Power Amplifiers Useful Definitions — Lesson 2

This lesson covers the fundamentals of power amplifier efficiency in software-defined radios. It delves into the distortion introduced by power amplifiers and non-linear components, and the specifications of a power amplifier. The lesson explains the efficiency of a power amplifier, defined by the ratio of output power to input power. It also discusses the concepts of drain efficiency and collector efficiency. The lesson further explores how to avoid distortion in signals, the function of gain, and the concept of power added efficiency. It also explains how to calculate dissipated power. The lesson concludes with a practical example of selecting a power amplifier based on a commercial datasheet.

Video Highlights

00:18 - Power amplifier efficiency
03:33 - power added efficiency
06:00 - Power dissipation
09:51 - Commercial data-sheet of circuits
16:46 - Application of concepts for practical data-sheet

Key Takeaways

- Power amplifier efficiency is defined by the ratio of output power to input power.
- Drain efficiency and collector efficiency are terms used in the context of solid-state power amplifiers.
- To avoid distortion in signals, power amplifiers are often run in the linear range.
- Power added efficiency refers to the efficiency with respect to the added power, which is the difference between the output power and the input power.
- Dissipated power refers to the power that is not converted to RF.
- Understanding the specifications of a power amplifier, such as gain, output power, and DC power, is crucial in selecting the right amplifier for specific applications.