Home < RFDCS Products < PC Based Application Software < Power Characterization Application Software- MT993A and MT993C

Power Characterization Application Software
(MT993A and MT993C)

[Click on these images for larger views.] Figure 1-1. Power Block Diagram as displayed by the MT993A software application, showing a typical equipment setup for performing load pull and source pull measurements.

Figure 1-2. Power Measurement Mode as displayed by the MT993A software application.

Figure 1-3. Swept Power Mode as displayed by the MT993A software application.

Figure 1-4. Load/Source Pull Mode as displayed by the MT993A software application. The smaller screen at lower right shows the measured parameter contour data as displayed in 3-D using enhanced graphics option (MT993N07).

The Maury Windows® 98/2000/XP power characterization application (MT993A) performs rapid and accurate power characterization measurements using the Maury automated tuner system (ATS), an RF power source, a bias supply, and one to three power meters. It improves the accuracy and reduces the tedium inherent in traditional manual methods. It is designed to operate with Maury RF device characterization solutions to determine the optimum load and source termination conditions for maximum power output, gain, efficiency, etc. of devices under typical nonlinear drive conditions. If fixture or probe station network characteristics (S2P) are known, measured functions can be de-embedded to the device input plane. The program is provided as part of a complete RF device characterization solution specified for power characterization, separately as model MT993A, or combined with the noise characterization software as model MT993C.

Power Parameters

In large-signal amplifier design, power output is a complex function of the input power level, terminating impedances, and DC bias conditions.

Maury power application software enables an ATS to provide fast, accurate measurements of power output, transducer gain, power gain, power added efficiency, and measured input and output voltages and currents. It also permits display of 2nd and 3rd harmonic source and load impedances. Anouther unique feature allows for inclusion of up to 25 user-defined output functions. These functions can be used to develop specific output parameters (e.g., simple efficiency) or even to control instruments (e.g., to control the turn-on/turn-off sequence of high power signal sources).

In the load or source pull measurement mode, the software can determine the terminating conditions required to produce the maximum or minimum, and develop contours of these functions. A sweep plan capability is available to allow swept power load pull and swept power source pull measurements over a swept bias range. This powerful feature can be used for device modeling. The software also has a built-in general purpose S-parameter measurement program. All measurements can be de-embedded to the device input and output planes. The software provides for both data and graphical hard copy outputs.

Figure 1-1, the block diagram interface screen at the right, shows a typical measurement setup. Figures 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 are sample output displays that show typical power measurement mode, swept power mode, and load or source pull mode displays as they appear to the user.

[Clicking on these images will open larger views in separate browser windows.]

Block Diagram Interface (Figure 1-1)

Complete system configuration (including test equipment, equipment drivers, measurement parameters, and test conditions) can be performed from this GRAPHICAL INTERFACE view. From this interactive view, users can configure, save, recall, and control various test setups for different applications. Figure 1-1 shows a typical block diagram for power measurements. These block diagrams can be edited at any time. Each icon in the block diagram represents actual instruments in the test setup, and each is configurable to match the characteristics of those instruments. Each instrument represented in the block diagram can be independently turned on or off as desired, to simulate various operating conditions.

Power Measurement Mode (Figure 1-2)

Figure 1-2 shows a single frequency display that permits users to select the measured device parameters at a single input power or over a range of powers at any available source or load impedance. The frequency and impedances for load or source pull and sweep plan measurements can also be selected from this display. This is an active measurement screen which allows the operator to move the source and /or load tuners to any available position, and measure all active parameters. If the S-parameter option is exercised, stabilty circles S11* and S22* are also displayed.

Swept Power Mode (Figure 1-3)

Figure 1-3 shows a typical swept power display. Up to five of the measured parameters can be simultaneously displayed at the same time versus available input power. A mouse- or cursor key-controlled marker provides for readouts at measured or interpolated points. Graphics scales are user-controlled. All measured parameters are tabulated below the plots and are available for printout.

Load/Source Pull Mode (Figure 1-4)

Figure 1-4 show a single frequency display that plots constant mesured parameter contours on the impedance plane and imepdance(s) for maximum or minimum values. Contours of up to three parameters can be simultaneously displayed. The number of contours displayed, as well as the increment between contours, are user controlled. The contour data can be converted to spreadsheet format with a single keystroke.

Computer hardware requirements are listed on the Complete Automated Tuner Systems page and the measurement equipment supported by this software is listed on the ATS Software Supported Equipment page.