Assignment-1

Week-1(Solutions)

1. If two signals having frequencies 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz need to be transmitted using two
different antennas of length L1 and L2, then

A. L1 is approximately 0.12 mtrs

B. L2 is approximately 0.09 mtrs
C. L1 > L2
D. All the above

Explanation:

2. Which of the following modulation schemes will undergo the highest number of amplitude as
well as phase variations.

A. BPSK
B. 64-QAM
C. 16-QAM
D. QPSK

Explanation: BPSK and QPSK modulation schemes have no variation in amplitude. BPSK has 2
levels of phase variations. QPSK has 4-level of phase variations. 16-QAM has 3 levels of amplitude
changes, and 12 phase changes.64-QAM will undergo the highest amplitude as well as phase variations.

3. An 8-bit DAC (Digital to analog converter) has a resolution of 10mV/LSB. If the input is
(10000000)2 , then analog voltage output (Vo) will be

A. 12.8 V
B. 25.6 V
C. 2.56 V
D. 1.28 V

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 Explanation: Vo=2^7*10 mV= 1.28 V

4. Statement A: DC offset shifts the constellation diagram either to the upper or lower direction
along the y-axis. In the presence of DC offset, the symbols are detected correctly.
Statement B: The DC offset present in the communication system affects the constellation
diagram and symbols are detected incorrectly.

A. Only Statement A is true

B. Only Statement B is true
C. Both the statements are true
D. Neither of the statements is true

Explanation: Please refer to the lecture video “Software defined radio architectures-2” at
timeline of 10.10

5. A 4-bit DAC circuit using an operational amplifier is shown in the figure below. This summing
amplifier has four inverted inputs with resistor values 10K,20K,40K and 80K ohms.

Assume that the binary sequence applied to the DAC is 1010, where logic 1 is 5 V and logic 0 is 0
V. Calculate the output voltage of the operational amplifier (Vout)

A. -6.75 V
B. -6.50 V
C. -5.25 V
D. -6.25 V

Explanation: Please refer to the lecture video “Components of software defined radio” at
timestamp 3.00 for mathematical calculations.

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 6. Compared to the homodyne transmitter, the superheterodyne transceiver is superior in the
presence of following distortion components:
A. I/Q imbalance
B. LO leakage
C. DC Offset
D. All of the above

Explanation:

7. In a communication system, if only quantization noise is present and all other components are
ideal. How following parameters are related?

A. SNDR and SNR have the same value

B. SINAD and SNR have the same value
C. SFDR and SNR have the same value
D. None of the above

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Explanation:

8. In an analog quadrature modulator, the frequency of input IF signal is 20 MHz, and LO

frequency is 4.8 GHz. What would be the frequencies of output RF?
A. 4.8 GHz
B. 4.86 GHz
C. 4.82 GHz
D. None of the above

Explaination:

9. In transceivers, the purpose of using a circulator is

A. To provide power to the signal
B. To convert from higher frequency to lower frequency
C. To Direct the signal to the correct RF path
D. To Filter the signal in the digital domain

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Explanation:

10. In a quadrature modulator, the frequency of input data is 20 MHz, and the LO frequency is
3.8 GHz. What would be the frequencies of the signal at modulator output due to gain and
phase error if the RF signal lies at 3.82 GHz?

A. 3.74 GHz
B. 3.83 GHz
C. 3.78 GHz
D. None of the above
Explanation:

11. Which of the following is recognized as a requirement for receivers (tick as many as
applicable)
A. Spurious emissions level control
B. Sensitivity
C. selectivity
D. All of the above.

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Software defined radio architectures-1” at timeline
0.44

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 12. The measured SNR of an ADC is around 112 dB. If there is a distortion component which is
14 dB above the noise level, what will be the effective number of bits for that ADC?

A. 14-bit

B. 12-bit

C. 16-bit
D. 10-bit
Explanation: Given SNR for ideal ADC=112 dB
Distortion= 14 dB
SNDR=112-14=98 dB
Effective number of bits= (98-1.76)/6.02= 16-bit(approx.)

