Select Page

Vector receiver load pull

Maury Microwave

Introduction

Vector-receiver load pull is a modern and efficient methodology for load pull measurements. Vector-receiver load pull uses the same automated impedance tuners to tune the impedance presented to the source and/or load of the DUT. However, instead of using a scalar power meter to measure scalar powers, a vector-receiver (normally of a vector network analyzer, VNA) is used to measure the vector a- and b-waves at the DUT reference plane. This is achieved by connecting the direct receiver access of the VNA to low-loss couplers placed between the tuners and DUT and calibrating the system at the DUT reference plane. A1, b1, a2 and b2 are measured for each frequency, and from these vectors we are able to calculate available and delivered input power, output power, transducer and power gain, efficiency and true power added efficiency.

Calibration at DUT Reference Plane

Additionally, because we are calibrated at the DUT, we can measure the large signal input impedance in real-time, monitor for oscillations (gamma in>1) and measure the mismatch to calculate actual delivered power to the input of the DUT. We can also look into the tuners and measure the impedance presented to the DUT, not relying on the pre-calibrated (pre-characterized) impedances and losses. And since the measurements are made at the DUT reference, there is no mathematical de-embedding (eliminates a source of measurement error). Signals include CW or pulsed-CW, single-tone or two-tone with their respective measurement parameters (by default measured on a frequency-by-frequency basis given the a- and b-waves are frequency dependent).

Best-in-Class with Maury Microwave

Videos

Resources

Configuration Guides

Application Note

Vector-Receiver Load Pull Measurement
Flyers

Application Note

A Beginner’s Guide To All Things Load Pull
Configuration Guides

Application Note

Tracing The Evolution Of Load-Pull Methods
Flyers

Application Notes

Maury Application Notes Library

Need More Information?

Complete the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible!

Get started