How to Characterize Wideband High-Power Amplifiers
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Exponential growth in demand for faster-data-rate applications has triggered the need for modern technologies capable of wide signal bandwidth at higher frequencies and higher-order modulation schemes, such as high-throughput satellite and 5G New Radio. However, wider bandwidths introduce more noise into the system, and higher-order modulation schemes are more susceptible to noise.
Proper signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is critical to maintaining communication links. You need to increase signal levels and reduce system noise to sustain the links. High-power amplifiers constitute a significant building block of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave communication systems. They provide high-output power but also introduce nonlinear distortion to the system. Therefore, characterizing nonlinearities of the wideband high-power amplifier is the key to making solid design choices and creating an excellent product.
This paper focuses on distortion measurements for wideband high-power amplifiers. Discover how to perform stimulus-response testing for wideband applications and introduce an innovative method to characterize RF power amplifiers.