 Application Notes (App Notes) and Whitepapers (White Papers) are unquestionably an essential source of instruction for engineers and technicians. App notes and whitepapers on vendor sites are some of the fastest moving targets on the web. If you click on a link and it is dead, please make an attempt to determine the new URL and notify me. Where possible, I have either downloaded and stored copies of PDF files*, or linked to the original webpages on the Archive.org service.
Page 1: Absorbers - Interference Page 2: Lasers - ZigBee * Let me know if you object to my storing a copy of your copyrighted document. As a rule I do not use anyone else's work on RF Cafe without explicit permission or being within FAIR USE Act parameters. Absorbent Materials Chart - Emerson & Cuming Microwave Absorbers: Reducing Cavity Resonances - MAST Technologies The Use [RF] of Absorbers in Electronics - MAST Technologies DACs - Double Rate with Mixers - Analog Devices & EDN DACs - Radio Frequency - CurrentRF Clock Requirements for Data Converters - Analog Devices Direct-Sampling DACs in Theory and Application - Maxim Integrated Products Data Converters - Texas Instruments Decimation for ADCs - Analog Devices Noise Analysis of Precision Data Acquisition Signal Chain - Analog Devices Band-limited Sampling & Aliasing - RF Design Interleaving ADCs - National Semiconductor Amplifier Classification A vs. AB - Exodus Advanced Communications SWR and its Effects on Power Amplifiers - Exodus Advanced Communications High-Efficiency, Ka-Band GaN Power Amplifiers - QuinStar Technology Microwave Amplifier Design - National Taiwan University Amplifier Design - San Diego University Amplifier Design, Class-E - ARRL Amplifier Operating Temperature Definitions - Spectrum Microwave Designing High Efficiency Amplifiers Using HFETs - TriQuint Semiconductor First-Time-Right Design of RF/Microwave Class A Power Amps Using S-Parameters - Aerial Facilities Limited User's Guide to IC Instrumentation Amplifiers - Analog Devices Designer's Guide to Instrumentation Amplifiers, eBook - Analog Devices Tutorial on Applying Op Amps to RF Applications - Texas Instruments RF & Microwave Power Amplifier Design - M/A-COM Eurotec
Lecture 1: Nonlinear Active Device Modeling
Lecture 2: Impedance Matching
Lecture 3: PA Design Fundamentals
Lecture 4: High Efficiency Power Amplifier Design Design of Common Collector Class B RF Power Amplifier in InGaP HBT Technology - Oliver Isler Selection and Operation of RF Power Amplifiers for EMC Testing Applications - Instruments for Industry (IFI) Near-Field Antenna Measurements Using Nonideal Measurement Locations - NIST Improvements in Polarization Measurements of Circularly Polarized Probes - NIST Effect of Random Errors in Planar Near-Field Measurement - NIST Improved Polarization Measurements Using a Modified Three-Antenna Technique - NIST Gain and Power Parameter Measurements Using Planar Near-Field Techniques - NIST Error Analysis Techniques for Planar Near-Field Measurements - NIST Determination of Near-Field Correction Parameters for Circularly Polarized Probes - NIST Helical Antennas for High Power RF - Applied Physical Electronics Antenna Basics - Granite Island Group EMC Antenna Fundamentals, by Zhong Chen (I worked w/Zhong at Agilent), ETS Lindgren Antenna Design Considerations - Telecontrolli. Fractals™ New Era in Military Antenna Design - Nathan Cohen, RF Design magazine Systematic Errors in Normalized Site Attenuation Testing - Zhong Chen and Mike Windler, CE magazine Compact Integrated Antennas - Freescale Semiconductor Antenna Design Tutorial - Tom Yestrebsky, Micrel Antenna Efficiency Measurement Using the Wheeler Cap - Conexant Introduction to Wave Propagation, Transmission Lines, and Antennas - Naval Education and Training Antennas: Design, Application, and Performance - Linx Technologies Understanding Antenna Specifications and Operation - Linx Technologies Understanding the Measurement Uncertainties of the Biconical / Log Hybrid Antenna - ETS Lindgren Antenna Pattern Measurements: Concepts & Techniques - CE Magazine Antenna Pattern Measurements: Theory & Equations - CE Magazine Antenna Terms & Formulas - Antenna Research Associates. Fractal Antennas - Philip Felber. The Basics of Patch Antennas - Orban Microwave Products The Basics of Antenna Arrays - Orban Microwave Products The W1GHZ Online Microwave Antenna Book - W1GHZ Antennas: Design, Application, and Performance - Linx Technologies. Understanding Antenna Specifications and Operation - Linx Technologies. VHF / UHF Antenna Design - INGECOM. Yagi-Uda Antennas - David Jefferies, of University of Surrey. Application Notes and Technical Articles
