Behavioral Modeling and linearization of a mm-wave Power Amplifier

The use of digital predistortion for linearizing a millimeter-wave power amplifier (PA) is investigated. A PA operating at 38 GHz is designed using an accurate non-quasi-static transistor model, taking into account both short- and long-term memory effects. A realistic test signal is then used for the identification of a nonlinear auto-regressive moving average (NARMA) behavioral model of the PA. The NARMA-based digital predistorter is then derived and formulated in terms of basic predistortion cells, especially suitable for efficient implementation in an FPGA. The performance of the predistortion solution is preliminarily assessed by means of computer simulations.