Evaluation of linearity characterization techniques for multicarrier solid-state power amplifiers

Abstract

Terrestrial and satellite wireless systems require multicarrier operation of solid-state power amplifiers within specific linearity specifications. This paper evaluates candidate linearity measurement techniques that can be used for linearity characterization, including digital and analog noisepower ratio methods, and three-carrier intermodulation measurements. A correlation between these techniques is made for a specific power amplifier under accelerated life test conditions.

A new satellite repeater amplifier characterization system for large bandwidth NPR and modulated signals measurements

“…Its main characteristics are the sample frequency (1Gech/s) and the vertical resolution (10 bits). The key advantages of digital techniques [4] over analog ones [5] are now well-known for NPR determination [6] : the shape of the noise is not imposed by a filter, it exhibits better repeatability ; and as the generated signal is pseudo-noise, the averaging of signals along several periods reduces the thermal noise. Moreover, the numerical technique has been specially selected according to the wide variety of signals which can be generated thanks to the high degree of flexibility of the system.…”