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4 of the September 2022 homepage archives.
Wednesday the 14th
The Art of Xerography
I am always amazed when reading articles
like this one on "The
Art of Xerography" at how the engineers and scientists who develop these system
manage to think up the processes and materials required to make everything work
so well, and then to make it manufacturable on a mass basis. How did Chester Carlson
discover that dyed lycopodium powder, made from creeping cedars, sprinkled over
a waxed paper plate would create the likeness of an original image - after, of course,
rubbing a sulfur-coated metal plate with a handkerchief and quickly exposing the
plate to light transmitted through the glass with a pattern on it? Electrostatics
eventually came to play a big role in high volume printing, as described here. I
saw a video one time (can't find it now) of a high voltage and chemical processed
used on thin aluminum sheets used in newspaper printing up through the 1970's for
making masters. My father worked at The Evening Capital newspaper in Annapolis,
Maryland, and I remember back in the 1960's walking through the printing press area
and seeing operators pounding away on typesetting machines that assembled the lead
die into lines of text, and from there the entire process up through actual printing
and folding of the newspapers. From around 1970 through 1974, I delivered those
papers in my neighborhood on my bicycle. The subscription cost was a whopping $2.10
per month...
Lotus State-of-the-Art GPS/GNSS
LNA Product Line
Lotus Communication Systems, a manufacturer
of connectorized, cascadable RF and microwave components, has developed a new
state-of-art GPS/GNSS low noise amplifiers (LNA) product line. These GPS/GNSS
LNAs have industrial leading noise figure 0.2 dB and ultra compact size of
1.5"x0.75"x0.6". Lotus' LNAs consume ultra low current while provide high gain (+29 dB
at 34 mA). Lotus' LNAs also has wide operational voltage (+5~+32 V) and
optional EMI Shielding (includes weatherproof). Pre-filter and variable gain (0~40 dB)
options are also available for customization. For example, the LAL12F27BDSE provides
L1 & L2 filtering to filter unwanted interference. It provides 27 dB gain
with a 0.56 dB noise figure. This LNA can be biased from a single supply +5~+12 V
from output port...
Chip-Free, Wireless Electronic Skin
"MIT engineers have developed a new kind
of
wearable sensor that communicates wirelessly without requiring on-board chips
or batteries. Their design, detailed today in the journal Science, opens a path
toward chip-free wireless sensors. The team's sensor design is a form of electronic
skin, or 'e-skin' - a flexible, semiconducting film that conforms to the skin like
electronic Scotch tape. The heart of the sensor is an ultra-thin, high-quality film
of Gallium Nitride (GaN), a material that is known for its piezoelectric properties,
meaning that it can both produce an electrical signal in response to mechanical
strain and mechanically vibrate in response to an electrical impulse. The researchers
found they could harness gallium nitride's two-way piezoelectric properties and
use the material simultaneously for both sensing and wireless communication..."
Electronics in Medicine
Every time I see one of these articles on
"modern"
medial electronics it makes me think of the Star Trek IV movie titled, "The
Voyage Home," wherein Dr. McCoy (aka "Bones") intervenes as a 20th century brain
surgeon is about to operate on Chekov - "My God man, drilling holes in his head
is not the answer!" The 1948-vintage electrocardiograph featured in this Radio-Craft
magazine article looks like it was built from parts salvaged from World War II
field gear. Having a doctor attach wires to you is scary enough, but back when the
probes were powered by instruments using circuits with 200-300 volts of plate
bias in them would add an extra level of anxiety. BTW, have you ever wondered how
"star dates" in Star Trek were determined? As it turns out, the system has not been
consistent throughout the series from television and the movies then back to television.
It began as a random number to avoid needing to specify a particular century...
ConductRF
Hand-Reformable RF Coaxial Cables are available off the shelf from DigiKey.
