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Summary
DescriptionTwo carrier 3rd order intermod measurement.png
English: A non-linear amplifier was swept over a 29 dB power range in 1 dB increments with 2 carriers spaced 1 MHz apart (M1, M2).
The non-linear amplifier produces undesirable intermodulation products (D3, D4) at 2*f1-f2 (D3) and 2*f2-f1 (D4). Note that the 3rd order intermods grow by 3 dB for every 1 dB increase in input power, while the carriers increase by 1 dB for every 1 dB increase in input power. The spectrum becomes highly distorted at higher power levels as the odd order intermod products (3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, ...) increase in level with respect to the carriers. An nth order intermod grows by n dB for every 1 dB increase in input power.
I captured these screenshots from a Rohde & Schwarz FSW spectrum analyzer (non-free software) and created the animation myself. Usage of these screenshots constitutes fair use.
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I measured the intermodulation characteristics of an amplifier myself on a spectrum analyzer
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A nonlinear system produces unwanted intermodulation products (D3, D4) with a 2 tones stimulus (M1, M2)
Please mind the following: M2 - M1 = 1.0005 GHz - 999.5 MHz = (1000.5 - 999.5) MHz = 1 MHz = the width of each column on the display. Chart centered at 1 GHz = 1000.00 MHz. The D4 frequency should be almost (1000.00+1.5) MHz = 1001.5 MHz, in the span
Please mind the following: M2 - M1 = 1.0005 GHz - 999.5 MHz = (1000.5 - 999.5) MHz = 1 MHz = the width of each column on the display. Chart centered at 1 GHz = 1000.00 MHz. The D4 frequency should be almost (1000.00+1.5) MHz = 1001.5 MHz, in the span
Please mind the following: M2 - M1 = 1.0005 GHz - 999.5 MHz = (1000.5 - 999.5) MHz = 1 MHz = the width of each column on the display. Chart centered at 1 GHz = 1000.00 MHz. The D4 frequency should be almost (1000.00+1.5) MHz = 1001.5 MHz, in the span
{{subst:Upload marker added by en.wp UW}} {{Information |Description = {{en|A non-linear amplifier was swept over a 29 dB power range in 1 dB increments with 2 carriers spaced 1 MHz apart (M1, M2). The non-linear amplifier produces undesirable intermodulation products (D3, D4) at 2*f1-f2 (D3) and 2*f2-f1 (D4). Note that the 3rd order intermods grow by 3 dB for every 1 dB increase in input power, while the carriers increase by 1 dB for every 1 dB increase in input power. The spectrum becomes...