Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the context and the need for waveguides; Part 2 looks at the implementation and available components. Q: What standard waveguide are available? A: There are thousands of models, configurations, and options. Most waveguides have flanges so they can be connected to create longer guides, or to provide turns […]
What are RF waveguides? Part 1: context and principles
Waveguides confine and covey electromagnetic energy in the GHz+ range, just as coaxial cables do; they offer lower loss and other virtues, but at a cost in parts and ease of use. Waveguides (sometimes spelled out as wave guides) do not have the visibility or convenience of coaxial cables but they are an essential passive […]
Magnetron, Part 2: History and future
Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the application and operating principles of the magnetron. This part explores the development and special history of the device, as well as disruptive alternative technologies for some applications. Q: What’s the history of the magnetron? A: The development and production of the magneton was a major advance during […]
Magnetron, Part 1: Application and operating principles
The vacuum-tube cavity magnetron is nearly obsolete (except for the millions in consumer microwave oven. Its development was key to highly effective WWII radar, and it also led to other RF/microwave vacuum-tube devices. Vacuum tubes are so “yesterday,” aren’t they? They have been rendered obsolete and supplanted by solid-state devices for many reasons, except in […]
Passive microwave components, Part 2: couplers and splitters
Part 1 looked at of isolators and circulators, which are basic RF/microwave passive devices. This part looks at couplers and splitters, which are two other basic passive devices. (Attenuators are another important class of passive RF/microwave devices. They are not covered here.) A: How is coupling and splitting done in the non-RF/microwave world? A: In […]
Passive microwave components, Part 1: isolators and circulators
Basic passive microwave components have a vital role in RF/microwave system design. Despite the apparent simplicity of their functions, their performance is based on electromagnetic theory and Maxwell’s equations for insight into their operating principles and performance. Design for the demands of microwave signals is a very different situation than working at lower frequencies. Although […]
RF Switches, Part 2: Analog and MEMS switches
Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the venerable electromechanical RF switch – still widely used in some applications, where it is the only viable option – and use of PIN diodes as RF switches. This part looks at analog and MEMS-based switches. Q: What is an analog switch? A: It’s conceptually straightforward: in basic […]
RF switches, Part 1: Mechanical and PIN-diode switches
There’s a ubiquitous and increasing need to switch RF signals ranging into the tens of GHz; four basic switch technologies – electromechanical, PIN diode, analog, and MEMS – are available, each with different features and capabilities. The need to switch RF signals has been a necessary design function since the earliest days of “wireless.” This […]
Stress & Strain, Part 2: Implications for electronics
The mechanical strain induced on electronic components due to mechanical and thermal stress is an important aspect of their performance consistency and limitations; stress is also used to enable some materials to provide critical electronic functions. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basic principles and tests for material strain when stress is applied. […]
Stress & Strain, Part 1: Fundamental principles
The mechanical strain induced on electronic components due to mechanical and thermal stress is an important aspect of their performance consistency and limitations; stress is also used to enable some materials provide critical electronic functions. Although electronic systems and circuits invoke intangibles such as voltages, currents, power, EM fields, and Maxwell’s equations — to cite […]
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