ConductRF FM series of Hand Formable RF cable assemblies provides system designers
with a versatile solution that allows RF cables to be physically routed and set
in to position during installation. Standard lengths and connector types feature
performance up to 40 GHz. Low loss, tinned braided cable of 0.086" diameter
with shielding of >100 dB. 100% factory tested for VSWR & insertion
loss. RoHS & Reach compliant. Ideal for internal module linking and great for
RF Testing. Made in theUSA! Features include: Formable tinned braided cable low
loss, ø0.086" cable, precision RF connectors, shielding >100 dB, 100% Factory
VSWR & IL Tested...
How Dependable Are Your Meter Readings?
Not many people are still using
analog meters for making voltage, current, resistance, and power measurements
these days; however, for those who are and even for those using digital readout
meters, there are valuable lessons to be learned from this article on factors that
can affect the accuracy of your measurements. Whenever you make a measurement with
any kind of instrument, the first step to take in minimizing the chances of inaccurate
readings is to be certain the instrument is in good working order and is known to
be reasonably accurate. If it is battery powered, know that low battery voltage
can cause erroneous readings in both analog and digital meters, so beware. If you
are making a measurement to verify a known entity and the reading is correct, then
there is little reason to suspect that anything is wrong with your meter. If a reading
is way off from what you expect to see, then verify the accuracy of your instrument
before going any further lest...
RF & Electronics
Symbols for Visio
With more than 1000
custom-built symbols, this has got to be the most comprehensive set of
Visio Symbols available for RF, analog, and digital system and schematic
drawings! Every object has been built to fit proportionally on the provided
A-, B- and C-size drawing page templates (or can use your own). Symbols are provided
for equipment racks and test equipment, system block diagrams, conceptual drawings,
and schematics. Unlike previous versions, these are NOT Stencils, but instead are
all contained on tabbed pages within a single Visio document. That puts everything
in front of you in its full glory. Just copy and paste what you need on your drawing.
The file format is XML so everything plays nicely with Visio 2013 and later...
Thanks to Anritsu for Their
Support!
Anritsu has been a global provider of innovative
communications test and measurement solutions for more than 120 years. Anritsu manufactures
a full line of innovative components and accessories for
RF and Microwave Test and Measurement
Equipment including attenuators & terminations; coaxial cables, connectors &
adapters; o-scopes; power meters & sensors; signal generators; antenna, signal,
spectrum, & vector network analyzers (VNAs); calibration kits; Bluetooth &
WLAN testers; PIM testers; amplifiers; power dividers; antennas.
Tuesday the 13th
Glass-Dielectric Capacitors
Continuing with the series on capacitor
types, particularly dielectric material, this July 1965 Electronics World
magazine article reports on glass materials used by Corning Glass Works. Glass dielectrics
are popular for aerospace and space applications because of their tolerance for
high radiation levels found in regions not protected by the Earth's atmosphere.
Glass compound consistency provides for mass producing values with tight tolerances
and exceptional parameter tracking over temperature. High "Q" values and low loss
at extreme temperature and high frequency (at the time) made them the component
of choice by missile and satellite designers. 0.5 pF through about 0.01 μF
is the typical value range for
glass dielectric capacitors. Author Archer Martin mentions radiation exposures
of 1018 NVTth, which appears to be a measure of neutron flux exposure, but I could
not find a good definition of the term ("NVT," without the "th" is used here)...
DARPA to Revolutionize Satellite Communication
"The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA), best known for creating the internet, advanced its plan to
revolutionize communication among low orbiting satellite networks by selecting
11 teams to work on its Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node program. Known
as Space-BACN, the project seeks to create a low-cost, reconfigurable optical communications
terminal that adapts to most optical intersatellite link standards, translating
between diverse satellite constellations. According to DARPA, Space-BACN would create
an 'internet' of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, enabling seamless communication
between military/government and commercial/civil satellite constellations that currently
are unable to talk with each other..."
Aegis Power Systems Videos
IMHO, it is a good idea for companies to
produce in-house videos to give customers - both existing and potential - a look
at their employees, equipment, facilities, and processes.
Aegis Power Systems has a series of such videos available for viewing. Aegis
is a leading supplier of AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies for custom and special applications.
Aegis has been designing and building highly reliable custom power supplies since
1995. They offer a complete line of switch mode power supplies and power converters
for a variety of markets including defense, industrial, aircraft, VME, and telecom.
