Meaning
Nonlinear behaviors in electrical components generate unwanted signals at sum and difference frequencies of the original input signals. This intermodulation distortion occurs when multiple signals are processed by the same active component, such as an amplifier or mixer, creating spurious emissions that degrade receiver sensitivity. It affects the transmit path of the radio and must be managed within the rf front-end.
Nonlinear Response
Amplifiers that are driven close to their saturation point begin to operate nonlinearly, mixing the signal components together. This mixing produces harmonic products that often fall directly into the active receive band, making it difficult for the receiver to detect weak incoming signals. To avoid this, designers must operate the amplifier within its linear region, which requires backing off the output power.
Spectral Spillage
Unwanted frequency products spill over into adjacent channels, causing interference to neighboring wireless devices. Regulatory bodies impose strict limits on these out-of-band emissions to ensure that different radio systems can coexist. Testing must be performed at maximum output power to verify that the generated distortion does not exceed these regulatory limits.
Filter Specification
Integrating bandpass filters at the amplifier output is necessary to suppress these spurious signals before they reach the antenna. These filters must be carefully designed to offer high attenuation at the distortion frequencies.