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We propose novel direct and indirect learning predistorters (PDs) that employ a new baseband simplicial canonical piecewise linear (SCPWL) function. The performance of the proposed PDs is easily controlled by varying the number of segments of the SCPWL function. When comparing to polynomial-based PDs, our SCPWL-based PDs are more robust for modeling strong nonlinearities and are less sensitive to input noise. In particular, we show that noise appearing in the feedback path of an indirect learning SCPWL-PD has negligible effect on the performance while the polynomial counterpart suffers from a noise-induced coefficient bias. We consider adaptive implementations of both Hammerstein-based and memory-based SCPWL PDs; the former featuring less parameters to be identified while the latter renders more straightforward parameter identification. When deriving the PD algorithms, we avoid a separate PA identification step which allows for a true real-time, or sample-by-sample, implementation without an alternating PA and PD identification procedure. However, to arrive at efficient sample-by-sample algorithms for Hammerstein PDs we need to bypass the problem of the associated nonconvex cost function. This is done by employing a modified, linear-in-the-parameter, Wiener model whose parameters can be explicitly or implicitly used for both indirect and direct learning. Extensive simulations confirm that the proposed SCPWL PDs outperform their polynomial counterparts, especially when noise is present in the feedback path of the indirect learning structure. The same is also verified by circuit level simulations on the Freescale MRF6S23100H class-AB PA in an 802.16d WiMAX system. Fil: Cheong, Mei Yen. Alto University. School of Electrical Engineering; Finlandia Fil: Werner, Stefan. Alto University. School of Electrical Engineering; Finlandia Fil: Bruno, Marcelo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages". Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Computadoras. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages"; Argentina Fil: Figueroa, Jose Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages". Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Computadoras. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages"; Argentina Fil: Cousseau, Juan Edmundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages". Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Computadoras. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages"; Argentina Fil: Wichman, Risto Ilari. Alto University. School of Electrical Engineering; Finlandia

Predistortion (PD) lineariser for microwave power amplifiers (PAs) is an important topic of research. With larger and larger bandwidth as it appears today in modern WiMax standards as well as in multichannel base stations for 3GPP standards, the relatively simple nonlinear effect of a PA becomes a complex memory-including function, severely distorting the output signal. In this contribution, two digital PD algorithms are investigated for the linearisation of microwave PAs in mobile communications. The first one is an efficient and low-complexity algorithm based on a memoryless model, called the simplicial canonical piecewise linear (SCPWL) function that describes the static nonlinear characteristic of the PA. The second algorithm is more general, approximating the pre-inverse filter of a nonlinear PA iteratively using a Volterra model. The first simpler algorithm is suitable for compensation of amplitude compression and amplitude-to-phase conversion, for example, in mobile units with relatively small bandwidths. The second algorithm can be used to linearise PAs operating with larger bandwidths, thus exhibiting memory effects, for example, in multichannel base stations. A measurement testbed which includes a transmitter-receiver chain with a microwave PA is built for testing and prototyping of the proposed PD algorithms. In the testing phase, the PD algorithms are implemented using MATLAB (floating-point representation) and tested in record-and-playback mode. The iterative PD algorithm is then implemented on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) using fixed-point representation. The FPGA implementation allows the pre-inverse filter to be tested in a real-time mode. Measurement results show excellent linearisation capabilities of both the proposed algorithms in terms of adjacent channel power suppression. It is also shown that the fixed-point FPGA implementation of the iterative algorithm performs as well as the floating-point implementation.

Recently, many papers have been published on the designs of predistortion systems for power amplifiers (PA). Most of these studies are based on computer simulations. In this work, we examine our predistorter (PD) designs on a practical microwave PA in a laboratory setup. The objective is to validate two PDs of different design approaches. The first PD is modeled using a simplicial canonical piecewise linear (SCPWL) function while the second one is modeled using a polynomial function. The former exploits the properties of the SCPWL function to develop a reduced complexity PD identification method. The latter utilizes the secant method to iteratively search for the signal at the PD output, thus parameter identification is avoided. The implementation complexity and effectiveness of the PDs are compared. The limitations of the measurement system for predistorter design is also discussed briefly