"The Art of Microwaves" or similar? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2019, 11:02:26 am
content: Are there any books equivalent to "The Art of Electronics", but for microwaves, with exercises and experimental builds, too? Or a website?If not microwave, at least RF, but with DIY experiments, too, not theory only.Any other approaches recommended, please?

author: scatha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 12:22:40 am
content: Some of the ARRL publications might fit the bill, "Experimental Methods in RF Design" and the "UHF/Microwave Experimenter's Manual" for instance.

author: dcarr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 12:32:57 am
content: Check out Planar Microwave Engineering by Thomas Lee.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 10:23:02 am
content: Found this sample (the first chapter, "A microhistory of microwave technology") while searching for the book "Planar Microwave Engineering" by Thomas Lee:https://assets.cambridge.org/052183/5267/sample/0521835267ws.pdfA joy to read, from spark transmitter to radar in less than 30 pages, with lots of insights I didn't know. Thank you.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 06:10:13 pm
content: Sigh..That's my 5th book purchase in the last week.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 01:21:04 am
content: your brain on RF literature

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 02:21:12 am
content: I'm usually smiling when I'm reading. It's only when I confront the reality of RF that it gets painful.That's why my bench stops at 3 GHz. I'll leave the spectrum above that to people with a higher threshold of pain.

author: dave3533
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 02:37:45 am
content: Another vote for ARRL publications, for examplehttp://www.arrl.org/arrl-handbook-2019

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 03:21:22 am
content: Quote from: rhb on March 06, 2019, 02:21:12 amI think you get a better idea of whats going on if you try it all. Even if its shoddy multi GHZ experiments like I have conducted its still kind of enlightening to play with it. Even if you touch it just a bit witholdequipment you still get a better idea of what is happening and when other people talk about phenomena.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 11:58:28 am
content: You're neglecting the exponential rise in T&M cost. I've already spent $15K to reach 3 GHz. It would have cost triple that to go to 6 GHz. However, I am considering a CSA803 with SD24 and SD30 or SD32 heads.Keysight has a really nice new DSO that reaches 110 GHz you might want to consider if you have a couple million lying around.

author: SpencerTC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 01:09:01 pm
content: Quote from: rhb on March 06, 2019, 11:58:28 amIf you buy used and are patient enough to wait on a deal, then you can affordably get into the sub 18 GHz range. I'll give a few of my examples: 8753ES (30KHz-6GHz VNA) $4800 --- 141T/8555A/8552B (10MHz-18GHz SA) $150 --- 5348A (10Hz-26.5GHz counter/power meter) $85 ---11517A (12.4GHz-40GHz external mixer for 141T{possibly other equipment if configured correctly}) $5 ---54845A (1.5GHz BW oscilloscope) $485{broken, had to repair} --- 08747-60022(26.5GHz-40GHz external mixer) I forgot what I paid, but it wasn't much.I alluded to (with the mention of my 11517A) the technique of mixing externally to the instrument, this can get you into MUCH higher frequencies without the investment in top tier gear.EDIT:07:09CST: I forgot to mention some books I like, and I'll admit I haven't read all posts so these may have been mentioned already, Microwave Engineering - David M. Pozar / The Radio Amateur's Handbook - ARRL / Communication Engineering - Everitt

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 01:23:09 pm
content: Quote from: rhb on March 06, 2019, 11:58:28 amyou don't need primo stuff to transmit something into a shoddy antenna or whatever.accurate to 10db so what, you still get an idea of how the signal acts etcjust ignore the little notches

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 02:16:23 pm
content: I just got an 8753B w/ 85046A S parameter set for $1636 delivered. The 8753B will go to 6 GHz, but a 6 GHz 85047A S parameter set will cost almost as much as what I spent to reach 3 GHz.I'm sure I could find uses for greater BW, but there's nothing I'm particularly interested in above 3 GHz. Though I am considering getting a CSA803 w/ SD24 and SD30 heads. I just got a 100 pS spike generator from Leo Bodnar which is absolutely awesome. And after 37 years of working mostly in the time domain, I've very comfortable there. I can generally look at a time domain response and visualize the frequency domain amplitude and phase without actually computing an FFT.I want to spend my time doing things besides stalking deals on T&M kit. Looking at eBay and mailing list offerings, reading datasheets, etc is a huge time sink. Aside from the rapidly rising price tag, I don't see a use for it, so for me the benefit/cost ratio is very small going above 3 GHz.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 02:54:40 pm
content: Yes it is absolutely exhausting to troll for cheap equipment and think like 8 steps ahead about what you might put together in 12 months.Hard to get any work done unless your a very long term thinker. I can appreciate paying more for promptness because when everything is permamently on hold and your playing turn based electronics ypu start getting a little crazyAnd you are always studying. If you pay alot some sales guy will optomize some kinda decent mostly modern generally acceptable solution unless you are high performance work.

