Application Notes Library

2024

Millimeter Wave and Sub-THz Power Sweep and Active Load-Pull Measurements

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave, Vertigo Technologies and Virginia Diodes

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Microwave Journal – March 2024

ABSTRACT:The authors introduce the concept of active load pull, discuss the challenges related to performing gain compression power sweep and active load pull measurements on high-power devices at sub-THz frequencies, and then demonstrate a novel solution using high-power waveguide extender modules to overcome these challenges, compress the device under test, and extend load pull iso-contours to higher magnitudes of reflection.

Download: 5A-075

Overcoming the Challenges of Passive On-Wafer Load Pull Measurements at Millimeter Wave Frequencies for 5G Applications

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave and FormFactor

PUBLICATION HISTORY: EverythingRF – February 2024

ABSTRACT:Millimeter waves offer high data speeds, low latency, and increased capacity, enhancing user experiences in activities such as gaming and video conferencing. Despite benefits, challenges exist, including shorter range and signal blockage. The key to unlocking 5G’s potential lies in optimizing infrastructure components, particularly the power amplifier (PA). PA engineers use Load Pull, a crucial tool, to balance power, efficiency, linearity, and size during design. This solutions brochure narrows its focus to passive on-wafer load pull measurements at 5G frequencies, specifically 28 GHz and 39 GHz, addressing the intricacies of achieving optimal PA performance.

Download: 5A-074

2021

On-Wafer, Large-Signal Transistor Characterization from 70–110 GHz Using an Optimized Load-Pull Technique

AUTHORS: J. Zhang, J. Urbonas and G. Esposition, Maury Microwave; A. Arias-Purdue and P Rowell, Teledyne Technologies

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Microwave Journal – February 2021

ABSTRACT: The ability to benchmark the performance of semiconductor technologies using small periphery devices, quickly and accurately, can reduce development cost and expedite time to market. This can now be achieved using hybrid-active vector receiver load-pull measurements that enable E- and W-Band device characterization up to gamma magnitudes of 1 at the device-under-test (DUT) reference plane.

Download: 5A-073 (711 kB)

2020

Frequency Scalable, Power Control and Active Tuning for Sub-THz Large-Signal Measurements

AUTHORS: L. Galatro, R. Romano and C. De Martino, Vertigo Technologies

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Microwave Journal – February 2020

ABSTRACT: Characterizing electronic devices and MMICs at sub-THz frequencies presents several challenges for the instrumentation. While S-parameter measurements can be performed using vector network analyzers (VNA) with mmWave extenders, large-signal measurements require dedicated measurement setups. A novel approach, described here, expands the capabilities of conventional VNA sub-THz S-parameter setups to achieve refined power control, power sweeps and active load-pull.

Download: 5A-072 (3.05 MB)

2019

Characterizing Uncertainty in S-Parameter Measurements

AUTHORS: P. Narang, T. Buber, S. Padmanabhan and G. Esposito, Maury Microwave Corp

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Microwave Journal – October 2019

ABSTRACT: As technologies evolve and requirements become more challenging, implementing processes that increase confidence in measurements and ensure accurate and reliable characterization—and product performance— are critical. Characterizing and quantifying measurement uncertainty is one such process to achieve the desired results. Uncertainty can aid in definitively verifying a VNA calibration before measuring a DUT. Uncertainty can help understanding how the various components in a measurement system impact the overall uncertainty of the DUT measurement. Identifying, quantifying and reducing the major sources of uncertainty in a test setup will improve the accuracy of the overall measurement. Referring to the original amplifier scenario shown in Figure 1, quantifying measurement uncertainty can provide the confidence that the true performance of the DUT is reflected in the measurements, and the design will not pass one test and fail another.

Download: 5A-071 (7.92 MB)

Improving Calibration Accuracy and Speed with Characterized Calibration Standards

AUTHORS: P. Narang and T. Buber, Maury Microwave Corp

PUBLICATION HISTORY: May 2019

ABSTRACT: S parameter error correction is the fundamental building block of the RF & microwave device characterization world. The accuracy of several advanced measurements depend on the accuracy of S parameter characterization. Therefore it has been one of the most extensively researched topics since the introduction of network analyzers. Error correction techniques can be accomplished using several calibration methods. The most commonly known methods are SOLT and TRL calibrations. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods have been covered in many documents since the 80’s that explain the calibration theory. While it may have been generally accepted all along, the need for faster and accurate calibrations have always been driven by operational efficiency requirements within organizations. Hence the advent of Electronic calibration modules. This application note explains the lesser known characterized SOLT calibration which drives the means to meet the objective of faster, accurate and wide-band calibrations. .

