A Filtering Coaxial Probe for Passive Intermodulation Characterization

doi:10.12142/ZTECOM.202404009

ZTE Communications ›› 2024, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (4): 59-66.DOI: 10.12142/ZTECOM.202404009

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A Filtering Coaxial Probe for Passive Intermodulation Characterization

BAI Yongjiang¹, YANG Jiye¹, ZHU Shaohao², YANG Ye², YE Ming¹()

^1.Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
^2.ZTE Corporation, Shenzhen 518057, China

Received:2024-06-05 Online:2024-12-20 Published:2024-12-03
About author:BAI Yongjiang received his BS degree in computer science and technology science from Shangrao Normal University, China in 2021. He is currently with Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, China. His research interests include passive intermodulation and microwave rotational speed measurement. He has published 7 papers in various journals and conferences.
YANG Jiye received his BS degree in electronic information from Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, China in 2023. He is currently with Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. His research interests include passive intermodulation detection and microwave measurement.
ZHU Shaohao obtained his PhD degree in underwater acoustic engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University, China in 2021. He is currently serving as an RF algorithm engineer at ZTE Corporation. His research inter⁃ests encompass a wide range of cutting-edge topics, including passive inter⁃modulation (PIM) mechanisms, PIM cancellation techniques, source local⁃ization, array beamforming, and satellite navigation and positioning technol⁃ogies. With a robust background in both theoretical and practical aspects of RF engineering, he is dedicated to advancing the field through innovative re⁃search and development.
YANG Ye received his master’s degree in electromagnetic field and microwave from Xidian University， China in 2013. He is currently working at ZTE Corporation as an antenna feeder development engineer. His research mainly focuses on base station antenna design and development, including base station antenna PIM elimination and suppression, antenna pattern optimization and forming, active and passive antenna integration, and green antennas.
YE Ming (yeming@xauat.edu.cn) received his BS degree in information and computation science from Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China in 2008, and his MS and PhD degrees in electronic science and technology from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China in 2010 and 2014, respectively. He is currently with Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, China. His research interests include passive intermodulation, secondary electron emission, microwave breakdown, microwave measurement and sensors. He has published around 100 papers in various journals and conferences.

Abstract

Abstract:

Passive intermodulation (PIM) in communication systems is an unwanted interference caused by weak nonlinear current-voltage characteristics of radio frequency (RF) passive components. Characterization of PIM is important for both the study of PIM mechanisms and the location/suppression of PIM sources. PIM probes, made of open-ended coaxial transmission lines, have almost the same coupling strength to carriers and PIM products, and are usually used for near-field PIM characterization. Namely, it doesn’t have any filtering capability. Therefore, it cannot stop the carrier power from entering into PIM tester’s receiver, which may trigger active intermodulation of the receiver and degrade the PIM tester’s performance. To overcome this drawback, a passive filtering coaxial probe is proposed here. Compared with existing passive coaxial PIM probes, it has stronger coupling strength for PIM products than for carriers. Thus, the probe itself can block part of the carrier power entering into the PIM tester’s receiver. This advantage helps improve PIM tester’s overall performance. Both theoretical analysis and experiments are conducted for demonstration. The proposed probe brings more possibility to PIM characterization.

Key words: coupling gap, passive intermodulation, filtering coaxial probe

BAI Yongjiang, YANG Jiye, ZHU Shaohao, YANG Ye, YE Ming. A Filtering Coaxial Probe for Passive Intermodulation Characterization[J]. ZTE Communications, 2024, 22(4): 59-66.

Figures/Tables 9

References 16

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A Filtering Coaxial Probe for Passive Intermodulation Characterization

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