maxim-ic.com/appnotes10.cfm/ac_pk/27
By Maxim Integrated Products, Dallas Semiconductor. ASIC Design Guidelines
atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc1205.pdf
Application note from Atmel Corporation. Attenuators (Step, Fixed, Variable)
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/atten_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East. Attenuators (variable)
americanmicrowavecorp.com/sform/appnotes2
Application notes by American Microwave. Attenuators
herley.com/index.cfm?act=app_notes¬es=attenuators
Application notes by Herley. Attenuators, PIN
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=2304
A Wideband General Purpose PIN Diode Attenuator by Skyworks. Attenuators
sandiego.edu/~ekim/e194rfs01/minl_atten/minlosatten.html
Minimum loss design by Ernie Kim, University of San Diego, CA. Balun (chip) Measurement - Johanson Technology. Alkaline Battery Application Manual - Energizer Carbon Zinc Battery Application Manual - Energizer Manganese Dioxide Battery Application Manual - Energizer Lithium Coin Cell Application Manual - Energizer NiCad Battery Application Manual - Energizer NiMH Battery Application Manual - Energizer Silver Oxide Battery Application Manual - Energizer Zinc Air Battery Application Manual - Energizer Battery Handling - Li-Ion
reed-electronics.com/ednmag/archives/1996/120596/25df_04.htm
By Matt Schindler, Maxim Integrated Products. Battery Management
maxim-ic.com/appnotes10.cfm/ac_pk/5
Application notes and technical articles by Maxim Integrated Products, Dallas Semiconductor. Battery Selection Guide
nikonians-images.com/ebooks/Nikonians Battery Guide.pdf
Lots of good information on battery chemistries and charge/discharge characteristics. Battery Tutorial
powerstream.com/BatteryFAQ.html
PowerStream Battery Chemistry - Custom design and manufacture of state-of-the-art battery chargers, UPS, and power supplies for OEMs. Bluetooth
cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5988-5412EN.pdf
BluetoothTM Manufacturing Test - A Guide to Getting Started by Agilent Technologies. Bluetooth Remote Control from Your Mobile Phone
flexipanel.com/Docs/Bluetooth Remote Control... From Your Mobile Phone.pdf
FlexiPanel makes a lot of turnkey modules for ZigBee and Bluetooth applications. Admittedly, this concept does scare me a bit from a terrorist perspective!!! Weight Reduction and Space Savings in Wire and Cable Design and Their Contribution to Aerospace Design and Efficiency
thermaxconnects.com/tech-center/Registration.cfm
by Thermax Connections Common Mode Signals
maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/2045/ln/en
Understanding Common-Mode Signals - Maxim. How Cables and Connectors Impact Measurement Uncertainty
support.fluke.com/find-sales/download/asset/2548277_6001_eng_a_w.pdf
by Fluke Capacitor Basics
biologydaily.com/biology/Capacitor
Definitions and configurations, with some equations and illustrations. Capacitors - Benefits of Thin-Film Dielectric Chip Capacitors at VHF, UHF and Higher Frequencies
avxcorp.com/docs/techinfo/benefilm.pdf
By virtue of these characteristics and excellent mechanical features, this thin film capacitor is the ideal surface mount chip for high frequency applications. Capacitors, Ceramic
avx.com/techinfo_doclisting.asp?Category=Ceramic Capacitors
Technical information by AVX. Capacitors, Energy Handling
avxcorp.com/docs/techinfo/energytf.pdf
Energy and power handling capabilities of thin film and ceramic capacitors - AVX. Capacitor Primer
uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/caps/caps.html
A very nice introduction to capacitors including history back to Leyden Jar - Tony vanRoon. Capacitor Q & ESR Explained.
