Optimizing High-Power Amplifier Designs with X-Parameter
应用文章
To meet evolving requirements, today’s radar designs are utilizing wider frequency bandwidths and increasingly complex modulation schemes. As one consequence of these changes, power amplifier (PA) designers are pushing to optimize output power while maintaining high efficiency. Whether they’re working on aerospace, defense or commercial systems, many designers are investigating and implementing newer technologies such as gallium nitride (GaN). Working with a new technology presents a variety of challenges in design, simulation and testing. Traditionally, S-parameter measurements have been a used in amplifier design. X-parameters are a relatively new technique that extends the capability of S-parameters to measure and model amplifier nonlinearities. X-parameters can help you overcome three key challenges in RF engineering: nonlinear impedance differences, harmonic mixing, and nonlinear reflection effects that occur when components are cascaded under large-signal operating conditions.