13. In Superheterodyne transceivers, if the FIF (IF frequency) is increased, it is related to

A. Increasing DC offset
B. Ease of filtering the image signal.
C. Relaxing sampling constraint on DAC and ADC.
D. All of the above.

Explanation: When we increase IF frequency in Superheterodyne transceivers, the RF signal

and image signal are separated by a larger frequency difference which makes it easy to filter the image
signal.

14. The main requirements of the transmitter are (Choose as many as applicable)
A. Spurious emissions level control
B. Sensitivity
C. Selectivity
D. Output power level control

Explanation: Please refer to the Lecture video “Software-defined radio architectures-1” at

timestamp 0.44 s.

15. The two parameters which define the software-defined radio applications are?

A. Linearity, Bit Error Rate

B. Dynamic range, Bit Error Rate
C. Linearity, Dynamic Range
D. Bandwidth, Bit Error Rate

Explanation: Linearity and dynamic range are the parameters that define software-defined radio
applications. SNR is measured to determine the dynamic range. The SNR and DNR value are
computed from the antenna to end-user.

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NOC19_EE22 – Assignment 1

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NOC20_ – Assignment 1

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 False?

1.78 GHz

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1.8 GHz

Homodyne / Direct

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False

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 Assignment-2
Week-2 (Solutions)

1. What is the noise factor of the following system?(Do all calculations considering two decimal points
only)

G (Ratio) 0.84 0.91 75 0.68 0.55 800 -2

F (Ratio) 1.52 1.35 2.85 1.75 4.35 1.05 31

A. 13.43
B. 4.47
C. 6.34
D. 1.42

Explanation
F2 − 1 F3 − 1 F4 − 1 F5 − 1 F6 − 1 F7 − 1
FRX = F1 + + + + + +
G1 G1G2 G1G2G3 G1G2G3G4 G1G2G3G4G5 G1G2G3G4G5G6
Substitute the values in the equation, Frx=4.47

2. What is the noise figure of the system shown above?

A. 11.2 dB
B. 8.96 dB
C. 6.50 dB
D. 1.42 dB

Explanation: 10log10(4.47) =6.50 dB

3. What is the effective SNR for a 40 MHz input signal with 2 ps rms jitter?

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 A. 71.99 dB
B. 79.95 dB
C. 74.98 dB
D. 65.98 dB

Explanation: SNR=-20log10(2*pi *40 *106 * 2 *10-12)

=65.98 dB

4. Among the following, what would be the rms phase jitter allowed for 70 MHz input signal to be
able to use a 8-bit converter?
A. 6.2 ps
B. 5.2 ps
C. 7.2 ps
D. 10.2 ps

Explanation: N=8, fin=70X106 Hz

6.02N+1.76=-20log10(2*pi * 70 * 106 * ts )
= 7.2 ps

5. If a PA has output powers as 34 dBm, 0 dBm, and 12 dBm for output power, second-order IMD and
third-order IMD components, respectively by applying input signal power of 4 dBm. What will be the
output signal power levels for 8 dBm input signal power?

A. 38 dBm, 4 dBm, and 16 dBm

B. 38 dBm, 6 dBm, 24 dBm
C. 38 dBm, 8 dBm, and 24 dBm
D. 38 dBm, 8 dBm, 21 dBm

Explanation: If we change input power by 1-dB, output power, 2nd order IMD and 3rd order IMD terms
change by 1-dB, 2dB and 3dB respectively.

Input power: 4dBm -> 8 dBm

Output power: 34+4=36 dBm
2nd order IMD: 0 dBm-> 0+2x4=8 dBm
3rd order IMD:12->12+4x3=24 dBm

6. Phase noise is defined in the frequency domain

A. True
B. False

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Distortion parameters part II”.

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 7. Which of the following device is the leading cause of nonlinearity in transmitters?

