Green wireless communications – Nonlinear analysis applied to the characterization of mobile devices
By Darren McCarthy of Tektronix and Wally Arceneaux of Mesuro
Translated and adapted by Juan Ojeda from AFC Ingenieros SA (jojeda@afc-ingenieros.com)
A fundamental goal for wireless design is to achieve devices that are more efficient or greener, either by reducing power consumption at base stations or increasing the life of the batteries of several billion phones. Using active devices in their non-linear region improves the operational efficiency of wireless products.
Traditionally, the characterization of the non-linear behavior of devices has involved the use of measurements and models to achieve optimum results. Regarding the measures, the existing products have gradually expanded their features with the application of software and hardware in an attempt to face this market and to facilitate the creation of behavior models. However, the measurement techniques of these power amplifiers (PAs) may lack consistent integration with a harmonic source/load pull system, resulting in devices and amplifiers being characterizing impedances that are different from those corresponding to its final application, making this a challenge to (1) transfer the performance of the device on which it is measured to the design of the AP or (2) achieve the potential performance available from the device or of the architecture used in the AP.