Download: 5C-090 (1.03 MB)

2018

Overcoming the Challenges of On-Wafer Load Pull Measurements at Millimeter-Wave Frequencies for 5G Applications

AUTHORS: R. Hilton and S.Dudkiewicz, Maury Microwave Corp

PUBLICATION HISTORY: MICROWAVE JOURNAL – JUNE 2018

ABSTRACT: This paper reviews the challenges of on-wafer load pull measurements at 5G mmW bands, specifically how high insertion losses can reduce the effectiveness of load pull and how to overcome these losses through the novel concept of hybrid-active load pull.

Download: 5A-070 (1.62 MB)

2016

VNA Based Load Pull Harmonic Measurement De-embedding Dedicated to Waveform Engineering

AUTHORS: C. Charbonniaud, T.Gasseling, AMCAD Engineering

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a simple methodology to observe the RF waveforms at the drain source current reference plane of the transistor, without using a complete nonlinear model. The aim is to allow Power Amplifier designers starting their work using VNA based harmonic and time domain load pull measurements, and S parameter measurements. The later measurements will be used to extract a linear model first. Then the parameters of the linear model will be used to deembed the load pull measurements directly at the voltage controlled current source plane, in order to enable waveform engineering. Because of the well know theoretic conditions that enable optimum efficiency, this methodology can also be used to avoid time consuming multi-harmonic load pull measurements. Harmonic impedances can be defined accordingly to the knowledge of the operating class addressed, while load pull optimization can be addressed to refine the fundamental matching only.

Download: 5A-069 (1.15 MB)

Integrated, Turnkey Modeling & Measurement Systems

AUTHOR: Steve Dudkiewicz, Maury Microwave Corp

PUBLICATION HISTORY: MICROWAVE JOURNAL – MARCH 2016

ABSTRACT: As companies become more vertically integrated, they take on the greater responsibilities of accurate and robust device modeling, and associated measurements, across multiple product levels (die-level, package-level, IC-level…). With time-to- market as a common organizational goal, the need for a highly-efficient turnkey component- to circuit- to system-level measurement and modeling device characterization solution has never been more critical. To address this growing need, Maury Microwave and AMCAD Engineering have partnered to release a turnkey design flow which includes the instrumentation and software necessary to take measurements, and to extract, validate and refine compact and behavioral models, all from within a single intuitive software platform, IVCAD.

Download: 5A-068 (1.20 MB)

2015

High Efficiency Doherty Power Amplifier Design using Enhanced Poly-Harmonic Distortion (EPHD) Model

AUTHOR: C.Maziere, D.Gapillout, A.Xiong, T.Gasseling, AMCAD Engineering

ABSTRACT: This application note presents new identification methodologies dedicated to packaged transistor behavioral modeling. Using the background of the Poly-Harmonic Distortion (PHD) model formalism, the extension of the model kernels description up to the third order makes the behavioral model more robust and accurate for a wide range of impedance loading conditions, which is a primordial when designing a High Power Added Efficiency Doherty Amplifier, where a load impedance variation can be observed as a function of the power level. In this paper, a model of a 15 W GaN Packaged Transistor has been extracted from Load Pull measurements for Class AB and Class C conditions. This new Enhanced PHD model (EPHD) and the original PHD model are benchmarked against Load Pull measurements in order to check the new formulation. An advanced validation at the circuit level was done in order to verify the ability of the EPHD model to predict the overall Doherty Amplifier performances.

Download: 5A-065 (1.36 MB)

Comparing Nonlinear Vector Network Analyzer Methodologies

AUTHOR: Steve Dudkiewicz, Gary Simpson and Giampiero Esposito, Maury Microwave Corp, Mauro Marchetti, Anteverta-mw and Marc Vanden Bossche, NMDG

PUBLICATION HISTORY: MICROWAVE JOURNAL – AUGUST 2015

ABSTRACT: When the transistor is in deep compression and its output is composed of multiple harmonics, the device behavior cannot be described correctly by S-parameters, which are frequency domain quantities. It is much more natural to analyze the behavior of the device under test (DUT) in terms of time domain RF voltage and current waveforms. Clear evidence of this is provided by the theoretical description of the different modes of operation of power amplifiers, which is completely done in time domain. In this case, a nonlinear vector network analyzer (NVNA) can be used to measure the incident and reflected a- and b-waves at the transistor input and output, in both amplitude and phase. The data can then reconstruct the time domain RF voltage and current waveforms and RF load lines as well as all the conventional performance parameters of the device, such as input and output power, gain and efficiency.2 Several commercial solutions exist to measure nonlinear transistor performance.
This article will compare Maury Microwave’s MT4463 large signal network analyzer (LSNA) and the MT2000 mixed-signal active loadpull system (MSALP). The MT4463 LSNA was offered in conjunction with Agilent’s Network Measurement and Description Group between 2003 and 2008. The MT2000 is currently offered as an integrated non-50 Ω measurement system, in conjunction with Anteverta-mw.

