Characterization of IQ Modulators Counts On Flexible Signal Generator Stimulus

As demands for transmission bandwidth and signal quality continue to grow, suppliers of IQ modulators are working on new designs to address these requirements. During the design phase, the performance of new devices must be evaluated against a number of critical parameters. This application note describes several of the important measurements design engineers routinely make on an IQ modulator. It illustrates how modern arbitrary/function generators provide a stimulus to characterize high performance IQ modulators thoroughly, with more flexibility and saving considerable time over previously used methods.