Application Notes & White Papers - #1
Absorbers to Interference / Intermodulation

These application notes on vendor sites are some of the fastest moving targets on the web. If you try to hit one of the links and it is gone, please make an attempt to determine the new URL and notify me. Thank you. Due to how large the original page has grown, multiple pages are now used.

 

Page 1: Absorbers - Interference      Page 2: Lasers - ZigBee

 

Application Notes & Technical Papers by Company / Source Name

 

Absorbers & Shielding - EMI, RF, RFI

Absorbent Materials Chart
eccosorb.com/Collateral/Documents/English-US/dielectric-chart.pdf
Emerson & Cuming has a really nice chart available for determining the dielectric constant and loss tangent. It includes materials that they supply as well as for some other common materials. JP-4 fuel, various types of rubber, silica, beryllium oxide, pure water are amongst those included on the chart.

Absorbers Manage Military Electronics Microwave RFI

rfdesign.com/mag/radio_microwave_absorbers_manage/index.html
RF Design, August 2004

Microwave Absorbers: Reducing Cavity Resonances
masttechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Microwave-Absorbers-Andrew-Sundsmo-MAST-Technologies.pdf
by MAST Technologies

The Use [RF] of Absorbers in Electronics
masttechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/The-Use-of-Absorbers-in-Electronics.pdf
by MAST Technologies

XBee
Antennasmaxstream.net/support/knowledgebase/article.php?kb=153
Practical information regarding the performance of the XBee and XBee-PRO RF Modules., from MaxStream (now Digi).

A/D & D/A Converters

DACs - Double Rate With Mixers
edn.com/article/CA376628.html
Double DAC rate by using mixers as switches, by Randall Carver, Analog Devices.

DACs - Radio Frequency
By Michael Hopkins, CurrentRF.

Clock Requirements for Data Converters
electronicdesign.com/analog/clock-requirements-data-converters-sponsored-analog-devices
Equations for calculating jitter and phase noise in data converters.

A/D & D/A Design Data
Design data links.

A/D, D/A & Sampling
maxim-ic.com/appnotes10.cfm/ac_pk/2
By Maxim Integrated Products.

Data Converters
focus.ti.com/analog/docs/dataconvertershome.tsp?familyId=82&contentType=4
By Texas Instruments.

Sampling & Aliasing
rfdesign.com/mag/radio_mathematical_basics_bandlimited/
Mathematical basics of band-limited sampling and aliasing, by Vladimir Vitchev.  Jan 2005 RF Design

ADC Interleaving
national.com/nationaledge/feb05/article.html
"Interleaving ADCs for Higher Sample Rates," by National Semiconductor

Amplifiers

Amplifier Design (Microwave)
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note9.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English)

Amplifier Design
sandiego.edu/~ekim/e194rfs01/rfamp.pdf
Design of Microwave Transistor Amplifiers Using S Parameters by D.B. Leeson.

Amplifier Design, Class-E
arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/010102qex009.pdf
By Nathan O. Sokal, WA1HQC.

Amplifier Load Mismatch Design Using MMICAD
optotek.com/pdfs/note34.pdf
Application note from Optotek, by D. Fitzpatrick.

Ampifier Operating Temperature Definitions
micro.apitech.com/pdf/amplifier_operating_temperature_definitions.pdf
From Spectrum Microwave.

Designing High Efficiency Amplifiers using HFETs
triquint.com/prodserv/tech_info/docs/mmw_appnotes/hfetapp.pdf
From TriQuint Semiconductor.

First-Time-Right Design Of RF/Microwave Class A Power Amplifiers Using Only S-Parameters
A procedure of how to design RF/Microwave Class A power amplifiers in a very efficient and highly accurate manner when the only initial data available are the S-parameters of the transistors. By Ivan Boshnakov, Aerial Facilities Limited.

Instrumentation Amplifiers, A Design Guide
analog.com/en/amplifiers-and-comparators/instrumentation-amplifiers/products/index.html
This 108-page, highly detailed handbook is provided by Analog Devices - download it for free while it is available!

