Latest Connectors Articles and Videos

The output power and efficiency of a power amplifier (PA) are highly dependent on its load terminations. Learn how to…

The output power and efficiency of a power amplifier (PA) are highly dependent on its load terminations. Learn how to characterize a PA's performance by analyzing load lines and estimating the load-pull contours of constant output power.

As automobiles get more complex, the "Advanced SoC Research for Automotive" (ASRA) initiative teams up a dozen…

As automobiles get more complex, the "Advanced SoC Research for Automotive" (ASRA) initiative teams up a dozen automotive, electrical, and semiconductor companies to further develop automotive SoCs.

Positronic's EL Low Profile Aluminum Backshells, designed for D-Sub connectors like the Mach-D Series, offer robust EMI…

Positronic's EL Low Profile Aluminum Backshells, designed for D-Sub connectors like the Mach-D Series, offer robust EMI protection and comply with RoHS standards. Watch and learn all about their features, specs, applications, and more!

Learn how an inductively-loaded common-emitter stage can function as a power amplifier.

Learn how an inductively-loaded common-emitter stage can function as a power amplifier.

RF amplifier design is a challenging task, involving trade-offs between linearity, efficiency, gain, and output power.…

RF amplifier design is a challenging task, involving trade-offs between linearity, efficiency, gain, and output power. Here, we examine how a common-emitter circuit can, or can't, function as a power amplifier.

Learn how the available power gain concept can help us solve the problem of designing a bilateral RF amplifier for a…

Learn how the available power gain concept can help us solve the problem of designing a bilateral RF amplifier for a specified gain and noise figure.

In this article, we learn about noise parameters and use Smith charts to design a unilateral low-noise amplifier (LNA)…

In this article, we learn about noise parameters and use Smith charts to design a unilateral low-noise amplifier (LNA) for a specified gain.

This article explores the design of bilateral RF amplifiers for maximum transducer gain, and explains how to assess…

This article explores the design of bilateral RF amplifiers for maximum transducer gain, and explains how to assess whether an RF amplifier is bilateral or unilateral.

Learn about the role of gain analysis in the design of unilateral RF amplifiers, first by reviewing the basic concepts…

Learn about the role of gain analysis in the design of unilateral RF amplifiers, first by reviewing the basic concepts and then by working through a pair of design examples.

Stability analysis is an integral part of RF design. Learn the basics of stability analysis, including how to determine…

Stability analysis is an integral part of RF design. Learn the basics of stability analysis, including how to determine whether a device is unconditionally stable or potentially unstable.

It’s a consequential time in the connectivity world. While Apple switches to USB-C on its new iPhone 15, Intel has…

It’s a consequential time in the connectivity world. While Apple switches to USB-C on its new iPhone 15, Intel has released version 5 of its Thunderbolt standard.

Understanding the causes of attenuation in a transmission line can help us choose the right solutions for our…

Understanding the causes of attenuation in a transmission line can help us choose the right solutions for our application. In this article, we’ll learn about attenuation caused by conductor loss and dielectric loss.

The distribution of AC currents in real conductors with finite dimensions and circular or rectangular cross-sections is…

The distribution of AC currents in real conductors with finite dimensions and circular or rectangular cross-sections is non-uniform. This article will discuss Faraday's law and how AC currents create eddy currents and current crowding in real conductors.

The Y-factor method simplifies noise figure measurements by allowing the use of variable attenuators in place of a…

The Y-factor method simplifies noise figure measurements by allowing the use of variable attenuators in place of a calibrated power meter. In addition to defining the Y factor, we will discuss noise source uncertainty and fixturing losses that can introduce errors in your noise figure measurements.

This article will demonstrate that the AC current density decreases exponentially into a conductor. It will also explain…

This article will demonstrate that the AC current density decreases exponentially into a conductor. It will also explain why we can assume that the total current has a uniform distribution from the surface down to one skin depth of the conductor.

As we approach the twentieth anniversary of PCI Express, here is a look back—and forward—at the reigning expansion slot.

As we approach the twentieth anniversary of PCI Express, here is a look back—and forward—at the reigning expansion slot.

Power over Ethernet standards come with important distinctions for designers to consider when unifying power and connectivity.

Power over Ethernet standards come with important distinctions for designers to consider when unifying power and connectivity.

This article introduces high-frequency conductor losses in transmission lines caused by a phenomenon known as the skin effect.

This article introduces high-frequency conductor losses in transmission lines caused by a phenomenon known as the skin effect.

This article will help you understand losses in high-frequency transmission lines that include traces on PCBs. We will…

This article will help you understand losses in high-frequency transmission lines that include traces on PCBs. We will also investigate how these losses impact signal propagation and the quality of digital signals.