How to Test RF Power Amplifiers with Digital Pre-Distortion
Using a signal generator and a signal analyzer with digital pre-distortion software for power amplifier test
Testing the performance of a power amplifier (PA) requires a vector signal generator and a signal analyzer running power amplifier measurement software fed back into the input of the signal generator. The signal generator provides a digitally pre-distorted signal as input to the power amplifier to compensate for its non-linear behavior.
A signal analyzer is used to measure the signal quality generated by the PA and apply any necessary post-DPD processing or measurements. The signal analyzer measures the quality of the signal in terms of error vector magnitude (EVM), phase error, and other performance parameters like adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR).
RF power amplifier test solution
Power amplifier test requires a signal generator and a signal analyzer running DPD software. The Keysight power amplifier test solution requires the Keysight MXG signal generator, with its low error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR), and the PXA signal analyzer running Keysight Power Amplifier Measurement Application software. The software generates a pre-DPD waveform transmitted by the signal generator, and analyzes the captured waveform from the signal analyzer, validating the amplified waveform versus the post-DPD target. Pre- and post-DPD measurement results are displayed on one screen for ease of comparison. The PXA signal analyzer provides key measurements like EVM and ACLR to determine the signal quality from the power amplifier.
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Explore products in our RF power amplifier test solution
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![N5186A MXG Vector Signal Generator]()
N5186A MXG Vector Signal Generator
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![N9055EM0E Power Amplifier Measurement Application, Multi-Touch UI]()
N9055EM0E Power Amplifier Measurement Application, Multi-Touch UI
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![N9032B PXA Signal Analyzer, 2 Hz to 55 GHz]()
N9032B PXA Signal Analyzer, 2 Hz to 55 GHz
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