Supports military, aircraft, EV, telecom, and embedded computing applications. Design
and manufacture of custom power supply solutions to meet each customer's exacting
specifications.
Frenzied Radio
"And there is nothing new under the sun."
- Ecclesiastes 1:9, NKJV (did you know that is the origin of the saying?). This
1930 editorial by Radio-Craft editor Hugo Gernsback describes a coordinated
scam perpetrated by radio manufacturers to compel consumers to buy new sets rather
than have their existing sets repaired; such schemes persist today. In short, retail
prices were inflated to accommodate a built-in "trade-in" allowance that far exceeded
the repair cost or used radio cost. Radio service shops were getting the short shrift
because many people who might have otherwise elected to have repairs made would
instead trade in the old set for a new one. That a conspiracy was underfoot was
evidenced both by the practice of destroying traded-in sets so they cannot be used
again (similar to the Cash for Clunkers program where engines were destroyed after
trade-in), and by making it difficult or even impossible for repair shops to obtain
adequate technical documentation...
RF & Electronics
Stencils for Visio
With more than 1000
custom-built stencils, this has got to be the most comprehensive set of
Visio Stencils available for RF, analog, and digital system and schematic
drawings! Every stencil symbol has been built to fit proportionally on the included
A-, B-, and C-size drawing page templates (or use your own page if preferred). Components
are provided for system block diagrams, conceptual drawings, schematics, test equipment,
racks (EIA 19", ETSI 21"), and more. Test equipment and racks are built at a 1:1
scale so that measurements can be made directly using Visio built-in dimensioning
objects. Page templates are provided with a preset scale (changeable) for a good
presentation that can incorporate all provided symbols...
Many Thanks to San Francisco
Circuits for Continued Support!
SF Circuits' specialty is in the complex,
advanced technology of PCB fabrication and assembly, producing high quality multi-layered
PCBs from elaborate layouts. With them, you receive unparalleled technical expertise
at competitive prices as well as the most progressive solutions available. Their
customers request PCB production that is outside the capabilities of normal circuit
board providers. Please take a moment to visit San Francisco Circuits today. "Printed
Circuit Fabrication & Assembly with No Limit on Technology or Quantity."
Monday the 12th
An Unusual TV Antenna
This being an April issue of Popular Electronics
magazine, I am not sure whether this is an April Fools gag article of the real McCoy.
The Iron Curtain was in full force, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a mere five years
earlier and the Gary Powers U-2 incident just seven years hence, so anything related
to the USSR (aka Soviet Union) was considered mysterious and possibly nefarious.
Seeing Ruskie text was a real attention-getter. The article entitled "НЕОБЫЧНАЯ
ТЕЛЕВИДЕНИЕ АНТЕННА" reportedly appeared in the April 1966 issue of the Soviet Union's
"Radio" magazine (still in print). I did a search for it and could find the March
and June 1966 issues, but not April. BTW, if you plug the Russian text into the
Duck Duck Go translator, it does indeed come back with "Unusual TV Antenna," just
as author Joseph Zelle claimed in 1966. Now, as to whether the article's claim is
legit or not, I can't say...
Axiom Blog: AC, DC Loads Evaluate
Electrical Use
Axiom Test Equipment, Inc., an electronic
test equipment rental and sales company has published a new blog post entitled "Modular
Test Solution Speed Semiconductor Testing," that explains how electronic loads
are able to enhance the performance of AC and DC power supplies and energy sources.
Connecting an AC or DC electronic load to the output of an AC or DC power supply,
respectively, enables it to replace the electronic circuitry normally at that point
in an electronic design or product and study the behavior of the power supply under
a variety of operating conditions. A power supply can be analyzed by connecting
it to a suitable-sized resistor to sink current to ground. However, such a passive
load is not representative of most actual applications. An electronic load mimics
the complexity of a real-world load with resistance, inductance, and capacitance
that can vary under changing conditions. Whether by manual tuning or programmed
under computer control, an electronic load can mimic the many different load conditions
facing a power supply...
