Principles, applications, and challenges of digital predistortion technology

Abstract

A power amplifier plays a crucial role in the transmitter end of wireless communication systems. Despite enhancing operational efficiency, it inadvertently introduces nonlinear distortion, leading to signal degradation and spectral regrowth. This occurrence necessitates the incorporation of additional linearization techniques in transmitter terminals to optimize both efficiency and linearity concurrently. Among these, Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) technology stands out as a well-researched and extensively employed strategy for alleviating the nonlinear distortion induced by power amplifiers. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration of DPD technology, offering insight into its evolutionary path and elaborating on its foundational principles and essential techniques. The discussion extends to elucidate the significant technical challenges and the burgeoning trends within the DPD technology landscape. The narrative underscores the significance of DPD in enhancing the performance and efficiency of wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of burgeoning technological advancements and escalating demands for superior communication quality and broader bandwidth. Through a meticulous examination of the DPD technology paradigm, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse and research, shedding light on prospective developmental avenues and potential enhancements that could further augment the efficacy and reliability of DPD technology in contemporary communication systems.