June 2017 | Technical Report TR-17-525
Non-Linear Effects Testing of High Power Radar Pulses on 3.5 GHz Low-Noise Amplifiers
Cite This Publication
John E. Carroll et al., “Non-Linear Effects Testing of High Power Radar Pulses on 3.5 GHz Low-Noise Amplifiers,” Technical Report TR-17-525, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, June 2017.
John E. Carroll et al.
Abstract: Future spectrum sharing between high-power radars and Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device CBSD in the 3550–3650 MHz (3.5 GHz) band could expose radio frequency (RF) receiver front-end low noise amplifiers (LNAs) to high peak power radar pulse signals in the band under certain situations. In this band, radar effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) peak levels can exceed 1 gigawatt. Previous experience with LNAs exposed to high-power radar pulses in spectrum near 3.7 GHz has shown that non-linear effects can be induced in the LNAs, leading to service interruptions. To assess the level of risk for similar LNA overload at 3.5 GHz, NTIA performed gain overload (e.g., compression) tests on two representative 3.5 GHz LNAs and a small-cell base station receiver. The tests determined the pulsed radar signal power levels that caused overload (1 dB gain compression) for these devices. Approximate distance separations that would be necessary to preclude potential overload interference effects are presented, based on the measurement results and propagation modeling.
Keywords: radar; spectrum sharing; low noise amplifier (LNA); effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP); Long Term Evolution (LTE); 3.5 GHz band; Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSD); non-linear effects; LNA overload; 47 C.F.R. Part 96; General Authorized Access (GAA); Priority Access Licensed (PAL)
For technical information concerning this report, contact:
John E. Carroll
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
(303) 497-3367
jcarroll@ntia.doc.gov
Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.
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