Please Thank Lotus Communication Systems
for Their Support!
Lotus Communication Systems began in 2009,
setting up CNC machine shop and RF/microwave assembling and testing lab in Middlesex
Country, Massachusetts. Lotus is committed to highest quality and innovative products.
Each RF/microwave module meets
exceedingly high standards of quality, performance and excellent value, and are
100% MADE IN USA. Lotus' RF/microwave products cover frequency band up to 67 GHz.
Lotus also offers an COTS shield enclosures for RF/microwave prototyping and production.
All products are custom designed. We will find a solution and save your time and
cost. Lotus has multiple 4 axis CNC machines and LPKF circuit plotters.
Resonant Metasurfaces Breakthrough for Quantum Research
"Scientists have successfully created photon
pairs at several different frequencies using
resonant metasurfaces. Tomás Santiago-Cruz and Maria Chekhova from the Max Planck
Institute for the Science of Light and the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
in cooperation with Sandia National Laboratories successfully used resonant metasurfaces
to create photon pairs at several different frequencies. A photon is the quantum
(the minimum amount involved in an interaction) of any form of electromagnetic radiation,
such as light. Photons are essential to a number of contemporary research fields
and technologies, including quantum state engineering, which in turn represents
the cornerstone of all quantum photonic technologies. With the help of quantum photonics,
engineers and scientists are working to create new technologies such as new types
of supercomputers and new forms of encryption for highly secure channels of communication.
The creation of photon pairs is one of the key requirements for quantum state engineering.
This has traditionally been achieved through the use of one of the two nonlinear
effects, spontaneous parametric down-conversion..."
World Peace and Amateur Radio
It hasn't been just Miss America contestants
that have wished for world peace over the years. In April 1967, this article entitled
"World
Peace and Amateur Radio" was published in Popular Electronics magazine
extolling the efforts of Ham radio operators in attempting to break through communications
barriers erected by governments. Amateur signals could reach into the USSR, Cuba,
China, North Korea, and all the other hopelessly oppressed regions of the world
- even Chicago ;-) - to let people know that there is hope beyond the Iron Curtain
of Communism. This particular story reports on one Ham's outreach to the people
of Japan which, fortunately for them, was not a member of the "Red club." When this
article was first posted in 2013, Yemen and North Korea prohibited amateur radio
communications with the United States. According to the FCC website, there are currently
no countries on the banned list...
Amplifier Gain Nomogram
Even with the ready availability of programmable
calculators and smartphone apps, there are still times when having a handy-dandy
nomograph printed out and hanging on the wall for quick reference can be a great
asset. This nomograph which appeared in a 1965 issue of Electronics World
magazine provided ready conversion between two different (input and output) voltage
and power values to equivalent decibel values. It seems strange that the watts and
voltage scale is on the left and the milliwatts and millivolts scale is on the right.
That might be more intuitive for a nomograph of attenuation, but not - at least
to me - for positive gain as through an amplifier...
RF Cascade Workbook
RF Cascade Workbook is the next phase in the evolution of
RF Cafe's long-running series, RF Cascade Workbook. Chances are you have
never used a spreadsheet quite like this (click here for screen capture). It is a full-featured RF system
cascade parameter and frequency planner that includes filters and mixers for a mere
$45. Built in MS Excel, using RF Cascade Workbook 2018 is a cinch
and the format is entirely customizable. It is significantly easier and faster than
using a multi-thousand dollar simulator when a high level system analysis is all
that is needed. An intro video takes you through the main features...
Many Thanks for Alliance
Test Equipment's Support!
Alliance Test Equipment sells
used / refurbished
test equipment and offers short- and long-term rentals. They also offer repair,
maintenance and calibration. Prices discounted up to 80% off list price. Agilent/HP,
Tektronix, Anritsu, Fluke, R&S and other major brands. A global organization
with ability to source hard to find equipment through our network of suppliers.
Alliance Test will purchase your excess test equipment in large or small lots. Blog
posts offer advice on application and use of a wide range of test equipment. Please
visit Allied Test Equipment today to see how they can help your project.
