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How to test an RF Isolator and Circulator

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rf-isolatorRF isolators and circulators play an important role in many RF communication systems. Electrical behaviour of each individual unit contributes to overall system performances. Engineers often monitor and test each component during troubleshooting of an RF system.

RF Isolators: are two port passive devices used in RF and communication networks to allow transmission in one direction and give maximum signal isolation in opposite direction.

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S-parameter formats in vector network analyzers

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What are S-parameters?
vector network analyzer
 
S-parameters are the electrical characteristics of a signal in a complex network. It is also known as scattering parameters and mostly used in RF network and applications. Vector Network Analyzer is used to measure and analyze signal behavior of S-parameters. The signal behavior can be observed as gain, return loss, VSWR, reflection coefficient and group delay etc.

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RF Attenuators – How to choose a proper one?

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rf-attenuator
RF attenuators are one of the most significant components in any RF and microwave systems. What are RF attenuators and what is the purpose of it? Here I would like to share about the basic construction, types, use and what are the important factors to choose a proper attenuator for your next RF application.

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What is Impedance matching

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thinking_smithImpedance matching 
In electrical engineering, impedance is the ratio of voltage to current with the consideration of phase angle.  According to Ohm’s law V= IR, where V – voltage, I is the current and R is the resistance of the network.  In RF, the idea of impedance matching is to equalizing the source and load impedance for maximum power transfer. Impedance is represented as Z and is complex than just the resistance of the network. In simple explanation, impedance matching is to making source and load impedance as similar as possible in order to minimize losses.

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ACLR measurement in LTE

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Our modern digital communication system has been continuously evolving and it demands higher data rate and system efficiency to support millions of individuals around the clock. Since the complexity of the system increases the challenges also increases in designing, testing and implementation of transmission network and user equipment.
Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio in any RF communication devices are generally described as the unwanted frequency generated by second or third order intermodulation distortion of the devices which fall near to the transmitting frequency band. In modern digital communication, any power leakage from transmitting channel to the adjacent channel cause distortion in other neighboring channel’s transmission and which affects the system efficiency. In order to make sure the system works perfectly within the allowed limits, an ACLR measurement has to be performed with a reference transmit signal.