The output power and efficiency of a power amplifier (PA) are highly dependent on its load terminations. Learn how to characterize a PA's performance by…
The output power and efficiency of a power amplifier (PA) are highly dependent on its load terminations. Learn how to characterize a PA's performance by analyzing load lines and estimating the load-pull contours of constant output power.
In the final installment of our series on the development of the Anthilla Controller, we look at the legal requirements…
In the final installment of our series on the development of the Anthilla Controller, we look at the legal requirements for bringing the project to market in the European Union.
Learn how an inductively-loaded common-emitter stage can function as a power amplifier.
Learn how an inductively-loaded common-emitter stage can function as a power amplifier.
RF amplifier design is a challenging task, involving trade-offs between linearity, efficiency, gain, and output power.…
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.
Learn how the available power gain concept can help us solve the problem of designing a bilateral RF amplifier for a…
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.
In this article, we learn about noise parameters and use Smith charts to design a unilateral low-noise amplifier (LNA)…
In this article, we learn about noise parameters and use Smith charts to design a unilateral low-noise amplifier (LNA) for a specified gain.
Learn how conductive circuit components can function as antennas, even when they aren't intended to.
Learn how conductive circuit components can function as antennas, even when they aren't intended to.
Should your IoT design use a wireless module or a System-on-Chip (SoC)? This article presents a deep dive into the cost…
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.
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.
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.
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.
This article introduces and compares Bluetooth Low Energy’s legacy advertising, extended advertising, and…
This article introduces and compares Bluetooth Low Energy’s legacy advertising, extended advertising, and connection-oriented data transfer modes.
In Bluetooth LE (BLE), security is a multifaceted beast. Learn the three main security modes of BLE, along with five…
In Bluetooth LE (BLE), security is a multifaceted beast. Learn the three main security modes of BLE, along with five critical BLE security procedures.
Understanding the causes of attenuation in a transmission line can help us choose the right solutions for our…
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 the effect of dielectrics on transmission lines is an important aspect of many high frequency system…
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 distribution of AC currents in real conductors with finite dimensions and circular or rectangular cross-sections is…
The distribution of AC currents in real conductors with finite dimensions and circular or rectangular cross-sections is non-uniform. This article will discuss Faraday's law and how AC currents create eddy currents and current crowding in real conductors.
Learn the roles of the three security keys in Bluetooth LE—Long Term Key (LTK), Connection Signature Resolving Key…
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).
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 introduces high-frequency conductor losses in transmission lines caused by a phenomenon known as the skin effect.
This article introduces high-frequency conductor losses in transmission lines caused by a phenomenon known as the skin effect.
To understand known vulnerabilities and attacks on Bluetooth LE devices, we review some studies from the past 4+ years.
To understand known vulnerabilities and attacks on Bluetooth LE devices, we review some studies from the past 4+ years.