Download: 5A-064 (1.13 MB)

Selecting the Node: Understanding and overcoming pole-zero quasi-cancellations

AUTHOR: AMCAD Engineering

ABSTRACT: This application note provides the fundamentals to understand the origin of pole-zero quasi-cancellations and the tips to get a reliable analysis that unambiguously decides on the stability/instability of the circuit in the presence of quasi-cancellations.

Download: 5A-063 (3.97 MB)

A Beginner’s Guide To All Things Load Pull / Impedance Tuning 101

AUTHOR: Gary Simpson, Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: This reprint is based on an article that originally appeared in Microwaves&RF magazine – digital edition of 1 December, 2014.

ABSTRACT: Load pull is an essential tool in the design, test, model validation process of amplifier development and is also used in test validation of various system modules. There are different methods to perform load pull and based on customer requirement, one of these methods is presented. This article is intended to introduce the basics of load pull and tools needed to accomplish this measurement method.

Download: 5A-062 (1.56 MB)

Understanding the Relevance of Harmonic Impedance Matching in Amplifier Design

AUTHOR: Steve Dudkiewicz, Marc Schulze Tenberge and Giampiero Esposito Maury Microwave Corp and Travis Barbieri, Freescale Semiconductor

PUBLICATION HISTORY: MICROWAVE JOURNAL – APRIL 2015

ABSTRACT: Today’s modern commercial and military communication systems are demanding better performance with regards to power, efficiency, linearity and operating bandwidth. As such, extra considerations must be placed on designing the internal components of the systems, including the low-noise and power amplifiers, to maximize performance.
In order to reach higher efficiencies, significant research has been performed on designing high efficiency amplifiers by matching one or more harmonic impedances. An equally large effort has gone into designing commercial test systems which aid in the systematic identification of ideal matching impedances at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies, referred to as harmonic load-pull, in order to maximize performance.
Before venturing into a design project, it is important to ask several questions: Does the application require an amplifier with harmonic matching? If so, which test system is best suited to reach the design goals? This paper explores various types of amplifiers in order to identify which can or cannot take advantage of harmonic matching, and to compare and contrast various harmonic load-pull methodologies as they relate to amplifier design.

Download: 5A-060 (1.07 MB)

Mixed-Signal Instrumentation for Large-Signal Device Characterization and Modelling

AUTHOR: Mauro Marchetti, Anteverta-mw

PUBLICATION HISTORY: 2013 Doctorate Thesis

ABSTRACT: This thesis concentrates on the development of advanced large-signal measurement and characterization tools that support transistor technology development, model extraction and validation, and design of PAs that address these new communication standards. In particular, the measurement systems which will be described throughout this thesis work aim to extend the limits of state-of-the-art, large-signal characterization systems in terms of bandwidth, peak output power, speed and multi-functional capabilities. For this purpose, an innovative mixed-signal approach, which replaces traditional analog techniques with digital data acquisition and digital signal generation and advanced digital signal processing, will be followed. This method provides, compared to traditional techniques, a much higher exibility, functionality, performance and speed in many different applications.

Download: 5A-059 (13.2 MB)

2014

Assets of Source Pull for NVNA Based Load Pull Measurements

AUTHORS: AMCAD Engineering

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the 2012 IEEE Publications

ABSTRACT: This study deals with Vector Network Analyzer based source-pull measurements. When using a traditional power meter based source/load pull bench, source pull measurements are mandatory. However, modern VNA based load pull systems provide direct measurements of the transistor’s input impedance. From the theoretical definition of any arbitrary source impedance, the mismatch calculus between input and source impedances is possible. This allows virtual, or magic source pull to be performed.

Download: 5A-057 (751 kB)

STAN: Circuit Stability Analysis Tool

AUTHORS: AMCAD Engineering

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the April 2014 of the Microwaves Journal and republished in this form (with permission) in April 2014 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: This Product Feature describes MT930Q Stability Analysis Tool (STAN) and how it is used to identify and eliminate oscillations in an IC or amplifier.

Download: 5A-056 (477 kB)

2013

Connect with Confidence: Color-Coded Interconnects

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the March 2013 Cables & Connectors supplement of the Microwaves Journal and republished in this form (with permission) in March 2013 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: This article presents a new solution to the problem of proper connector identification. It traces the development of the first proposed IEEE Coaxial Connector Rapid ID color code, and its application to certain Maury Microwave products now on the Market. This article, first appeared in print as a Special Report in the March 2013 Cables & Connectors Supplement to the Microwave Journal, and is reprinted in this format with permission.

