Agile harmonic envelope load-pull system enabling reliable and rapid device characterization

Abstract

This paper presents a robust heterodyne mode of operation for the envelope load-pull system. Extensive performance evaluation and verification demonstrate the reliable, flexible and accurate nature of the system. The new system was compared with the active open-loop load pull, with the new system standing out as having superior performance in terms of measurement throughput, thereby improving the yield and turn-around in the design of power amplifiers. Finally, measurements on commercially available microwave transistor devices show some of the immediate recognized application areas of the developed system.