Latest Amplifiers Technical Articles

Learn ways to test an RF amplifier's stability, techniques to stabilize its operation, and how RF design software can…

Learn ways to test an RF amplifier's stability, techniques to stabilize its operation, and how RF design software can help you do both.

For newbie RF designers, the field's variety of power gain definitions can cause confusion. This article explains how,…

For newbie RF designers, the field's variety of power gain definitions can cause confusion. This article explains how, why, and when to use the operating power gain definition in RF amplifier design.

Learn about the behavior and benefits of hysteresis in comparator circuits, magnetic components, and high-power devices.

Learn about the behavior and benefits of hysteresis in comparator circuits, magnetic components, and high-power devices.

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.

Found both in nature and in engineered systems, hysteresis is a crucial design technique in certain electronic…

Found both in nature and in engineered systems, hysteresis is a crucial design technique in certain electronic applications. In this article, we'll introduce its theoretical underpinnings.

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.

Learn about the theory and implementation of MOSFETs, a key component of today’s analog integrated circuits.

Learn about the theory and implementation of MOSFETs, a key component of today’s analog integrated circuits.

Interested in learning about analog integrated circuits? This article explores the design metrics and applications of…

Interested in learning about analog integrated circuits? This article explores the design metrics and applications of these essential but underappreciated ICs.

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.

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 presents the design of an unweighted (Z-weighted) audio filter with a flat frequency response from 20 Hz to…

This article presents the design of an unweighted (Z-weighted) audio filter with a flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for the measurement of audio noise.

The Y-factor method is a widely used technique for measuring the gain and noise figure (NF) of RF components. This…

The Y-factor method is a widely used technique for measuring the gain and noise figure (NF) of RF components. This article will help you understand the differences between the insertion gain and the available gain, while avoiding potentially significant errors when measuring the noise figure.

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband…

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband voltmeter. The RMS detector is useful for measuring certain signal types, including noise, since it provides an indication of the energy in a signal.

Learn about the RF noise figure (NF), its power gain, lossy components, and cascaded systems.

Learn about the RF noise figure (NF), its power gain, lossy components, and cascaded systems.

Learn about using LTspice simulations to provide important insight into the performance of a switched-capacitor…

Learn about using LTspice simulations to provide important insight into the performance of a switched-capacitor voltage-inverting power supply.

Take a closer look at the definition of the RF noise figure and discuss some subtleties to help avoid erroneous…

Take a closer look at the definition of the RF noise figure and discuss some subtleties to help avoid erroneous interpretations of this specification.

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity…

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity from 1 mV to 100 V, while the ammeter has a selectable current sensitivity of 10 mA to 10 A.

In this project, learn to create a digitally-controlled oscillator or DCO-based audio synthesizer with an Arduino Nano or…

In this project, learn to create a digitally-controlled oscillator or DCO-based audio synthesizer with an Arduino Nano or an Arduino Uno.

In addition to explaining the nature of a negative voltage, this article briefly discusses how negative voltages are…

In addition to explaining the nature of a negative voltage, this article briefly discusses how negative voltages are generated and why they are useful in circuit design.