Sunday the 11th
Wireless Engineering Themed Crossword for September 11th
This custom
Wireless Engineering themed Crossword Puzzle for September 11th, 2022, is brought
to you by RF Cafe. All RF Cafe crossword puzzles are custom made by me,
Kirt Blattenberger, and have only words and clues related to RF, microwave, and
mm-wave engineering, optics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and other technical
subjects. As always, this crossword contains no names of politicians, mountain ranges,
exotic foods or plants, movie stars, or anything of the sort unless it/he/she is
related to this puzzle's technology theme (e.g., Reginald Denny or the Tunguska
event in Siberia). The technically inclined cruciverbalists amongst us will appreciate
the effort. Enjoy!
September 11, 2001 - Never Forget
Incredibly, 21 years has passed since the extremist
Islamic attack on American soil on the morning of
September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 citizens died that day. World
leaders have embarked on a path of colonizing our homelands with groups of
people that are known to harbor sympathies for the terrorists. They dwell among
us now and mean to do us harm when opportunity presents itself - which it has on
numerous occasions in the past many years. Never forget the people who died in the
burning towers, the Pentagon, and the airplanes, and those left behind to grieve
and get on with life. Never forget the police and military members who fought -
and some died - to keep us safe and free. Never forget the rotten politicians who
imperil our existence with their selfish agendas.
Please Thank RF Superstore for Their
Continued Support
RF Superstore launched in 2017, marking
the return of Murray Pasternack, founder of Pasternack Enterprises, to the RF and
microwave Industry. Pasternack fundamentally changed the way RF components were
sold. Partner Jason Wright manages day-to-day operations, while working closely
with Mr. Pasternack to develop RF Superstore into a world class RF and
microwave
component supplier. RF coaxial connectors & adapters, coaxial cable &
cable assemblies, surge protectors, attenuators. Items added daily. Free shipping
on orders over $25. We're leading the way again!
Friday the 9th
Electrolytic Capacitors
The July 1965 issue of Electronics World
magazine contained articles on many types of capacitors being used at the time.
As of this writing I have posted the articles on paper and plastic film capacitors.
Still to come are mica, ceramic, and glass. Newer dielectric formulations have been
developed since then, with some being improvements on existing types and others
being either rarely or never used back then. Notably missing in the capacitor formats
are distributed element on substrate, semiconductor, and air (vacuum). Construction
and parameters for both
polarized and non-polarized electrolytic capacitors are addressed by Mr. H.
Nieders, of the Mallory Capacitor Company (now Duracell)...
Thanks to Anritsu for Their
Support!
Anritsu has been a global provider of innovative
communications test and measurement solutions for more than 120 years. Anritsu manufactures
a full line of innovative components and accessories for
RF and Microwave Test and Measurement
Equipment including attenuators & terminations; coaxial cables, connectors &
adapters; o-scopes; power meters & sensors; signal generators; antenna, signal,
spectrum, & vector network analyzers (VNAs); calibration kits; Bluetooth &
WLAN testers; PIM testers; amplifiers; power dividers; antennas.
Could Metamaterials Solve 6G's Problems?
"For all the tumultuous revolution in wireless
technology over the past several decades, there have been a couple of constants.
One is the overcrowding of radio bands, and the other is the move to escape that
congestion by exploiting higher and higher frequencies. And today, as engineers
roll out 5G and plan for
6G wireless, they find themselves at a crossroads: After years of designing
superefficient transmitters and receivers, and of compensating for the signal losses
at the end points of a radio channel, they're beginning to realize that they are
approaching the practical limits of transmitter and receiver efficiency. From now
on, to get high performance as we go to higher frequencies, we will need to engineer
the wireless channel itself. But how can we possibly engineer and control a wireless
environment, which is determined by a host of factors, many of them random and therefore
unpredictable..."
Altum RF Industrializes 400-Watt S-Band
Power Amplifier MMIC
Altum RF, a supplier of high-performance
RF to millimeter-wave semiconductor solutions for next generation markets and applications,
introduces in collaboration with TNO a
400-Watt S-band power amplifier MMIC, using WIN Semiconductors' NP45-11 technology.
