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 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.
FCC Technical Definitions |
Engineering, Electronics & Technical Resources
| Engineering Organizations & Societies
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
Quartz Crystal Resonators and Oscillators for Frequency Control
and Timing Applications
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
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