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Digital GaN-based transceiver architectures for sustainable 5G networks

M. Krishnaji Rao1, A. Wentzel1, T. Hoffmann1, L. Schellhase1, S.A. Chevtchenko1, H. Yazdani1,2 and M. Rudolph1,3

Published in:

Int. J. Microwave Wireless Technolog., vol. 17, no. 9, pp. 1581–1589, doi:10.1017/S1759078725102262 (2025).

Abstract:

This paper presents two distinct configurations of a GaN-based digital transceiver (TRx) to evaluate their performance and integration efficiency. The first configuration, features a novel low-noise amplifier with integrated switching capability (LNAiS) and a digital class-E power amplifier (PA) on a single compact chip. The LNAiS eliminates the need for an external antenna switch, reducing module complexity and chip size while maintaining high performance. It achieves a gain of 12.7 dB and a noise figure of 3 dB at 4.7 GHz in Rx mode and provides over 20 dB isolation in Tx mode across 4.7–7.4 GHz. The digital PA demonstrates flexibil- ity and efficiency, achieving 46% and 23% efficiencies for 20 MHz LTE and OFDM signals, respectively, and 22% for a 240 MHz OFDM signal with 10 dB PAPR. The second configuration integrates the same concept of digital PA with a standard LNA and an SPDT switch (LNAsS), achieving a gain of 24.8 dB and a noise figure of 2.65 dB at 4.2 GHz. This work highlights the trade-offs between these two architectures and demonstrates that the LNAiS-based approach drives the development of greener, more flexible, compact,lower-complexity, and cost-effective transceivers for 5G networks.

1 Ferdinand-Braun Institut (FBH), Berlin, Germany
2 Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), Cottbus, Germany
3 Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)l, 03046 Cottbus, Germany

Topics:

GaN; HEMT; MMIC; transceiver; FEM; LNA; PA; spdt switch; digital; PWM; class-E; 5G

© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with The European Microwave Association. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
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