A Generalized Time-Domain Waveform Test-Set

This paper addresses the problem of obtaining affordable and fast voltage and current time domain waveforms of non-linear devices, and describes a generalized testing solution which can be applied by anyone in possession of a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) and a Sampling Oscilloscope of any kind. Some details on the typical issues arising when calibrating such a measurement system are given. Also, a possible calibration solution is described. Finally, a measurement set-up currently in use at Freescale Semiconductor is shown and some measurement examples obtained with this system are given.

[1]  Andrea Ferrero,et al.  Accuracy Improvement of Real-Time Load-Pull Measurements , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.

[2]  R. Quéré,et al.  An Electrothermal Model for AlGaN/GaN Power HEMTs Including Trapping Effects to Improve Large-Signal Simulation Results on High VSWR , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[3]  U. Lott.  Measurement of magnitude and phase of harmonics generated in nonlinear microwave two-ports , 1989 .

[4]  A. Ferrero,et al.  Recent Improvements in Real-Time Load-Pull Systems , 2006, 2006 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings.

[5]  P. Colantonio,et al.  An approach to harmonic load- and source-pull measurements for high-efficiency PA design , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[6]  Denis Barataud,et al.  Measurements of time-domain voltage/current waveforms at RF and microwave frequencies based on the use of a vector network analyzer for the characterization of nonlinear devices-application to high-efficiency power amplifiers and frequency-multipliers optimization , 1998, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas..

[7]  Paul J. Tasker,et al.  High power time domain measurement system with active harmonic load-pull for high efficiency base station amplifier design , 2000, IMS 2000.

[8]  Andrea Pierenrico Ferrero,et al.  An improved calibration technique for on-wafer large signal characterization , 1993 .

[9]  R. Gaddi,et al.  LDMOS electro-thermal model validation from large-signal time-domain measurements , 2001, 2001 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Sympsoium Digest (Cat. No.01CH37157).

[10]  Jean-Michel Nebus,et al.  Optimum design of very high-efficiency microwave power amplifiers based on time-domain harmonic load-pull measurements , 2001 .

[11]  P.J. Tasker,et al.  Full extraction of PHEMT state functions using time domain measurements , 2001, 2001 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Sympsoium Digest (Cat. No.01CH37157).

[12]  Kari Lehtinen,et al.  High-frequency periodic time-domain waveform measurement system , 1988 .

[13]  J.B. Scott,et al.  Mixer-based, vector-corrected, vector signal/network analyzer offering 300kHz-20GHz bandwidth and traceable phase response , 2005, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2005..

[14]  P.J. Tasker,et al.  A study of the effect of envelope impedance on intermodulation asymmetry using a two-tone time domain measurement system , 2002, 2002 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (Cat. No.02CH37278).

[15]  Andrea Ferrero,et al.  A complete measurement Test-Set for non-linear device characterization , 2001, 58th ARFTG Conference Digest.

[16]  Jan Verspecht,et al.  Large-Signal Network Analysis : Going beyond S-parameters URSI Conference 2002 , 2002 .

[17]  Gunter Kompa,et al.  Error-corrected large-signal waveform measurement system combining network analyzer and sampling oscilloscope capabilities , 1990 .