An Efficient Transistor-Model-Assisted Layout Synthesis Approach Using Improved Implicit Space Mapping for High-Performance MMIC PAs

In this brief, a novel design approach for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifiers (PAs) using improved implicit space mapping (IISM) and transistor modeling is proposed. By utilizing partial parameters of the matching networks and the transistor models as auxiliary parameters for parameter extraction, the proposed method effectively resolves the issue of significant performance discrepancy between ideal schematics and initial layouts; greatly reduces the time consumption for layout performance recovery and optimizations; and leads to promising convergence. To verify the proposed method, the design process of a 16/24 GHz concurrent dual-band MMIC PA is illustrated using the proposed method while the total number of electromagnetic simulations is reduced to 5. Based on the measurement results, over 23.6/23.9 dBm P-sat and 36.2%/31.5% power-added efficiency can be achieved at both frequencies.