Assessment of Various Window Functions in Spectral Identification of Passive Intermodulation
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electronics Article Assessment of Various Window Functions in Spectral Identification of Passive Intermodulation Khaled Gharaibeh Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Applied Science University-Bahrain, Al Ekir 3201, Bahrain; [email protected] Abstract: Passive Intermodulation (PIM) distortion is a major problem in wireless communications which limits cell coverage and data rates. Passive nonlinearities result in weak intermodulation (IMD) products that are very difficult to diagnose, troubleshoot and model. To predict PIM, behavioral models are used where spectral components of PIM are estimated from the power spectral density at the output of the model. The primary goal of this paper is to study the effect of window functions on the capability of the power spectral density computed from the periodogram of signal realizations to predict low power PIM components in a wideband multichannel communication system. Different window functions are analyzed and it is shown that windows with high side-lobe level fail to predict PIM components which are close to the main channels due to their high spectral leakage; while window functions with low roll-off rate of the side lobes fail to predict low power higher order PIM components especially when the frequency separation between the main carriers is high. These results are supported by simulations of the power spectral density computed using signal realizations of an LTE carrier aggregated system. Keywords: passive intermodulation; piecewise linear model; LTE; behavioral models; threshold decomposition Citation: Gharaibeh, K. Assessment of Various Window Functions in Spectral Identification of Passive Intermodulation. Electronics 2021, 10, 1. Introduction 1034. https://doi.org/10.3390/ Passive intermodulation (PIM) distortion has been a significant problem in modern electronics10091034 mobile communication systems as it limits system performance and capacity. Unlike active nonlinear distortion which is usually manifested as intermodulation (IMD) products with Academic Editor: Yasir Al-Yasir significant power levels, passive nonlinearities result in very weak IMD products which make it very difficult to measure and model [1]. In carrier aggregated systems such as 4G Received: 21 March 2021 systems, PIM is manifested as IMD components which result in interference with the main Accepted: 18 April 2021 Published: 27 April 2021 channels in the receive band. A simple illustration of PIM in wireless systems is shown in Figure1a where the input f Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral to the passive nonlinearity consists of two band pass signals centered at frequencies 1 with regard to jurisdictional claims in and f2. The power spectral density (PSD) of the output of the nonlinearity is shown in published maps and institutional affil- Figure1b which consists of the spectra at the fundamental frequencies in addition to the iations. IMD components at frequencies 2 f1 − f2 and 2 f2 − f1 which may lie within the receive band 2. In this scenario, the IMD components produced by the passive nonlinearity can result in significant interference in the receive band which limits system performance and capacity. To predict PIM in in such scenarios, behavioral models that relate the output PIM to Copyright: © 2021 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. the input signal level and frequency are used [2–10]. Behavioral models are developed This article is an open access article using measured characteristics of the nonlinear device and then they can be used to predict distributed under the terms and PIM from the computation of the power spectrum at the output of the model. conditions of the Creative Commons Estimating PIM from the power spectral density at the output of the behavioral model Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// using direct application of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to a signal realization can be creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ a simple task when the power level of the IMD components is high as the case of active 4.0/). nonlinearities (above −60 dBc). However, with passive nonlinearity, the IMD components Electronics 2021, 10, 1034. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10091034 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics Electronics 2021, 10, 1034 2 of 12 can have power levels of less than −140 dBc which makes it difficult to predict PIM [7,8]. The reason for this is that the finite length of signal realizations results in high levels of spectral leakage in the computed power spectrum which tends to obscure the IMD Electronics 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEWcomponents as spectral leakage level are usually much higher than the intermodulation2 of 12 power level. (a) 2f1 − f2 f1 f2 2f2 − f1 (b) FigureFigure 1. 1.Spectra Spectra in in a widebanda wideband receiver: receiver: (a ()a Input) Input spectrum spectrum of of two two RF RF signals signals to to a a passive passive nonlin- non- earitylinearity and (andb) the (b Output) the Output spectrum; spectrum; dashed dashed line indicates line indicates PSD computed PSD computed using FFTusing with FFT rectangular with rec- tangular window indicating spectral leakage. window indicating spectral leakage. FigureTo predict1b shows PIM an in illustration in such scenarios, of this phenomenon behavioral models where spectral that relate leakage the output that results PIM to fromthe theinput Fast signal Fourier level Transform and frequency (FFT) makesare used it impossible[2–10]. Behavioral to predict models IMD componentsare developed fromusing weak measured passive characteristics nonlinearities. of In the principle, nonlinear the device frequency and then of intermodulation they can be used spectra to pre- anddict their PIM power from the level computation depend on of the the frequency power spectrum separation at the between output theof the main model. channels and theEstimating input power PIM and, from thus, the it power is important spectral to usedensity an appropriate at the output spectral of the estimation behavioral algorithmmodel using so that direct these application IMD components of the Fast can Fourier be predicted. Transform (FFT) to a signal realization canSpectral be a simple leakage task canwhen be the minimized power level through of the windowing IMD components where signalis high samples as the case are of weightedactive nonlinearities by a given time (above window −60 which dBc). enhances However, the with accuracy passive of spectral nonlinearity, estimation the [ 11IMD]. Thecomponents type of the can window have haspower a significant levels of less impact than on −140 spectral dBc which leakage makes where it low-peakdifficult to side pre- lobedict of PIM the [7,8]. frequency The reason response for ofthis the is windowthat the finite function length indicates of signal small realizations spectral leakage.results in Severalhigh levels window of spectral functions leakage have in been the usedcomputed in the power literature spectrum for suppression which tends of to spectral obscure leakagethe IMD [12 –components14]. However, as the spectral choice leakage of the window level are function usually is much a compromise higher than between the inter- the amountmodulation of spectral power leakage level. and the frequency resolution and, hence, the computational complexityFigure of 1b computing shows an the illustration windowed of FFTthis [phenomenon3]. where spectral leakage that re- sultsThis from problem the Fast has Fourier been studied Transform in the (FFT) context makes of prediction it impossible and reduction to predict of IMD harmonics compo- innents power from systems weak where passive it was nonlinearities. shown that In the principle, direct application the frequency of the of FFT intermodulation has inherent performancespectra and limitations, their power such level as spectral depend leakage on the and frequency the picket separation fence effect between [11]. However, the main limedchannels research and hasthe beeninput done power on and, the effect thus, ofit selectionis important of window to use an functions appropriate on spectral spectral identificationestimation algorithm of PIM. This so that paper these aims IMD to components provide an assessmentcan be predicted. of the performance of variousSpectral window leakage functions can onbe inminimized the ability through of the power windowing spectral where density signal to predict samples the are IMDweighted components by a given in a wideband time window system. which The significanceenhances the of thisaccuracy research of spectral in that the estimation results presented[11]. The cantype be of used the window in the design has a ofsignificant simulation impact models on spectral and measurements leakage where setups low-peak for accurateside lobe prediction of the frequency or measurement response of PIM of the in wireless window systems. function indicates small spectral leakage.This paper Several provides window an analysisfunctions of have passive been nonlinearity used in the in aliterature carrier aggregated for suppression system of usingspectral a polynomial leakage [12–14]. based behavioralHowever, modelthe choice and of develops the window the output function of the is nonlinearitya compromise forbetween two carrier the aggregatedamount of spectral signals whichleakage represents and the thefrequency practical resolution scenario byand, which hence, PIM the computational complexity of computing the windowed FFT [3]. This problem has been studied in the context of prediction and reduction of har- monics in power systems where