Practical multitone amplitude and phase characterization

A simple and feasible setup for amplitude and phase characterization of the response of a microwave nonlinear device excited by a multisine signal is presented. The described configuration is easily assembled with conventional laboratory equipment allowing a full amplitude and phase broadband characterization of nonlinear devices. This information plays a key role in the nonlinear dynamic behavior understanding in particular the memory effects allowing the realization of efficient linearizers. A calibration method to account for the setup errors is described in detail. The simulated results are presented and state the excellent dynamic range and accuracy of the setup.