TEST & MEASUREMENT APPLICATION NOTES AND WHITE PAPERS

• Basic Bulk Current Injection Testing

  Bulk current injection (BCI) testing is a conducted susceptibility procedure that uses an injection current probe. This paper provides an example of BCI testing, covering all steps, including gathering the required equipment, pre-calibration procedures, injection testing procedures, and safety precautions.

• Directivity And VSWR Measurements: Understanding Return Loss Measurements

  The characterization of microwave networks requires discriminating between forward and backward traveling waves. Unfortunately no directional device is perfect, leading to potentially dramatic measurement errors. In this note we show that return loss and VSWR measurements are greatly complicated by the finite performance of the directional device used to measure the reflected power.

• Field Probe Correction Factors

  To better achieve accurate field level measurements, it is helpful to have an understanding of field probe calibrations, the factors generated, and what’s presented as data during testing. This application note presents how to utilize the factors presented for inclusion into test data, how to generate composite measurements, and why calibrations are performed at selected frequencies.

• Linearity Of The JFET And MOSFET When In Saturation Over The Entire Cycle

  Performing RF amplification in a way that is simultaneously linear and efficient has been a challenge in power amplifier (PA) design. Single transistor PAs can either be operated in a linear, but inefficient, current source mode of operation or as efficient, but nonlinear, switches. These techniques use two FETs, but this paper demonstrates that linear amplification can be achieved at high power with an efficiency greater than 60%, using a single FET.

• Telecommunications Testing Using AR Amplifiers

  This application note explores a number of testing requirements for telecommunication devices and how to benefit from AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation’s products. The paper will cover two broad categories of device testing – characterization and reliability – within mid to high power systems.