Digitally-Compensated Wideband 60 GHz Test-Bed for Power Amplifier Predistortion Experiments

Abstract

Millimeter waves will play an important role in communication systems in the near future. On the one hand, the bandwidths available at millimeter-wave frequencies allow for elevated data rates, but on the other hand, the wide bandwidth accentuates the effects of wireless front-end impairments on transmitted waveforms and makes their compensation more difficult. Research into front-end impairment compensation in millimeter-wave frequency bands is currently being carried out, mainly using expensive laboratory setups consisting of universal signal generators, spectral analyzers and high-speed oscilloscopes. This paper presents a detailed description of an in-house built MATLAB-controlled 60 GHz measurement test-bed developed using relatively inexpensive hardware components that are available on the market and equipped with digital compensation for the most critical front-end impairments, including the digital predistortion of the power amplifier. It also demonstrates the potential of digital predistortion linearization on two distinct 60 GHz power amplifiers: one integrated in a direct-conversion transceiver and an external one with 24 dBm output power.

Millimeter waves will play an important role in communication systems in the near future. On the one hand, the bandwidths available at millimeter-wave frequencies allow for elevated data rates, but on the other hand, the wide bandwidth accentuates the effects of wireless front-end impairments on transmitted waveforms and makes their compensation more difficult. Research into front-end impairment compensation in millimeter-wave frequency bands is currently being carried out, mainly using expensive laboratory setups consisting of universal signal generators, spectral analyzers and high-speed oscilloscopes. This paper presents a detailed description of an in-house built MATLAB-controlled 60 GHz measurement test-bed developed using relatively inexpensive hardware components that are available on the market and equipped with digital compensation for the most critical front-end impairments, including the digital predistortion of the power amplifier. It also demonstrates the potential of digital predistortion linearization on two distinct 60 GHz power amplifiers: one integrated in a direct-conversion transceiver and an external one with 24 dBm output power.