2022-09-02 17:59
Status:
# IP3
A figure of merit that shows how linear your circuit is (larger means more linear).
Increasing A causes fundamental to increase $\propto A$ while the third order IM products increase $\propto A^3$ . Eventually these become equal, producing the equation:


and thus in power form,



IP3 is a theoretical idea, it is based on the assumption of a third order system, and the amplifier would be [overloaded](overloaded.md) by the time it reached the IP3 point.
Simulations and measurements will extrapolate the data.
## Measuring IP3
Generate the two tone and increase the power.
Spectrum analyser looks at the amplitude of output frequencies.
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# References
- [Third-order intercept point - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-order_intercept_point)
- [Robabeh's Thesis](High%20Resolution%20Integrated%20Passive%20Phase%20Shifters%20for%20Future%20Wireless%20Communications.md#2%201%203%201%20Third%20Order%20Intercept%20Point%20IP3)