RF Circuit Design (Linear): S-Parameters, Smith Chart, Passive Components, LNA's
Courses covering this topic provide circuit-level designers with the fundamental concepts needed to work effectively with high frequency electronics. Participants gain analytical, graphical, and computer-aided techniques to analyze and optimize RF circuits in practical situations. The courses address linear active circuit design, focusing on stability, bandwidth, and noise considerations.
This course is the first in a series for RF Design engineers and other professionals in that field. It presents core concepts essential in understanding RF technology and presents circuit-level designers with the foundation needed to work effectively with high frequency electronics. Participants gain analytical, graphical ( Smith Chart ), and computer-aided techniques to analyze and optimize RF circuits in practical situations. This course reviews traditional circuit definitions based on voltages and current and transitions to power-flow concepts and scattering parameters (S-parameters) used in the wireless domain.
The material covered forms the foundation for follow-on courses dealing with specific RF and Microwave circuit and component design.
This seminar contains material typically covered in one full day of instruction but is divided into five 90 minute web-classroom presentations.
This course is intended for registered individual students only. Please contact us for group rates at info@besserassociates.com or 650-949-3300. Recording, copying, or re-transmission of classroom material is prohibited.
This new course incorporates the most popular topics from Applied RF Techniques 1 and 2 in a 5-day format. The material presented provides participants with the critical tools to design, analyze, test, and integrate linear and nonlinear transmitter and receiver circuits and subsystems.
Based on Les Besser's famous RF course material, this program has been reworked and updated to meet the needs of today's engineers looking for online self-paced study. Video lectures are followed by our exclusive online workbooks featuring interactive problem sets and quizzes along with optional supplemental reading for those who wish to explore topics in more depth. A bonus guest tutorial from a Besser Associates instructor offers a different perspective on one of the topics covered in the course (guest tutorials vary by course offering). This course is the first part of an RF Engineering Certificate program currently under development by Besser Associates.
Even when working with "off the shelf" integrated radio products, engineers still need a basic understanding of circuit operation and design considerations to assure a successful product implementation and avoid unexpected pitfalls. Switching from traditional circuit definitions based on voltages and currents, to power-flow concepts and scattering parameters, this course offers engineers a smooth transition into understanding circuit operation in the RF and wireless domain.
We review S-parameter measurements and applications for both single-ended (unbalanced) and balanced circuits. Impedance matching is vitally important in RF systems and we use both graphical (Smith Chart ) and analytical techniques throughout the course. We also examine discrete and monolithic component models in their physical forms, discussing parasitic effects and losses, revealing reasons why circuit elements behave in surprising manners at RF.
Since wires and printed circuit conductors may behave as transmission line elements, we also cover microstrip and stripline realizations. Another important consideration is circuit layout, therefore we look at problems caused by coupling, grounding and parasitic resistance.
Feb 17-Jul 18, 2025: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex Frobenius Apr 21-Sep 19, 2025: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex Frobenius Sep 22-Feb 13, 2026: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex FrobeniusThe surge in demand for high performance and low cost wireless circuits has accelerated the shift to CMOS RFIC technology. As future wireless radios continue to push the available bandwidth and shift to mm-wave range, RF CMOS is expected to remain the predominant technology. This 3-day course will cover in depth the practical aspects of CMOS RF design at both the circuit and device level. The course will begin by an overview of the CMOS transistor and passives from RF perspective, analyzing key concepts in modeling and noise behavior. An overview of various RF circuit blocks highlighting design architectures and circuit implementation tradeoffs will be provided. This will include selected topics in designing low noise amplifiers (LNAs), mixers, voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) and power amplifiers (PAs). The course will provide insightful guidance in the circuit design process including transistor sizing, layout effects, parasitic reduction techniques and tradeoffs between various circuit topologies. The focus throughout this course will be on providing practical circuit design and implementation techniques utilizing numerous design examples.
Filters are one of the fundamental building blocks used in integrated microwave assemblies, along with amplifiers, oscillators, mixers and switches. Depending on the frequency range and bandwidth we might use printed distributed filters, printed pseudo lumped filters, chip and wire lumped element filters and in some cases, cavity combline filters. Switched filter banks are common and sophisticated multiplexers are used in some systems.
p>This course provides circuit and system designers with the essential concepts needed to work effectively with high frequency electronics. Participants gain analytical, graphical, and computer-aided techniques to analyze and optimize RF circuits in practical situations. Essential analytical tools such as S-parameters and the Smith Chart are covered.
At the system level, this course combines theory with real-life examples to provide participants with a complete foundation in understanding overall system performance metrics such as sensitivity and bit error rate. Coverage of digital communication techniques and their effects on RF circuit parameters closes the gap between traditional RF engineering design and the needs of modern communication systems.
The instructor's presentation will be recorded and made available to enrolled students for review for a limited time.
: On Demand, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rick FornesA 90-minute introduction to the art of impedance matching.
This is the original five day version of the linear circuits topic. This course provides a brief review of complex numbers, then moves on to complex impedances, filter design, sparameters, the smith chart and linear active circuit design. The course also includes a discussion of CAD techniques as well as new four port s parameters.