Calculation of the Response of a Nonlinear Microwave System to Multitone Input Signals : a CAE Approach

A new technique for calculating the output intermodulation spectrum of a cascaded nonlinear microwave system for a given multitone input signal is described. Data requirements for nonlinear two-ports in the system, calculation and characterization of the system\´s nonlinear transfer function, and calculation of the output intermodulation products are reviewed. Effects of using simple scalar "catalog" data instead of accurate large-signal measurements to characterize nonlinearities of individual two-ports upon the calculated overall system performance are analyzed. The results of simulation are compared with measurements of an example subsystem.