Opamp RF Parameters
national.com/an/OA/OA-11.pdf
A Tutorial on Applying Op Amps to RF Applications, by National Semiconductor.

RF Amplifier Design Using HFA3046, HFA3096, HFA3127, HFA3128 Transistor Arrays
intersil.com/data/an/an9315.pdf
Application note from Intersil.

RF & Microwave Power Amplifier Design
By Andrei Grebennikov, M/A-COM Eurotec
Lecture 1: Nonlinear Active Device Modeling
Lecture 2: Impedance Matching
Lecture 3: PA Design Fundamentals
Lecture 4: High Efficiency Power Amplifier Design

RF Power Amplifier Design
ece.ucsb.edu/rad/pubs/master/oisler_2004.pdf
Design and Implementation of a Common Collector Class B RF Power Amplifier in InGaP HBT Technology, Oliver Isler

Robust Bias Option for 0.15-mm pHEMT MMIC Low-Noise Amplifiers
triquint.com/prodserv/tech_info/docs/mmw_appnotes/robust_bias.pdf
From TriQuint Semiconductor.

Selection and Operation of RF Power Amplifiers for EMC Testing Applications
ifi.com/web/html/appnotes/pdf/101.pdf
From Instruments For Industry.

Antennas

Near-Field Antenna Measurements Using Nonideal Measurement Locations
math.nist.gov/~BAlpert/aps98.pdf
IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
Ronald C. Wittmann, Bradley K. Alpert, and Michael H. Francis

Improvements in Polarization Measurements of Circularly Polarized Probes
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/amt1-30.pdf
A. C. Newell, D. P. Kremer, J. R. Guerrieri, Proceedings of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association, pp. 1-30 through 1-35 (October 1989).

Calibrating Antenna Standards Using CW and Pulsed-CW Measurements and the Planar Near-Field Method
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/amt13-21.pdf
D. P. Kremer and A. G. Repjar, Proceedings, Antenna Meas. and Techniques Assoc., pp. 13-21 through 13-29 (September 1988).

Effect of Random Errors in Planar Near-Field Measurement
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/ieee36-6.pdf
A. C. Newell and C. F. Stubenrauch, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Special Issue on Near-Field Scanning, 769-773 (June 1988).

Improved Polarization Measurements Using a Modified Three-Antenna Technique
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/eee36-6c.pdf
IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Special Issue on Near-Field Scanning, 852-854 (June 1988).

Gain and Power Parameter Measurements Using Planar Near-Field Techniques
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/eee36-6b.pdf
A. C. Newell, R. Ward, and E. McFarlane, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Special Issue on Near-Field Scanning, 792-803 (June 1988).

Error Analysis Techniques for Planar Near-Field Measurements
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/eee36-6a.pdf
A. C. Newell, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, 754-768 (June 1988).

The Determination of Near-Field Correction Parameters for Circularly Polarized Probes
nist.gov/calibrations/upload/amt3a3-1.pdf
A. C. Newell, M. H. Francis, D. P. Kremer, Proceedings Antenna Measurement Techniques Assoc. , pp. 3A3-1 through 3A3-29 (October 1984).

Helical Antennas for High Power RF
apelc.com/pdfs/25.pdf
Applied Physical Electronics

Antenna Basics
tscm.com/antennas.pdf
Introduction & Basics from Granite Island Group.

EMC Antenna Fundamentals
physics.adelaide.edu.au/~dmcintos/docs/A04F07.pdf
By Zhong Chen, ETS Lindgren (I worked with Zhong at Agilent).

Antenna Application Notes
ham-radio.com/n6ca/50MHz/50appnotes/50ants.html
From N6CA, ham-radio.com.

Antenna Basics
ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/D.Jefferies/antennas.html
A very extensive treatise of many antenna types, including definitions, photos, and examples, by David Jefferies of University of Surrey.

Antenna Design Considerations
telecontrolli.com/pdf/Antenna Design Considerations.pdf
Application note from Telecontrolli.

