Measuring Nonlinear Differential RF Amplifiers Using One Single-Ended Source

Abstract—A measurement procedure for the nonlinear base-band response of a differential amplifier is proposed using the large-signal network analyzer. The setup uses only one single-ended RF generator. A simplified nonparametric model for the frequency response of the device and its nonlinear contributions over a wide power range is proposed, measured, and validated experimentally. Index Terms—Amplifier characterization, differential measure-ments, nonlinear behavior, RF measurements. I