Download: 5A-055 (869 kB)

2012

50 GHz Noise Parameter Measurements Using Agilent N5245A-series PNA-X with Noise Option 029

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: September 2012

ABSTRACT: The industry’s most accurate mmW noise parameters can be obtained by combining Agilent Technologies’ N5245Aseries PNA-X with Maury Microwaves MT984AU01 automated impedance tuner, MT7553B02 noise receiver module, and MT993-series ATS software suite. The turnkey solution is capable of measuring wideband noise parameters up to 50 GHz with improved speed and accuracy.

Download: 5C-088 (950 kB)

Software Simplifies Stability Analysis

AUTHORS: Stephane Dellier, AMCAD Engineering

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the August 2012 issue of the Microwaves & RF Magazine and republished in this form (with permission) in August 2012 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: This article, first appeared in print as the cover story in the August 2012 issue of Microwaves & RF magazine, and describes this new stability analysis tool for circuit design. It is must reading for designers who need a better understanding of the nature of the linear or small signal stability or the nonlinear or large-signal stability of circuits at an early point in the design process.

Download: 5A-054 (4.01 MB)

Pulsed IV, Pulsed S-Parameters and Compact Transistor Models

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz, Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the April 2012 issue of the Microwave Journal and republished in this form (with permission) in April 2012 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: Microwave Journal Product Feature on BILT PUlsed IV system and IVCAD software for measuring Pulsed IV and Pulsed S-Parameters and extracting Compact Transistor Models

Download: 5A-053 (0.53 MB)

Compact Transistor Models: The Roadmap to First-Pass Amplifier Design Success

AUTHORS: Tony Gasseling – General Manager, AMCAD Engineering

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the March 2012 issue of the Microwave Journal and republished in this form (with permission) in March 2012 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: Compact transistor modeling extraction flow is presented, including: s-parameters to determine the extrinsic and intrinsic elements, Pulsed IV measurements used to extract the diode and current source model parameter under quasi-isothermal conditions, Pulsed S parameter measurements used to extract the nonlinear capacitance models that are needed for simulations in large signal operating conditions, electro-thermal and trapping effects, and modeling validation through frequency-domain and time-domain load pull measurements.

Download: 5A-052 (0.66 MB)

2011

Active Load Pull Surpasses 500 Watts!

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz, Maury Microwave Corporation and Mauro Marchetti, Anteverta-mw

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Nov 2011

ABSTRACT: The MT2000 mixed-signal active load pull system breaks the 500W barrier with the successful characterization of a GEN8 NXP base station transistor.

Download: 5C-087 (2.22 MB)

Vector-Receiver Load Pull Measurement

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz – Director, Device Characterization Business Development, Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the February 2011 issue of the Microwave Journal and republished in this form (with permission) in March 2011 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: Discusses the improvements in large-signal device characterization brought on by a new class of vector receiver load pull systems compared to older scalar techniques using calibrated automated load pull tuners.

Download: 5A-051 (2.26 MB)

2010

Tracing The Evolution Of Load-Pull Methods

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz – Director, Device Characterization Business Development, Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the September 2010 issue of the Microwave Journal and republished in this form (with permission) in October 2010 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: Discusses how the evolution of load-pull tuning has led to hybrid and mixed-signal approaches that use the best features of mechanical and active tuners to speed measurements on nonlinear devices. Includes discussions of traditional passive mechanical tuner systems,harmonic load-pull techniques, active closed-loop load-pull methods, active open-loop load-pull systems, and the more recent hybrid load-pull and mixed-signal active load-pull approaches. Compares the relative merits and demerits of each approach and touches on the Maury MT2000 series Mixed-Signal Active Load-Pull systems as a advantageous solution.

Download: 5A-050 (6.47 MB)

Mixed-signal Active Load Pull: The Fast Track to 3G and 4G Amplifiers

AUTHORS: Mauro Marchetti – Anteverta Microwave B.V., Delft, The Netherlands

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the September 2010 issue of Microwaves and RF magazine and republished in this form (with permission) in October 2010 by Maury Microwave Corporation.

ABSTRACT: The current trend towards increased data rates in mobile services has direct implications for the power amplifiers operating in these systems. One response to this has been seen in the application of mixed-signal techniques to extend the capabilities of traditional active load-pull setups. This article presents a novel system that provides an unprecedented measurement speed, high dynamic range and is currently the only system that can handle communication standard compliant signals that are truly wideband, such as multicarrier W-CDMA. The ability to eliminate losses and electrical delay, while being completely free in defining the source and load reflection coefficients versus frequency, allows perfect mimicking of in-circuit situations, making the system a tool of fundamental importance for the RF power amplifier developer.