Antenna Design - Fractal Patterns
rfdesign.com/mag/508RFDSF1.pdf
Fractals™ new era in military antenna design, by Nathan Cohen. Wideband and size reduction.

Systematic Errors in Normalized Site Attenuation Testing
ce-mag.com/archive/2000/janfeb/chen.html
Computing a correction factor for biconical antennas reduces the systematic errors for calculating normalized site attenuation and improves the accuracy of the theoretical model. By Zhong Chen and Mike Windler.

Compact Integrated Antennas
freescale.com/files/rf_if/doc/app_note/AN2731.pdf
Compact integrated (into PCB) antenna design. Starts with basic antenna theory and builds through dipole, inverted-F, helix, loops, meandering, and other types. Ends with layouts & radiation patterns. AN2731, by Freescale Semiconductor.

Antenna Design Tutorial
micrel.com/_PDF/App-Notes/an-23.pdf
Application note from Micrel, by Tom Yestrebsky.

Antenna Efficiency Measurement (Cellular Handset)  Using the Wheeler Cap
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=3996
By Skyworks.
Antennas, Transmission Lines, Wave Propagation

Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series Module 10
cs.tcd.ie/Stephen.Farrell/ipn/background/US-Navy-NEETS/Module10-14182.pdf
Introduction to Wave Propagation, Transmission Lines, and Antennas.

Antennas: Design, Application, and Performance
linxtechnologies.com/documents/AN-00500.pdf
Application note from Linx Technologies.

Understanding Antenna Specifications and Operation
linxtechnologies.com/Documents/AN-00501.pdf
Application note from Linx Technologies.

Understanding the Measurement Uncertainties of the Biconical / Log Hybrid Antenna
ets-lindgren.com/pdf/chen_bilog.pdf
Measurement uncertainty associated with the bicon/log hybrid antenna for radiated emissions and site validation tests relate to many factors, including height dependency, polarization and loading.

Antenna Pattern Measurements:
(1) Concepts & Techniques
ce-mag.com/archive/02/Spring/fogelle1.html
(2) Theory & Equations
ce-mag.com/archive/02/Spring/fogelle2.html
The first article of this two-part series explores the basic concepts and techniques of antenna pattern measurement and evaluates the benefits and drawbacks of various measurement methods. The concepts relating to near-field and far-field pattern testing are discussed as well. The second article presents the theory and equations governing antenna properties and includes a complete description of a site calibration for pattern-measurement testing. By Dr. Michael D. Foegelle.

Antenna Terms & Formulas
ara-inc.com/PDF-RF/015-standard.pdf
By Antenna Research Associates.

Antennas - WLAN Design & Optimization
cushcraft.com/comm/support/pdf/Antenna-Performance-C-14B37.pdf
Antenna Performance and Design Considerations for Optimum Coverage in Wireless Communication Systems, by Cushcraft Corporation.

Fractal Antennas
ece.iit.edu/~pfelber/fractalantennas.pdf
Fractal antenna theory is built, as is the case with conventional antenna theory, on classic electromagnetic theory. Fractal antenna theory uses a modern (fractal) geometry that is a natural extension of Euclidian geometry. In this report, attention is called to this developing, but already quite large, field of study. By Philip Felber.

The Basics of Patch Antennas
orbanmicrowave.com/The_Basics_Of_Patch_Antennas.pdf
Antenna application notes from Orban Microwave Products.

The W1GHZ Online Microwave Antenna Book
w1ghz.org/antbook/contents.htm
Excellent - a good reference for all microwaves.

Antennas: Design, Application, and Performance
linxtechnologies.com/Documents/AN-00500.pdf
From Linx Technologies.

Understanding Antenna Specifications and Operation
linxtechnologies.com/Documents/AN-00501.pdf
Application note from Linx Technologies.

V / UHF Antenna Design
numatechnologies.com/pdf/an_antenna.pdf
Application note from INGECOM.

Yagi-Uda Antennas
ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/D.Jefferies/yagiuda.html
Tutorial with photographs of actual antennas, by David Jefferies, of University of Surrey.

