Passive intermodulation interference in communication systems

Abstract

In multifrequency communications environments, such as land mobile radio sites, satellite earth stations, ships and surveillance aircraft, passive intermodulation products (PIMP) generated by nonlinear materials and metallic contacts can cause serious radio interference. This problem is well known and a wide range of coaxial cables, connectors and materials have been investigated. The paper gives an overview of passive intermodulation interference in communication systems. It describes briefly the theory of intermodulation, types of passive nonlinearities, mechanisms responsible for the generation of PIMP, guidelines for minimising PIMP generation and techniques for locating PIMP sources. Previous investigations of PIMP are summarised and the design of PIMP measurement systems is discussed. An example of PIMP measurement is also included.