Download: 5A-049 (2.7 MB)

Using Maury ATS Software to Extend the Agilent PNA-X to Active Load Pull – An Introduction to Active Load Pull

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz, Eng. – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: May 2010

ABSTRACT: Active load pull has historically been a product offered in limited release and requiring heavy support. It has been of interest to educational institutions with limited appeal in industry. After decades of minimal activity, active load pull is being revitalized and commercialized by the teams at Maury Microwave and Agilent Technologies. Together, the companies offer user-friendly, commercially-viable active load pull and hybrid load pull solutions based on Agilent’s PNA-X and Maury’s proven ATS software.

Download: 5C-086 (731 kB)

Using an Impedance Tuner and Noise Receiver Module to Extend the Agilent PNA-X to 50 GHz Noise Parameters

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz, Eng. – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: May 2010

ABSTRACT: For the first time ever, designers can measure more accurate noise parameters in 1/100th the time to 50 GHz by combining Maury’s revolutionary noise parameter measurement techniques with its MT7553B01 Noise Receiver Module, impedance tuners and the Agilent PNA-X.

Download: 5C-085 (752 kB)

2009

Pulsed-Bias Pulsed-RF Harmonic Load Pull for Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Wide Band-Gap (WBG) Devices

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz, Eng. – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Originally presented by the author at a technical session of the 2nd International IEEE Conference on Microwaves, communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems (IEEE COMCAS 2009) 10 November 2009. Reprinted in this form with permission of IEEE November 2009.

ABSTRACT: For the first time ever, a commercially available pulsed-bias pulsed-RF harmonic load pull system is being offered for high power and wide band-gap devices. Pulsing DC bias in conjunction with pulsing RF reduces slow (long-term) memory effects by minimizing self-heating and trapping, giving a more realistic observance of transistor operating conditions. IV, S-Parameter and Load Pull measurements taken under pulsed-bias pulsed-RF conditions give more accurate and meaningful results for high-power pulsed applications.

Download: 5A-043 (1011 kB)

Setting Up Load Pull With X-Parameters Using the Agilent NVNA

AUTHORS: Gary Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in June 2009.

ABSTRACT: This application note provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a test bench for load pull with X-parameter measurement using two Maury 98x series automated tuners, Maury ATS software version 5.1 (or newer) and the Agilent PNA-X test set to test a low-power DUT of a type suitable for direct connection to the PNA-X.

Download: 5C-083 (791 kB)

Setting Up Ultra-Fast Noise Parameters Using the Agilent PNA-X

AUTHORS: Gary Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in June 2009.

ABSTRACT: This application note provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a test bench for ultra-fast noise parameter measurement using a Maury 98x series automated tuner, Maury ATS software version 5.1 with the MT993B01 Ultra-Fast Noise Parameter Option, and the Agilent PNA-X network analyzer.

Download: 5C-084 (520 kB)

Using Impedance Tuners to Extend the Agilent 8960 Beyond 50Ω

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz – Maury Microwave Corporations

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in May 2009.

ABSTRACT: Mobile phones must guarantee proper functioning in non-ideal real-world environments, such as a lost or damaged antenna, usage in a tunnel or locker, being held close to the body or in a pocket surrounded by coins, etc. Each of these scenarios can be regarded as non-ideal from an RF standpoint, meaning non-50 ohm. We are able to use a single tuner to vary the VSWR magnitude and phase seen by the antenna port of the phone and test its performance in transmit and receive mode.

Download: 5C-080A (2.3 MB)

Load Pull + NVNA = Enhanced X-Parameters for PA Designs with High Mismatch and Technology-Independent Large-signal Device Models

AUTHORS: Gary Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation with Jason Horn, Dan Gunyan, David E. Root – Agilent Technologies, Santa Rosa.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in December 2008 as a Technical Paper presented to the 72nd IEEE ARFTG Microwave Measurement Conference; Republished in this format by Maury Microwave Corporation in March 2009, with permission.

