Glossary

amplification: The process of increasing a signal level by applying it to the input of an amplifier circuit.
amplitude balance: The comparison of the two power levels at the output of a quadrature hybrid. It indicates the difference in amplitude, if any, between the two outputs.
anisotropy: The ratio of the dielectric constant in the X-Y plane to the dielectric constant in the Z-plane ( ? _xy/ ? _z).
attenuate: To lessen the value of a signal. Attenuation is measured in decibels.
automatic leveling circuit (ALC): A circuit that takes an unleveled RF input signal and provides an output that is flat across a wide band of frequencies.
average power: The peak power of a signal multiplied by the duty cycle of the system.

bandwidth: The band of frequencies over which a component or a system works; also, the band of frequencies over which the specifications of a data sheet are valid.
Barkhausen criteria: The criteria for sustaining oscillations in a circuit. They are: a signal must be exactly in phase with the original input signal and the gain around the loop must be exactly equal to ONE.
bipolar device: A device that has a construction such that there are majority carriers (electrons) and minority carriers (holes) moving through the device, for example, a bipolar transistor.
Bluetooth: A standard used for wireless technology that operates at 2.4 GHz.

carrier lifetime: The measure of the ability of a PIN diode to store an electrical charge.

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Microwaves and Wireless Simplified, Second Edition