Kunselman, Gary L.2014-03-142014-03-141992-12-15etd-03122009-040933http://hdl.handle.net/10919/41493Portable communication systems require, in part, high-efficiency radio frequency power amplifiers (RF PA) if battery lifetime is to be conserved. Conventional amplifier classifications and definitions are presented in a unified and concise format. The Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) and Metal-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MESFET) are evaluated as active devices in high-efficiency RF PA designs. Two amplifier classes (class CE and class F) meet the system requirements of an 850 MHz operating frequency, a power output of 3 W, a battery supply voltage of 9 Vdc, and a sinusoidal-type signal to be amplified. Both classes are evaluated through recent research literature and simulated using the PSpice® computer simulation program. Class CE and class F are found to provide efficiencies exceeding 80 percent under the given system constraints.</p.viii, 94 leavesBTDapplication/pdfenIn CopyrightLD5655.V855 1992.K867Amplifiers, Radio frequencyPortable radiosRadio -- Receivers and receptionThesishttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03122009-040933/