This is Part 2 in a series of articles which review the basics of conventional swept versus real-time spectrum analyzers and highlight some of the recent advances and instrument form-factors. Read Part 1, Guide to Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers: Types, here. Introduction There are several terms that are important when evaluating real-time spectrum analyzers. Some of these … [Read more...]
Advantages of Using a Pre-Certified Radio Frequency Module in an IoT Application
Learn the benefits of using a pre-certified radio frequency (RF) module in the design phase when building a new IoT application, and learn the implications in EMC and Radio certifications. The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the quantity and manner in which we exchange and store information. Historically, people exchanged information through reading and … [Read more...]
Guide to Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers: Types
Introduction The spectrum analyzer is the one “go-to” tool for every RF, microwave, and EMC/EMI engineer. In recent years, a new acquisition technology has developed, based on FFT capture and digital signal processing – the real-time (RT) spectrum analyzer. This series of articles will review the basics of conventional swept versus real-time spectrum analyzers and highlight … [Read more...]
Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) of Radio Systems Due to Antenna to Antenna Coupling on an Aircraft
Although specifically dealing with aircraft systems, the methods described in this article are applicable for other platforms where a number of antennas are in close proximity. The number of antennas in use and in close proximity on mission specific aircraft are as many as 22 on a small search and rescue aircraft. ANALYSIS METHODS The methods of coupling analysis include … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Eliminate Ground Loops — Part 2
As we discussed in Part 1, Ground Loops, while often not obvious, can be a significant source of frustration for system operators and integrators. This phenomenon manifests as unwanted electrical noise – audible hums in speakers, jitter on screens, noisy measurements, and bad measurement data – and it can even lead to unexpected communications loss and equipment … [Read more...]
Filter Installation Issues: Input and Output Conductors
Real-life filter performance is totally dependant on how they are installed, especially on the impedance of the RF Reference and the impedance of the method used to electrically bond the filter to its RF Reference. Not only should these impedances be much lower than that of the shunt capacitors in the filters, they should also allow the internal and external CM surface currents … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Eliminate Ground Loops — Part 1
A Brief Introduction Most workers already know that proper grounding is a fundamental safety precaution for all kinds of electrical equipment. However, it’s less well known that while grounding can prevent and resolve many safety and power issues, improper grounding can create problems in data logging, data acquisition, and measurement and control systems. One of the most … [Read more...]
Designing and Selecting Filters: Using Soft Ferrite Cores
All inductors (L) suffer from RF resonances, and are only effective in filters at frequencies not far above their first (parallel) resonance (see section 1.8.1 of [7]). But so-called ‘soft ferrites’ behave resistively at RF, and the resulting lack of RF resonances helps make filters that use them have better and more predictable performance at RF. For example, a typical small … [Read more...]
Designing and Selecting Filters: Maximizing Impedance Discontinuities
To design effective filters we must maximize impedance discontinuities, at the frequencies of concern for emissions and/or immunity. Capacitors are used in conjunction with the RF Reference Plane (see Figure 1) to create low impedances, applied in shunt, whilst resistors or inductors are used to create high impedances, applied in series. When the source and … [Read more...]
Designing and Selecting Filters: Differential Mode and Common Mode
Differential-mode (DM) and Common-mode (CM) Wanted signals are always DM: they flow along the ‘send’ conductor, and flow back along the ‘return’ conductor(s). In single-ended signalling, all the return currents share a common conducting structure, usually the 0V of the DC power distribution system. In balanced (or ‘differential’) signalling there is a dedicated conductor for … [Read more...]
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