Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Call, John B.
URN	etd-10312002-202143
Title	Large-signal characterization and modeling of nonlinear devices using scattering parameters
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Davis, William A. Committee Chair Stutzman, Warren L. Committee Member Sweeney, Dennis G. Committee Member
Keywords	microwave measurement load-pull black box model S-parameters
Date of Defense	2002-09-13
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Characterization and modeling of devices at high drive levels often requires specialized equipment and measurement techniques. Many large-signal devices will never have traditional nonlinear models because model development is expensive and time-consuming. Due to the complexity of the device or the size of the application market, nonlinear modeling efforts may not be cost effective. Scattering parameters, widely used for small-signal passive and active device characterization, have received only cursory consideration for large-signal nonlinear device characterization due to technical and theoretical issues. We review the theory of S-parameters, active device characterization, and previous efforts to use S-parameters with large-signal nonlinear devices. A robust, calibrated vector-measurement system is used to obtain device scattering parameters as a function of drive level. The unique measurement system architecture allows meaningful scattering parameter measurements of large-signal nonlinear devices, overcoming limitations reported by previous researchers. A three-port S-parameter device model, with a nonlinear reflection coefficient terminating the third port, can be extracted from scattering parameters measured as a function of drive level. This three-port model provides excellent agreement with device measurements across a wide range of drive conditions. The model is used to simulate load-pull data for various drive levels which are compared to measured data.
Files	Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)     28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access    jbcall_thesis_sparmodel.pdf 1.17 Mb 00:05:24 00:02:46 00:02:25 00:01:12 00:00:06

If you have questions or technical problems, please Contact DLA.