SIMULTANEOUS LOAD-PULL OF INTERMODULATION AND OUTPUT POWER UNDER 2-TONE EXCITATION FOR ACCURATE SSPAS DESIGN

The simultaneous measurements of the third-order intermodulation and o utput power under two-tone excitation have been implemented on a MESFE T operated in large-signal mode for load impedances spanning quasi-ent irely the Smith chart, using a six-port reflectometer with variable te st port impedance. An experimental comparison between single-tone and two-tone output power and power-added efficiency was performed. The ex perimental results show that the load-pull of the output power capabil ity and power-added efficiency by a two-tone test are more accurate th an the single-tone characterization for multi-carrier Solid State Powe r Amplifiers (SSPA's) design.