Measuring and characterizing nonlinear RF systems

Abstract

The main goal of the Measuring and Characterizing Nonlinear RF Systems course is to provide students a backpack full of easy to use and accurate measurement and modelling techniques for radio frequency (RF) systems. The course is taught at both the University of Gavle, Sweden (HIG) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium (VUB). At both universities the course was available on the master level as well as Ph.D. level, where it is important that students gain insight in the working principles and special requirements of RF measurement instrumentation designed to measure nonlinear behavior. Since students only become masters in a topic by doing it, we teach them to perform correct measurements of the nonlinear behavior of RF systems, since measuring is knowing. When students understand and master the correct measurement techniques, they can fully understand the working principles of RF components. This is a mandatory step towards the correct modelling of the nonlinear behavior. During the course, students encounter state-of-the-art nonlinear modelling techniques, discover their advantages and disadvantages, and then are able to make the correct choice between the models.