Class E Power Amplifier with Piezoelectric Resonator Output Branch

Abstract

With superior power density and quality factor, piezoelectric resonators offer a promising alternative to the shortcomings of inductors at high frequency and small size. While piezoelectric resonators have been explored in DC-DC converters as their sole energy storage element, they can also improve various resonant inverter topologies. Substituting a piezoelectric resonator into the output branch of a Class E power amplifier in place of a discrete inductor and capacitor can improve converter efficiency and power density. This paper discusses the design and prototyping of such a Class E power amplifier; the prototype Class E outputs a maximum of 64 W at 95.6% efficiency.