5.3 GHz 42% PAE class-E power amplifier with 532 mW/mm² power area density in 180 nm CMOS process

A 5.3 GHz high-efficiency and low-cost class-E power amplifier (PA) implemented in a 180 nm CMOS process is presented. Cascode con- figuration is utilised in the class-E PA to achieve high efficiency due to its high gain property and low drain-to-source parasitic capacitor. Through the trade-off between inductance and inductor loss, an optimised RF choke inductor for fully integrated class-E PA design can be selected to achieve high efficiency while maintaining compact circuit size. The class-E CMOS PA demonstrates the highest Power Added Efficiency (PAE) of 42% and greatest power area density of 532 mW/mm² in 0.263 mm² chip area to date.