Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T08:39:14.280Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

High-performance digital predistortion test platform development for wideband RF power amplifiers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2013

Lei Guan
Affiliation:
School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Ray Kearney
Affiliation:
School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Chao Yu
Affiliation:
School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Anding Zhu*
Affiliation:
School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
*
Corresponding author: Anding Zhu Email: anding.zhu@ucd.ie

Abstract

In this paper, a complete design procedure, together with robust system validation approaches, is presented for implementing a high-performance re-configurable digital predistortion (DPD) test platform for compensating for nonlinear distortion and memory effects induced by radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs) in the transmitters of modern wireless communication systems. This hardware and software co-operated test system not only enables effective validation for DPD algorithm development, but also provides a high-performance and reliable hardware-based linearization test platform. The experimental test was applied on a medium power Doherty amplifier, which was designed for 3 G/4 G wireless communication base stations. By applying our DPD algorithms on the proposed platform, more than 30 dB improvements in adjacent channel power ratio can be achieved for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System and long-term evolution signal excitations.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

[1]Faulkner, M.: Amplifier linearization using RF feedback and feedforward techniques. IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., 47 (1) (1998), 209215.Google Scholar
[2]Botti, M.E.; Dallago, E.; Venchi, G.: PWM power audio amplifier with voltage/current mixed feedback for high-efficiency speakers. IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 54 (2) (2007), 11411149.Google Scholar
[3]Woo, Y.Y. et al. : Adaptive digital feedback predistortion technique for linearizing power amplifiers. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 55 (5) (2007), 932940.Google Scholar
[4]Zhu, A.; Draxler, P.J.; Yan, J.J.; Brazil, T.J.; Kinball, D.F.; Asbeck, P.M.: Open-loop digital predistorter for RF power amplifiers using dynamic deviation reduction-based Volterra series. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 56 (7) (2008), 15241534.Google Scholar
[5]Braithwaite, R.N.: An improved Doherty amplifier using cascaded digital predistortion and digital gate voltage enhancement. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 57 (12) (2009), 31183126.Google Scholar
[6]Kim, J.; Park, C.; Moon, J.; Kim, B.: Analysis of adaptive digital feedback linearization techniques. IEEE Trans. Circuits. Syst. II, Express Briefs, 57 (2) (2010), 345353.Google Scholar
[7]Younes, M.; Hammi, O.; Kwan, A.; Ghannouchi, F.M.: An accurate complexity-reduced “PLUME” model for behavioral modeling and digital predistortion of RF power amplifiers. IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 58 (4) (2011), 13971405.Google Scholar
[8]Cao, H.; Nemati, H.M.; Tehrani, A.S.; Eriksson, T.; Grahn, J.; Fager, C.: Linearization of efficiency-optimized dynamic load modulation transmitter architectures. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 58 (4) (2010), 873881.Google Scholar
[9]Mato, J.L.; Pereira, M.; Rodríguez-Andina, J.J.; Farina, J.; Soto, E.; Perez, R.: Distortion mitigation in RF power amplifiers through FPGA based amplitude and phase predistortion. IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 55 (11) (2008), 40854093.Google Scholar
[10]Gilabert, P.L.; Cesari, A.; Montoro, G.; Bertran, E.; Dilhac, J.-M.: Multi-lookup table FPGA implementation of an adaptive digital predistorter for linearizing RF power amplifiers with memory effects. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 56 (2) (2008), 372384.Google Scholar
[11]Rawat, K.; Rawat, M.; Ghannouchi, F.M.: Compensating I–Q imperfections in hybrid RF/digital predistortion with an adapted look-up table implemented in an FPGA. IEEE Trans. Circuits. Syst. II, Express Briefs, 57 (5) (2010), 389393.Google Scholar
[12]Guan, L.; Zhu, A.: Low-cost FPGA implementation of Volterra series-based digital predistorter for RF power amplifiers. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 58 (4) (2010), 866872.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[13]Kwan, A.; Ghannouchi, F.M.; Hammi, O.; Helaoui, M.; Smith, M.R.: Look-up table-based digital predistorter implementation for FPGA using long-term evolution signals with 60 MHz bandwidth. IET Sci. Meas. Technol., 6 (3) (2012), 181188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[14]Guan, L.; Zhu, A.: Dual-loop model extraction for digital predistortion of wideband RF power amplifiers. IEEE Microw. Wirel. Compon. Lett., 21 (9) (2011), 501503.Google Scholar
[15]Yu, C.; Guan, L.; Zhu, E.; Zhu, A.: Band-limited Volterra series-based digital predistortion for wideband RF power amplifiers. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 60 (12) (2012), 41984208.Google Scholar
[16]Guan, L.; Yu, C.; Zhu, A.: Bandwidth-constrained least squares-based model extraction for band-limited digital predistortion of RF power amplifiers, in IEEE Int. Workshop on Integrated Nonlinear Microwave and Millimeterwave Circuits, INMMIC, Dublin, Ireland, September, 2012, 1–3.Google Scholar
[18]Technical Specification TS 125 104. Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Base Station (BS) radio transmission and reception (FDD).Google Scholar
[19]Boutin, N.: Complex Signals: Part III. RF Design, March 1990, 109115.Google Scholar
[20]Reine, S.: Gain, LO, and Phase Compensation in a Single Sideband Transmitter Using the AD9788 TxDAC and ADL5372 Quadrature Modulator. Analog Devices, Application Note An-920.Google Scholar
[21]RF Micro Devices. Optimization of Quadrature Modulator Performance. AN0001.Google Scholar
[22]Wong, J.; Zou, M.; Stuetzle, D.; Hsiao, S.: A direct conversion I/Q demodulator drives favorable basestation cost-performance metrics. Microw. Eng. Eur., March 2008, 1114.Google Scholar
[23]VanDyke, R.: Software shaves spurs in frequency planning, in Microwaves & RF, 44 (6) (2005), 102, 104, 106, 108.Google Scholar
[24]Kester, W.: The Data Conversion Handbook. Analog Devices, Newnes, UK, 2005.Google Scholar
[25]Smaïni, L.: RF Analog Impairments Modeling for Communication Systems Simulation. Wiley, UK, 2012.Google Scholar
[26]3GPP TS 36.141. Base Station Conformance Testing. V11.2, September, 2012.Google Scholar
[27]Brannon, B.; Schofield, B.: Multicarrier WCDMA Feasibility. Analog Devices, Application Note, AN-807.Google Scholar
[28]Yin, P.: A simplified approximation method for cascaded system adjacent and alternative channel power ratio. Appl. Microw. Wirel., 14 (4) (2002), 7076.Google Scholar
[29]Small-Signal Intermodulation Distortion in OFDM Transmission Systems. RF Micro Devices, Application Note, AN120214, 2012.Google Scholar
[30]Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) Derivation for General RF Devices. Maxim Integrated Products, Application Note 3902.Google Scholar
[31]Guan, L.; Zhu, A.: Simplified dynamic deviation reduction-based Volterra model for doherty power amplifiers, in IEEE Int. Workshop on Integrated Nonlinear Microwave and Millimeterwave Circuits, INMMIC, Vienna, Austria, April, 2011, 14.Google Scholar
[32]Zhu, A.; Pedro, J.C.; Brazil, T.J.: Dynamic deviation reduction-based Volterra behavioral modeling of RF power amplifiers. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 54 (12) (2006), 43234332.Google Scholar
[33]Eun, C.; Powers, E.J.: A new Volterra predistorter based on the indirect learning architecture. IEEE Trans. Signal Process., 45 (1) (1997), 223227.Google Scholar