Signal modeling classes for linearized OFDM SSPA behavioral analysis

This paper presents a comparison of four signal representation philosophies, denoted direct time domain, (DTD), mixed frequency and time domain (MFTD), statistical (Stat) and a newly proposed hybrid MFTD-statistical (MFTD-S) for the behavioral analysis of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal through a solid state power amplifier (SSPA) with five degrees of linearization applied. The potential of the Stat and MFTD-S approaches for behavioral analysis of multicarrier, multiband and ultra wideband systems is illustrated. Also and for the first time, the impairment amelioration obtained through the introduction of different degrees of linearization in OFDM based systems is quantified, together with an upper bound to potential linearization improvement: linearization benefit is poor unless the narrow area of benefit can be matched to the raised-sine shape of the SSPA energy efficiency curve.