Technological advancements in our modern day world have forced scientists and engineers to devise new techniques and methodologies to meet the growing needs of the end-users. At the same time the product has to be commercially viable for the manufacturers to lower the unit-cost of the device. Therefore following paper contains similar approach for a sub-system component level design of a power amplifier to be used in Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) receiver.

This study includes the theory and design of an active device, which in this case is a power amplifier (PA); that should be able to perform in a microwave frequency operation of a WiMAX receiver. To design a PA we need to select an active device, suitable class of operation, dc bias circuitry, input and output matching networks in conjunction with correct harmonic sequence. Stability criterion and unilateral considerations were also studied and evaluated in detail in the design. The PA was designed using Agilent’s Advanced Design Systems (ADS) design tool. Harmonic balance simulations helped in finding power added efficiency, output spectrum based on harmonic resonance tank circuit along with drain voltage and current graphs. The designed PA was biased at 3.7V with input power of 12dBm and operating frequency of 3.5GHz. The PA has a power added efficiency of more than 80% with output power of 37dBm. The dc power consumption of 1mW with 2.9dB of power gain was attained.