ASICs for RF

Application Notes and Technical Articles
maxim-ic.com/appnotes10.cfm/ac_pk/27
By Maxim Integrated Products, Dallas Semiconductor.

ASIC Design Guidelines
atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc1205.pdf
Application note from Atmel Corporation.

Attenuators

Attenuator Design Data
Design data links.

Attenuators (Step, Fixed, Variable)
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/atten_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East.

Attenuators (variable)
americanmicrowavecorp.com/sform/appnotes2
Application notes by American Microwave.

Attenuators
herley.com/index.cfm?act=app_notes&notes=attenuators
Application notes by Herley.

Attenuators, PIN
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=2304
A Wideband General Purpose PIN Diode Attenuator by Skyworks.

Attenuators
sandiego.edu/~ekim/e194rfs01/minl_atten/minlosatten.html
Minimum loss design by Ernie Kim, University of San Diego, CA.

Baluns

Balun (chip) Measurement
johansontechnology.com/technicalnotes/cbn
Chip Balun: Definitions & Measurement Methodology  technical note, by Johanson Technology.

Batteries

Lifex Lithium Coin Cells & FB Encapsulated Lithium Coin Cells - Part 1
73.com/specs/th693.pdf
Application notes & product data sheet from Rayovac.

Battery Application Manuals

Alkaline
data.energizer.com/PDFs/alkaline_appman.pdf
Carbon Zinc
data.energizer.com/PDFs/carbonzinc_appman.pdf
Manganese Dioxide App Note
data.energizer.com/PDFs/alkalineminiature_appman.pdf
NiCad
data.energizer.com/PDFs/nickelcadmium_appman.pdf
NiMH
data.energizer.com/PDFs/nickelmetalhydride_appman.pdf
Silver Oxide
data.energizer.com/PDFs/silveroxide_appman.pdf
Zinc Air
data.energizer.com/PDFs/zincair_appman.pdf
By Energizer.

Battery Handling - Li-Ion
reed-electronics.com/ednmag/archives/1996/120596/25df_04.htm
By Matt Schindler, Maxim Integrated Products.

Battery Management
maxim-ic.com/appnotes10.cfm/ac_pk/5
Application notes and technical articles by Maxim Integrated Products, Dallas Semiconductor.

Battery Selection Guide
nikonians-images.com/ebooks/Nikonians Battery Guide.pdf
Lots of good information on battery chemistries and charge/discharge characteristics.

Battery Tutorial
powerstream.com/BatteryFAQ.html
PowerStream Battery Chemistry - Custom design and manufacture of state-of-the-art battery chargers, UPS, and power supplies for OEMs.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth
cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5988-5412EN.pdf
BluetoothTM Manufacturing Test - A Guide to Getting Started by Agilent Technologies.

Bluetooth Remote Control from Your Mobile Phone
flexipanel.com/Docs/Bluetooth Remote Control... From Your Mobile Phone.pdf
FlexiPanel makes a lot of turnkey modules for ZigBee and Bluetooth applications. Admittedly, this concept does scare me a bit from a terrorist perspective!!!

Cable / Coaxial Cable

Weight Reduction and Space Savings in Wire and Cable Design and Their Contribution to Aerospace Design and Efficiency
thermaxconnects.com/tech-center/Registration.cfm
by Thermax Connections

Common Mode Signals
maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/2045/ln/en
Understanding Common-Mode Signals, by Maxim.

How Cables and Connectors Impact Measurement Uncertainty
support.fluke.com/find-sales/download/asset/2548277_6001_eng_a_w.pdf
by Fluke

Capacitors

Capacitor Basics
biologydaily.com/biology/Capacitor
Definitions and configurations, with some equations and illustrations.

Capacitors - Benefits of Thin-Film Dielectric Chip Capacitors at VHF, UHF and Higher Frequencies
avxcorp.com/docs/techinfo/benefilm.pdf
By virtue of these characteristics and excellent mechanical features, this thin film capacitor is the ideal surface mount chip for high frequency applications.

Capacitors, Ceramic
avx.com/techinfo_doclisting.asp?Category=Ceramic Capacitors
Technical information by AVX.

