A Fast Sequential Load-Pull Algorithm Implemented to Find Maximum Output Power

In power amplifier design, it is often desired to determine the maximum output power of a transistor through a small number of measurements or simulations. A sequential search algorithm has been implemented in MATLAB to conduct a search for the load reflection coefficient providing maximum output power, performing a sequence of simulations in Agilent advanced design system (ADS). This paper describes the results and features of the co-simulation with ADS and MATLAB. It is found that excellent agreement is obtained with traditional load-pull simulations; however, the sequential search uses only a small number of simulated points to find the optimum reflection coefficient.