THE EFFECTS OF BIASING AND HARMONIC LOADING ON MESFET TRIPLER PERFORMANCE

The effects of biasing and harmonic loading on GaAs MESFET tripler per formance are studied. The Tajima large-signal nonlinear model and the harmonic balance approach are used for this purpose. The output power, gain, and efficiency of a 5 similar to 15-GHz tripler as functions of the fundamental and second harmonic load impedances, as well as the g ate-bins voltages, are investigated. Design guidelines for MESFET trip lers are deduced. It is recommended, for any biasing, that the fundame ntal frequency load impedance be an inductive reactance away fr om the open-circuit region, and that the second harmonic termination be in t he short-circuit region. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.