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MOSFET Non-Idealities in Analog IC Design

MOSFET Non-Idealities in Analog IC Design

MOS transistors exhibit a wide variety of second-order effects not covered by ideal models. To design analog integrated circuits that will work in the real world, we need to understand these non-idealities.


Designing a Unilateral RF Amplifier for a Specified Gain

Designing a Unilateral RF Amplifier for a Specified Gain

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.


MOSFET Structure and Operation for Analog IC Design

MOSFET Structure and Operation for Analog IC Design

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


An A-Weighted Analog Filter that Mimics the Response of the Human Ear

An A-Weighted Analog Filter that Mimics the Response of the Human Ear

In this project, we design an A-weighted analog noise filter for audio frequencies. The filter provides a variable frequency gain response that is similar to that of our hearing.


Projects Oct 29, 2023 by John Woodgate
Introduction to Analog IC Design

Introduction to Analog IC Design

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


Unconditional Stability and Potential Instability in RF Amplifier Design

Unconditional Stability and Potential Instability in RF Amplifier Design

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.


ADC Linearity Testing: the Sinusoidal Histogram Method

ADC Linearity Testing: the Sinusoidal Histogram Method

This article explains how to use a histogram test with a sinusoidal input to determine analog-to-digital converter (ADC) parameters, along with the advantages of doing so.


Servo-Loop ADC Testing: Choosing the Parameters

Servo-Loop ADC Testing: Choosing the Parameters

In this article, we’ll take a look at how servo-loop ADC test parameters can be chosen based on the noise level of the ADC and the desired measurement precision.


An Introduction to Filters

An Introduction to Filters

Learn about various types of filters, including common terminology and important characteristics.


X7R, X5R, C0G…: A Concise Guide to Ceramic Capacitor Types

X7R, X5R, C0G…: A Concise Guide to Ceramic Capacitor Types

This technical brief attempts to dispel some of the fog surrounding the three-character naming convention used to describe ceramic caps.


Introduction to Servo-Loop ADC Testing

Introduction to Servo-Loop ADC Testing

Servo-loop testing allows the determination of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transfer function. This article will describe the basics of servo-loop ADC testing and illustrate several different servo-loop test configurations.


Understanding Security Keys in Bluetooth Low Energy

Understanding Security Keys in Bluetooth Low Energy

Learn the roles of the three security keys in Bluetooth LE—Long Term Key (LTK), Connection Signature Resolving Key (CSRK), and Identity Resolving Key (IRK).


Design of an Unweighted Audio Filter with Flat Frequency Response

Design of an Unweighted Audio Filter with Flat Frequency Response

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.


Projects Jul 23, 2023 by John Woodgate
Gain Definitions for the Y-Factor Method of NF Measurements: Available Gain or Insertion Gain?

Gain Definitions for the Y-Factor Method of NF Measurements: Available Gain or Insertion Gain?

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.


Explore the Y Factor Method for Noise Figure Measurement

Explore the Y Factor Method for Noise Figure Measurement

Learn about measuring the noise figure (NF) using the Y factor method. We'll dive into using this to find the noise factor, how to calibrate for noise temperature, and much more.


Characterize RF Noise Components Using Equivalent Noise Temperature

Characterize RF Noise Components Using Equivalent Noise Temperature

Learn another way to characterize RF noise components using noise temperature and how this concept clears up how noise figure measurement instruments actually work.


Improving ADC SFDR Using Dithering for Communication System Applications

Improving ADC SFDR Using Dithering for Communication System Applications

Learn more about dithering, namely improving the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that exhibits differential nonlinearity (DNL) errors.


Noise Figure Concepts—Power Gain, Lossy Components, and Cascaded Systems

Noise Figure Concepts—Power Gain, Lossy Components, and Cascaded Systems

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


Analyzing a Negative Voltage Charge Pump in LTspice—Source and Load Resistance

Analyzing a Negative Voltage Charge Pump in LTspice—Source and Load Resistance

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


A Primer on Power and EM Side-channel Attack Countermeasures and Prevention

A Primer on Power and EM Side-channel Attack Countermeasures and Prevention

Get a high-level understanding of designing electronics to prevent the threat of side-channel attacks (SCAs), namely power- and EM- (electromagnetic) based attacks.