RF Theory

Telegrapher's equations, characteristic impedance, VSWR, stubs, λ/4 transformer and Smith chart — with 8 worked examples.

Quarter-wave transformer, L-network, single stub and double stub matching with full Smith chart walkthroughs and verified designs.

Thermal noise, noise figure, Friis cascade, sensitivity, IIP3, P1dB and dynamic range with receiver design examples.

Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel — LP prototype tables, denormalization, BP/HP/BS transformations and practical microwave filter design.

Upconversion, downconversion, IQ mixers, LO injection, conversion loss, isolation, image frequency and practical receiver design examples.

Every spur type explained — image, half-IF, IM3, IM2, LO harmonics, IF feedthrough and LO self-mix. Interactive spur table generator with live spectrum visualiser.

Power curves, P1dB, IP3, noise figure, all amplifier types (LNA/PA/VGA), PA classes A–F and S-parameter interpretation.

What S-parameters physically mean, how a VNA works, calibration, Smith chart geography, Touchstone files and reading every plot type.

What each does, whether duplexer is a subset of diplexer, how a circulator differs, and when to use each — with block diagrams and real system examples.

Gain, directivity, EIRP, near/far field, HPBW, polarisation and feed impedance — with interactive 3D radiation pattern viewers for dipole and microstrip patch.

How a PLL works, charge pump loop, VCO gain, loop filter design, lock time, phase noise (Leeson's model), reference spurs, integer-N vs fractional-N — interactive loop filter calculator and Bode plot.

EIRP, path loss, receiver sensitivity, noise floor, fade margin, rain attenuation, link margin — four fully worked examples (WiFi, LTE, satellite, radar) and a link budget waterfall diagram.