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Directional Couplers: Their Operation and Application
Ever get confused about the differences between directional, bi-directional and dual-directional couplers? Here's everything you need to know about the different coupler types, their functions and common applications.
Understanding Power Splitter/Combiner Power Handling with Coherent and Non-Coherent Signals
Understand the effects of phase and amplitude unbalances on power handling in power splitters and combiners.
Combining MMIC Reflectionless Filters to Create Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Bandpass Filters
Ultra-wideband or "UWB" technology has become the focus of a promising variety of emerging applications from consumer devices to short-range M2M communications and more. See how Mini-Circuits reflectionless filters solve some of the challenges associated with filtering wide passbands while meeting FCC requirements.
Demystifying Transformers: Baluns and Ununs
Baluns and ununs are as essential in RF and microwave signal chains as they are confusing to engineers working with them. Review the basics, key parameters, different types and common applications of these critical building blocks for any circuit utilizing both single-ended and balanced architectures.
Stabilizing Multiplier Chain Conversion Efficiency with Reflectionless Filters
Reflections from out of band signals in multiplier chains have been a longstanding problem for circuit designers grappling with unwanted effects of frequency translation. This experiment shows how reflectionless filters can eliminate standing waves and dramatically improve conversion loss efficiency when paired with frequency doublers and X4 multiplier chains.
Impedance Matching Devices
Explore impedance matching techniques and understand the differences between the various types of impedance matching devices, from step transitions to L-C networks, quarter-wave transformers and more.
Understanding Lumped Element Filters
Review the fundamentals and design considerations of lumped element filters including the different filter responses, as well as advantages and disadvantages relative to other technologies.
High-Q Ceramic Resonator Filters for GNSS Applications
GNSS has become an increasingly prevalent RF application for both military and commercial use. Advanced technology allows for miniaturization and cost reduction of LBS-enabled devices, which has opened up a large and growing commercial market.
Reflectionless Filter Basics: A Brief History of the Genesis of Reflectionless Filters
The advent of broad bandwidth amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and software-defined radios has brought about growing interest in broadband communications, radar, and sensing applications.
Specifying VCOs for Clock Timing Circuits
Timing is everything for many systems, especially for modern electronic systems with high-speed data converters and high-resolution sampling. A clock source is "the keeper of time" in these systems and system timing performance is very much dependent upon the performance of its clock source. Many designers have learned to appreciate the flexibility of using voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) as clock sources.
VCO Footprints
Three basic types of VCO's are manufactured by Mini-Circuits: plug-in, surface mount, and connectorized versions. To obtain the best overall performance from Mini-Circuits VCO's, good RF practices should be used. A double sided printed circuit board with plated through holes is recommended.
A Practical Approach to the Design and Implementation of Scalable, High-Performance, Custom SMT Packages for mmWave Applications
After many years of research and development, electrical engineers, physicists, mathematicians and scientists have come to realize the benefits of operating communications systems at higher frequencies.