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Testing Basics: Radio Frequency

Welcome to this installment of EE Classroom on Testing Basics: Radio Frequency


For all the various components and systems that are part of our Learning Center classrooms, their one common denominator is the absolute requirement for testing. The complexity of electronic devices, and the emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mean every step of device design must be tested thoroughly. From a humble probe to network analyzers, testing hits every level on the spectrum.


As a “Testing Basics 201”, this classroom follows the previous Testing Basics Classroom, and offers educational content focused on various basics around RF measurement instrumentation. Additionally, you will find tutorials on topics ranging from RF power measurement, to impedance in RF transmission lines, to the importance of scattering parameters (not the math-intensive version).


And, once again, unlike some devices you are testing…these classes aren’t Pass/Fail.

Aimee Kalnoskas

Editor in Chief, EE World Online

Antennas  •  Modulation

What is passive intermodulation?

Antennas and antenna measurements

Single-sideband modulation and its measurement

Antennas and antenna measurements

Passive intermodulation (PIM) is a pernicious and destructive phenomenon for cellular network operators.

How an antenna is situated and terminated determines its behavior in transmitting and/or receiving.

SSB's reduced power consumption and bandwidth have it to play an important role in the current overall transmission picture.

Antenna dimensions on antenna qualities are key factors enter into design and measurement scenarios.

RF Power  •  VSWR  •  Impedance

The basics of VSWR and impedance

Measure power in complex RF signals

RF power measurement: What, why, how, where

What are the functions and principles of S-parameters?

Understanding the role and implications of impedance in RF transmission lines and antennas is vital to successful system performance.

Average and peak power measurement require that you use a broadband or narrowband configuration.

Some of the basic issues associated with the measurement of RF power.

A look at the measurement and application and relationship of S-parameters to the time domain.

 Instrumentation  •  5G 

DSS lets 5G and LTE share spectrum

The difference between SWR and TDR meters

Attenuation networks and their measurements

Dynamic spectrum sharing of 5G and LTE networks addresses the need for spectrum, particularly at mid-band frequencies.

A contrast of the operation of meters that both involve reflected waveforms.

For accuracy, an attenuator's insertion loss is generally measured using a network analyzer.

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