Load Pull Simulations

Designers who need to acquire and analyze load-pull data for efficient power amplifier design can count on the load-pull simulation features in ADS. ADS not only allows RF power amplifier designers to generate PAE, power delivered and intermodulation contours, but also to create ACPR contours for modulated signal sources.

ADS also includes a utility to import load-pull data from Maury Microwave and Focus Microwave. Data based load pull models can be extracted by pre-processing the measured load-pull data. Designers can also optimize the design to determine minimum bias current required for a desired power delivered during load-pull simulations.

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PAE/ Delivered Power/IMD Contours

Power amplifier designers benefit from the Amplifier DesignGuide which contains pre-configured simulation setups and data display templates available to plot load pull contours including power added efficiency (PAE), power delivered, output power contours at X-dB gain compression and IMD contours.

Reflection coefficients can be swept in magnitude and phase using a one-tone source to plot power added efficiency (PAE) and power delivered contours. Post-processing of data display allows sweeping a circular region in the Smith Chart to achieve desired PAE and maximum power delivered.

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Two-tone source can be used to generate 3rd order and 5th order intermodulation contours for the amplifier.

Optimization During Load-Pull Simulation.

During a load-pull simulation, you can run an optimization to determine minimum bias current required for a desired power delivered.

ACPR Contours for Modulated Signal Sources

To verify the performance of a power amplifier for a particular wireless standard, load pull simulation can be performed with a modulated signal source to generate ACPR contours.

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To download an example, go to Load pull simulation with a modulated source - ACPR, Pdel, PAE contours

Load-Pull Measured Data Import Utility

ADS allows importing of measured load-pull data from Maury and Focus microwave to generate load pull contours. This utility uses interpolation techniques to help the PA designer to use measured data to create contours easily. You can also extract data based load pull model from the measured data and perform harmonic balance or circuit envelope simulations to plot load pull contours.

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For more details on this feature, please visit the following product page:

• Load Pull Application Guide