Large-Signal Measurements and Nonlinear Characterization of an Analog Frontend for Passive UHF CMOS RFID Transponders

This work focuses on the comprehensive measurement-based nonlinear characterization of an integrated analog frontend, which is implemented into a passive multifunctional radio-frequency-identification (RFID) transponder. It explains the necessity and the practical execution of large-signal characterization and nonlinear analyses of the frontend at ultra-high-frequencies. The fundamentals of the implemented source-pull measurement setup are described in detail and the results of selected measurements are presented. To the authors knowledge, this is the first time that a passive RFID frontend is characterized by nonlinear large-signal measurements.