Pasternack Blog

A Gunn diode, though very unlike other common semiconductor diodes, is a transferred electron device (TED) that presents a negative resistance after its threshold voltage is adequately exceeded. The controllable negative resistance properties of a Gunn Diode allows it to be used as a microwave oscillator, and these devices are often used in microwave communications, ..

In our last post, the potential benefits of rugged RF test cables for handheld analyzers and cable testers was discussed. In this post, we will focus more on the features of rugged RF test cables, and how they provide benefits for harsh environment and use applications. As was mentioned in the last blog, the main ..

The most recent handheld RF analyzers and cable testers for telecommunications are multi-functional instruments rich with features, and offer near-laboratory grade performance. This is extremely impressive considering many of these testers, which operate as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, fault testers, signal generators, power meters, modulation analyzers, amongst other features, can be slung over a shoulder ..

In many applications, a threaded RF connection may be impractical, or even impossible. Some examples include panel, daughter cards, or inserts with many RF connections. In these cases the pitch between the connectors may necessarily be too small for a threaded nut, or the card/assembly may be inserted into a slot where there is no ..

There are many coaxial connectors used in wireless and wired networks, including DIN 7/16, N, 4.1/9.5, and the 4.3-10 interface. Typically, the choice of a connector boils down to economics, power handling, size, and installation criteria. However, the increasing number of wireless network bands and mobile data rates pose a very stringent requirement for transmission ..

There are many cases, especially within buildings, tunnels, large public venues, stadiums, and etc. where the signals from a cell tower does not provide sufficient coverage, or the density of users is just too great for a typical cellular approach. In these circumstances DAS installation can be employed to enhance the coverage in these areas, ..

Small Cells are essentially a mobile wireless installation that is smaller in scope and size than a traditional macro base station. So, why are Small Cells, which provide less coverage and necessarily are composed of equipment that may not have the full capability of macro-cells, on the rise? An important note is that the term ..

The 5th Generation of Mobile Wireless (5G) has been a hot topic of discussion for the past several years, and is likely about to be a hot economic topic and 5G trials and rollouts begin this year and next year. Most people are familiar with the upgrade from 3G to 4G, and appreciate the ability ..

Effective, or equivalent, isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is a measurement of the optimum power that can be radiated from an antenna from a particular transmitter. Most often conveyed as either decibels (dB), or decibels over isotropic (dBi), EIRP is used to gauge the maximum possible radiation from an RF system, either for standards purposes or ..

Antenna polarization, much like polarization with light, and nothing to do with arctic weather, and everything to do with the transmission and reception of electromagnetic radiation based on its orientation. With light polarization, a film or glass will appear darker, and block, light which is polarized in a certain direction, while allowing correctly polarized light ..