Standard filters reflect unwanted stop-band energy, but reflectionless filters present a seamless impedance across both stop band and pass band which greatly improves performance of the RF signal chain. The higher frequency world of hundreds of megahertz and into gigahertz is very different than the low-frequency world. It is a world where design tools […]
FAQ
What are reflectionless filters? Part 1: Context
Standard filters reflect unwanted stopband energy, but reflectionless filters present a seamless impedance across both stopband and passband which greatly improves performance of the RF signal chain. Filters are an inherent, inescapable, necessary component in electrical and electronic circuits. Modern systems would be impractical and likely impossible without filters, whether at low frequencies down to […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 4: Enhancements, even the moon
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. This final part looks at the next generation of system satellites and some ideas for a similar lunar system. The MEOSAR satellites The most recent enhancement to […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 3: Space segment and satellites
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. Cospas-Sarsat uses three types of satellites: low-Earth orbit search-and-rescue (LEOSAR), medium-Earth orbit search-and-rescue (MEOSAR), and high-altitude geosynchronous orbit search-and-rescue (GEOSAR satellites). There are five LEOSAR, seven GEOSAR, […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 2: Ground segment and transmitter beacons
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. Over one million emergency beacons are in use worldwide, all operating at 406 MHz (with some exceptions, called out below). Cospas-Sarsat does not manufacture or sell beacons. […]
Medical PCB assembly: Know these regulations and standards
by Ken Ghadia, Sales Engineer, TechnoTronix The reliability and safety of Medical PCB assembly are of utmost importance as they directly impact human healthcare. It is one of the most critical applications that demand the best PCB performance. Setting stringent regulatory standards is compulsory in medical device manufacturing. The standards also apply to the printed circuit […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 1: The overall system
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. You’ve undoubtedly seen or read stories about someone miraculously recused at sea or in some relatively uninhabited, remote part of the Earth, without a way to call […]
The difference between VSWR and the S11 reflection coefficient
A traveling signal along an electrical transmission line reflects back toward the source when one or more events occurs: One or both of the conductors is open at the far end (receiving end). The conductors are shorted at the far end (very common). There is a discontinuity in the characteristic impedance or an electrical fault […]
How do time-of-flight sensors work?
Using the time-of-flight (ToF) principle, a ToF sensor measures the distance between the sensor and an object. The sensor emits a signal that is reflected off an object and then detects the time for a round trip to occur. Typically, either light or sound waves can provide the transmitted signal. In either case, the distance […]
Electric charge and instruments used to measure it
Many devices have been built for measuring electric charge. One of the first was the gold-leaf electroscope. When a charged object touches the metal knob at the outer end of the rod, the charge flows down to the leaves. The leaves diverge due to the repulsion of like charges they have received. The degree of […]