Nonlinear analysis methods for the simulation of digital wireless communication systems

Abstract

Adoption of digital modulation for many wireless communication systems has resulted in significant performance improvements over systems based on analog modulation. Concomitant with this have been changes in methods of characterizing and simulating system performance, particularly with respect to amplifier linearity. Digitally modulated signals are best represented by a power spectral density. In contrast, analog-modulated signals are adequately represented by discrete spectra. Consequently, many of the common discrete spectra nonlinear microwave analysis techniques are ill-suited to simulating systems characterized by signals with power spectral density representations. This study examines some of the common types of signals used in digital wireless communication systems, and looks at their representation and characterization. The applicability of various nonlinear analysis methods to microwave power amplifier simulation in the context of digital modulation is explored. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.