Process / pipelineRF/microwave measurement and optimization
Load-Pull
Load-Pull is an experimental technique for characterizing and optimizing RF power amplifier performance under varying load and source impedance conditions. Introduced by Davidson et al. in 1990, load-pull measurements vary the load impedance seen by the amplifier while recording output power, efficiency, and linearity. Load-pull reveals contours of constant gain, efficiency, and stability, enabling optimal impedance matching for maximum performance. Essential for power amplifier design and characterization.
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Sources
- Cripps, S. C. (1999). RF Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications. Artech House. link ↗
- Davidson, A., Strahler, L., Kim, S., Tajalli, A., & Komiak, J. (1990). Broad-band load-pull characterization of power devices for microwave and millimeter-wave applications. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 38(12), 1779-1786. DOI: 10.1109/22.62633 ↗
- Oppenheim, A. V., Schafer, R. W., & Buck, J. R. (2005). Discrete-time signal processing. Prentice Hall. link ↗