A. Digital to Analog Converters

B. Power Amplifiers
C. Analog to Digital Converters
D. Oscillators

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Distortion Parameters Nonlinear Distortion”.

8. If we want to sample a signal having bandwidth (B) of 30 MHz and the signal is a baseband signal
with IF frequency=0, then what should be the minimum sampling rate (Fs) required

A. Less than 30 MHz

B. Less than 60 MHz
C. More than 30 MHz
D. More than 60 MHz

Explanation: By nyquist criteria Fs> 2B

9. If an SSPA has an output IP3 point at 45 dBm, when 37 dBm output signal power is applied, what
would be the IMD3 component power:

A. 21 dBm
B. 15 dBm
C. 12 dBm
D. 18 dBm

Explanation: P2w1-w2= 3Pw1-IP3

=3X37-2X45
=21 dBm

10. Assume the SNR of N-bit ADC is 70 dB with Nyquist sampling rate. What will be the SNR value if the
signal if sampled with an oversampling factor of 10?

A. 40 dB

B. 70 dB

C. 80 dB

D. None of the above

Explanation: SNR (Over sampling) = SNR + 10log10(Over sampling factor)

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 = 70+10= 80 dB

11. Phase jitter would be more prominent in

A. High speed ADC

B. Low speed ADC
C. Moderate spedd ADC
D. It is not significant in ADC’s

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Software defined radio architectures-4”.

12. If the bandwidth of a signal is B, what will be the bandwidth of the signal in each of the quadrature
channels (in-phase as well as quadrature-phase)?

A. B
B. B/2
B/2 ?
C. 2B
D. 4B

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Software defined radio architectures-4”.

13. Phase jitter is defined in the frequency domain

A. True
B. False

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Distortion parameters part II”.

14. SNR due to phase jitter is proportional to

A. Input Signal Bandwidth

B. Input signal frequency
C. The instantaneous value of phase jitter in time
D. Input signal amplitude

Explanation: Please refer to Lecture video “Distortion parameters”.

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15. What are the effective bits for a 80 MHz input signal with 0.4 ps rms jitter?

A. 10-bit

B. 8-bit

C. 12-bit

D. 14-bit

Explanation: fin=80X106 Hz, ts=0.4 ps

SNR=-20log10(2*pi * 80 * 106 * ts )
N=(SNR- 1.76)/6.02

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NOC19_EE22 – Assignment 2

0.8

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NOC18_EC01 – Assignment 2

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 Assignment-3 with Solution

1. When does spectral regrowth occur in the output of a power amplifier, and which
performance parameter is used to measure it?
A) When PA operates below saturation power and ACPR
B) When PA operates at saturation power and EVM
C) When PA operates above saturation power and ACPR
D) When PA operates above saturation power and EVM

Explanation: PA will become nonlinear and generate spectral regrowth when it operates above
saturation power. ACPR is used to measure spectral regrowth. Refer lecture on “Power
Amplifiers: Nonlinear Distortion in Transmitted Signals”.

2. The mean square error (MSE) between the estimated and reference signals is 0.0327, and
reference signal samples are [-0.1627 - 0.8654i, -0.7856 - 0.1970i, -0.6278 + 0.6476i, 0.1915
+0.8427i]. What is the NMSE in decibels (dB)?
A) -10.3 dB
B) -19.6 dB
C) -27.8 dB
D) -3.76 dB

Explanation: NMSE is defined as:

MSE=∑𝑁 2
𝑛=1|𝑦𝐼 (𝑛) − 𝑦(𝑛)| =0.0327 (Given data)

∑𝑁 2 2 2 2
𝑛=1|𝑦𝐼 (𝑛)| =|−0.1627 − 0.8654i| +|−0.7856 − 0.1970i| + |−0.6278 + 0.6476i| +
|0.1915 + 0.8427i| 2

=0.7756+0.6559+0.8135+0.6984=2.9437
0.0327
𝑁𝑀𝑆𝐸 = = 0.0111
2.9437
NMSE(dB)=10log(𝑁𝑀𝑆𝐸)=-19.54 dB

3. AM/AM distortion occurs when the power amplifier exhibits a nonlinear relationship
between:
A) Input power and output power
B) Amplitude modulation and phase modulation
C) Input power and phase modulation
D) Output power and phase modulation

Explanation:

Refer lecture on “Power Amplifiers: Nonlinear Distortion in Transmitted Signals”.

