How does Intermodulation Distortion occur

Intermodulation is a phenomenon of combining undesired frequency components within an active system or from an external source.  A combination of two or more signals will create another signal which may fall into another frequency band of the system and cause interference to the system. How does intermodulation distortion occur, what are the causes, and how to prevent it?

In any wireless transmitting system, the efficiency of the receiver is very significant, and any interference in the received signal could cause an interruption of the service. Developers and network engineers make sure the system is designed, tested, and implemented within the technical specification in order to work efficiently.

Since our wireless ecosystem has to support huge number of customers and services, the number of transmitting stations and devices is increasing exponentially; all these devices exchange information in the form of continuously emitting radio frequency waves.

The number of frequency bands also increased in this decade after the introduction of 3G and LTE networks. In order to co-exist with other wireless standards, any wireless transmitting system should be within the controlled specification of intermodulation distortion.

There are mainly two types of intermodulation,  passive intermodulation, and active intermodulation.

Passive Intermodulation Distortion

Passive intermodulation happens when multiple signals combine in non-linear passive devices like directional couplers, power dividers, power splitters, RF isolators, RF circulators, attenuators, adaptors, etc.

Active Intermodulation Distortion

Active intermodulation happens in active electronics systems where two or more signals within a system or from external sources combine and create frequency multiples and products. These signals are usually low power, but in some cases, it is sufficiently powerful to distort another receiving signal.

Active intermodulation can happen in all modern wireless transmitting devices if it has not been designed to operate within the specifications. Device manufacturers will have to strictly follow guidelines in operating frequency, power output, intermodulation specifications, etc.

Sources of Passive intermodulation (PIM)

• Any non-linear passive component can cause distortion due to the property of the radio frequency waves.
• RF cables without proper shielding could contribute to PIM in the system.
• Rusty RF connectors, adaptors, and exposed signal junctions.
• Loose contact in connectors, cables, and signaling causes intermodulation.
• Non-linear properties of ferromagnetic materials could result in PIM due to the magnetic hysteresis effect.
• Large metal frames and feeder lines could cause some level of PIM.
• Spark discharges in the connector will cause oxidation and thus lead to distortion of signals.
• Poor contacts in mechanical switches cause PIM.

See how to test intermodulation distortion and harmonics in passive devices

Source of Active Intermodulation

• Non-linear active components in any system will produce intermodulation.
• Poor design/layout within active components like RF modules could cause intermodulation in devices.
• Microscopic impurities in the semiconductor substrate layer.
• Multiple signal sources within a system sharing the same antenna will lead to intermodulation. For example, duplexers used in LTE bands share a common antenna to transmit and receive.
• Signal lines running closely in circuit boards may lead to crosstalk and intermodulation.
• Non-linear amplifiers are victims of intermodulation distortion due to harmonics distortion and second-order intermodulation.
• In wireless transceivers, the harmonics product of one signal source combines with another frequency band of the same transmitter or receiver signal and suffers interference in the receiving band.
• A mismatch of the transmitting antenna handling multiple frequencies will cause the reflection of signals that mix with other frequency bands and result in intermodulation.
• Faulty electronic components and low-quality components in the circuits will introduce IMD.
• Active antenna amplifies signal level and often contributes to IMD

How to prevent Intermodulation

• Use high-quality components and avoid non-linear active components in the design of devices.
• Operate power amplifiers in linear range to avoid intermodulation components.
• Avoid low-quality mechanical switches and poor contact signal adaptors.
• Use high-quality cable assemblies and signal joints.
• Proper shielding of circuits in transmitting devices can prevent distortion from external sources.
• Good impedance matching of power amplifiers and antenna will eliminate reflection of signal and improve IMD level.
• Sturdy connection between cables, directional couplers, power splitters, attenuators, isolators and all system components will reduce distortion chances.
• Reduce the number of components in the system to improve quality.
• Use all devices and components in the recommended operating range to ensure maximum performance.
• If possible, keep the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna some distance apart.
• High-quality materials in circuit board design will improve distortion.

Significance of intermodulation distortion

The increased number of wireless transmitting devices for multiple applications contributes to a higher level of undesired signal distortion. A higher level of distortion will cause interruption to any wireless communication devices.

Modern telecommunication uses a wide range of frequency spectrum for wireless transmission, which leads to many challenges for network engineers, like distortion due to intermodulation and wireless co-existence.

IMD is one of the significant specifications in power amplifiers that qualify an amplifier for specific uses. In high-quality audio systems, causes for intermodulation should be tracked and eliminated for optimum performance.

Conclusion

Intermodulation distortion can be controlled up to a certain level by improving the design and use of high-quality components in the system. However, complete elimination of these undesired signal distortions is inevitable in most of cases due to the limitation of components and power amplifiers, etc… In order to have an efficient system, engineers have to make sure optimum design, quality components, and implementation stages are accurately tested to track any undesired distortion.