ABSTRACT: X-parameters are the mathematically correct supersets of S-parameters valid for nonlinear (and linear) components under large-signal (and small-signal) conditions. This work presents an automated application combining a Nonlinear Vector Network Analyzer (NVNA) instrument with automated load-pull measurements that extends the measurement and extraction of X-parameters over the entire Smith Chart. The augmented X-parameter data include magnitude and phase as nonlinear functions of power, bias, and load, at each harmonic generated by the device and measured by the NVNA. The X-parameters can be immediately used in a nonlinear simulator for complex microwave circuit analysis and design. This capability extends the applicability of measurement-based X-parameters to highly mismatched environments, such as high-power and multi-stage amplifiers, and power transistors designed to work far from 50 ohms. It provides a powerful and general technology-independent alternative, with improved accuracy and speed, to traditional large-signal device models which are typically slow to develop and typically extrapolate large-signal operation from small-signal and DC measurements.

Download: 5A-041 (824 kB)

A New Noise Parameter Measurement Method Results in More than 100x Speed Improvement and Enhanced Measurement Accuracy

AUTHORS: Gary Simpson and Amar Ganwani – Maury Microwave Corporation with David Ballo and Joel Dunsmore – Agilent Technologies, Santa Rosa.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in December 2008 as a Technical Paper presented to the 72nd IEEE ARFTG Microwave Measurement Conference (Was voted “Best Conference Oral Presentation” by the attendees); Republished in this format by Maury Microwave Corporation in March 2009, with permission.

ABSTRACT: A new method for noise parameter measurements is introduced, with better than 100x speed improvement over traditional methods. The setup is simple and easy to configure, and the entire calibration and measurement process is very fast, making dense frequency spacing practical. The new method produces smoother data with lower scatter, and the dense frequency spacing eliminates shifts due to aliasing and makes it easier to identify the scatter and outliers.

Download: 5A-042 (902 kB)

Cascading Tuners For High-VSWR And Harmonic Load Pull

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz and Roman Meierer – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in January 2009.

ABSTRACT: For the first time ever, two or three tuners can be cascaded externally to achieve extremely high magnitudes of reflection (VSWR in the order of 100:1-200:1, £F>0.98) as well as control multiple impedances at multiple frequencies (wideband harmonic tuning). Due to the use of calibrated and interpolated data for all tuners, we are able to achieve an overall system-level accuracy of greater than 40-80dB at highest £F’s.

Download: 5C-081 (832.3 kB)

2008

Impedance Testing For Mobile Phones

AUTHORS: Steve Dudkiewicz – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in December 2008.

ABSTRACT: Load Pull is an invaluable tool for the mobile phone community, helping to design more robust and efficient products and guarantee their successful functionality in real-world environments. Mobile phones and their subcomponents can be tested in various stages: the internal power amplifier (PA), the front-end module (FEM), or the phone in its entirety. Maury MT993 ATS software is used to test PAs and FEMs for dozens of parameters including Power, Gain, Efficiency, Harmonic Power, Intermodulation Distortion (IMD), Error-Vector Magnitude (EVM), Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR), etc. Maury MT910 series software is a standalone application designed specifically for the testing of mobile phones in transmit and receive modes, for output power and sensitivity respectively, as a function of VSWR magnitude and phase.

Download: 5C-080 (421 kB)

2006

Verifying VNA Source Match Using Coaxial Offset Shorts

AUTHORS: Bill Pastori – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in March 1990; Revised and republished in July 1999 and February 2006.

ABSTRACT: This application note describes a method of evaluating effective source match in coaxial measurement systems using just a long offset short.

Download: 5C-027 (249 kB)

Verifying the Performance of Vector Network Analyzers

AUTHORS: Mario A. Maury, Jr., MSEE – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 1989; revised and republished in July 1999 and February 2006.

ABSTRACT: This application note describes procedures that can be used to verify the performance and operation of a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) using just the equipment available in a standard Maury precision calibration kit. The purpose is to provide the user with a level of confidence in the accuracy of the VNA system. This information is applicable to all commercially available analyzers and is independent of the type of calibration employed.

Download: 5C-026 (328 kB)

2004

Specifying Source-Tuner Terminating Impedance With Maury ATS

AUTHORS: John Sevic, MSEE – Maury Microwave Corporation November 2004.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in November 2004.

ABSTRACT: The source impedance presented at the DUT reference-plane by the source-tuner is a function of the source-tuner and its terminating impedance. The terminating impedance is based on the interaction of several signal conditioning elements, such as a bias tee, a coupler, a low-pass filter, and a reference PA. How the effect of this impedance is compensated for within ATS may have a deleterious effect on the accuracy of the source impedance displayed at the DUT reference-plane. This application note describes the various methods in which Maury ATS will compensate for this impedance.

Download: 5C-058 (413 kB)

Basic Verification of Power Loadpull Systems

AUTHORS: John Sevic, MSEE – Maury Microwave Corporation.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in October 2004.