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4. Class B power amplifiers have (please tick all that apply)
A) Higher efficiency compared to class AB
B) Higher linearity compared to class A
C) Higher gain compared to class AB
D) Higher gain compared to class C

Explanation:

Refer lecture on “Power Amplifiers: Nonlinear Distortion in Transmitted Signals”.

The Class B amplifier tends to have more gain than Class C because Class B amplifiers produce an
output current for half the input cycle, whereas Class C amplifiers produce an output current for
a duration much smaller than half the input cycle. The larger conduction angle in Class B allows
for more of the input signal to be present in the output, leading to a higher gain.

Another reason is that the Class C amplifiers are designed to operate with more distortion,
which is then filtered out using tuning circuits. As such, their primary goal isn't maximum voltage
gain but rather efficiency. When these amplifiers are used in applications like RF amplification,
the filtering process can lead to some loss of gain

5. What is the memory effect in power amplifiers?

A) The distortion caused by nonlinearities in the amplifier's response
B) The distortion due to I/Q imbalance of the quadrature modulator.
C) Power amplifier output power depends on the current input signal and also on previous
input signals over the time
D) None of the given options are correct.

Explanation:

Refer lecture on “Power Amplifiers: Nonlinear Distortion in Transmitted Signals”.

6. A power amplifier is driven at saturation with an input drive of 1W. At this input drive, the
output power is 10W. The power-added efficiency at saturation is measured as 65%. What
will be the drain efficiency?
A) 43%
B) 72%
C) 86%
D) 50

Explanation:

Power added efficiency

1
𝜂𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 𝜂 (1 − )
𝐺
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝐺= = 10
𝑃𝑖𝑛
𝜂𝑎𝑑𝑑
𝜂= = 0.722
1
(1 − )
𝐺

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For the following questions (Q.7 to Q.12), please refer to the given commercial data sheet for High
Power Amplifier from 'Mini-Circuits':

https://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/ZHL-100W-382+.pdf

7. Is it suitable to use this power amplifier in a transmitter operating at 4G LTE Band 42

frequency?
A) Yes
B) No

Explanation:

LTE Band 42 is a part of the TDD (Time Division Duplex) LTE spectrum that requires only a
single frequency band for both the uplink and downlink. LTE Band 42 has a frequency range
from 3400 - 3600 MHz with a bandwidth of 200 MHz.

As per given data sheet, PA can be used from 3250 to 3850 MHz frequency range. Thefore it
covers LTE band 42 frequency.

8. What will be the expected output power of this power amplifier if we apply an input signal
with a power of -5 dBm at 3.5 GHz frequency?
A) 40 dBm
B) 42.2 dBm
C) 52 dBm
D) 47 dBm

Explanation:

Gain at 3.5 GHz is 47.2 dBas per data sheet (page 4)

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝐺=
𝑃𝑖𝑛
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡,𝑑𝐵𝑚 = 𝐺𝑑𝐵 + 𝑃𝑖𝑛,𝑑𝐵𝑚

= 47.2-5

= 42.2

9. What can be the maximum input power applied to this PA?

A) 3 dBm
B) 9 dBm
C) 7 dBm
D) 0 dBm

Explanation:

As per given data sheet Input RF power (no damage)= +7dBm.

