Conquer Radio Frequency
RF Cafe Quiz #55

This quiz is based on the information presented in Conquer Radio Frequency, by Francesco Fornetti. See my review for the online version.

This material, which includes a full-color textbook and over 12 hours of video tutorials (in mp4 format on enclosed DVD-R), provides a comprehensive guide for the RF and Microwave engineering student or junior professional. It allows the reader to achieve a good understanding of the foundation theory and concepts behind high frequency circuits as well illustrating the most common design and simulation techniques for passive and active RF circuits. A preview of the textbook, a comprehensive description of the content of the video tutorials and sample video tutorials are available on the Explore RF website - http://explorerf.com/conquer-radio-frequency.html

Note: Dr. Fornetti personally provided the copy of Conquer Radio Frequency that was used to create this quiz, and has authorized me to include it in the monthly Book Drawing. His video to the right provides a great introduction to the book and to the very well-done set of instructional videos featured on the included DVD. AWR's Microwave Office (MWO) software is used throughout the tutorials. A live, narrated, step-by-step process is fully captured on-screen so you see how to create the circuit schematic, set up the component parameters for simulation and optimization, specify graph and table types, how to designate input files, configure input stimulus, and how to interpret the results of the simulation. It is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with where to find everything in MWO's menu and toolbar structure - which can be a daunting task with any sophisticated software. The book itself is chock full of very understandable instruction beginning with AC/RF fundamentals and progressing through impedance matching, transmission lines, Q factors, amplifier design, and much more. The illustrations are excellent.

1.  What mnemonic is used to determine the direction of a magnetic field around
      a current-carrying wire?

a)  The left-hand rule
b)  The right-hand rule
c)  The ambidextrous rule
d)  Current-carrying wires do no generate magnetic fields

2.  What is conventional current flow?

a)  Current flowing from positive to negative
b)  Current flowing from negative to positive
c)  Power flowing from positive to negative
d)  Power flowing from negative to positive

3.  What quantity (or quantities) does complex impedance indicate?

a)  Resistance
b)  Conductance
c)  Convolution and de-convolution
d)  Ratio of voltage to current amplitude and phase relationship

4.  What happens to the characteristic impedance of a coaxial transmission line when the dielectric constant
      of the space between the inner and outer conductor is increased?

a)  Impedance decreases
b)  Impedance increases
c)  Impedance is independent of the dielectric constant
d)  Impedance does not exist in a coaxial transmission line

5.  What portion of an incident signal is reflected by an open-circuit load and a short-circuit load, respectively?

a)  0% by the open circuit and 0% by the short circuit
b)  100% by the open circuit and 0% by the short circuit
c)  0% by the open circuit and 100% by the short circuit
d)  100% by the open circuit and 100% by the short circuit

6.  How does the source "see" a 1/4-wavelength transmission line that is terminated in a short circuit?

a)  As a properly terminated load
b)  As a short circuit
c)  As an open circuit
d)  As a complex load

7.  How many degrees of phase change is represented by moving an impedance point all
     the way around a constant impedance or constant admittance circle of a Smith Chart?

a)  0°
b)  90°
c)  180°
d)  360°

8.  What is the phase relation of voltage and current in an ideal inductor?

a)  Current leads voltage by 90°
b)  Voltage leads current by 90°
c)  Voltage and current are in phase
d)  Voltage and current are not related

9.  What is the meaning of unconditional stability for an amplifier circuit?

a)  The amplifier will oscillate under all conditions
b)  The amplifier will only oscillate under extreme conditions
c)  The amplifier will only oscillate with both source and load at the characteristics circuit impedance
d)  The amplifier is not capable of oscillation at any phase of the source or load

10.  What are the three main stages of amplifier design?

a)  Biasing, stabilization, and impedance matching
b)  Input, transistor, and output
c)  Preamplifier, small signal amplifier, and power amplifier
d)  None of the above

Need some help? Click here for the answers and explanations.