ABSTRACT: A discussion of loadpull system verification using Maury ATS tuners, including a rigorous method of verifying loadpull calibration for power applications. Two examples of Delta_Gt verification are presented and compared. Also covered are common sources of error in Loadpull, and quantifying and controlling error in loadpull.

Download: 5C-055 (413 kB)

Comparison of Harmonic Tuning Methods for Load Pull Systems

AUTHORS: Gary Simpson, MSEE – Maury Microwave Corporation.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in February 2004.

ABSTRACT: A discussion of three methods of harmonic tuning that have been offered commercially for load pull systems with passive automated tuners. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each are examined and compared.

Download: 5C-053 (497 kB)

Introduction to Tuner-Based Measurement and Characterization

AUTHORS: John Sevic, MSEE – Maury Microwave Corporation.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in February 2004.

ABSTRACT: A discussion of tuner-based RF device characterization and measurement. A rational for automated tuner-based measurement and automated tuner-based device characterization is given, followed by a discussion of the factors that drive the choice of tuner architecture. These factors include repeatability, impedance range, tuner speed, power capability, tuner resolution, bandwidth, and the size, level of integration, and ease of integration that are characteristics of various automated tuners. Detailed explanations of how tuners synthesize impedance, when and how tuner resolution is important, and why tuner repeatability is critical, are also given. System configuration examples are given and discussion of advanced capabilities of automated tuner-based measurements is included. A glossary of terms related to these subjects is provided.

Download: 5C-054 (139 kB)

2003

A Calibration Procedure for On-Wafer Differential Load-Pull Measurements

AUTHORS: M. Spirito; M. P. van der Heijden; M. de Kok; L. C. N. de Vreede – Laboratory of Electronic Components, Technology & Materials, KIMES, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: Reprinted with permission in November 2003 from the 61st ARFTG Conference Digest, Measurement Accuracy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; June 13, 2003.

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a calibration technique for on-wafer differential load-pull measurements. The described calibration procedure makes use of a standard GS/SG calibration substrate only. The calibration accuracy achieved is verified through various independent standard measurements.

Download: 5A-037 (253 kB)

2002

A Sub 1Ω Load-Pull Quarter-Wave Prematching Network Based on a Two-Tier TRL Calibration

AUTHORS: John F. Sevic – Spectrian Corporation, Sunnyvale, California

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the Microwave Journal, March 1999, Vol. 43, No. 3 and republished with permission in this format in December 2002.

ABSTRACT: Transistors used for cellular and PCS infrastructure applications are required to amplify signals with a peak-to-average ratio that can exceed 13 dB, resulting in a peak envelope power (PEP) approaching 1 kW. This PEP requirement is a consequence of simultaneous amplification of multiple digitally modulated carriers with a time-varying envelope and requires a load resistance in the neighborhood of 0.3Ω. Present load-pull technology based on mechanical tuners is limited to approximately 1Ω at cellular and PCS frequencies, which renders these systems incapable of characterizing transistors under these conditions. Quarter-wave prematching networks nave been developed to transform the source- and load-pull domains to a lower impedance. A variety of techniques have been used to characterize these quarter-wave networks, including standard vector network analyzer (VNA) error correction. This article presents a further refinement of this characterization technique, which is based on a two-tier calibration using 7mm and microstrip thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibrations.

Download: 5A-036 (174 kB)

2000

Device Characterization with Harmonic Source and Load Pull

AUTHORS: Gary Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published as an ATS training aid in June 1997; Revised and reprinted in this format in December 2000.

ABSTRACT: Automated source and load pull is widely used in power amplifier development to determine device capability and matching network requirements. Recently, harmonic load pull has become increasingly important, especially for optimizing efficiency and linearity. Harmonic source pull is also very significant for optimizing performance. Measured data shows that harmonic source tuning can sometimes have as big or bigger effect than the harmonic load tuning. When performance is critical, harmonic source tuning should be part of the process. This paper also discussed how the tuning range of passive tuner systems can be extended with prematching or with active tuners.

Download: 5C-044 (47 kB)

Automated Large-Signal Load-Pull Characterization of Adjacent-Channel Power Ratio for Digital Wireless Communication Systems

AUTHORS: John Sevic, MSEE, Robert Baeten, Gary R. Simpson and Michael B. Steer.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the 46th ARFTG Conference Digest; Fall 1995, and reprinted by permission in this format with revisions September 2000.

ABSTRACT: Large-signal adjacent-channel power ratio load-pull contours of a GaAs MESFET and a GaAs MEMT excited by p/4-DQPSK modulation are demonstrated for the first time using an automated load-pull system. It is shown that in general there is only a weak relationship between two-tone third-order intermodulation and adjacent-channel power ratio for the (Japanese) Personal Digital Cellular standard.

