Erica Zhao - RF i mikrovalni komponenti

Demystifying Mixer Spurs in RF Downconversion: Frequency Planning and ADS Simulation Guide

Feeling overwhelmed by spurious signals in your RF designs? You’re not alone. The unpredictable nature of spurs can ruin performance and cause major headaches for any engineer. You can demystify intermodulation by understanding it’s a predictable result of mixer nonlinearity1. Use mixer spurious charts and simulation software like ADS to select frequencies that avoid spurs. […]

Stop Self-Jamming on a RF Up/Down converter: Advanced PCB Layout and Shielding for RF Isolation

Poor isolation in your up/downconverter can ruin your system’s performance. This leads to self-jamming and unreliable links1. But a systematic approach can help you achieve deep isolation levels. Excellent isolation in a broadband RF up/downconverter is achieved by combining three key techniques. First, use dense ground via fences and multi-cavity shielding for physical isolation. Second, […]

Satcom Basics: Why Ka-Band Upconverter is Crucial for Satellite Transmit

Ever wondered how massive amounts of satellite data reach us clearly? It’s not as simple as pointing a dish, as signal loss and distortion are huge challenges. Up/down conversion is crucial for satellite communication. It lets us use smaller antennas by transmitting at high frequencies. It also steps down the received frequency, preventing signal distortion […]

LNB Design Secrets: Maximize Antenna Gain and Lower Noise Figure via HFSS

You have an LNB, and it has a small antenna inside. So why do you still need that big satellite dish? The two must work together to capture a usable signal. An LNB cannot function effectively for satellite reception without a dish. The dish’s large surface area is essential for capturing the extremely weak satellite […]

PA and LNA: Why you cann’t use a RF Amplifier replace LNA in Receiver Design

Using a power amp as a preamp seems logical but can cripple your system. This choice will drown weak signals in noise, making them impossible to recover. No, you should never use a power amplifier as a preamp. A power amp has a very high noise figure1, designed for output power, not sensitivity. Using one […]

Why RF Wideband Amplifier Flat Gain Droop: The Secrets of R-L-C Network

Designing a multiband SSPA with a perfectly flat gain curve feels like an impossible task. The physics just seems to be working against you. But it is achievable. To design a multiband Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) with flat gain, you must combine three techniques1. First, use a negative feedback circuit for stability. Second, add […]

How Does Digital Pre-Distortion Achieve Closer Power Amplifier Saturation to for Better Linearity?

Getting maximum power from your SSPA without creating signal distortion is a constant challenge. This trade-off between power and linearity often forces unwanted compromises in system design and efficiency. The best way to optimize an SSPA is by using Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD).1 DPD digitally models the amplifier’s non-linear behavior, including memory effects2, and creates an […]

How to Accurately Determine RF Power Amplifier Drain Efficiency with Power Back-off?

You trust the datasheet for amplifier efficiency. But your real-world SSPA design overheats and performs poorly. I will show you how to measure the real efficiency and avoid these problems. To accurately determine RF power amplifier efficiency, you must go beyond the datasheet. Use a high-precision digital multimeter and a calibrated power meter. De-embed your […]

Why GaN SSPA Ruin Your High Linearity: Taming Trapping Effects via DPD and Power Back-off

Choosing between GaN and GaAs SSPAs is tricky. GaN’s smaller size is appealing, but its non-linearity can secretly tank your system performance1. Let’s find the right solution. Choose GaN for higher power density and a smaller footprint, but be prepared for its non-linearity. To maintain signal integrity, you must implement Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) and a […]

SSPA vs. TWTA: Why SSPA Wins the High-Linearity and EVM Battle

Choosing the right power amplifier is a critical decision. You need raw power, but a distorted signal can ruin your entire system. The right choice balances both needs perfectly. Solid-State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) ensure linearity by using advanced semiconductor materials like Gallium Nitride (GaN) which have a wider linear operating range1. They also employ active […]

Autor: Erica Zhao

Zatražite brzu ponudu