Current courses and tutorials available in the RF Mentor Academy Subscription program.
Subscription Courses
Five 90-minute sessions. This seminar discusses techniques for identifying the sources of unwanted coupling and radiation, and systematic approaches for their minimization. This course is available as part of the RF Mentor Academy subscription. Objectives:Define electromagnetic compatibility.Identify sources of coupling and radiation.Discuss and simulate the effectiveness of various shielding strategies. Target Audience:Product and package design engineers of all expertise levels will benefit from this course. A basic engineering background (BSEE or equivalent) is required....
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The need for impedance matching is rooted in basic AC circuit analysis principles. In basic terms, maximum power transfer occurs when the current and voltage are in phase. This workshop examines analytical techniques to design impedance matching networks that deliver the most power possible to an RF load. Q factor and its effect on matching network bandwidth are also described.Online WorkbookThe course includes an online workbook exercise to design a single section and broadband matching network using the techniques described in the lecture. The resulting matching network is also demonstrated...
Subscription Courses
Three two-hour sessions. Timing-related problems associated with signal sources are one of the major bottlenecks in designing today’s highly complex systems. Over many decades, jitter has been extensively studied and utilized to characterize timing inaccuracies in both digital and analog systems. Conversely, phase noise has been exclusively used in RF systems to represent frequency or phase inaccuracy. For both timing and frequency sensitive systems, phase noise measurement is emerging to be the most accurate method of characterizing all types of signal sources (RF, analog or digital)....
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Learn how to speak engineer…or at least understand them!…and learn at your own pace.…RF & Wireless Made Simple online course can teach a basic understanding of RF and wireless technology in as little as 8 hours, or up to six months whenever you need a "refresher". Frequently used terms will be explained, as well as how to calculate dB. The names and functions of RF system components are discussed and a description of how they interact to generate and process signals is provided. The course explains the basic principles of signal processing and multiple access techniques in wireless...
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This course 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.OutlineIntroduction to RF Circuits • Linear circuit analysis in...
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Three two-hour sessions. There are a number of semiconductor technologies being used for power amplifier design. This course introduces students to the GaN transistor, its properties, various structures, discrete and MMIC devices. The properties of GaN will be presented showing the advantage of these devices over other materials for power amplifier applications. Material will be presented on GaN HEMT transistors, geometries, semiconductor processes and structures with associated breakdown voltages, power capability, gain, efficiency, and frequency performance. Guidelines for reliable...
Subscription Courses
Discover the RF and Wireless Passport program - exclusively on RF Mentor Academy Subscription!Learn the fundamentals of RF and Wireless with three comprehensive courses taught by Rick Fornes - all arranged by topic to avoid repetition and streamline your learning!Wireless Circuits Systems and Test (112) - Future availabilitySmartphone Architecture and 5G (267) - Currently availableRF and High Speed PCB (042) - availabilityInstructor Rick Fornes has trained hundreds of students on dozens of RF and wireless subjects with Besser Associates over the last 20+ years. Now, thanks to the...
Subscription Tutorials
A series of tutorials in "chalk-talk" format, similar to courses on the popular "Khan Academy" site.1. Signal Flow Graphs with Rex Frobenius:Signal Flow Graphs allow RF/Microwave circuit designers to use graphical techniques as an alternative to brute-algebraic approaches. By learning four key tools for working with the graphs, the majority of circuit problems can be analyzed.
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This seminar covers the basics of analog and digital modulation, including sampling and pulsed signals. The fundamental digital modulation formats such as BPSK, QPSK, and QAM are described. Continuous-phase formats (MSK, FSK) are covered as well.Learning Objectives:identify the benefits of digital vs. analog modulationidentify the symptoms of aliasing caused by under-sampling a signalapply pulse theory to the understanding of frequency and time domain interactionidentify basic digital modulation formats (BPSK, QPSK, etc.)understand tradeoffs between data rate and noise immunity Outline:...
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This tutorial series by instructor Scott Bullock consists of three parts.Part 1 describes the operation of Automatic Gain Control (AGC) systems, a key target of electronic warfare (EW) attack strategies. Topics discussed include:AGC PrinciplesDesignsFeedbackControl SystemLoop filter, Threshold level, IntegratorControl TheoryAGC ResponsesError analysisBode Plots/StabilityAGC Jamming: Burst/PulseCapturing the AGCReducing Burst Jammers Parts 2 and 3 will discuss jammers in more detail. Topics will include:Spot Jammer – jams a single frequencyBarrage – Sends out a barrage of frequenciesCW –...
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Explore the unique benefits of mmWave technology for RF applications in this two part (90 minutes total) premium tutorial with Dr. Ali Darwish.Part 1 of 25G/mmWave/Waveguide bandsWhy mmWave?Reason 1: bandwidthReason 2: powerReason 3: sizeReason 4: multi-beamPart 2 of 2What is a MMIC?MMIC vs Hybrid CircuitsCostMMIC vs RFICPros and ConsApplicationsHigh vs Low Frequency Limit
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Besser Associates instructor Scott Bullock presents a tutorial webcast on Introduction to Receivers.Topics covered in the webinar include:Parts of the ReceiverImage FrequencyLNA'sMixer Spur AnalysisHigh/Low Level Mixers and IntermodulationPhase NoiseFilters/Group DelayDynamic RangeAGCMinimum Discernible SignalTangential Sensitivity
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One-hour webinar. Instructor Allen Podell gives a brief overview of the basics of RF power amplifier design.
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One hour tutorial on reflectionless filters design by instructor Bob Froelich.Table of contents:00:00 Titles/Introduction05:15 Symmetric Networks06:45 Even/Odd Excitations14:45 Low Pass Design37:25 Numerical Example38:50 Simulation50:00 References, Future Topics
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Instructor Bob Froelich presents a one-hour tutorial webcast on Small Signal Amplifiers.This presentation includes the following topics:Small-Signal ApplicationsSmall-Signal Performance MetricsGainNoise FigureDistortionPower ConsumptionDC BiasIncludes prototype online self study guide
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In this webinar, you will learn about the unique challenges and opportunities of space-terrestrial communications links. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will find something useful and interesting in this session.We will cover topics such as:How satellites operate and communicate with each other and with EarthWhat are the different types of modulation and why they matterHow to choose the best satellite orbit for your needsWhat are the key components of a ground station and how they affect performanceHow to calculate G/T, equivalent temperature, and link budgetWhat are the...
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This webinar will provide an overview of areas 5G will address. We will begin with a discussion on the shortcomings of present day cellular systems to highlight the items needing to be addressed in 5G. Provide the overall 5G goals and pillar use cases as defined by ITU. Several deployment options will be provided and summary of the 3GPP scenarios provided. Key system parameters will be discussed and the impact of 5G to a Cloud-RAN network architecture will be highlighted. Shortcomings of existing Cellular Standards5G Goals & Use CasesDeployments OptionsSystem...