Capacitors, Energy Handling
avxcorp.com/docs/techinfo/energytf.pdf
Energy and power handling capabilities of thin film and ceramic capacitors, by AVX.

Capacitor Primer
uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/caps/caps.html
A very nice introduction to capacitors including history back to Leyden Jar, by Tony vanRoon.

Capacitor Q & ESR Explained.
johansontechnology.com/technicalnotes/qne
A Johanson Technology Primer.

Capacitor RF Current & Power
johansontechnology.com/technicalnotes/rfc
By Johnson Technology.

Cascade Analysis
Gain, NF, IP3, IP2, P1dB, Intermods

Half-IF (2x2 product)
maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/1838/ln/en
By Maxim.

Intercept Points & Receiver Sensitivity
pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/AN749.pdf
By Maxim.

Clocks & Jitter

Adjust mismatched delay lines in Cypress Semiconductor Application Note on Jitter in Transmission Systems
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/jitter.pdf
Describes the basics of jitter in transmission systems.

DDS-Based Clock Jitter Performance vs. DAC Reconstruction Filter Performance
analog.com/static/imported-files/application_notes/351016224AN_837.pdf
Describes the results obtained from a filter layout experiment and discusses how layout and component selection impact stop-band rejection.

Fine tuning clock source for Agilent Pattern Generator 70841B
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5980-0729E.pdf
Provides design guidance, test techniques, performance data and suggested layout recommendations for a 622 MBd ATM/SONET/SDH physical layer interface reference circuit.

Jitter in Clock Sources
vectron.com/products/appnotes/jitter.htm
Application note by Vectron International.

Junction Temperatures and MTTF in MMIC Devices
rfdesign.com/mag/508RFD33.pdf
Article by Radha P.N. Setty, in August 2005  RF Design magazine.

Measuring Jitter in Digital Systems
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5988-9109EN.pdf
For engineers who design data transfer systems and components operating at over a gigabit per second, and so must be concerned with the effects of jitter on their system's bit error ratio (BER).

Phase Noise Measurements & Jitter Analysis
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5988-5291EN.pdf
The Agilent JS-1000 Performance Jitter Solution is a Phase Noise System that measures clock jitter characteristics.

Synchronizing differential clock sources for Bit Error Ratio Test (BERT)
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/5988-2861EN.pdf
Interfacing the OmniBER 725 communications performance analyzer to optical transceivers.

Circulators

Circulators
utemicrowave.com/ute_microwave_circulator_facts.html
Basic Circulator Facts, by UTE Microwave.

Isolator/Circulator Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/iso_cir.htm
Isolator/Circulator basic theory and definitions, common applications, power ratings, special handling and storage considerations, from MECA Electronics.

Components

"The Best Defense is a Good Offense"
em.avnet.com/ctf_shared/pgw/df2df2usa/avnet-PGW-hirel-bestdefense.pdf
Authorized Component Distributors Help Military/Aerospace OEMs Plan for Obsolescence, by Avnet.

