11 White Papers every Wireless Engineer Needs to Read

Electronic Warfare and Radar Systems Engineering Handbook

This handbook is designed to aid electronic warfare and radar systems engineers in making general estimations regarding capabilities of systems. This handbook is sponsored by the NAVAIR Director of Electronic Warfare / Combat Systems. Download this White Paper.

The Human Body and Millimeter Wave Wireless Communication Systems

With increasing interest in millimeter wave wireless communications, investigations on interactions between the human body and millimeter wave devices are becoming important. This paper gives examples of current regulatory requirements, and provides an example for a 60 GHz transceiver. Also, the propagation characteristics of millimeter-waves in the presence of the human body are studied, and four models representing different body parts are considered to evaluate thermal effects of millimeter-wave radiation on the body. Simulation results show that about 34% to 42% of the incident power is reflected at the skin surface at 60 GHz. Download this White Paper.

5W X-Band GaN Power Amplifier Using a Commercially Available Discrete Plastic Packaged SMT Transistor

This paper describes the design of a single stage 5W X-Band GaN Power Amplifier using a low-cost SMT packaged transistor. The amplifier is optimized for the 9.3 to 9.5 GHz band, has 11 dB small signal gain, provides more than +37 dBm output power at 3 dB gain compression with a corresponding drain efficiency of greater than 55%. The design is based on a commercially available discrete 0.25µm GaN transistor, housed in an over-molded SMT plastic package mounted on Rogers 4003 PCB. Download this White Paper.

Introduction to RF Design

This white paper is the first in a series with a goal of providing practical knowledge on the entire process for designing an RF system. Today there are many wireless technologies that utilize RF design ranging from mobile phones to satellite TV to wireless Internet connections and Bluetooth devices. This material is intended to provide insight into how these technologies work and considerations during the design, development and verification process.Downoload this White Paper.

Measuring and Monitoring Satellite Signals

Measuring and monitoring the signals in satellite communications systems is as complex as the tasks of those involved in operating such systems. Satellite operators are normally interested in ensuring that transponder use corresponds to the criteria agreed with users in terms of quality and scope, which also includes the detection of any interference signals. Teleport operators are concerned with making the best possible use of the resources with the communications systems, particularly the space segment. This involves monitoring the transmitted signals, which includes checking the spectrum for unwanted intermodulation products in the case of multi-carrier operation. It is also necessary in stations with uplink power control to ascertain atmospheric attenuation effects in real time if possible to use as input values for the power settings. Download this White Paper.

The Basics of Antenna Arrays

In some instances, single-element antennas are unable to meet the gain or radiation pattern requirements of a particular application, such as satellite communications or point-to-point telecommunications. One possible solution to this problem is to combine several single antenna elements into an antenna array. This article will introduce the basic concepts of antenna array theory, without delving into the mathematics behind it.read more

A Simple Approach to Signal Via Stubs for Coaxial PCB Connector Launches

When designing printed circuit boards launches for coaxial test connectors, there are a number of aspects to consider in order to get the clearest picture of the intended device under test. Learn a relatively simple approach to modeling back-drilled vias and a rough “rule of thumb” to modeling them without electrical modeling tools. Download this White Paper.

5G Energy Performance Design Principles

High energy performance targeting reduced network energy consumption is a critical requirement of 5G. It enables reduced total cost of ownership, facilitates the extension of network connectivity to remote areas, and provides network access in a sustainable and more resource-efficient way. Key technologies to achieve this include ultra-lean design, advanced beamforming techniques, and separation of user-data and system-control planes on the radio interface, as well as virtualized network functionality and cloud technologies. This paper also defines two design principles on which 5G systems with high energy performance should be built. Download this White Paper.

Principles of Power Measurement

RF Power measurement techniques have evolved considerably since the earliest days of wireless. This white paper provides the reader an in depth guide to key methodologies for measuring CW, average and peak RF power signals using thermistor, diode detector, RF receiver-based, direct RF sampling, and monolithic IC techniques.  Starting with earlier methods which only produced meaningful measurements for un-modulated signals the guide covers the more sophisticated methods such as RF power analysis, making accurate measurements for various applications, narrow duty cycle pulse power measurements as well as the limitations of measuring modulated signals using CW, average and peak power meters and how modern solutions have improved the measurement accuracy. Download this White Paper

Fundamentals of Real-Time Spectrum Analysis

This document describes how the Real time Spectrum Analyzers (RSA) work and provides a basic understanding of how it can be used to solve many measurement problems associated with modern RF signals.

As RF signals have become ubiquitous in the modern world, so too have problems with interference between the devices that generate them. Products such as mobile phones that operate in licensed spectrum must be designed not to transmit RF power into adjacent frequency channels and cause interference. This is especially challenging for complex multi-standard devices that switch between different modes of transmission and maintain simultaneous links to different network elements. Download this White Paper.

Why FR-4 Is Often Inadequate for RF Design

There are times when designers want to use FR-4 for RF and microwave circuit designs. After all, it is less expensive than other materials, like Rogers 4350, and much less expensive than reinforced PTFE composite boards such as Rogers RT/Duroid 5870. However, sometimes it is necessary to spend the money for higher quality circuit board material and processing to get good, repeatable designs. This paper demonstrates the danger of using FR-4 for some RF & Microwave designs. Download this White Paper.