Sensitivity and mitigation of Reverse IMD in power amplifiers

Abstract

The generation of intermodulation distortion products due to the coupling of signals into the output port of an amplifier, often referred to as Reverse Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) can be a major problem when multiple transmitters are operated in close proximity. Such conditions can exist at cell telephone sites, broadcast facilities and even on satellites. This type of distortion can also be a problem when making high linearity measurements. The sensitivity of different types of power amplifiers to Reverse IMD and techniques for mitigating the resulting distortion has been experimentally investigated.