Perform model tests in System Architect

This tutorial presents a feature that enables automatic configuration of schematics in System Architect for testing HPA and LNA models. The user will be able to run pre-configured simulations to test the model with 2-tone signals, a 5G signal and possibly load-pull simulations. This feature is available for all HPA models and LNA-B-HF model.

To begin this task, you will need:

A licence of VISION Device Modeler. See .
A licence of VISION System Architect. See Installation and licence setup.
To have opened a project. See Create or select a schematic.
An extracted HPA-B-HF model in Device model. See Extract B-HF model.

The basic steps to perform an automatic model testing in System Architect are:

In Device modeler application, select an extraction in the Device modeler tree window and right-click to get access to the option "Auto build standard schematics".

Figure: How to get access to "Auto build standard schematics" option
After this action, a schematic folder is created in the application System Architect. The folder has the same name as the model to be tested. Depending on the type of model, you will find more or less the following schematics: "2-tones", "IQprobe_5G", "load-pull" and "power sweep". The load-pull schematic is only available for bilateral models: HPA-B-HF, HPA-B-HFLF, HPA-B-HFTH and LNA-B-HF. Each schematic is configured according to the model's bandwidth and maximum input power.

Figure: Schematic folder generated in System Architect
The 2-tones simulation is used to analyse gain on carriers and 3rd and 5th order intermodulation products. The spacing between the carriers is configured to cover one third of the model's frequency band. The power sweep is set to cover the power range of the model.

Figure: 2-tone simulation
The 5G simulation enables the model to be tested with a 5G test model signal. A sweep of the average signal power is performed. The user can analyse the spectrum or figures of merit such as the EVM. See Use an imx file generated from VISION simulation.

Figure: Simulation with 5G signal
Load-pull simulation is used to evaluate the model as a function of load variation. The results will be displayed by default as a function of the index of the reflection coefficient value. The user can change this representation by changing the order of the variables in the VAR2 block.

Figure: Load-pull simulation
Power sweep simulation is a simple schematic to reproduce CW characteristics in 50 ohms conditions presented in the model extraction. The user is invited to modify the number of points of the variables in all the schematics (power and frequency) to evaluate the interpolated model.

Figure: Power sweep simulation