Reference Solution Includes Envelope Tracking and Digital Pre-distortion

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 15, 2014 — Keysight Technologies, Inc. today announced a new PXI Reference Solution for RF power amplifier (PA) characterization and test. The Reference Solution, which performs S-parameter, harmonic distortion, power and demodulation measurements, enables rapid, full characterization of next-generation power amplifier modules, such as a power amplifier-duplexer (PAD). The Reference Solution is optimized for high throughput and highly accurate measurement quality. It is the only small footprint, full characterization solution for design validation and product test of the RF power amplifier, as well as all of the passive devices surrounding the power amplifier, such as filters and duplexers.

The robust digital pre-distortion (DPD) algorithms in the Reference Solution are built on years of close cooperation with wireless manufacturing customers and insights gained from Keysight’s SystemVue simulation and N7614B Signal Studio for Power Amplifier Test software applications. This makes it the only solution capable of providing consistent measurements, from simulation to manufacturing, for next-generation power amplifier modules.

The proven DPD algorithms, with lookup table (LUT) and memory polynomial capability, complement the solution’s envelope tracking (ET) test capability. The solution includes fast waveform download, tight synchronization and automated calibration, critical for ET test. The Reference Solution supports multiple vendors, such as the Signadyne SD AOU-H3353 single-slot, high-speed PXIe AWG and enables the fastest envelope generation in the industry while reducing the test footprint.

“The combination of Keysight’s excellence in RF solutions and Signadyne’s know-how in high-speed generators has led to development of a comprehensive test solution that provides outstanding value to the RF power amplifier industry,” said Marc Almendros, chief executive officer of Signadyne.

“We created the PXI Reference Solution for RF power amplifier characterization and test because customers told us that full characterization of PAD-type devices is critical to their success,” said Mario Narduzzi, marketing manager of Keysight’s Software and Modular Solutions Division. “Proven, robust digital pre-distortion algorithms, with open and closed loop measurements, deliver the best performance of any PA characterization test solution in the industry.”

The new M937xA PXIe vector network analyzer and the M9393A PXIe performance VSA, enable the full characterization that customers need, including key high-density, high-speed S-parameter measurements and high-speed harmonics distortion testing up to 27 GHz.

The Reference Solution’s open source example code is optimized for PA characterization. Its design facilitates rapid evaluation of the test configuration and reduces time to first measurement. With these new capabilities, engineers can improve device performance with DPD and ET; decrease device size and cost amidst increasing device complexity and test requirements; integrate more capabilities in PAD-type devices; and reduce the size of test stations used to test multiple or complex devices.

Keysight’s modular products and Reference Solutions benefit greatly from the company’s trusted measurement science and calibration routines. This allows customers to count on consistent measurement results, from R&D through production, and realize accelerated design cycle time.

PADs are an increasingly popular alternative to more traditional power amplifier architecture because along with lower power consumption and greater efficiency and value, they allow device designers to save and optimize space by replacing multiple, discrete components with a single, compact module. PADs are also rapidly gaining in popularity with device designers because of the trend toward increasing band counts due to the implementation of new LTE networks.

Additional Information

Pricing for the PXI Reference Solution for RF power amplifier characterization and test is based on a customer’s specific test system requirements. Contact Keysight for more information.

For product information www.keysight.com/find/solution-padvt. High-resolution images are at www.keysight.com/find/solution-padvt_images.

About Signadyne

Signadyne is a young and fast-growing company specialized in control, test and measurement solutions. With a strong focus on high-performance and real-time systems, Signadyne provides cutting-edge FPGA-based generators and digitizers for applications where speed and synchronization are critical. Signadyne’s headquarters is located in Barcelona, Spain.

About Keysight Technologies

On Sept. 19, 2013, Agilent Technologies announced plans to separate into two publicly traded companies through a tax-free spinoff of its electronic measurement business. The new company, Keysight Technologies, began operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Agilent on Aug. 1, 2014 with a full separation anticipated in early November 2014. Keysight is expected to trade on the NYSE under the symbol KEYS.

Keysight is a global electronic measurement technology and market leader helping to transform its customers’ measurement experience through innovation in wireless, modular, and software solutions. Keysight provides electronic measurement instruments and systems and related software, software design tools and services used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronic equipment. Information about Keysight is available at www.keysight.com .