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Is Every Conductor an Antenna?

Learn how conductive circuit components can function as antennas, even when they aren't intended to.

4 days ago by Robert Keim

Wireless Module or SoC? Cost Considerations in IoT Design

Should your IoT design use a wireless module or a System-on-Chip (SoC)? This article presents a deep dive into the cost implications of each option, assisting you in making an informed, cost-effective decision.

November 29, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

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.

November 17, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

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.

November 03, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

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.

October 25, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Bluetooth Low Energy Data Transfer Modes: A Comparison

This article introduces and compares Bluetooth Low Energy’s legacy advertising, extended advertising, and connection-oriented data transfer modes.

October 08, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Bluetooth LE: Security Modes and Procedures Explained

In Bluetooth LE (BLE), security is a multifaceted beast. Learn the three main security modes of BLE, along with five critical BLE security procedures.

September 24, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Assessing Conductor and Dielectric Losses in Transmission Lines

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.

September 15, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Understanding Bluetooth LE Pairing—Step by Step

Pairing is an important concept in Bluetooth LE. Let’s examine the fundamentals of Bluetooth LE pairing, outlining how LE devices securely share keys between trusted devices.

September 10, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

The Challenge of Integrating an Antenna Into Small IoT Devices

Designing antennas for compact IoT devices is a tricky task, but an increasingly important one. Learn more about this challenge and how to meet it.

August 18, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

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).

August 13, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Whitening Filters Help Low-Power Radios Tackle Issues Caused by Long Identical Bit Sequences

Learn how whitening filters solve problems in low-power radios when transmitting long identical bit sequences. Explore their significance in protocols like BLE and ZigBee.

August 02, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

ATT and GATT—How Bluetooth LE Devices Store Data

Learn how ATT and GATT protocols help Bluetooth LE devices store and manage data, making it easier for connected devices to work together seamlessly.

July 21, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Vulnerabilities and Attacks on Bluetooth LE Devices—Reviewing Recent Info

To understand known vulnerabilities and attacks on Bluetooth LE devices, we review some studies from the past 4+ years.

July 16, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Securing BLE Connections—An Overview of the Security Protocol

Learn about Bluetooth LE's security features and tools, how to use them, and understand how they keep connections secure.

June 23, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Breaking Down the BLE Link Layer—The 7 States of Bluetooth LE Radio

Explore the seven states of the Bluetooth LE radio, how the link layer state machine manages the LE radio, and the roles of these states in wireless communication.

June 16, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

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.

May 28, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

A Brief Introduction to Slot Antennas

Learn about slot antennas, namely their history, characteristics, and electromagnetic (EM) behavior for low-voltage, small-form-factor electronic devices.

April 16, 2023 by Robert Keim

Designing L-type Matching Networks Using Series and Parallel RC and RL Circuits

Learn about l-type impedance matching equations through the quality factor (Q factor) of RC and RL circuits and the series-parallel conversion of these circuits.l-

April 14, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Using the Smith Chart to Design a T and Pi Matching Network

Learn more about L-sections and impedance matching by designing T and Pi matching networks using a Smith chart.

April 12, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar