SBAA660 October   2024 AFE7728D , AFE7768D , AFE7769D

 

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  3.   Trademarks

Introduction

This application brief presents digital predistortion (DPD) results of the AFE77xxD transceiver in conjunction with the GTRB267008FC power amplifier (PA). First, a high-level overview of the test setup and transceiver configuration for DPD is explained, followed by adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) test results for three distinct use cases.

The AFE77xxD is a high-performance, multichannel transceiver, integrating that includes integration of:

  • Four direct up-conversion transmitter chains
  • Four direct down-conversion receiver chains
  • Two wideband RF-sampling digitizing auxiliary chains (feedback paths)
  • Low-power digital predistortion (DPD) engine for PA linearization

The GTRB267008FC PA is a Gallium Nitride (GaN) device with broad applications in wireless infrastructure, communications equipment, and Macro cells.

Test Conditions and Setup

 Block Diagram of Test
                    Setup Figure 1 Block Diagram of Test Setup
Note:

The measurements published in this report are from a single PA using TI’s test setup shown in Figure 1. There is a potential for slight DPD linearization differences due to part-to-part variations. PA vendors release other versions of the same EVM with enhanced efficiency and linearity performance. Depending on the DPD line up, customers use different components to further fit into end application usage. Evaluate component selection to establish reproducible results highlighted in this DPD report.

Table 1 Setup Details
Parameter Detail
Gain of pre-driver amplifier and gain block 61dB
Instantaneous bandwidths (IBW) tested 20MHz, 100MHz, 160MHz
Table 2 Power Amplifier Details According to Data Sheet
Key Attribute Value(1)
Power amplifier GTRB267008FC
Operating frequency range 2496MHz – 2690MHz
Rated output power 49.3dBm
PA type GaN
Gain 14.7dB
Efficiency 53%
Supply voltage 48VDS
 Example Graphical User
                    Interface (GUI) for AFE77xxD DPD Figure 2 Example Graphical User Interface (GUI) for AFE77xxD DPD
Note:

The AFE77xxD device is configured through TI's Latte software which facilitates system integration of the AFE into the system or end equipment for a customized setup of the transceiver. Customers have moderate control of AFE configuration, depending on a given use case based on multiple parameters such as PA type, frequency range, PA gain, and bandwidth. The flexible adjustment of such parameters is performed without changing the system hardware, which further simplifies the system integration process.

5G New Radio (NR) is the standard signal in wireless communications and is the signal used for the following tests in this report.

Test Case 1

Table 3 Case 1: Test Conditions
Parameter(1) Value
TX interface rate 61.44MSPS
DPD rate 122.88MSPS
20-MHz signal with 2.595-GHz center frequency, 8-dB PAR, test signal TM3.1a FDD
 Case 1: ACLR Plot Before
                    (Orange) and After (Blue) DPD Is Enabled Figure 3 Case 1: ACLR Plot Before (Orange) and After (Blue) DPD Is Enabled
Table 4 Case 1: ACLR Summary
Parameter PA Output Power Adjacent Power Lower Adjacent Power Upper Alternate Power Lower Alternate Power Upper PA Efficiency
Without DPD 49.3dBm –25.7dBc –27dBc –43.4dBc –46.8dBc N/A
With DPD 49.3dBm –55.4dBc –55.6dBc –59.5dBc –60.8dBc 52.8%

Test Case 2

Table 5 Case 2: Test Conditions
Parameter(1) Value
TX interface rate 122.88MSPS
DPD rate 368.64MSPS
100-MHz signal with 2.595-GHz center frequency, 8-dB PAR, test signal TM3.1a FDD
 Case 2: ACLR Plot Before
                    (Orange) and After (Blue) DPD Is Enabled Figure 4 Case 2: ACLR Plot Before (Orange) and After (Blue) DPD Is Enabled
Table 6 Case 2: ACLR Summary
Parameter PA Output Power Adjacent Power Lower Adjacent Power Upper PA Efficiency
Without DPD 49.3dBm –23.9dBc –28.8dBc N/A
With DPD 49.3dBm –50.8dBc –51.9dBc 53%

Test Case 3

Table 7 Case 3: Test Conditions
Parameter(1) Value
TX interface rate 245.76MSPS
DPD rate 737.28MSPS
2×80-MHz signal with 2.595-GHz center frequency, 8-dB PAR, test signal TM3.1a FDD.
 Case 3: ACLR Plot Before
                    (Orange) and After (Blue) DPD Is Enabled Figure 5 Case 3: ACLR Plot Before (Orange) and After (Blue) DPD Is Enabled
Table 8 Case 3: ACLR Summary
Parameter PA Output Power Adjacent Power Lower Adjacent Power Upper Alternate Power Lower Alternate Power Upper PA Efficiency
Without DPD 49.3dBm –23.8dBc –24.5dBc –31.7dBc –35.5dBc N/A
With DPD 49.3dBm –48.2dBc –48dBc –49.8dBc –50.2dBc 53%

Summary

The content in Table 9 summarizes test conditions and Table 10 summarizes case results.

Table 9 Summary of Test Cases
Test Center Frequency Signal Bandwidth Power PAR VDS
Case 1 2595MHz 20MHz 49.3dBm 8dB 48V
Case 2 2595MHz 100MHz 49.3dBm 8dB 48V
Case 3 2595MHz 2×80MHz 49.3dBm 8dB 48V
Table 10 Summary of DPD Performance
Test PA Output Power Adjacent Power Lower Adjacent Power Upper Alternate Power Lower Alternate Power Upper PA Efficiency
Case 1 49.3dBm –55.4dBc –55.6dBc –59.5dBc –60.8dBc 52.8%
Case 2 49.3dBm –50.8dBc –51.9dBc N/A N/A 53%
Case 3 49.3dBm –48.2dBc –48dBc –49.8dBc –50.2dBc 53%

In conclusion, the AFE77xxD demonstrates linearization capability on the GTRB267008FC PA through unique DPD algorithms, and at the same time reduces power consumption when compared to TX line-up designs without DPD capability.