Communications
Complex 2 Real
complextoreal.com/tutorial.htm
This is the mother lode of communications tutorials, compliments of Charan Langton.
  • Tutorial 1 - Basic concepts in signal analysis, power, energy and spectrum
    complextoreal.com/chapters/signals.pdf
  • Tutorial 2 - What is Differential Phase Shift Keying
    complextoreal.com/diffcod.htm
  • Tutorial 3 - What is the DVB-S standard, a simplified version
    complextoreal.com/tdvbs.htm
  • Tutorial 4 - Fourier Analysis Made easy - Part 1
    complextoreal.com/chapters/fft1.pdf
  • Tutorial 5 - Fourier Analysis Made easy - Part 2
    complextoreal.com/chapters/fft2.pdf
  • Tutorial 6 - Fourier Analysis Made Easy - Part 3
    complextoreal.com/fft3.htm
  • Tutorial 7 - Hilbert Transform and the Complex Envelope
    complextoreal.com/tcomplex.htm
  • Tutorial 8 - All About Modulation - Part 1
    complextoreal.com/chapters/mod1.pdf
  • Tutorial 9 - Baseband, Passband and Amplitude Modulation (AM)
    complextoreal.com/base.htm
  • Tutorial 10 - All about Traveling Wave Tube
    complextoreal.com/chapters/twta.pdf
  • Amplifiers (TWTA) and non-linear amplification
    complextoreal.com/chapters/twta.pdf
  • Tutorial 11 - Link Budgets 101
    complextoreal.com/chapters/linkbud.pdf
  • Tutorial 12 - Convolutional Coding and Decoding Made Easy
    complextoreal.com/chapters/convo.pdf
  • Tutorial 13 - Coding Concepts and Block Coding
    complextoreal.com/chapters/block.pdf
  • Tutorial 14 - Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) and Raised cosine filtering
    complextoreal.com/chapters/isi.pdf
  • Tutorial 15 - How to interpret an Eye diagram
    complextoreal.com/chapters/eye.pdf
  • Tutorial 16 - Partial Response signaling and Quadrature Partial Response (QPR) modulation
    complextoreal.com/chapters/qpr.pdf
  • Tutorial 17 - Frequency Modulation (FM) , FSK, MSK and more
    complextoreal.com/chapters/fm.pdf
  • Tutorial 18 - Unlocking the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) - Part 1
    complextoreal.com/chapters/pll.pdf
  • Tutorial 19 - Unlocking the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) - Part 2
    complextoreal.com/chapters/pll2.pdf
  • Tutorial 20 - Modulation performance metrics and computation of BER
    complextoreal.com/chapters/modulation2.pdf
  • Tutorial 21 - Linear Time Invariant systems and Matched filtering
    complextoreal.com/chapters/mft.pdf
  • Tutorial 22 - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM, DMT)
    complextoreal.com/chapters/ofdm2.pdf
  • Tutorial 23a - About Lattice and cosets
    complextoreal.com/chapters/Lattice.pdf
  • Tutorial 23b - Trellis coded Modulation (TCM)
    complextoreal.com/chapters/tcm.pdf
  • Tutorial 24 - Turbo Coding and MAP Decoding, Part 1
    complextoreal.com/chapters/turbo1.pdf
  • Part 2 - The MAP decoding algorithm, step-by-step
    complextoreal.com/chapters/turbo2.pdf
    Companion worksheet
    complextoreal.com/CDMA.pdf
  • Tutorial 25 - CDMA
    complextoreal.com/CDMA.pdf
Control &  Monitoring

Control & Monitoring
focus.ti.com/analog/docs/analogtechdoc.tsp?familyId=353&navSection=app_notes&templateId=5255
By Texas Instruments.

Couplers - Directional, Bidirectional

Hybrid Coupler Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/hybrid_basic.php
App note by MECA Electronics

Couplers
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/couplers_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East.

Directional Coupler Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/directional-coupler-specs.htm
How to specify the best directional coupler solution for your critical application, from MECA Electronics.

Directional Couplers
macom.com/Application Notes/pdf/m560.pdf
RF Directional Couplers and 3dB Hybrids Overview, by M/A-COM.

Directional Couplers & Power Dividers
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note6.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English)

Hybrid Coupler Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/hybrid_basic.htm
Basic theory and common applications for 90° and 180° hybrid couplers, from MECA Electronics.

Hybrids
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/hybrids_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East.

Why Directional Couplers Are Better for High Power Measurements vs. Attenuators
e-meca.com/tech_papers/powerkit.php
From MECA Electronics.

Microwave Coupler Feeds Outdoor Antenna Through Walls
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/May06/HFE0506_Knapp.pdf
May 2006 HFS, by Gunther Knapp

Current / Energy / Voltage / Power

Power Management
focus.ti.com/analog/docs/analogtechdoc.tsp?familyId=64&navSection=app_notes&templateId=2
Power Management application notes by Texas Instruments.

Power Meters & Sensors
literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5968-7150E.pdf
Choosing the Right Power Meter and Sensor product note, by Agilent Technologies.

