RF Amplifiers Featured Articles

91. Key Test Considerations For A Quality 5G Wireless User Experience 5/19/2017

    In part 1 of this series, we explored the variety of wireless technologies that make up 5G — a family of technologies optimized for a variety of use cases. This article will focus on the testing challenges facing these higher-bandwidth technologies.

92. Testing High Power Amplifiers For Radar Signals Using Peak Power Meters 12/1/2016

    As new power amplifier (PA) technologies are released, the latest being GaN technology, an amplifier’s behavior must be thoroughly tested and evaluated to ensure the highest performance under the stress of high power pulsing signals. 

93. How To Improve Spurious Levels In Pulsed RF Amplifiers 11/14/2016

    This white paper is meant to assist designers in figuring out how to lower these spurious levels in order to improve system accuracy and reduce any potential negative effects.

94. White Paper — Microwave Power Amplifier Fundamentals 12/9/2011
    The Need to Amplify Signals
95. Sleepy Nodes And Sleepy Meshes - Ultra-Low-Power Mesh Routing 11/4/2009
    Physical nodes in a SNAP-based network communicate wirelessly using a full mesh topology. Nodes that are in direct radio range of each other will communicate directly. When nodes are not in direct radio range, intermediate nodes will automatically forward any messages to their intended destinations. This is known as "mesh routing". A SNAP-based wireless network can be used to implement a "sleepy mesh" in which all of the nodes go to sleep and wake up at the same time, extending the battery life of each node. By Synapse Wireless Inc.
96. TD-LTE Technology And Its Measurements 5/11/2009
    LTE, and particularly TD-LTE, brings new challenges to developers and to the vendors of design and test tools. New RF modulation schemes, MIMO antenna configurations, higher system bandwidths and capacity, and lower latency are just some of them. New measurement methods, including crossing the digital and RF domains, combined with a reduction in test point accessibility mean there’s a steep learning curve for both system and test developers. Successful technical introduction is a must, with analysts predicting between 30 and 80 million LTE subscribers and well over $100 billion in operator revenues within 5 years...
97. How RF Anechoic Chambers Work 3/18/2009
    A radio frequency "anechoic chamber" is a shielded room whose walls have been covered with a material that scatters or absorbs so much of the incident energy that it can simulate free space. Its origins can be traced to efforts to build aircraft which absorbed or scattered radar signals during the Second World War. Recent innovations, such as the use of ferrite tiles, have greatly enhanced performance of these chambers. Anechoic chambers may seem to operate through a bit of black magic, but the analysis of how they work is really quite straightforward. By Dr. Glen Dash, Ampyx LLC
98. Using An Auxiliary High-Power, Broadband Amplifier To Test High-Power Microwave Components 3/4/2009
    High-power amplifiers are often used to boost power out of signal generators or network analyzers to provide sufficient power to adequately test high-power semiconductor amplification devices, limiters, and other components requiring a high drive level for proper operation. Although the implementation of a high-power amplifier to augment testing would seem to be straightforward, there are several considerations to keep in mind as the test setup is configured. This article seeks to address several of those.
99. Effects Of External Power Amplifier Impedance On Measurements 12/1/2008
    Auxiliary RF and microwave power amplifiers are often used in conjunction with other test equipment to help evaluate aspects of performance of a particular component or system. The supporting amplifier is often considered an “ideal” amplifier during the initial configuration of the test and measurement system. This assumption can result in significant errors that end up with the user acquiring additional, higher power amplifiers to perform the necessary tests, adding the critical elements of time and cost to the process
100. Making RF Power And Frequency Measurements With Spectrum And Signal Analyzers 10/22/2008
     Frequency-domain measurement of RF power is one of the most basic measurements performed by traditional spectrum analyzers and modern vector signal analyzers. This article explains how fundamental RF power and frequency measurements are made with both traditional spectrum analyzers and with more modern FFT-based analyzers. It also covers instrument controls and how they affect your measurement results. By National Instruments