Abstract: A system for providing efficient, reliable, and accurate calibration and measurements of a satellite communication (SATCOM) test system, especially in E-band frequencies where precision of measurement and calibration plays a large role in reliable communications at terabit data rates. The system may include a vector network analyzer (VNA), at 67 GHz operation, calibrated using SOLT-type calibrations. The vector network analyzer (VNA) may be communicatively coupled to a device under test (DUT) or system under test (SUT) to obtain calibration and measurement data. The system may also include a signal generator for generating at least one signal. The system may further include an active mixer communicatively coupled to the signal generator. The active mixer may up-convert the least one signal to E-band frequencies. In some examples, the vector network analyzer (VNA), the local oscillator (LO) signal generator, and the active mixer may be synchronized or phase-locked using a reference.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for improving thermal efficiency and reliability of a linear power amplifier of a communication system. In an illustrative embodiment, the communication system operates in a half-duplex mode and a transistor control terminal (e.g., gate) of the amplifier is biased at a first bias voltage during transmit intervals of the half-duplex mode. The control terminal is biased at a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage during receive intervals. The second bias voltage is sufficient to reduce idle currents in the amplifier during the receive intervals, thereby improving thermal efficiency of the amplifier. Also disclosed is a base station including a base station controller, a variable bias control circuit and a linear power amplifier. The variable bias control circuit operates under the control of the base station controller to supply a variable bias voltage to the amplifier.