Download: 5C-047 (272 kB)

Source Match (dB) vs. Peak-to-Peak Ripple

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 2000.

ABSTRACT: A graph of tabular data correlating source match (dB) with peak-to-peak ripple (dB). A handy reference for determining the reliability of VNA calibrations.

Download: 5D-025 (183 kB)

Importance of 2nd Harmonic Tuning for PA Design

AUTHORS: Gary R. Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation, Ontario, California and Michael B. Steer – Motorola RFSD, Phoenix, Arizona.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the 48th ARFTG Conference Digest; December 1996, and reprinted by permission in this format in March 2000.

ABSTRACT: Load pull measurements are widely used to determine matching impedances required for optimum power amplifier design. In the past, this has typically been done at the fundamental frequency only. However, the harmonic terminations can have a significant effect. This paper presents some typical data which indicates the importance of second harmonic tuning to the power amplifier designer.

Download: 5C-045 (203 kB)

1999

Theory of Load and Source Pull Measurement

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 1999.

ABSTRACT: A brief discussion of the basics of load and source pull measurements.

Download: 5C-041 (31 kB)

Theory of Noise Measurement

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 1999.

ABSTRACT: A brief discussion of the basics of noise measurements.

Download: 5C-042 (85 kB)

Theory of Intermodulation Distortion Measurement

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 1999.

ABSTRACT: A brief discussion of the basics of Intermodulation distortion measurements.

Download: 5C-043 (110 kB)

Tuner Repeatability: Fact and Fiction

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in June 1999.

ABSTRACT: Defines repeatability and discusses the repeatability specifications role in, determining how accurately and reliably a given tuner will perform. Knowledge of a tuner worst-case total repeatability specifications for all positions (and over its full frequency range) is vital in determining how that tuner will perform.

Download: 5C-032 (77 kB)

1998

Measurement of Large-Signal Device Input Impedance during Load Pull

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in November 1998.

ABSTRACT: Describes a technique for directly measuring large-signal device input impedance on a load or source pull test while using a vector network analyzer.

Download: 5C-029 (119 kB)

Fixture Characterization and S-Parameter Measurement Using Maury MT956D Software

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in May 1998.

ABSTRACT: Explains how to expand and simplify VNA generated s-parameter measurements using an inexpensive personal computer and Maury’s MT956D software package.

Download: 5C-038 (245 kB)

Handy Microwave Equations

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in January 1998.

ABSTRACT: A convenient reference sheet of equations commonly used in various microwave engineering applications. Equations shown here include Return Loss, Source Match, Peak-to-Peak Ripple in dB, Outer Conductor Diameter, Mismatch Loss, and others.

Download: 5D-003 (139 kB)

1997

LRL Calibration of Vector Network Analyzers

AUTHORS: Mario A. Maury, Jr., Steven L. March and Gary R. Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation, Ontario, California.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in the Microwave Journal; Vol. 30, No.5 – May 1987. Reprinted by permission, with revisions in November 1997.

ABSTRACT: Compares certain vector network analyzer calibration methods: OSL (open-short-load), TSD (thru-short-delay), TRL (thru-reflect-line).

Download: 5A-017 (308 kB)

VSWR vs. Return Loss

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 1997.

ABSTRACT: A two-page table that shows return loss associated with various VSWR values.

Download: 5D-011 (20 kB)

Frequency-to-Wavelength Conversion Nomograph

AUTHORS: Maury Microwave Corporation – Engineering Department.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in July 1997.

ABSTRACT: A convenient reference for converting frequency to wavelength in nomograph format.

Download: 5D-015 (33 kB)

Data-based Load Pull Simulations for Large-Signal Transistor Model Validation

AUTHORS: John F. Sevic – QUALCOMM, Incorporated, San Diego, California; Chuck McGuire – Hewlett-Packard Company, Westlake Village, California; Gary R. Simpson – Maury Microwave Corporation, Ontario, California; Jaime Pla – Motorola Incorporated, Phoenix, Arizona.

PUBLICATION HISTORY: First published in Microwave Journal; Vol. 40, No. 3 – March 1997; republished in this format with permission in June 1997.

ABSTRACT: A new method for large-signal transistor model validation is described. Previous methods of large-signal model validation were performed without incorporating the effect of harmonic termination. The proposed method couples a harmonic-balance engine with measured automated load-pull system S-parameter data at fundamental and harmonic frequencies. The load states are synchronized properly so that the transistor model is loaded in the simulation exactly as it is during load-pull characterization. Measured vs. simulated results for a 1mm GaAs MESFET at 2 GHz are presented.

Download: 5A-027 (220 kB)