johansontechnology.com/technicalnotes/qne
A Johanson Technology Primer. Capacitor RF Current & Power
johansontechnology.com/technicalnotes/rfc
By Johnson Technology. Half-IF (2x2 product)
maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/1838/ln/en
By Maxim. Intercept Points & Receiver Sensitivity
pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/AN749.pdf
By Maxim. Adjust mismatched delay lines in Cypress Semiconductor Application Note on Jitter in Transmission Systems
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/jitter.pdf
Describes the basics of jitter in transmission systems. DDS-Based Clock Jitter Performance vs. DAC Reconstruction Filter Performance
analog.com/static/imported-files/application_notes/351016224AN_837.pdf
Describes the results obtained from a filter layout experiment and discusses how layout and component selection impact stop-band rejection. Fine tuning clock source for Agilent Pattern Generator 70841B
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5980-0729E.pdf
Provides design guidance, test techniques, performance data and suggested layout recommendations for a 622 MBd ATM/SONET/SDH physical layer interface reference circuit. Jitter in Clock Sources
vectron.com/products/appnotes/jitter.htm
Application note by Vectron International. Junction Temperatures and MTTF in MMIC Devices
rfdesign.com/mag/508RFD33.pdf
Article by Radha P.N. Setty, in August 2005 RF Design magazine. Measuring Jitter in Digital Systems
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5988-9109EN.pdf
For engineers who design data transfer systems and components operating at over a gigabit per second, and so must be concerned with the effects of jitter on their system's bit error ratio (BER). Phase Noise Measurements & Jitter Analysis
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5988-5291EN.pdf
The Agilent JS-1000 Performance Jitter Solution is a Phase Noise System that measures clock jitter characteristics. Synchronizing differential clock sources for Bit Error Ratio Test (BERT)
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5988-2861EN.pdf
Interfacing the OmniBER 725 communications performance analyzer to optical transceivers. Circulators
utemicrowave.com/ute_microwave_circulator_facts.html
Basic Circulator Facts - UTE Microwave. Isolator/Circulator Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/iso_cir.htm
Isolator/Circulator basic theory and definitions, common applications, power ratings, special handling and storage considerations, from MECA Electronics. "The Best Defense is a Good Offense"
em.avnet.com/ctf_shared/pgw/df2df2usa/avnet-PGW-hirel-bestdefense.pdf
Authorized Component Distributors Help Military/Aerospace OEMs Plan for Obsolescence - Avnet. Tutorials on Digital Communications Engineering - Complex 2 Real
This is the mother lode of communications tutorials, compliments of Charan Langton. These hyperlinks go to pages with comments and a link to each PDF file. - Tutorial 1 - Basic concepts in signal analysis, power, energy and spectrum
- Tutorial 2 - What is Differential Phase Shift Keying
- Tutorial 3 - What is the DVB-S standard, a simplified version
- Intuitive Guide to Fourier Analysis with Matlab (formerly Tutorials 4-7)
- Tutorial 7 - Hilbert Transform and the Complex Envelope
- Tutorial 8 - All About Modulation - Part 1
- Tutorial 9 - Baseband, Passband and Amplitude Modulation (AM)
- Tutorial 10 - All about Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTA) and Non-Linear Amplification
- Tutorial 11 - Link Budgets 101
- Tutorial 12 - Convolutional Coding and Decoding Made Easy
- Tutorial 13 - Coding Concepts and Block Coding
- Tutorial 14 - Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) and Raised Cosine Filtering
- Tutorial 15 - How to Interpret an Eye Diagram
- Tutorial 16 - Partial Response Signaling and Quadrature Partial Response (QPR) Modulation
- Tutorial 17 - Frequency Modulation (FM) , FSK, MSK and More
- Tutorial 18 - Unlocking the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) - Part 1
- Tutorial 19 - Unlocking the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) - Part 2
- Tutorial 20 - Modulation Performance Metrics and Computation of BER
- Tutorial 21 - Linear Time Invariant Systems and Matched Filtering
- Tutorial 22 - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM, DMT)
- Tutorial 23a - About Lattice and Cosets
- Tutorial 23b - Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM)
- Tutorial 24a - Turbo Coding and MAP Decoding, Part 1
- Tutorial 24b - The MAP Decoding Algorithm, Part 2 (step-by-stepcompanion worksheet)
- Tutorial 25 – Spread spectrum and CDMA – How cell phones work
- Tutorial 26 – All My Filters – Analog, Digital and Adaptive – Butterworth, Chebyshev, Elliptic, IIR, FIR, Adaptive filters
- Tutorial 27 – Finding MIMO – A little bit more than a tutorial on MIMO!