Decoupling

Decoupling: A Standard Methodology
edn.com/article/CA6275411.html?text=decoupling+and+using+and+a+and+standard+and+methodology
To deal with the side effects of increased clock speeds and frequencies, engineers must bypass di/dt transitions and reduce noise. By Barry Caldwell, Vitesse -- EDN

Decoupling Capacitors
By Carl Lodstrom.

Designing Filters Using the Digital Filter Design Toolkit
From National Instruments, by Rahman Jamal, Mike Cerna, John Hanks.zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3237

De-Embedding & Embedding

De-Embedding and Embedding S-Parameter Networks Using a Vector Network Analyzer
cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5980-2784EN.pdf
Application Note 1364-1 from Agilent contains the procedure that a lot of people are looking for to embed or de-embed the 12-term SOLT error terms.

Delay Lines

Adjust mis-matched delay lines in Cypress Semiconductor Application Note
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/jitter.pdf
Describes the basics of jitter in transmission systems.

CPDL Operating and Programming Manual
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/CPDL-MANUAL.pdf
Custom Programmable Delay Line (CPDL) Operating and Programming Manual.

PDL-30A Operating and Programming Manual
colbyinstruments.com/pdfs/PDL-30A-MANUAL.pdf
Programmable Delay Line Operating and Programming Manual.

Detectors

Level Detector
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=2064
A Level Detector Design for Dual-Band GSM-PCS Handsets, by Skyworks.

Detectors
literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5953-4444.pdf
Square Law and Linear Detection by Agilent Technologies.

Dielectrics

Dielectric Aging
atceramics.com/pdf/technotes/dielectric_aging.pdf
By ATC Ceramics.

Dielectric Properties of Portland Cement in the Low Microwave Frequency Range
scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-92598-152639/unrestricted/KIRAN2.PDF#search='dielectric constant portland concrete'
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - covers mainly up through 700 MHz.

Dielectric Constants of Wall Materials
antd.nist.gov/wctg/manet/docs/models.pdf#search='dielectric constant building walls concrete'
"Ultra-wideband Propagation Measurements and Channel Modeling DARPA NETEX Program Report on Through-the-Wall Propagation and Material Characterization"

Digital Modulation

Digital Modulation in Communications Systems
cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5965-7160E.pdf
This application note covers the reasons for the move to digital modulation, how information is modulated onto in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals, different types of digital modulation, filtering techniques, ways of looking at digitally modulated signals, multiplexing techniques, how a digital transmitter and receiver work, measurements on digital RF communications systems, an overview table with key specifications for the major digital communications systems, a glossary of terms used in digital RF communications.

EMC / EMI / ESD / RFI

Harmonic Measurement for IEC 61000-4-3 and other Radiated Immunity Standards
arww-rfmicro.com/pdfs/appNotes/AppNote60.pdf?when=1107
by AR Worldwide

System-Level ESD Protection Guide
focus.ti.com/lit/ml/sszb130/sszb130.pdf
by Texas Instruments

Selection and Operation of RF Power Amplifiers for EMC Testing Applications
ifi.com/web/html/articles/article0708_08.pdf
by Instruments for Industry (IFI)

Electromagnetic Radiation and Human Health
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Jul05/HFE0705_Zamanian.pdf
High Frequency Electronics

A Review of Sources and Effects
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Jul05/HFE0705_Zamanian.pdf
A very good synopsis from the July 2005 edition of High Frequency Electronics

EMC Antenna Fundamentals
physics.adelaide.edu.au/~dmcintos/docs/A04F07.pdf
by Zhong Chen, ETS Lindgren (I worked with Zhong at Agilent)

ESD
esda.org/esdbasics1.htm
Electrostatic Discharge Association website.

EMI/RFI Shielding
tech-etch.com/shield/4000series.html
By Tech-Etch.

Equalizers

Equalizer Key Specifications
highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Oct04/HFE1004_Kurzrok.pdf
"A Review of Key Equalizer Specifications and What They Mean," by Richard Kurzrok, Oct 2005 High Frequency Electronics magazine.

