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Problem Statement

Currently, Linearized power amplifiers are hardly available in the market. This technology is a state of the art which is possessed by only a very few firms who would not disclose their design and methodology. There are many methods of linearizing power amplifiers. One of the methods which are wideband in nature is the Analog Predistortion method. Taking this as a challenge and making an attempt to linearize the PA using a wideband analog pre-distortion technique is the aim of this project. The explosive growth of the high data-rate transmission requirements poses a challenging problem to communication systems. In those systems, the transmitter chain includes a power amplifier (PA) which plays a key role. Unfortunately, its inherent nonlinearity causes in-band distortion and intermodulation products which in turn degrades the system performance if operated close to the compression point of the Power Amplifier. Analog Pre-Distortion (APD) is a technique that enables the PA to be operated beyond the 1dB compression point without degrading the system performance. This in turn improves the efficiency of the system. It is required to develop compact Analog Predistortion Linearizer for Satellite Communication Systems.

Objective of the project

This is a project for developing an analog pre-distortion linearizer. High-end modulations like 64QAM, 128QAM, 256QAM, etc., demand linear Power Amplifiers. For ordinary PA’s to make them linear they have to be backed-off from their P1dB which makes them inefficient. If the PA is linearized it can be used as well at its P1dB without backing off for high-end modulations. Thus power amplifiers are made Linear with linearization schemes which makes them efficient even for high-end modulations. BEL is developing Ku Band Satellite communication system. This uses a 10W power Amplifier with a device having a P1dB of 40dBm. The objective of this project is to design an Analog Predistortion unit which will be part of this Ku Band Power Amplifier enabling the PA to operate with QPSK and QAM modulation signals up to +40dBm without any degradation.

Probable Institute

IITR

IIT Roorkee, (Dr.Meenakshi Rawat and Dr. Karun Rawat, Department of ECE)

Patents

BEL

IPR rights to be Transferred to BEL for production

Expected Deliverables

An Analog Predistortion Linearizer Card with associated software/algorithm to linearize power amplifier in Ku band. That is Ku Band Direct (without any frequency conversion) Analog Predistortion unit that can be integrated into PA design.