Control & Monitoring
focus.ti.com/analog/docs/analogtechdoc.tsp?familyId=353&navSection=app_notes&templateId=5255
By Texas Instruments. Hybrid Coupler Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/hybrid_basic.php
App note by MECA Electronics Couplers
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/couplers_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East. Directional Coupler Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/directional-coupler-specs.htm
How to specify the best directional coupler solution for your critical application, from MECA Electronics. Directional Couplers
macom.com/Application Notes/pdf/m560.pdf
RF Directional Couplers and 3dB Hybrids Overview - M/A-COM. Directional Couplers & Power Dividers
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note6.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English) Hybrid Coupler Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/hybrid_basic.htm
Basic theory and common applications for 90° and 180° hybrid couplers, from MECA Electronics. Hybrids
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/hybrids_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East. Why Directional Couplers Are Better for High Power Measurements vs. Attenuators
e-meca.com/tech_papers/powerkit.php
From MECA Electronics. Microwave Coupler Feeds Outdoor Antenna Through Walls
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/May06/HFE0506_Knapp.pdf
May 2006 HFS - Gunther Knapp Power Management
focus.ti.com/analog/docs/analogtechdoc.tsp?familyId=64&navSection=app_notes&templateId=2
Power Management application notes by Texas Instruments. Power Meters & Sensors
Choosing the Right Power Meter and Sensor - Agilent Technologies dBm to Watts Power Conversion Table - Exodus Advanced Communications Decibel Tutorial: dB and dBm vs. Gain and Milliwatts - RF Cafe
The concept of a decibel (dB) is understandably difficult and confusing for someone just being introduced to it. Combining specifications for gain, power, and voltage (and current, but not so often) that mix dB, dBm, dBW, watts, milliwatts, voltage, millivolts, etc., often requires converting back and forth between linear values and decibel values. Decoupling: A Standard Methodology - Barry Caldwell, Vitesse -- EDN Decoupling Capacitors - Carl Lodstrom. Designing Filters Using the Digital Filter Design Toolkit - Rahman Jamal, Mike Cerna, John Hanks, NI De-Embedding and Embedding S-Parameter Networks Using a Vector Network Analyzer - Agilent Technologies Adjust mis-matched delay lines in Cypress Semiconductor Application Note
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/jitter.pdf
Describes the basics of jitter in transmission systems. CPDL Operating and Programming Manual
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/CPDL-MANUAL.pdf
Custom Programmable Delay Line (CPDL) Operating and Programming Manual. PDL-30A Operating and Programming Manual
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/PDL-30A-MANUAL.pdf
Programmable Delay Line Operating and Programming Manual. Level Detector
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=2064
A Level Detector Design for Dual-Band GSM-PCS Handsets - Skyworks. Detectors
literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5953-4444.pdf
Square Law and Linear Detection by Agilent Technologies. Dielectric Aging
atceramics.com/pdf/technotes/dielectric_aging.pdf
By ATC Ceramics. Dielectric Properties of Portland Cement in the Low Microwave Frequency Range
scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-92598-152639/unrestricted/KIRAN2.PDF#search='dielectric constant portland concrete'
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - covers mainly up through 700 MHz. Dielectric Constants of Wall Materials
antd.nist.gov/wctg/manet/docs/models.pdf#search='dielectric constant building walls concrete'
"Ultra-wideband Propagation Measurements and Channel Modeling DARPA NETEX Program Report on Through-the-Wall Propagation and Material Characterization" Digital Modulation in Communications Systems
cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5965-7160E.pdf
This application note covers the reasons for the move to digital modulation, how information is modulated onto in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals, different types of digital modulation, filtering techniques, ways of looking at digitally modulated signals, multiplexing techniques, how a digital transmitter and receiver work, measurements on digital RF communications systems, an overview table with key specifications for the major digital communications systems, a glossary of terms used in digital RF communications. Harmonic Measurement for IEC 61000-4-3 and other Radiated Immunity Standards
arww-rfmicro.com/pdfs/appNotes/AppNote60.pdf?when=1107
by AR Worldwide System-Level ESD Protection Guide
focus.ti.com/lit/ml/sszb130/sszb130.pdf
by Texas Instruments Selection and Operation of RF Power Amplifiers for EMC Testing Applications
ifi.com/web/html/articles/article0708_08.pdf
by Instruments for Industry (IFI) Electromagnetic Radiation and Human Health
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Jul05/HFE0705_Zamanian.pdf
High Frequency Electronics A Review of Sources and Effects
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Jul05/HFE0705_Zamanian.pdf
A very good synopsis from the July 2005 edition of High Frequency Electronics EMC Antenna Fundamentals
physics.adelaide.edu.au/~dmcintos/docs/A04F07.pdf
by Zhong Chen, ETS Lindgren (I worked with Zhong at Agilent) ESD
esda.org/esdbasics1.htm
Electrostatic Discharge Association website. EMI/RFI Shielding
tech-etch.com/shield/4000series.html
By Tech-Etch. Equalizer Key Specifications
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Oct04/HFE1004_Kurzrok.pdf
"A Review of Key Equalizer Specifications and What They Mean," by Richard Kurzrok, Oct 2005 High Frequency Electronics magazine. Fiber Optics Amplifier Tutorial
rp-photonics.com/tutorial_fiber_amplifiers.html
This tutorial should be useful both as an introduction to fiber amplifiers and for learning more details on them. We believe that even people already having a substantial experience with fiber amplifiers will find it helpful for deepening the understanding. The focus is on the underlying physics and the resulting technical consequences; we do not simply treat a fiber amplifier as a “black box”, but rather look inside.
