A simple and effective load-pull system for RF power transistor large-signal measurements for wireless communication power amplifier design

Conventional load-pull methods for RF power transistor large-signal measurements usually need complicated RF measurement instrumentation. A simple load-pull measurement setup and a test procedure with IEEE-488 GPIB control and data acquisition capability has been developed. This is used to facilitate the design of an RF power amplifier (PA) for wireless communication applications. Compared with the conventional load-pull method, it is simpler and less costly, yet effective. Measured examples of Siemens GaAs FET's CLY-2 and CLY-10, which are used to design a RF PA module for ISM-band (902-928 MHz) wireless communications, are presented.