Semiconductors / Integrated Circuits

Specifications and Definitions for Quadrature Demodulators and Receiver Design Measurements

This article discusses the common and questionable definitions of the specifications for quadrature demodulators, including gain, intercept point and noise figure. Emphasis is on the mapping between single-tone measurement data and the modulated signal...
The quadrature demodulator is used in either heterodyne or homodyne receivers. In commercial communication receivers, the local oscillator frequency ranges from a few kilohertz to a few gigahertz. It is usual to test the individual part with a single tone to avoid the complexity of the baseband waveform. The...
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Reviewing the Basics of Suspended Striplines

Suspended striplines are widely used for several reasons. They provide high Q-factor, wide bandwidth and good temperature stability. This tutorial reviews some of the basic principles and new concepts for suspended striplines.
There are several reasons for the wide use of printed transmission lines. They are simple to produce, they operate over a wide bandwidth, and have small weight and dimensions. The earliest form of printed transmission lines was the stripline ( Figure 1a ). 1,2 The printed stripline consists of...
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A Highly Linear 17 to 24 GHz SMT Power Amplifier

Introduction to a new surface-mount technology-packaged power amplifier for wireless communications applications
A new surface-mount technology (SMT)-packaged power amplifier has been introduced for wireless communications applications, including millimeter-wave point-to-point radio, local multipoint distribution services (LMDS), satellite communications (SATCOM) and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) use. The model XP1000P1 GaAs MMIC surface-mount power amplifier is a two-stage amplifier optimized for linear output...
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A CAD Tool Utilizing Fast Hybrid MM/FE/MoM FD Techniques

A three-dimensional electromagnetic-based CAD software tool is featured on this month's cover
To meet the rapidly increasing demand for advanced microwave components and antennas in wireless terrestrial and satellite-based communications, accurate and efficient CAD tools are critical. Due to efforts made during the 1990s - the decade of global 3D electromagnetic (EM) field solvers - the task of accurate analysis of...
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A Compact Monopulse Feed for Tracking Antennas

Introduction to the requirements for a compact monopulse feed for use in a Cassegrain antenna configuration
With the steady improvements in tracking radar technologies over the past twenty years, the diameter requirements for antennas has been reduced to match the improvements in transmitter power and receiver sensitivity. This has led to a need for shorter feeds for use in Cassegrain configurations. Antenna feeds have recently...
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The Design of Bandpass Filters Considering Frequency Dependence of Inverters

In general, practical inverters have frequency-dependent impedance or admittance. The equivalent circuits of several widely used inverters are investigated, consisting of ideal inverters plus frequency-dependent real and/or immittance parts. One of the...
By using impedance or admittance inverters, microwave bandpass filters can be designed more conveniently with only one kind of resonator. Theoretically, the inverters have to be frequency independent. However, this is not true for practical cases. One of the most serious degradations in frequency response of a bandpass filter...
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Research@mwjournal.com

Microwave Journal's second annual overview of microwave technology research projects currently being investigated by European academic institutions and commercial organizations
Today's investment in and commitment to meaningful, commercially viable research will determine the shape and prosperity of tomorrow's microwave industry. Following its introduction in 2001 the second Microwave Journal guide to European research projects highlights the studies being undertaken by academic and commercial establishments to develop the innovations that...
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SAW Voltage-controlled Oscillators

Presentation of applications that use voltage-controlled surface acoustic wave oscillator technology to provide high performance telecom solutions
Voltage-controlled surface acoustic wave (SAW) oscillators (VCSO) have been used for many years in both commercial and military applications. The low phase noise allows frequency multiplication to higher frequencies for use as sources, such as local oscillators in radar and other microwave systems. The excellent tuning linearity provides outstanding...
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A Simulation Builder for Versatile Framework Integration

Introduction to a versatile simulation builder designed to integrate industry-strength simulation technology with external design frameworks
As the complexity of wireless systems grows and requirements become more demanding, the task facing analog/RF engineers is not getting any easier. In today's rapid-paced working environment, time-to-market demands accurate and fast results from device simulations. To meet these demands for the effective management and analysis of design data...
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A Revolution in the Time Domain

A new modeling and design package for time domain software is featured on this month's cover
CST MICROWAVE STUDIO® Version 4 (CST MWS) is a major new release of the company's flagship 3D EM microwave modeling and design package. Over 1400 changes, enhancements and new features have been added to make this already powerful tool truly comprehensive and an invaluable resource. The microwave design engineer...
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