Abstract
Abstract—We investigated the measurement techniques of the
nonlinear vector network analyzer (NVNA) test bench, to fully
characterize the nonlinear behavior of radio frequency (RF)
power amplifiers (PAs) driven by complex modulated signals.
In order to extend the baseband measurements, two kinds of
NVNA phase reference approaches are developed as alternative
solutions, so that the baseband phase measurements can be
achieved with those of modulated components at multiharmonic
RF bands. In the first approach, a modulated baseband signal
is combined with another modulated RF one to become the
desired NVNA phase reference. While as an alternative solution,
the second phase reference design is based on a “stepped”
multisine, which is stepped through the baseband and each
harmonic following the NVNA swept measurements, to achieve
stable phase measurements. To validate these proposed NVNA
test bench designs, an RF PA, driven by a large-signal long-term
evolution-like multisine, was tested and compared with digital
real-time oscilloscope measurements.
nonlinear vector network analyzer (NVNA) test bench, to fully
characterize the nonlinear behavior of radio frequency (RF)
power amplifiers (PAs) driven by complex modulated signals.
In order to extend the baseband measurements, two kinds of
NVNA phase reference approaches are developed as alternative
solutions, so that the baseband phase measurements can be
achieved with those of modulated components at multiharmonic
RF bands. In the first approach, a modulated baseband signal
is combined with another modulated RF one to become the
desired NVNA phase reference. While as an alternative solution,
the second phase reference design is based on a “stepped”
multisine, which is stepped through the baseband and each
harmonic following the NVNA swept measurements, to achieve
stable phase measurements. To validate these proposed NVNA
test bench designs, an RF PA, driven by a large-signal long-term
evolution-like multisine, was tested and compared with digital
real-time oscilloscope measurements.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1131 |
| Number of pages | 1141 |
| Journal | IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publication organised by National Institute of Metrology, China and National Physical Laboratory, UKKeywords
- Baseband measurements
- nonlinear vector network analyzer (NVNA)
- phase reference
- phase standard
- power amplifier (PA)