10. What would be the typical DC Power(PDC) based on given data?

A) 100W
B) 475W
C) 312W

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 D) 504W

Explanation:

As per data sheet: V=28V, I=18A

𝑃𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉. 𝐼=504W

11. What would be the drain efficiency at 1-dB compression point and a 3.8 GHz operating
frequency?
A) 6.07%
B) 18%
C) 32%
D) 80%

Explanation:

As per given data sheet:

Output power at 1 dB compression point at 3.8GHz frequency is 49.60 (dBm) =

91.2011Watts

DC Power= 504W
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 91.2011
𝜂= = =0.1809
𝑃𝑑𝑐 504

12. At which frequency will the power amplifier exhibit the minimum noise?
A) 3.6 GHz
B) 3.4 GHz
C) 3.25 GHz
D) 3.85 GHz

Explanation:

Noise figure at 3.6GHz is 7.70 dB which the minimum as per given data sheet on page 4.

13. How many power amplifiers are required to get the output of 50 dBm by using power
amplifiers with an output power of 41 dBm and a gain of 47 dB?
A) 32
B) 16
C) 8
D) 4

Explanation:

Total No. of PAs required=8

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 41 dBm

44 dBm

41 dBm

47 dBm

41 dBm

44 dBm

41 dBm

50 dBm

41 dBm

44 dBm

41 dBm

47 dBm

41 dBm

44 dBm

41 dBm

14. How can the system's overall gain be increased by using multiple low-gain power amplifiers?

A) By parallel assembly

B) By series/cascade assembly

C) By combining their input signals

D) By reducing the number of PAs used

Explanation:

Refere lecture on “Case study-I: Power amplifier Line-up for achieving linearity & power
requirement example”.

15. Class AB power amplifiers have more memory effect compared to class A with a reduced
conduction angle
A) True
B) False

Explanation:

Class AB power amplifiers have more memory effect compared to class A with a reduced conduction
angle

Refere lecture on Behavioral models for representing nonlinear distortions

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NOC19_EE22 – Assignment 3

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Quiz - Page 31 of 43
NOC18_EC01 – Assignment 3

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 Assignment 4 with Solution

1. Saleh model and Ghorbani models are suitable for _____ and ________ power amplifiers,
respectively.
a) TWTA and SSPA
b) SSPA and TWTA
c) TWTA and TWTA
d) SSPA and SSPA

Explanation: The Saleh model is proposed for TWTA power amplifiers. The Ghorbani model
is suitable for Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA).

2. Parametric models like Saleh, Rapp, and Ghorbani are Memoryless models
a) True
b) False

Explanation: Saleh, Rapp, and Ghorbani are Memoryless models. Refer to the lecture:
“Behavioral models for representing nonlinear distortions”.

3. Linearity of the PA can be achieved by

a) Increasing OPBO
b) Applying Digital predistortion
c) Applying Analog predistortion
d) Compromising efficiency

Explanation:

• Modulated signals commonly exhibit Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR). As a result,

ensuring the linearity of a Power Amplifier (PA) involves utilizing the PA at a power level
lower than its maximum capacity, known as back-off power, when dealing with modulated
signals.
• The nonlinearity of a Power Amplifier (PA) can be mitigated through the application of
predistortion techniques, leading to improved linearity.
• Balancing efficiency and linearity is a pivotal consideration when it comes to power
amplifiers. Achieving high linearity often necessitates making concessions in terms of
efficiency. In other words, enhancing the linearity of an amplifier can lead to a reduction in
its overall efficiency.

4. How many parameters are required to represent AM/AM characteristics of the Saleh
Model?
a) 8
b) 6
c) 4
d) 2

Explanation: The Saleh model typically requires two parameters to represent its AM/AM
(Amplitude-to-Amplitude) characteristics. These parameters are often denoted as "α" and
"β" and are used to describe the nonlinear behavior of the power amplifier in terms of the
input and output amplitudes.

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5. Which performance parameters used to measure In-band distortion (Choose all that apply)
a) ACPR
b) EVM
c) NMSE
d) BER

Explanation: EVM, NMSE and BER are used to measure in-band distortion. Adjacent Channel
Error Power Ratio (ACEPR) is used to measure out-of-band distortion performance. Refer to
lecture on “Behavioral models for representing nonlinear distortions”.

