Accurate Power Measurements on

Accurate Power Measurements on Modern Communication Systems:This paper was originally presented at the ARMMS RF & Microwave Society meeting
held on the 28th and 29th October 2002,UK. ARMMS (Automated Radio frequency and
Microwave Measurement Society) is an independent professional society with an interest
in the design and measurement of devices and products operating at RF and Microwave
frequencies.
This paper will take a look at the demands on measuring power on some modern
communication systems. We will have a look at the technology of power measurement
and the errors and uncertainties in making the power measurement.
Increased data rate demands from customers have driven the change from simple
constant envelope modulation schemes such as FM, used on PMR equipment, first
generation mobile phones and microwave links, to more complex schemes such as
GMSK, CDMA and N-QAM.