A Transformer-Based Power Combining Technique for a 60-GHz CMOS Power Amplifier
Abstract
A broadband and low-loss power amplifier (PA) implemented in 40-nm CMOS is presented. The PA employs a differential transmission-line transformer (DTLT) to achieve wideband impedance matching and efficient power combining. The proposed DTLT provides impedance transformation to$50~\Omega $over a 13-GHz bandwidth. Measurement results show that the PA achieves a gain of 17.6 dB around 60 GHz, with a 3-dB bandwidth from 53 to 67 GHz, covering all channels defined in the IEEE 802.11ad standard. The PA achieves an output 1-dB gain compression point (OP${}_{1\text {dB}}$) of 18 dBm and a saturated output power (P${}_{\text {sat}}$) of 18.2 dBm, with power-added efficiencies (PAEs) of 19.2% and 20%, respectively.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Power Amplifier Design
Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design
Microwave Engineering and Waveguides
Publication details
- Journal / source
- IEEE Microwave and Wireless Technology Letters
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1156–1159
- Publication date
- 5 March 2026
- Language
- EN