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Hybrid balanced frequency doubler up-converting from 2.45 to 4.9 GHz using packaged GaN HEMTs and a Moore space-filling coupler design approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2025

Ainhoa Morales Fernandez
Affiliation:
atlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
Monica Fernandez Barciela*
Affiliation:
atlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
Fernando Martin Rodriguez
Affiliation:
atlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
Paul Tasker
Affiliation:
Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
*
Corresponding author: Monica Fernandez Barciela; Email: monica.barciela@uvigo.es
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Abstract

A hybrid Balanced Frequency Doubler working up-converting from 2.45 to 4.9 GHz using packaged GaN HEMTs and with no amplification stage, was designed and its performance validated with measurements. The design procedure is detailed, including a brief study of the HEMT optimum bias point. Moore space filling curves are used in the design of the input hybrid coupler, to reduce its size at the fundamental frequency. A maximum measured conversion gain of 11.5 dB with a second harmonic output power of 26.3 dBm was obtained, while fundamental and third harmonic suppression exceeds 40 dBc.

Information

Type
Research Paper
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with The European Microwave Association.
Figure 0

Table 1. Comparison of the state-of-the-art FDs working in similar frequency bands.

Figure 1

Figure 1. $G_{c2f_0}$ simulated contours sweeping both Pin and VGS.

Figure 2

Figure 2. $G_{c4f_0}$ simulated contours sweeping both Pin and VGS.

Figure 3

Figure 3. $G_{c2f_0}$ simulated contours obtained at Pin=10 dBm with second harmonic LP, showing the impedance that maximizes $G_{c2f_0}$.

Figure 4

Figure 4. Output matching network design. Part of the drain bias network and decoupling capacitor are shown in the box.

Figure 5

Figure 5. Simulated output matching network (a) S11 and S21 magnitude in dB. (b) S11 magnitude and phase.

Figure 6

Figure 6. Input matching network simulated S11 and S21 parameters.

Figure 7

Figure 7. SE FD simulated conversion gains up to the 4th harmonic.

Figure 8

Figure 8. Photo of the designed SE 4.9 GHz FD prototype.

Figure 9

Figure 9. Measured (blue dashed line) and simulated (red continuous line) SE FD prototype S11.

Figure 10

Figure 10. Measurement set-up used to perform large signal measurements.

Figure 11

Figure 11. Measured (dashed line) and simulated (continuous line) single-ended FD prototype conversion gains up to the 4th harmonic.

Figure 12

Figure 12. Balanced FD block diagram from [17].

Figure 13

Figure 13. Left side: rat-race ring coupler at 2.45 GHz. Right side: equivalent coupler using Moore space-filling curves (from [17]).

Figure 14

Figure 14. BFD simulated conversion gains up to the 4th harmonic.

Figure 15

Figure 15. This work BFD prototype working at $2f_0 = 4.9\,\mathrm{GHz}$.

Figure 16

Figure 16. Measured BFD conversion gains, up to the 3rd harmonic, at different bias points: $I_{DS} = 0.2\,\mathrm{mA}$ (blue), 0.5 mA (red) and 1 mA (magenta).

Figure 17

Figure 17. Measured (blue) and simulated (red) BFD prototype S11.

Figure 18

Figure 18. BFD prototype conversion gains simulated (continuous line) and measured (dashed line) vs Pin.

Figure 19

Figure 19. BFD prototype Pout from simulations (continuous line) and measurements (dashed line) vs Pin.

Figure 20

Figure 20. BFD simulated (continuous line) and measured (dots) fundamental gain (red) and 2nd harmonic conversion gain (blue) at the Pin for maximum $G_{c2f_0}$ vs f0.

Figure 21

Figure 21. Comparison of the measured conversion gains between the SE FD (blue) and the BFD (red) of this work.

Figure 22

Figure 22. (a) Comparison of the measured $P_{out2f_0}$ between the SE FD (blue) and the BFD (red) of this work. (b) Comparison of the measured Pout at other harmonics between the SE FD (blue) and the BFD (red) of this work.