Appendix B. Specifications

This appendix is intended for people working in the RF industry who need to understand the arcane language of component performance. Contained herein are the most common electrical performance characteristics of RF components. Each parameter is broken down by its specification name, its most common symbol or acronym, the unit of measure, and where it is most often used.

SpecificationSymbol or AcronymUnit of measureTypically measures
Amplitude unbalance dBThe difference in insertion loss on two paths of a power divider.
Attenuation dBThe amount of signal loss in an attenuator or other passive component.
BandwidthBWMHz, GHzThe useful frequency range of a component.
Compression point (output)P1dBdBmThe linear power output capability of a component.
Compression point (input) dBmThe linear power input capability of a component.
Conversion gain dBThe signal gain in an active mixer.
Conversion lossCLdBThe insertion loss in a passive mixer.
Coupling dBThe amount of the signal which is "siphoned off" in a directional coupler.
Directivity dBThe ability of a directional coupler to direct RF energy onto the desired port.
GainGdBThe amount a signal increases as it passes through an amplifier.
Gain flatnessΔGdBHow much the gain of an amplifier varies over its bandwidth.
Harmonics (suppression) dBcThe amount of unwanted signals, in a particular bandwidth, which are a frequency multiple of the desired signal.
Image rejection dBThe amount of attenuation of the unwanted signal coming out of a mixer.
ImpedanceΩohmsThe resistance a signal experiences when entering a component.
Impedance ratioN:1 The impedance changing ability of a transformer.
Insertion lossILdBThe loss a signal experiences as it travels through a passive component.
Intermodulation distortionIMDdBcThe amount of unwanted signals as a result of mixing two signals.
IsolationISOLdBThe insertion loss in the open path of a switch or between two ports on a passive device.
MatchVSWRHow well a signal is transferred from one component to another.
Noise figureNFdBThe input sensitivity of a low noise amplifier.
Noise temperature °KThe input sensitivity of very low noise figure LNAs.
Phase noise dBc/HzSignal distortion resulting from unintended phase modulation.
Phase shiftδφdegreesThe angular shift in an RF signal as it travels through a component.
Phase unbalance degreesThe difference in phase shift on two paths of a power divider.
Power added efficiencyPAE%The efficiency with which a power amplifier turns DC power into RF power.
Pulling factor MHzThe change in the output frequency of an oscillator when the input impedance of the device it is driving changes.
Return lossRLdBThe amount of the signal which is reflected at the interface of two components.
Reverse isolationS12dBThe isolation from the output to the input of a component.
Saturated powerPsatdBmThe maximum amount of power an amplifier can put out.
Second order interceptIp2dBmThe linearity of a component.
SelectivityQThe efficiency of a filter in tuning out unwanted frequencies.
Settling time msecThe time it takes for a VCO's output to stabilize after a frequency change.
Spurious noise (spurs) dBcRandom noise in an RF signal.
Stability ppmThe change in output frequency of an oscillator over time.
Switching timetswmsec, nsecThe time for a switch to change positions.
Thermal impedanceθjc°C/WThe rise in temperature of a component which is dissipating power.
Third order intercept (output)Ip3, OIPdBmThe linearity of a component's output signal.
Third order intercept (input)IIPdBmThe linearity of a component's input signal.
Tuning sensitivity MHz/VThe change in the output frequency of a VCO with a change in the control voltage.

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