Latest Test & Measurement Technical Articles

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…

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.

Servo-loop testing allows the determination of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transfer function. This article will…

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.

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 will demonstrate that the AC current density decreases exponentially into a conductor. It will also explain…

This article will demonstrate that the AC current density decreases exponentially into a conductor. It will also explain why we can assume that the total current has a uniform distribution from the surface down to one skin depth of the conductor.

The Y-factor method is a widely used technique for measuring the gain and noise figure (NF) of RF components. This…

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.

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband…

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband voltmeter. The RMS detector is useful for measuring certain signal types, including noise, since it provides an indication of the energy in a signal.

In this article, we’ll use LTspice simulations to more thoroughly understand output-voltage ripple and consider…

In this article, we’ll use LTspice simulations to more thoroughly understand output-voltage ripple and consider techniques for mitigating it within a charge pump circuit.

Learn about measuring the noise figure (NF) using the Y factor method. We'll dive into using this to find the noise…

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.

Learn more about dithering, namely improving the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of an analog-to-digital converter…

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.

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

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

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity…

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity from 1 mV to 100 V, while the ammeter has a selectable current sensitivity of 10 mA to 10 A.

Learn about two nonlinearity sources, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in…

Learn about two nonlinearity sources, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

Learn about an impedance-matching technique using transmission line elements.

Learn about an impedance-matching technique using transmission line elements.

Learn how a series RLC circuit with arbitrary component values can be represented as a point on the Smith chart and how…

Learn how a series RLC circuit with arbitrary component values can be represented as a point on the Smith chart and how an impedance contour on the Smith chart can be used to describe the circuit's frequency response.

The receiver in a digital PAM system must sample and measure the amplitude of a signal that is affected by the frequency…

The receiver in a digital PAM system must sample and measure the amplitude of a signal that is affected by the frequency response of the transmission channel.

Learn how dithering can suppress both harmonic and non-harmonic spurs and two different types of dithering systems:…

Learn how dithering can suppress both harmonic and non-harmonic spurs and two different types of dithering systems: subtractive and non-subtractive topologies.

Learn about voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), return loss, and mismatch loss, which helps characterize the wave…

Learn about voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), return loss, and mismatch loss, which helps characterize the wave reflections in a radio frequency (RF) design.

Learn how to derive the wave equations for a lossless transmission line and look at its infinite bandwidth and phase constant.

Learn how to derive the wave equations for a lossless transmission line and look at its infinite bandwidth and phase constant.

An encoding technique used for digital communication, pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) converts a discrete-time signal…

An encoding technique used for digital communication, pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) converts a discrete-time signal into a variable-amplitude continuous-time signal that is suitable for high-speed wired communication systems.