In this article, we present a comprehensive analysis of the hardware and software solutions required to enable frequency scalable load–pull test benches operating in the (sub)mm-wave frequency bands. First, the constraints arising from the harmonic (nonlinear) operation of mm-wave extender modules are discussed and analyzed. Then, different hardware solutions for signal generation and control, together with the specific software algorithms required to realize a frequency scalable load–pull test bench, are presented. The measurement setup key performances are analyzed in different frequency bands up to 500 GHz, i.e., waveguide bands from WR10 up to WR2.2. Finally, the load–pull measurements on an HBT device at 75 GHz and a two-stage differential PA at 135 GHz are presented to show the capability of the proposed test bench to characterize and optimize mm-wave nonlinear components.

中文翻译：

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用于有源频率可扩展（亚）毫米波负载牵引的硬件和软件解决方案

在本文中，我们对实现在（亚）毫米波频段运行的频率可扩展负载牵引测试台所需的硬件和软件解决方案进行了全面分析。首先，讨论和分析由毫米波扩展器模块的谐波（非线性）操作引起的约束。然后，介绍了用于信号生成和控制的不同硬件解决方案，以及实现频率可扩展负载牵引测试台所需的特定软件算法。在高达 500 GHz 的不同频段（即从 WR10 到 WR2.2 的波导频段）中分析了测量设置的关键性能。最后，