiers that are usually based on input and output matching networks. Here the estimation of the bandwidth of a distributed amplifier structure is discussed. The equations that are used in this paper can bring good insight and they can assist designers. Furthermore, we have explained the frequency behavior of a tapered distributed amplifier analytically for the first time. In order to validate the approach presented here, we have used published designs including our previously published design as practical examples. The flowchart of the design procedure is also provided.