RF Military Electronics Featured Articles

71. 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
72. Custom Filter Design 2/6/2009
    Filters are used in communication and radar systems to reject undesired signals and pass desired signals. This characteristic of filters allows them to be used at many different points in a system. This article discusses the frequency limits of lumped elements for realizing microwave filters. A specific example is given to illustrate the bandwidth limitation of lumped elements and a lumped element filter result is shown. Second, results on a 3 GHz interdigital band pass filter are shown. Third, an X-band coupled line filter is presented. By Microwave Packaging Technology, Inc.
73. Electronic Warfare: The Changing Face Of Combat 9/25/2008
    Electronic Warfare (EW) is the struggle for control of the electromagnetic spectrum — to assure that friendly forces can use the spectrum to their full potential in wartime, while denying that use to enemies. U.S. military success depends on unfettered access to the spectrum to enable electronic equipment such as radars, communication links, computer networks, and sensors to work. The purpose of this report is to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing electronic warfare today and recommend steps to secure a durable and viable electronic warfare capability for the future. By The Association of Old Crows (AOC)
74. Guest Column: Time Matters — How Power Meters Measure Fast Signals 9/8/2008

    Modern wireless and cable transmission technologies, as well as radar systems, present demanding challenges for device and system developers. Manufacturers of test and measurement equipment are driven to offer products that fully support today’s needs, while anticipating the requirements of future technologies. Accuracy has always been a critical requirement in the test and measurement world, but modern technologies demand another must-have — highest data acquisition and processing speeds to allow accurate measurements of complex signal waveforms. This article describes the different techniques RF peak power meters employ to meet these challenges

75. Antenna Performance Basics 8/13/2008
    The antenna is an important component of a wireless network. The proper antenna can optimize the range and reliability of a radio network while the wrong antenna causes high-performance wireless devices to appear to stop operating. This article provides a basic knowledge of key performance characteristics used to analyze antenna performance within installation environments.
76. MTT-S 2008: Notes From The Exhibition Floor -- Part 2 7/23/2008
    In this article, we conclude our booth-by-booth tour of the IEEE MTT-S 2008 International Microwave Symposium (IMS), highlighting the products, news, and industry developments from the show.
77. MTT-S 2008: Notes From The Exhibition Floor -- Part 1 7/16/2008
    In this two-part article series, we will explore the latest technologies and major headlines from the IMS 2008 exhibition floor. Click on the company names below to see what happened at their booths during the show.
78. A Dash Of Maxwell's -- Chapter I -- An Introduction 6/11/2008
    Written specifically for the web, this series is intended as a primer on electromagnetic field theory. The first chapter introduces Maxwell's Equations for static fields.
79. Strategies For Signal Intelligence: From Antennas To Analysis 4/14/2008
    By National Instruments
    Signal intelligence describes a broad range of applications ranging from communications jamming, packet sniffing, and identification of interference or pirating signals. While this article will discuss many of the specific needs for each application, it will primarily focus on the techniques required to analyze intermittent or “bursty” RF signals...
80. Connectivity Options For RF Switch Applications 3/13/2008
    By National Instruments
    When designing an RF switch system, it is easy to focus on the performance of the switch module while neglecting smaller system components such as cables and connectors. However, in order to obtain optimal system performance you must place as much attention on choosing the right cable and connectors for your system as you would on choosing the right switch module. To learn how to choose the right cables and connectors for your system, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various options available...