Simple PCB based S-parameter extraction method for RF amplifier circuits

A new, simple S-parameter extraction method of RF transistor and amplifier is proposed and demonstrated. The method is based on one-step layout and fabrication of a single reference PCB and the complicated extra calibration kit is not needed. It is shown that the S-parameters of the transistor can be accurately extracted by using the measurement results of the reference board with the transistor and the equivalent circuits of the input and the output stage. More importantly, it is also shown that the measurement results of the reference board without the transistor can be replaced by full software-based equivalent circuit modeling.