By RP Photonics Consulting GmbH Passive Fiber Optics Tutorial
rp-photonics.com/passive_fiber_optics.html
Comprehensive physics-based tutorial on fiber optics which clarifies the foundations of this field. As an example, it discusses how coupling losses at fiber joints arise, and explains how to estimate their strength.
By RP Photonics Consulting GmbH Near Field, The World of the
evaluationengineering.com/archive/articles/1005/1005the_world.asp
Here's a good article in the October 2005 edition of Evaluation Engineering - Tom Lecklider. Network Analysis
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note3.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English) Introduction to SAW Filter Theory & Design Techniques - by API Technologies Analog Filter Design Demystified
maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/1795
Application note by Maxim Integrated Products. Filter Design, Distributed Element
home.sandiego.edu/~ekim/e194rfs01/filterek.pdf
Periodic structures and equivalent lumped element models. Filter Design - Transmission Line
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note7.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English) Fiber Optic Products
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/fiberoptic_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East. rfcurrent.com
rfcurrent.com
Devoted to RF & microwave filter theory and design.
Microwave Lowpass Filters with a Constricted Equi-Ripple Passband
rfcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/amw_Jul_v13_no7.pdf
Dieter Pelz.
Revision of Cascade Synthesis Theory Covering Cross-Coupled Filters
rfcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mtt_june2002.pdf
Dieter Pelz Application of UART in GPS Navigation System
nxp.com/acrobat_download/applicationnotes/AN10353_1.pdf
From Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Power Plane & Ground Design for RF PCBs
rfdesign.com/mag/radio_power_supply_ground
Power supply and ground design for WiFi transceiver - By Roger Bremer, Tracey Chavers, Zhongmin Yu, RF Design magazine. Group Delay
radiolab.com.au/DesignFile/DN004.pdf
By Applied Radio Labs. What They Didn't Teach You in Engineering School About Heat Transfer
mentor.com/products/mechanical/resources/overview/what-they-didn-t-teach-you-in-engineering-school-about-heat-transfer-9de36eea-5708-4b60-90b4-ac295905f296 Inductors
sandiego.edu/~ekim/otherjunk/inductor.pdf
RF inductor design, from Ernie Kim, University of San Diego, CA. Intercept Points & Receiver Sensitivity
pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/AN749.pdf
By Maxim. Magnetic Core Design Rules
lodestonepacific.com/distrib/pdfs/Magnetics/Design_Application_Notes.pdf
By Lodestone Pacific. "New Release of Mil-Std-883 Visual Inspection Criteria"
TJ Green Associates LLC IP2 and IP3 Nonlinearity Specifications for 3G/WCDMA Receivers
By Broadcom Two-Tone vs. Single-Tone Measurement of 2nd-Order Non-linearity and IP2 Performance of Direct Conversion Receivers
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=1024
By Skyworks Interference Mitigation
rfdesign.com/mag/radio_detecting_interfering_signals
"Detecting Interfering Signals and Mitigating Them" by Steve Thomas, Jan 2005 RF Design Isolator & Circulator Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/iso_cir.php
App note by MECA Electronics Application Notes & Technical Papers by Company / Source Name | 
