Intermodulation distortion evaluation of ferrite element by two-tone method

A method to evaluate the intermodulation distortion (IMD) of a ferrite element by the two-tone method is proposed in which a dual mode resonator enables an intense RF magnetic field to be applied to the ferrite. A test fixture operating at frequencies around 2 GHz was designed and assembled based on this concept. The IMD data obtained from the test fixture are presented and they contain new features of shape dependency. It is anticipated that these investigations will lead to a significant reduction in IMD in ferrite circulators as well as an increase in power handling capability.