Nonlinear Millimeter Wave Power Amplifier Analysis with Hot S-Parameters

Even though hot S-parameters have been the subject of numerous publications over the past years, investiga tions in banded waveguide environments at high millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies have not been targeted to date. This work closes the gap and gives comprehensive insight into the measure ment setup’s implementation. The theoretical background of hot S-parameters and fundamental premises are briefly revisited before being applied to a practical example: The detailed analysis of a 2-stage power amplifier (PA) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) starts off with conventional design techniques, then draws a connection to measurement quantities that are unique to the presented measurement setup. The setup’s simplicity when compared to, for example, load-pull
measurements is key to greater acceptance and will lead to a new standard for mmW PA characterization.