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Design >> Analog Design >> Quantify Amplifier Linearity: Is there a definition of linearity?
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Message started by Dave OB on Aug 24^th, 2009, 2:54am

Title: Quantify Amplifier Linearity: Is there a definition of linearity?
Post by Dave OB on Aug 24^th, 2009, 2:54am

I'm trying to quantify the linearity of Gain for an amplifier design and compare it against another.

I'm currently calculating the maximum deviation of the output from linear as a percentage of the maximum output voltage swing.

Does this sound reasonable? Or is there an better definition for this value.

Thanks all

Dave.

Title: Re: Quantify Amplifier Linearity: Is there a definition of linearity?
Post by raja.cedt on Aug 24^th, 2009, 5:11am

refer any RF book ..you will see terms like IIP,1-dB comression point....

Thanks,
rajasekhar

Title: Re: Quantify Amplifier Linearity: Is there a definition of linearity?
Post by Dave OB on Aug 24^th, 2009, 7:56am

Thanks.

Title: Re: Quantify Amplifier Linearity: Is there a definition of linearity?
Post by sos on Aug 26^th, 2009, 1:17pm

Dave OB wrote on Aug 24^th, 2009, 2:54am:

Some context would help in making a useful reply. There are loads of ways to measure linearity, depending on what you're interested in. If your signals are large, your description makes sense. If you have a small signal that moves around to different dc levels, you might want an entirely different definition.

Steve

Title: Re: Quantify Amplifier Linearity: Is there a definition of linearity?
Post by Sumit Adhikari on Aug 28^th, 2009, 12:14am

Do a FFT on your output. See at what level down your harmonics are.
Regards,
Sumit