Operating between 2.8-3.3 GHz, this amplifier delivers an output power of 400 W
and a PAE between 50-55% and is ideally suited for S-band radar applications. WIN
Semiconductors' NP45-11 process is a 0.45 μm RF GaN-on-SiC HEMT technology manufactured
with enhanced moisture protection, enabling the use of a plastic package. Altum
RF's strategic relationship with TNO results in leading-edge RF to millimeter-wave
products and technology for commercial markets and applications. This collaboration
allows Altum RF to commercialize some of the unique technical capabilities of TNO...
A Bit of Tech Levity for Friday...
These two jokes showed up in a website poster's
remarks:
A man walks up to a librarian and asks, "Do you have any books on
Pavlov's dogs and
Schrodinger's cat?"
The librarian responds, "It rings a bell, but I'm not sure if it's here or not."
Also: What's the difference between
California and the Titanic? The Titanic had its lights on when it sank.
You're welcome.
Hiram P. Maxim Dies
Hiram Percy Maxim is a name known to every
American licensed amateur radio operator, since he was the primary founder of the
American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This obituary that was printed in the May 1936
edition of Radio-Craft magazine reported on his death at age 66 (the article
incorrectly says 67 years old) - young by today's standards, but about normal a
century ago. Although he lived in Connecticut, he was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery,
located in Hagerstown, Maryland. A few years ago, Melanie and I were visiting her
mother, who lived in Hagerstown (we once lived there as well), and set out to locate
his place of final rest. I wrote about in this story titled "Hiram Percy Maxim's
Gravesite in Hagerstown, Maryland..."
Promote Your Company on RF Cafe
New Scheme rotates
all Banners in all locations on the page! RF Cafe typically receives 8,000-15,000
website visits each weekday.
RF Cafe is a favorite
of engineers, technicians, hobbyists, and students all over the world. With more
than 12,000 pages in the Google search index, RF Cafe returns in favorable
positions on many types of key searches, both for text and images. New content is
added on a daily basis, which keeps the major search engines interested enough to
spider it multiple times each day. Items added on the homepage often can be found
in a Google search within a few hours of being posted. I also re-broadcast homepage
items on LinkedIn. If you need your company news to be seen, RF Cafe is the
place to be.
Many Thanks to Reactel for Their
Long-Time Support!
Reactel has become one of the industry leaders in the design and manufacture
of RF and microwave
filters, diplexers, and sub-assemblies. They offer the generally known tubular,
LC, cavity, and waveguide designs, as well as state of the art high performance
suspended substrate models. Through a continuous process of research and development,
they have established a full line of filters of filters of all types - lowpass,
highpass, bandpass, bandstop, diplexer, and more. Established in 1979. Please contact
Reactel today to see how they might help your project.
Thursday the 8th
Paper Capacitors
A quick search for
paper capacitors turned up no manufacturers currently offering them. They were
the capacitor of choice for many decades until other types with superior dielectric
material could be produced at competitive prices. A special formulation of Kraft
paper of various thicknesses and chemical impregnations serves as the dielectric
material between layers of conductive foil. The vast majority of tubular type capacitors
found in radios, televisions, etc., prior to about 1960 were paper. One of the biggest
disadvantages of paper capacitors is vulnerability to drying out or absorbing moisture
either through the encapsulating material or via leaks in the case or around the
external radial leads. Most people who restore vintage electronics replace all paper
capacitors out of an abundance of caution, particularly because of the high voltages
used by vacuum tubes. Author William Robinson does a great job describing how paper
capacitors are manufactured, how they are used, and what their electrical characteristics
are...
HawkEye 360 Tactical RF Info for U.S. Army
"The space-based RF data specialist says
that under the CRADA it will 'develop and demonstrate new commercial overhead
RF-sensing capabilities that could provide relevant tactical support for the
warfighter.' SMDC will assist in the testing of these capabilities in relevant exercises
to evaluate the utility for a tactical warfighter, said the company. 'This partnership
will support the Army's modernization initiative to develop more efficient, effective,
and resilient systems that strengthen how the U.S. Army mobilizes, protects, and
sustains expeditionary forces leveraging tactically relevant commercial RF information.
