TABLE OF CONTENTS This book provides an introduction to RF and microwave amplifier design. As with all areas of electrical engineering, special components, materials and skills are needed to design RF and microwave amplifiers. Covered in this book are techniques and examples for designing small signal amplifiers. The term small signal refers to the amplifier application, not necessarily the actual size of the signal. A small signal amplifier is a linear circuit in which the input or output signal strength does not affect the circuit's electrical properties. If we were to change the signal amplitude at the input to the amplifier, the output signal would change in the same proportions. For example, an increase in the input by 5 dB would result in an increase in the output by 5 dB. We use analysis and design techniques that are based in linear network theory.
At microwave frequencies, special components are used. We will use microwave transistors in these design examples. To build small signal amplifiers, high-frequency transistors, capacitors and resistors are used, which are specially designed for these frequency bands. This book focuses on the design of single-transistor amplifiers. These transistors are manufactured and sold for use in certain frequency bands. Their electrical properties have been optimized to perform a specific task such as power amplification or receiver front ends. In addition, special design considerations must be made at high frequencies.
As a signal frequency increases, waves "bounce" between components. They cease to be static and begin to interact. Signals propagate both...
