Power Amplifier Characterization Essentials
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Challenges of Power Amplifier Characterization
5G frequency range 2 (FR2) implementation demands revolutionary transformation in communication technology. As a result, the wireless communications industry’s emphasis on system integration, power efficiency, and device reliability continues to grow. Mission-critical requirements for a complete 5G infrastructure, notably network densification and rapidly growing consumer demand for electronic and electrified products, stress the need for faster development of highly integrated, reliable radio frequency (RF) devices.
An essential component in modern RF communication chains is the power amplifier (PA). A critical determining factor of transmission quality and battery life, PAs provide needed power to antennas. To satisfy 5G demands, designers need to optimize PA performance. However, the millimeter-wave (mmWave) carrier frequencies, wide bandwidth signals, and complex modulation schemes required to implement 5G impose stringent component error vector magnitude (EVM) qualifications. Designers face increasing challenges in generating accurate device models, minimizing design cycles, and certifying a device’s 5G conformance with a traditional EVM measurement vector signal analyzer (VSA) setup.