6. What are the limitations of the feedforward technique? (Choose all that apply)
a) Expensive
b) C/IMD3 correction is low
c) Stability problem
d) Efficiency is low

Explanation: Implementing a feedforward linearization system can be complex and

expensive because it requires additional hardware components like extra linear PA,
couplers, attenuators, phase shifters, etc. Efficiency is also low because of high DC power
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡
.𝜂 =𝑃
𝑑𝑐1 +𝑃𝑑𝑐2

7. Feedback techniques for PA linearization are (Choose all that apply)

a) Portable
b) Wider band solution
c) Always may not be stable
d) More expensive compared to the feedforward technique

Explanation: The feedback technique has the issue of stability problem because of a closed-
loop system. It is portable because fewer hardware components are required in the
feedback technique.

8. Which linearization technique requires the addition of an extra power amplifier (PA)?
a) Feedforward linearization
b) Digital predistortion
c) Feedback linearization
d) Adaptive pre-distortion

Explanation: Feed forward technique requires extra PA for linearization. Refer to lecture
video 16 on “Linearization Techniques for nonlinear distortion”.

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9. What is the main advantage of digital predistortion (DPD) over feedforward and feedback
linearization techniques in power amplifier linearization?
a) Independent on DA/ADC speed
b) Reconfigurable
c) Greater bandwidth coverage
d) It is only based on hardware components.

Explanation: The main advantage of Digital Predistortion (DPD) over feedforward and
feedback linearization techniques in power amplifier linearization is its reconfigurability and
adaptability.DPD operates in the digital domain, allowing it to be reconfigured and adjusted
to suit a wide variety of power amplifier characteristics, signal types, and operating
conditions.

10. At what frequency is DC offset/LO leakage present in Fig.1?

a) 880MHz
b) 875 MHz
c) 885 MHz
d) None of them above

Explanation: We can see DC offset/LO leakages appear at 880 MHz frequency. Refer to
lecture video 20 on “Digital Predistortion Techniques for Linear as well as Nonlinear
Distortion in SDR”.

Fig.1: Application of various digital predistortion models for linear and nonlinear distortion
suppression

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11. From Fig.1, Which method can reduce IQ imbalance more effectively?
a) DPD (a)
b) DPD (b)
c) DPD (c)
d) None of them

Explanation: We can see the image signal due to I/Q imbalance appearing at the frequency
of 875 MHz (fLO-fIF ). DPD (c) method reduces IQ imbalance more effectively .

12. From Fig.1, Which method reduces out band distortion more effectively?
a) DPD (a)
b) DPD (b)
c) DPD (c)
d) None of them

Explanation: We can see that method ‘c’ is best in canceling out-of-band distortions
compared to other methods from Fig.1.

13. Hammerstein model will have FIR filter before the nonlinear function
a) True
b) False

Explanation: Hammerstein model will have FIR filter after the nonlinear function.

14. Spectrum analyser and signal generators connect to ________and _________of the PA
respectively
a) RF input and RF output
b) RF output and RF input
c) RF input and DC input
d) RF output and DC input

Explanation: The signal generator is used to generate and transmit the RF signal. Therefore,
the output of the signal generator is connected to the RF input of the PA. Spectrum anlyser
is used to receive the signal and displays the spectrum of the received signal. Therefore RF
output of PA is connected to the input of spectrum analyser.

15. Is it possible to remove the effect of IQ imbalance by using Digital Predistortion?

a) Yes
b) No

Explanation: Digital Predistortion (DPD) can help mitigate the effects of IQ (In-phase and
Quadrature) imbalance. DPD is primarily used for compensating power amplifier
nonlinearities, its inherent ability to model and correct nonlinearities in the signal path can
be beneficial for mitigating IQ imbalance effects as well.

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NOC19_EE22 – Assignment 4

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