Fiber Optics

Fiber Optics Amplifier Tutorial
rp-photonics.com/tutorial_fiber_amplifiers.html
This tutorial should be useful both as an introduction to fiber amplifiers and for learning more details on them. We believe that even people already having a substantial experience with fiber amplifiers will find it helpful for deepening the understanding. The focus is on the underlying physics and the resulting technical consequences; we do not simply treat a fiber amplifier as a “black box”, but rather look inside.
By RP Photonics Consulting GmbH

Passive Fiber Optics Tutorial
rp-photonics.com/passive_fiber_optics.html
Comprehensive physics-based tutorial on fiber optics which clarifies the foundations of this field. As an example, it discusses how coupling losses at fiber joints arise, and explains how to estimate their strength.
By RP Photonics Consulting GmbH

Fields

Near Field, The World of the
evaluationengineering.com/archive/articles/1005/1005the_world.asp
Here's a good article in the October 2005 edition of Evaluation Engineering, by Tom Lecklider.

Network Analysis
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note3.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English)

Filters - SAW, BAW, Lumped

Analog Filter Design Demystified
maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/1795
Application note by Maxim Integrated Products.

Filter Design, Distributed Element
home.sandiego.edu/~ekim/e194rfs01/filterek.pdf
Periodic structures and equivalent lumped element models.

Filter Design - Transmission Line
cc.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~thc/course_mckt/note/note7.pdf
Very informative presentation from the National Taiwan University (in English)

Fiber Optic Products
nardamicrowave.com/east/UserFiles/fiberoptic_notes.pdf
From Narda Microwave East.

rfcurrent.com
rfcurrent.com
Devoted to RF & microwave filter theory and design.
Microwave Lowpass Filters with a Constricted Equi-Ripple Passband
rfcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/amw_Jul_v13_no7.pdf
Dieter Pelz.
Revision of Cascade Synthesis Theory Covering Cross-Coupled Filters
rfcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mtt_june2002.pdf
Dieter Pelz

GPS Systems
Application of UART in GPS Navigation System
nxp.com/acrobat_download/applicationnotes/AN10353_1.pdf
From Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Ground / Grounding

Power Plane & Ground Design for RF PCBs
rfdesign.com/mag/radio_power_supply_ground
Power supply and ground design for WiFi transceiver, by By Roger Bremer, Tracey Chavers, Zhongmin Yu, RF Design magazine.

Group Delay

Group Delay
radiolab.com.au/DesignFile/DN004.pdf
By Applied Radio Labs.

Heat Transfer

What They Didn't Teach You in Engineering School About Heat Transfer
mentor.com/products/mechanical/resources/overview/what-they-didn-t-teach-you-in-engineering-school-about-heat-transfer-9de36eea-5708-4b60-90b4-ac295905f296

Inductors / Magnetics

Inductors
sandiego.edu/~ekim/otherjunk/inductor.pdf
RF inductor design, from Ernie Kim, University of San Diego, CA.

Intercept Points & Receiver Sensitivity
pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/AN749.pdf
By Maxim.

Magnetic Core Design Rules
lodestonepacific.com/distrib/pdfs/Magnetics/Design_Application_Notes.pdf
By Lodestone Pacific.

Intercept Points (IP2 & IP3)

IP2 and IP3 Nonlinearity Specifications for 3G/WCDMA Receivers
mwjournal.com/BGDownload/Broadcom_IP2_IP3_.pdf
By Broadcom

Interference / Intermodulation

Two-Tone vs. Single-Tone Measurement of 2nd-Order Non-linearity and IP2 Performance of Direct Conversion Receivers
skyworksinc.com/products_display_item.asp?did=1024
By Skyworks

Interference Mitigation
rfdesign.com/mag/radio_detecting_interfering_signals
"Detecting Interfering Signals and Mitigating Them" by Steve Thomas, Jan 2005 RF Design

Isolators

Isolator & Circulator Basics
e-meca.com/tech_papers/iso_cir.php
App note by MECA Electronics