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Introduction to the Class B Power Amplifier

Introduction to the Class B Power Amplifier

How does a Class B power amplifier work? What makes it more efficient than a Class A power amplifier? Learn the answers in this article.


Introduction to the Inductively-Loaded Class A Power Amplifier

Introduction to the Inductively-Loaded Class A Power Amplifier

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


Introduction to Class A Power Amplifiers: The Common-Emitter PA

Introduction to Class A Power Amplifiers: The Common-Emitter PA

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.


Using the Available Power Gain to Design a Bilateral Low-Noise Amplifier

Using the Available Power Gain to Design a Bilateral Low-Noise Amplifier

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.


Learn About Designing Unilateral Low-Noise Amplifiers

Learn About Designing Unilateral Low-Noise Amplifiers

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


Building a Circuit to Measure the Effect of Noise on Audio Signals

Building a Circuit to Measure the Effect of Noise on Audio Signals

This project will cover the design, construction, and testing of an analog filter meeting the ITU-R BS.468-4 specification, which aims to evaluate the disturbing effects of noise on audio broadcast signals.


Projects Dec 10, 2023 by John Woodgate
RF Amplifier Stability Factors and Stabilization Techniques

RF Amplifier Stability Factors and Stabilization Techniques

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


Using the Operating Power Gain to Design a Bilateral RF Amplifier

Using the Operating Power Gain to Design a Bilateral RF Amplifier

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.


Understanding Hysteresis in Electronic Components and Circuits

Understanding Hysteresis in Electronic Components and Circuits

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


How to Design a Bilateral RF Amplifier for Maximum Gain

How to Design a Bilateral RF Amplifier for Maximum Gain

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.


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.


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
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.


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.