Design Article

Quantifying Gain Compression in RF Power Amplifiers: An Improved Method for OFDM Signals

Robert Green, Keithley Instruments, Inc.

11/30/2009 7:14 AM EST

The prime consumer of power in a wireless device is its RF power amplifier (PA), so assessing PA performance is critical. To maximize efficiency, the PA must operate as close as possible to its maximum output level. The limitation on its maximum output power is the amount of distortion on the transmitted signal that the communication system receivers can accommodate and still reliably recover data. For linear amplification schemes, the amplifier must operate close to the maximum power level in its linear gain region.

This article looks at a technique for quantifying gain compression in RF power amplifiers, which affects overall efficiency and performance. This is a difficult measurement because of the complex modulation schemes used and the peak-to-average power ratio which impacts the measurement technique.

To read the article as a pdf document (no registration required), click here.


About the Author
Robert Green is a Senior Market Development Manager at Keithley Instruments, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and a MS in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.



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