Concept

RF Engineering Concepts – Theory and Advanced Design Principles

In-depth RF engineering explanations: why 50 Ω is the standard, lumped vs distributed elements, Bode-Fano matching limit, amplifier stability, RF chain analysis, and more.

Power Waves and S-Parameters in RF Networks

S-parameters use power wave ratios instead of voltage/current ratios because power wa...

Maximum Power Transfer and Conjugate Matching in RF

Maximum power transfer requires conjugate matching (Z_load = Z_source*). Learn how th...

Passive vs Active RF Networks – S-Parameter Properties

Passive RF networks obey lossless and reciprocal S-matrix constraints. Active devices...

RF Simulation Accuracy – Limits and Verification

RF circuit simulation accuracy depends on component models, layout parasitics, and fr...

FDD vs TDD – RF Frontend Architecture Differences

FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) requires a duplexer to separate TX and RX bands. TDD ...

RF Chain Gain and Noise Analysis

Analyze complete RF receive or transmit chains using cascaded S-parameters and Friis ...

RF PCB Stack-Up Design for Controlled Impedance

How to design RF PCB stack-up for controlled 50 Ω impedance and minimum loss. Layer a...

RF Grounding Techniques for PCB Design

Proper RF grounding techniques for PCB design: solid ground plane, via fencing around...

RF Spurious Signals – Types, Sources, and Solutions

RF spurious signals (harmonics, intermodulation products, spurs) degrade system perfo...

RF Test and Measurement Basics

Overview of RF test and measurement instruments: VNA for S-parameters, spectrum analy...

RF Power Measurement Methods

Three methods to measure RF power: power meter (accurate, absolute), spectrum analyze...

RF Crosstalk on PCB Design

RF crosstalk between PCB traces at high frequencies causes unexpected coupling and in...

Balanced vs Unbalanced RF Circuits

Balanced (differential) RF circuits reject common-mode noise and improve isolation. T...

RF Component Aging and Drift

RF component aging and drift affect S-parameter performance over time. Key factors: t...

S-Parameter Normalization and Reference Impedance

S-parameters are normalized to a reference impedance Z₀. Changing Z₀ requires renorma...

Differential RF Circuits and Mixed-Mode S-Parameters

Differential (balanced) RF circuits provide common-mode noise rejection and improved ...

RF Power Measurement Basics

Essential RF power measurement concepts: dBm to watts conversion, EIRP calculation, l...

RF Power Budget Analysis

RF power budget analysis for wireless system design: transmit power, path loss, anten...

RF Linearity Parameters – P1dB, OIP3, and SFDR

RF system linearity determines the signal handling range. P1dB sets the compression l...

RF Via Transitions in PCB Design

RF via transitions introduce series inductance (~1 nH/mm) that shifts resonances and ...

RF Shielding Methods for PCB Design

RF shielding techniques for PCB designs: metal shielding cans, ferrite absorbers, gro...

RF Spurious Emissions and Regulatory Compliance

RF spurious emissions from PAs include harmonics, intermodulation products, and LO le...

Noise Circles and Gain Circles for LNA Design

Noise circles and gain circles on the Smith chart guide LNA design tradeoffs between ...

Mixed-Signal RF PCB Layout Principles

Best practices for mixed-signal RF PCB layout: isolate digital switching noise from s...

VNA Calibration Standards for RF Measurements

VNA calibration standards: SOLT (Short-Open-Load-Thru), TRL (Thru-Reflect-Line), and ...

RF Chain Gain and Noise Budget Analysis

System-level RF chain analysis: cascaded gain, noise figure, intercept point, and sen...

Load-Pull PA Design Methodology

Load-pull measurements map PA output power and efficiency vs load impedance. Extract ...

Test Fixture Correction for RF S-Parameters

Test fixture correction techniques: short-open de-embedding, ABCD cascade, time-domai...

S-Parameters vs Z-Parameters – Choosing the Right Descr

S-parameters (scattering) and Z-parameters (impedance) both describe RF networks but ...

Reciprocal vs Non-Reciprocal RF Networks

Reciprocal networks have Sij=Sji (passive). Non-reciprocal networks include amplifier...

EMI and RF PCB Design Principles

EMI considerations in RF PCB design: harmonic filtering, decoupling, shielding, and l...

RF Power Measurement and EIRP

RF absolute power measurement with power meters and spectrum analyzers. EIRP calculat...

S-Parameter Test and Measurement Fundamentals

S-parameter measurement fundamentals: VNA hardware, directional bridge principle, err...

RF Power Amplifier Compression and P1dB

Understand PA compression point P1dB, gain saturation, AM-AM distortion, and how to e...

Transmission Line Impedance Transformers

Design λ/4 impedance transformers, multi-section Chebyshev tapers, and exponential ta...

RF Oscillator Phase Noise: Theory and Measurement

Understand oscillator phase noise L(f), Leeson's equation, flicker noise upconversion...

Coaxial Transmission Line: Impedance and Loss Analysis

Understand coaxial line parameters: characteristic impedance formula, attenuation vs....

RF Frequency Synthesizer: PLL Architecture and Analysis

Understand PLL-based frequency synthesizer architecture, reference spurs, fractional-...

Two-Port Network ABCD Matrix and S-Parameter Conversion

Understand the ABCD (transmission) matrix for two-port networks. Learn cascade multip...

Free RF Engineering App for Android

S-parameter analysis, Smith chart, impedance matching, circuit simulation and SNP batch processing — all free on Android.

Download RF View Free on Google Play

Android 6.0+ · Free · No sign-up required