How to Improve Power Amplifier Linearity

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UXA Signal Analyzer
+ UXA Signal Analyzer
UXA Signal Analyzer
+ UXA Signal Analyzer

Using digital pre-distortion to improve power amplifier efficiency

Improving power amplifier (PA) linearity and efficiency requires a linearization technique called digital pre-distortion (DPD). The DPD technique adds expanding non-linearity to the baseband that complements the compressing characteristic of the RF PA. Ideally, the pre-distorter and the PA cascade become linear, and a constant gain amplifies the original input. With the pre-distorter, you can use a PA up to its saturation point while still maintaining good linearity to increase efficiency.

The DPD method uses a signal generator to generate pre-distorted waveforms and a signal analyzer to extract the DPD model. The signal analyzer then transfers model parameters, such as the lookup table (LUT) or coefficients, to the signal generator. The signal generator applies pre-distortion to the waveform. Then, the waveform plays back to the device under test (DUT) PA. This approach helps improve the adjacent channel power ratio and error vector magnitude to appear closer to linear operation.

Power amplifier DPD measurement solution

Power amplifier DPD measurement solution

Optimizing power amplifier (PA) efficiency requires algorithms such as digital pre-distortion (DPD) to enhance the PA's linearity. The Keysight power amplifier DPD measurement solution, comprising the VXG signal generator and UXA signal analyzer, allows for both pre-DPD and post-DPD measurements. The solution helps reduce distortion and nonlinearity, while allowing for troubleshooting of the PA under different scenarios. It provides bandwidth to analyze DPD-applied waveforms for 5G NR FR2 or WLAN 802.11be signals.
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