An Intermodulation Prediction and Measurement Technique for Multiple Carriers through Weak Nonlinearities

The theory of intermodulation distortion is discussed and a direct intermodulation measurement technique is proposed for the lower order components when many carriers are amplified by a weakly nonlinear amplifier. The test signal consists of a number of sinusoids fewer than that originally required and an amplitude modulated signal whose envelope distribution is given by a Rayleigh function. This technique simplifies the test equipment required and permits weaker nonlinearities to be studied than with the previous single carrier transfer technique.