We aim to seamlessly integrate our space-based RF data into their Multi-Domain Operational
environment..."
Hi-Fi: Guest List
This series of comics describes the reactions
you might expect to receive from various kinds people who, while visiting your home,
are introduced to your new stereo setup. Although they appeared in a 1959 edition
of Popular Electronics magazine, the scenarios still hold true today, only
now you can extend the equipment types to include a gaming computer, a wide screen
television, a personal robot, and other modern electromechanical wonders. Now, however,
while "admiring" your equipment, he/she will simultaneously be referring constantly
to his/her smartphone. It is rare to see this kind of entertainment in newer publications
- probably for fear of being sued by an overly sensitive person who sees himself/herself
as being lampooned...
Modelithics Intros MACOM Power
Divider, Coupler, Balun Models
Modelithics, the leading provider of RF/microwave
simulation models and MACOM Technology Solutions Inc. (MACOM), a leading supplier
of semiconductor products, are pleased to announce the release of new
models for three MACOM components: the MAPD-011062 power divider, the MACP-011088
bi-directional coupler, and the MABA-011125 balun. Each model is a substrate selectable
S-parameter data model valid through 50 GHz. The new models are available within
the Modelithics COMPLETE Library™ as well as the Modelithics mmWave & 5G Library
Both the MAPD-011062 power divider and the MABA-011125 balun come in a 3-mm, 16-lead
QFN package, while the MACP-011088 bi-directional coupler comes in a 4-mm, 24-lead
QFN package. The models for all three parts were developed based on multi-port S-parameter
measurements with calibration referenced to the edges of the bonding pads on the
package...
Crosley Radio Ad
This Crosley advertisement from a 1932 issue
of Radio-Craft magazine pitches two new models. Note the fancy wood cabinets which
made them higher-end radios. At the time, radio was the only form of "live" entertainment
in the home, so many radios offered shortwave bands as well as standard AM. The
$119.50 "Adventurer" model would cost $2,603 in 2022 money, per the BLS Inflation
Calculator! I am still looking in old electronics magazines for an ad featuring
my 1941 Crosley model 03CB console radio, but thus far with no luck. What makes
the model special is that it was probably one of the last new radios sold prior
to the shift of material usage to military equipment in World War II. In fact,
not long ago I found this brief news piece in a 1942 edition of Radio-Craft: "Crosley
Scraps 1943 Line for Military Radios" reporting on how Crosley was converting its
production line to support military needs...
RF Cascade Workbook
RF Cascade Workbook is the next phase in the evolution of
RF Cafe's long-running series, RF Cascade Workbook. Chances are you have
never used a spreadsheet quite like this (click here for screen capture). It is a full-featured RF system
cascade parameter and frequency planner that includes filters and mixers for a mere
$45. Built in MS Excel, using RF Cascade Workbook 2018 is a cinch
and the format is entirely customizable. It is significantly easier and faster than
using a multi-thousand dollar simulator when a high level system analysis is all
that is needed. An intro video takes you through the main features...
Many Thanks to Aegis Power Systems for
Their Continued Support!
Aegis Power Systems is a leading supplier
of AC-DC and
DC-DC power supplies for custom and special applications. Aegis has been designing
and building highly reliable custom power supplies since 1995. They offer a complete
line of switch mode power supplies and power converters for a variety of markets
including defense, industrial, aircraft, VME, and telecom. Supports military, aircraft,
EV, telecom, and embedded computing applications. Design and manufacture of custom
power supply solutions to meet each customer's exacting specifications. Please visit
Aegis Power Systems today.
These archive pages are provided in order to make it easier for you to find items
that you remember seeing on the RF Cafe homepage. Of course probably the easiest
way to find anything on the website is to use the "Search
RF Cafe" box at the top of every page.
About RF Cafe.
RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling
2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed
formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit
design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at
the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps
while tying up your telephone line, and a nice lady's voice announced "You've Got
Mail" when a new message arrived...
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and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowledged.