We propose a fast and simple method to accurately determine the compressing stage in a two-stage amplifier system based on reverse intermodulation and hot S-parameter measurements. The method uses no specialized hardware and needs little reconfiguration, simplifying the measurements. We demonstrate its validity over a broad range of amplifiers designed in various semiconductor technologies. This method is a very useful tool in understanding or debugging amplifier designs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.