TEST & MEASUREMENT APPLICATION NOTES AND WHITE PAPERS

  • Noise Figure: What Is It And Why Does It Matter?

    Noise figure is a key parameter that quantifies receiver performance by measuring how low a power a signal receiver can detect. This white paper covers the basic principles of noise figure, how to make sense of its specifications, how it is measured, and why this parameter is important in high-performance applications.

  • An Introduction To Direction Finding Methodologies

    All direction finding methodologies are meant to determine the physical or geographical location of a source of radio frequency energy. The choice of an appropriate direction finding methodology to use for a given application is largely a function of the target signal's characteristics, such as frequency and modulation, but is also influenced by the propagation environment as well as cost and complexity.  Recent advances in the development of hybrid direction finding methodologies attempt to overcome some of these restrictions and increase accuracy by using a combination of methodologies.

  • How To Analyze Passive Low Frequency Components With A Rohde & Schwarz Oscilloscope

    This white paper presents a technique for easily and quickly analyzing low frequency response on an oscilloscope with the R&S®RTx-K36 frequency response analysis (Bode plot) option, which uses the oscilloscope’s built-in waveform generator to create stimulus signals ranging from 10 Hz to 25 MHz.

  • 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.

  • Understanding Component EMC Testing for ICs

    If you're producing integrated circuit (IC) products for electromagnetic environments, you must test and pass all the regulatory electromagnetic interference (EMI) and safety requirements. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing is performed to ensure these components can be used in the intended environment without failing, degrading, or causing other equipment to fail.

TEST & MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS

The dB-3906 TWT Amplifier (TWTA) is designed to use two wideband, periodic permanent magnet (PPM)-focused TWTs to amplify CW, AM, FM or pulse-modulated signals. The dB-3906 offers higher saturated output power and improved harmonic performance when compared to a single TWT approach.

Electrostatic discharge testing is utilized worldwide by electronics manufacturers to determine the ESD susceptibility of their devices. It is extremely difficult to estimate the exact cost of ESD loss annually, but it can safely be stated that ESD requires the development and testing of many hardware prototypes and contributes to a high number of warranty claims and loss of consumer confidence if failure occurs in the hands of the customer. Given the high cost in time and materials associated with ESD hardware testing, the ability to simulate the ESD testing process in XFdtd is extremely valuable, allowing engineers to pinpoint locations susceptible to ESD damage and optimize ESD mitigation during the concept and design stage of product development.

dB Control’s family of traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) features a combined frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz up to 15kW output power. dB Control utilizes our proprietary transformer fabrication, encapsulation and high-voltage potting techniques developed for demanding military applications which results in superior reliability, low cost and ease of maintenance.  Products in this series are ideal for several applications, including: test and measurement, electronic warfare (EW) simulation, RFI/EMI/EMC Testing, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and antenna pattern and radar-cross section measurements.

Qorvo introduces the QPC2040 single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch operating within the 8 – 12 GHz frequency range for commercial and military radar, communications, electronic warfare, test instrumentation, and other general purpose applications. The switch typically supports 10 W input power handling at control voltages of 0/−2 V for both CW and pulsed RF operations.

Qorvo offers the 1800 W, 65 V, 1.0 – 1.1 GHz QPD1025L as the highest GaN transistor on the market. This discrete GaN on SiC HEMT has a package that features input pre-match resulting in ease of external board match and saved board space.

The dB-9003 and dB-9005 from dB Control are custom-mounted Integrated Stabilized RF Sources (ISRFS) designed to operate in the I and Ka-band frequency range. Both products feature high accuracy and a wide temperature operating range. They can be controlled and set up with a digital port. The units are packaged in a custom configuration with conduction cooling.

The dB-3907 TWT Amplifier (TWTA) is designed to use two wideband, periodic permanent magnet (PPM)-focused TWTs to amplify CW, AM, FM or pulse-modulated signals. The dB-3907 offers higher saturated output power and improved harmonic performance when compared to a single TWT approach.

The Microwave VME/VXS Tuner by Hunter Technology is the industry’s smallest available microwave SIGINT VME tuner. It covers the 500 MHz-20.0 GHz and 30.0 GHz to 40.0 GHz frequency ranges and features incredibly fast tuning, low phase noise, excellent mechanical conductivity, a single slot 6U VME configuration, and much more.