Vector Method of Characterizing Nonlinearity in Microwave Power Devices

Abstract

A new vector method for simultaneously measuring the nonlinear amplitude and phase distortion is described. This simple method, particularly suited for repetitive measurements, isused to characterize high-power amplifiers for 64-QAM digital microwave systems. Graphic display on a "T-chart" clearly identifies gain, compression, expansion, and the order of distortion in devices.