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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.


Bluetooth LE: Security Modes and Procedures Explained

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.


Assessing Conductor and Dielectric Losses in Transmission Lines

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.


Understanding Bluetooth LE Pairing—Step by Step

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.


Introduction to Dielectric Loss in Transmission Lines

Introduction to Dielectric Loss in Transmission Lines

Understanding the effect of dielectrics on transmission lines is an important aspect of many high frequency system designs. This article will introduce concepts like relative permittivity and loss tangent and describe how they affect the performance of transmission lines.


The Challenge of Integrating an Antenna Into Small IoT Devices

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.


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).


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

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.


Lossy Transmission Lines: Introduction to the Skin Effect

Lossy Transmission Lines: Introduction to the Skin Effect

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


Vulnerabilities and Attacks on Bluetooth LE Devices—Reviewing Recent Info

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.


Introduction to Lossy Transmission Lines

Introduction to Lossy Transmission Lines

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.


PCB Material Properties and Their Impact on Performance of High Frequency Boards

PCB Material Properties and Their Impact on Performance of High Frequency Boards

Understanding PCB material parameters such as relative permittivity and loss tangent allows us to discuss some important considerations for choosing the right material when designing a high-speed/high-frequency application.


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.


Securing BLE Connections—An Overview of the Security Protocol

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.


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

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.


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.


Understanding the RF Noise Figure Specification

Understanding the RF Noise Figure Specification

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


Exploring Single Stub Impedance Matching Through Smith Chart Examples

Exploring Single Stub Impedance Matching Through Smith Chart Examples

Learn about impedance matching using a single stub, transmission lines, and immittance Smith chart examples.


A Brief Introduction to Slot Antennas

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.


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

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-