Whitepaper
Recommendations for Testing High-Power Amplifiers Using the PNA Microwave Network Analyzers
This Keysight application note addresses the challenges of testing high-power amplifiers (HPAs) using their PNA microwave network analyzers. It details how to avoid damaging internal components, particularly the switch/splitter, bias-tees and receivers which have damage levels up to +30dBm and +15dBm respectively, while accurately characterizing HPA performance. The paper presents power budget analysis methodologies, illustrated with examples for a dual-band GSM900/DCS1800 handset amplifier (0-3 dBm input, 32-35 dBm output) and a Ku-Band solid state power amplifier. It highlights the importance of external attenuation to protect the analyzer when DUT output exceeds its maximum input level and provides a step-by-step guide for S-parameter and gain compression measurements as well as solutions like using an external coupler or eliminating bias-tees (Option H85) for increased headroom.