Latest Posts

Novel Passive FET Mixers Provide Superior Dynamic Range
The dual-double-balanced configuration of these FET mixers helps to improve dynamic range with reduced conversion loss and noise figure without expending DC bias.

Fixed Attenuators Help Minimize Impedance Mismatches
Fixed attenuators are invaluable problem solvers for circuit-level and system-level designers. In addition to controlling amplitude levels, fixed attenuators can improve the impedance match ...

Improve Two-Tone, Third-Order Intermodulation Testing
Two-tone, third-order distortion must be measured under specific performance conditions. The two most common errors in the measuring process are (1) failure to provide adequate isolation between ...

RF Transformers
RF transformers are widely used in low-power electronic circuits for impedance matching to achieve maximum power transfer, for voltage step-up or step-down, and for isolating DC from two circuits

Automated Load Pull Measurement of Voltage Controlled Oscillators
It is a standard industry practice to measure the variation of the frequency when the VCO output is seeing a load with 12 dB return loss. A skilled technician may take minutes to hours manually. ...

How RF Transformers Work and How They Are Measured
This article will describe the relationship between impedance relationships and transformer circuits with reference to transformers with turns ratios greater than 1:1 described as step-up.

Surface Mount Assembly of Mini-Circuits Components
While all surface mount parts are designed to meet industry standards for SMD assembly, the wise customer will understand that variations in process and materials need to be accounted for when ...

RF Transformer Fundamentals
The purpose of this article is to describe the fundamentals of RF and microwave transformers and to provide guidelines to users in selecting proper transformer to suit their applications. It is ...

Frequently Asked Questions About Phase Detectors
Read through frequently asked questions about phase detectors for general information and tips for specific applications.

Soldering Turret Terminal Pins on ZX Series Models
The following article is a guide for soldering wire connections to turret pin terminals on the Mini-Circuits ZX series amplifier, power detector, voltage variable attenuator, digital step ...

Heat Sinking of High-Power Surface Mount Components
The purpose of this article is to describe a method for heat sinking of Mini‐Circuits high‐power surface mount components to prevent overheating when operating at high power.

Controlling Programmable Attenuators via Ethernet using HTTP and Telnet Protocols
A short tutorial on how to control Mini-Circuits' RCDAT-series programmable attenuators via Ethernet using HTTP and Telnet communication protocols.