Subscription Updates June 2022

Course Added: Phase Noise and Jitter

Waleed Khalil's popular course on Phase Noise and Jitter has been added to the subscription catalog. This short course covers the fundamentals of phase noise and jitter, which ultimately set the limit to PLL performance in applications such as frequency synthesis, serial data communication and clock/data recovery. Simple techniques to model phase noise at the circuit component-level and relate it to the overall phase noise and jitter performance of PLLs are presented. The course will also provide a detailed analysis of the different phase noise measurement techniques along with in-depth noise floor analysis. The focus throughout this course will be on providing practical measures utilizing numerous real life examples.

Premium Tutorial: Jammers Part 2

Scott Bullock continues the tutorial about jammers with a new lecture covering the following topics:

  • Spot Jammer – jams a single frequency
  • Barrage – Sends out a barrage of frequencies
  • CW – High power at frequency of interest
    • Receiver only has so much process gain
    • Saturates or de-sensitizes the receiver
  • Repeater Jammer – Repeats the waveform with delay
  • Burst or Pulsed – high power pulse, low average power
    • Captures the AGC
  • Cognitive – adapts to the receiver’s anti-jam techniques

Premium Tutorial: mmWave Devices

Ali Darwish has completed his mmWave IC tutorial. The new lecture covers:

  • What is a MMIC?
  • MMIC vs Hybrid Circuits
  • Cost
  • MMIC vs RFIC
  • Pros and Cons
  • Applications
  • High vs Low Frequency Limit

RF and Wireless a la Carte Update


The RF and Wireless a la Carte course has been extended to include a section on LNA Design concepts. These include:

  • Noise figure definition
  • 2 port Noise Factors
  • Noise and Gain Circles on the Smith Chart
  • LNA Design Example

Entry Date

5/27/22

Current Subscription Catalog

Subscription Courses

Five 90-minute sessions. This seminar discusses techniques for identifying the sources of unwanted coupling and radiation, and systematic approaches for their minimization. This course is available as part of the RF Mentor Academy subscription.
The need for impedance matching is rooted in basic AC circuit analysis principles. In basic terms, maximum power transfer occurs when the current and voltage are in phase. This workshop examines analytical techniques to design impedance matching networks that deliver the most power possible to an RF load. Q factor and its effect on matching network bandwidth are also described.
Three two-hour sessions. Timing-related problems associated with signal sources are one of the major bottlenecks in designing today’s highly complex systems. Over many decades, jitter has been extensively studied and utilized to characterize timing inaccuracies in both digital and analog systems. Conversely, phase noise has been exclusively used in RF systems to represent frequency or phase inaccuracy. For both timing and frequency sensitive systems, phase noise measurement is emerging to be the most accurate method of characterizing all types of signal sources (RF, analog or digital).
Learn how to speak engineer…or at least understand them!…and learn at your own pace.…
This course presents core concepts essential in understanding RF technology and presents circuit-level designers with the foundation needed to work effectively with high frequency electronics. Participants gain analytical, graphical ( Smith Chart ), and computer-aided techniques to analyze and optimize RF circuits in practical situations.
Three two-hour sessions. There are a number of semiconductor technologies being used for power amplifier design. This course introduces students to the GaN transistor, its properties, various structures, discrete and MMIC devices. The properties of GaN will be presented showing the advantage of these devices over other materials for power amplifier applications.
Discover the RF and Wireless Passport program - exclusively on RF Mentor Academy Subscription!

Subscription Tutorials

A series of tutorials in "chalk-talk" format, similar to courses on the popular "Khan Academy" site.
This seminar covers the basics of analog and digital modulation, including sampling and pulsed signals. The fundamental digital modulation formats such as BPSK, QPSK, and QAM are described. Continuous-phase formats (MSK, FSK) are covered as well.
This tutorial series by instructor Scott Bullock consists of three parts.Part 1 describes the operation of Automatic Gain Control (AGC) systems, a key target of electronic warfare (EW) attack strategies. Topics discussed include:AGC PrinciplesDesignsFeedbackControl SystemLoop filter, Threshold level, IntegratorControl TheoryAGC ResponsesError analysisBode Plots/StabilityAGC Jamming: Burst/PulseCapturing the AGCReducing Burst Jammers
Explore the unique benefits of mmWave technology for RF applications in this two part premium tutorial with Dr. Ali Darwish.
Besser Associates instructor Scott Bullock presents a tutorial webcast on Introduction to Receivers.Topics covered in the webinar include:Parts of the ReceiverImage FrequencyLNA'sMixer Spur AnalysisHigh/Low Level Mixers and IntermodulationPhase NoiseFilters/Group DelayDynamic RangeAGCMinimum Discernible SignalTangential Sensitivity
One-hour webinar. Instructor Allen Podell gives a brief overview of the basics of RF power amplifier design.
One hour tutorial on reflectionless filters design by instructor Bob Froelich.
Instructor Bob Froelich presents a one-hour tutorial webcast on Small Signal Amplifiers.This presentation includes the following topics:Small-Signal ApplicationsSmall-Signal Performance MetricsGainNoise FigureDistortionPower ConsumptionDC BiasIncludes prototype online self study guide
This one-hour webinar provides an overview and introduction to the unique issues related to space-terrestrial comms links.
This webinar will provide an overview of areas 5G will address.  We will begin with a discussion on the shortcomings of present day cellular systems to highlight the items needing to be addressed in 5G.  Provide the overall 5G goals and pillar use cases as defined by ITU.  Several deployment options will be provided and summary of the 3GPP scenarios provided.

Purchase Subscription

One Year Subscription
Price:
$995.00

Subscription Latest Updates

Learn individual topics from three of our all-time most popular RF/Wireless courses at your own pace. Topics have been organized into groups using a "Passport" format, allowing you to complete segments of courses and track your completion progress. View lectures by instructor Rick Fornes and answer some basic review questions to "stamp" your passport towards completing the courses. Earn a certificate of completion for a course when all topic groups for that course are completed. Some topic groups appear in multiple courses - earn progress for multiple courses at once!
Course Added: Phase Noise and JitterWaleed Khalil's popular course on Phase Noise and Jitter has been added to the subscription catalog. This short course covers the fundamentals of phase noise and jitter, which ultimately set the limit to PLL performance in applications such as frequency synthesis, serial data communication and clock/data recovery.
Expring Soon - Last Chance!These courses are leaving the subscription program soon. Take advantage of this great content while you can!
New Premium Tutorial: Automatic Gain ControlInstructor Scott Bullock has prepared a premium tutorial  on Automatic Gain Control, Burst or Pulse Jammer Improvement, and Reduce Results  as part of a new Electronic Warfare Tutorial Series.
New Premium Tutorial: Part 1 of  Integrated Circuits for mmWave ApplicationsInstructor Ali Darwish has prepared a premium tutorial (part 1 of 3) on Integrated Circuits for mmWave. This new premium tutorial is now available for all RF Mentor Academy Subscribers.