Pasternack Blog

Depending upon the frequencies, power levels, and physical requirements, either coaxial or waveguide interconnects are used for high power RF and Microwave applications. Both technologies vary in size as a function of frequency and require higher precision materials and manufacturing processes to handle higher power levels. Generally, as a product of the way the RF ..

A Radio Frequency mixer is a three-port passive or active device that combines two or more signals into one or two composite output signals, and is the backbone of heterodyne and superheterodyne communications technologies. The purpose of a mixer is to produce a signal at a new frequency, while preserving other characteristics of the initial ..

A Bi-Directional amplifier (BDA) is a device that locates a wireless signal, amplifies it, and then rebroadcasts it throughout a building or area. The backbone of most range or signal extending technologies is a relatively simple dual amplifier device with an integrated low noise amplifier (LNA) and power amplifier (PA). The Bi-Directional amplifier either enables ..

Waveguides are predominantly constructed entirely with conductive metals, with the exception of pressure windows, some gaskets  and jacketing materials. Generally, this means that waveguides are constructed in machining facilities by technicians knowledgeable in waveguide construction. Some of this knowledge is based in physics, such as the proper bend radius and lengths of bends, and some ..

Phase Shifters are a critical component in many RF and Microwave systems. A phase shift module is a microwave network module which provides a controllable phase shift of the RF signal and are used in phased arrays. Phase shifters are used to change the transmission phase angle of a two-port network. Applications include controlling the ..

As every adapter and termination can introduce unwanted insertion loss and reflections. Carefully choosing the right component can prevent unwanted signal degradation and potential damage to sensitive electronics. Adapters and terminations come in many forms, generally coaxial or waveguide for high power applications. Additionally, adapters can be more complex as the sizes and types of ..

Attenuators are an intrinsic part of many electrical designs, due to their utility in controlling amplitude and ability to improve the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of a poorly matched load. Some applications include test set ups that leverage fixed attenuators as protection before test equipment to stay within the dynamic range of the equipment. ..

Phase noise and its time-domain counterpart, jitter have been studied in radar and communications systems since the phenomenon was first observed. Though always a concern, recent advances in high-speed digital modulation schemes and advanced radar, which also used complex digital modulation techniques for pulse compression, have led to radar and communication systems being more susceptible ..

The US defense standards, commonly referred to as MilSpec, are developed by the US DoD for the purpose of enhancing interoperability among critical defense systems. The goal of the standards is to provide precise descriptions on the procedures and practices for the design, manufacturing, and deployment of military devices and equipment. Ultimately, the standards aim ..

Following from the name, a waveguide is a hollow conductive structure that guides an EM wave along a path. The conductive inner walls of the waveguide bounce EM energy along the path with low-loss and close to light speed. Waveguides are commonly cylindrical, elliptical, or rectangular. In a rectangular waveguide, transverse electric (TE), or H-wave, ..