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Testing the performance of a power amplifier (PA) requires a vector signal generator and a signal analyzer running power amplifier measurement software fed back into the input of the signal generator. The signal generator provides a digitally pre-distorted signal as input to the power amplifier to compensate for its non-linear behavior.
A signal analyzer is used to measure the signal quality generated by the PA and apply any necessary post-DPD processing or measurements. The signal analyzer measures the quality of the signal in terms of error vector magnitude (EVM), phase error, and other performance parameters like adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR).
Power amplifier test requires a signal generator and a signal analyzer running DPD software. The Keysight power amplifier test solution requires the Keysight MXG signal generator, with its low error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR), and the PXA signal analyzer running Keysight Power Amplifier Measurement Application software. The software generates a pre-DPD waveform transmitted by the signal generator, and analyzes the captured waveform from the signal analyzer, validating the amplified waveform versus the post-DPD target. Pre- and post-DPD measurement results are displayed on one screen for ease of comparison. The PXA signal analyzer provides key measurements like EVM and ACLR to determine the signal quality from the power amplifier.
How to Test an RF Power Amplifier with Digital Pre-Distortion
Power amplifier with predistortion in RF/millimeter wave
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How to Test an RF Power Amplifier with Digital Pre-Distortion
Compact, four-channel vector signal generator capable of signal generation up to 8.5 GHz with 960 MHz of modulation bandwidth per channel
Frequency | 9 kHz to 8.5 GHz |
Output Power @1 GHz | +27 dBm (meas) |
Frequency Switching (Typical) | |
Harmonics @1 GHz | -35 dBc (meas) |
Phase Noise @1 GHz (20 kHz offset) | -147 dBc/Hz (10 kHz offset) (meas) |
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How to Test an RF Power Amplifier with Digital Pre-Distortion
Superior performance in a compact design
Frequency | 2 Hz to 55 GHz |
DANL @1 GHz | -174 dBm |
Maximum Analysis Bandwidth | 2 GHz |
Maximum Real-Time Bandwidth | Up to 2 GHz |
Phase Noise @1 GHz (10 kHz offset) | -136 dBc/Hz |
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