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2019, 10:40:09 pm
content: Some recommendations:RF Systems, Components, and Circuits Handbook F.A. Losee Artech HouseIntroduction to RF Equipment and System Design Pekka Eskelinen Artech HouseElectromagnetics, Microwave Circuit and Antenna Design for Communications Engineering Peter Russer Artech HouseThe RF and Microwave Circuit Design Cookbook Stephen A. Maas Artech HouseMicrowave and Millimeter-Wave Electronic Packaging Rick Sturdivant Artech HouseRF Design Guide - Systems, Circuits and Equations Peter Vizmuller Artech HouseRF and Microwave Oscillator Design Michael Odyniec Artech HouseBroadband Microwave Amplifiers B.S.Virdee, A.S.Virdee, B.Y.Banyamin Artech HouseAdvanced Techniques in RF Power Amplifier Design Steve C. Cripps Artech HouseModern Microwave Circuits N.Kinayman, M.I.Aksun Artech HouseMicrowave Component Mechanics H.Eskelinen, P.Eskelinen Artech HouseControl Components using Si, GaAs and GaN Technologies Inder J. Bahl Artech HouseMicrowave Circulator Design Douglas K. Linkheart Artech HousePhased Array Antenna Handbook Robert J. Mailloux Artech HouseRadio-Frequency Electronics - Circuits and Applications Jon B. Hagen Cambridge Univ. PressMicrowave and Wireless Measurement Techniques N.B.Carvalho, D.Schreurs Cambridge Univ. PressHandbook of RF and Microwave Power Amplifiers John L. B. Walker (Ed.) Cambridge Univ. PressThe RF and Microwave Handbook Editor in Chief Mike Golio CRC PressMicrowave Engineering - Concepts and Fundamentals Ahmad Shahid Khan CRC PressRF Circuit Design Techniques for MF-UHF Applications Abdullah Eroglu CRC PressWaveguide Handbook N. Marcuvitz P.Peregrinus/IEEHandbook of Microstrip Antennas J.R.James, P.S.Hall P.Peregrinus/IEEMicrowave Know How for the Radio Amateur Andy Barter (Ed.) RSGBMicrowave and RF Design - A Systems Approach Michael Steer Scitech Pub.Hoechstfrequenztechnik - Grundlagen, Schaltungstechnik, Messtechnik, Planare Antennen Gregor Gronau SpringerMicrowave Measurements R.J. Collier and A.D. Skinner The IETHochfrequenz-Messtechnik: Verfahren und Messsysteme M. Thumm, W. Wiesbeck, S. Kern TeubnerRF Circuit Design R.C. Li WileyRadio Frequency Circuit Design W. Alan Davis WileyHigh-Frequency Magnetic Components Marian K. Kazimierczuk WileyHandbook of Microwave Component Measurements with advanced VNA Techniques Joel P. Dunsmore WileyMicrowave Engineering David M. Pozar WileyMicrowave and Millimeter Wave Circuits and Systems A.Georgiadis, H.Rogier, L.Roselli, P.Arcioni WileyRF and Microwave Transmitter Design A. Grebennikov WileyFundamentals of RF and Microwave Transistor Amplifiers Inder J. Bahl WileyElectron Beams and Microwave Vacuum Electronics Shulim E. Tsimring WileyMicrowave Ring Circuits and related Structures Kai Chang, Lung-Hwa Hsieh WileyPractical RF System Design William F. Egan Wiley/IEEEHigh Frequency Techniques - An Introduction to RF and Microwave Engineering Joseph F. White Wiley/IEEENon-standard Antennas F.Le Chevalier et.al Wiley/ISTEEncyclopedia of RF and Microwave Engineering (Vol. I..VI) Kai Chang (Ed.) WileyFoundations for Radio Frequency Engineering Wen Geyi World Scientific Publ.Microwave Devices and Circuits Samuel Y. Liao Prentice-HallHigh Frequency and Microwave Engineering E. da Silva Butterworth-HeinemannPractical Radio-Frequency Handbook Ian Hickman NewnesPractical Radio Frequency Test and Measurement - A Technician's Handbook Joseph J. Carr NewnesRF Circuit Design Chris Bowick, John Blyler, Cheryl Ajluni NewnesRF Components and Circuits Joseph J. Carr NewnesRadio Frequency Transistors - Principles and Practical Applications Norman Dye, Helge Granberg NewnesThey match only partially your description, but you should be able to see whether they do on a first glance. I can personally recommend the titles from Artech House which I found to be of prime quality.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2019, 12:23:24 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on March 03, 2019, 10:23:02 amInterestingly, the blindingly fast rate of technological change in the first 40 years of the 20th Century is not well known amongst the 21st Century Electronics community.I largely put this down the fact that Electronics courses no longer have the biographical component which was common in earlier years.If you know a bit about who these early "greats" were, it gives you more insight into the thought processes which drove these astounding developments.My generation was lucky, in that many of the people involved in those early days were still alive &, in some cases remained in the forefront of development.

author: haydenph
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2019, 12:24:24 pm
content: I've recently enjoyed delving into microwaves. I like to keep things simple, still learning of course.Here is my microwave playlist for those interested.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSuX83ay4Oug_qJECIs_zgeIOiEGSnsbC

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2019, 12:57:43 pm
content: My favorite microwave channel is "The Signal Path"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKxRARSpahF1Mt-2vbPug-g

author: haydenph
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2019, 02:42:04 am
content: Hey that looks like a good channel, thanks I'll check it out

author: sixtimesseven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 09:56:06 am
content: Planar Microwaves is awesome. Got my library to purchase one for me and I just spend 5h with it yesterday

author: knapik
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2019, 06:35:48 am
content: Quote from: sixtimesseven on June 15, 2019, 09:56:06 amI'm jealous. I've been wanting to read it, but currently don't have the funds to purchase it yet and my university library doesn't have it either. RF Circuit Design by Ludwig and Bogdanov was used as my textbook on RF circuits, but I honestly didn't enjoy reading it very much.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2019, 10:56:16 am
content: Quote from: sixtimesseven on June 15, 2019, 09:56:06 amCan not find any "Planar Microwaves" book.Are you saying that about "Planar Microwave Engineering by Thomas Lee", or is it about some other book?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2019, 11:06:09 am
content: Quote from: scatha on March 03, 2019, 12:22:40 amHave both of these. Recommended

author: knapik
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 05:31:41 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on June 19, 2019, 10:56:16 amYeah, the Thomas H. Lee book is the one sixtimesseven is talking about.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2019, 05:06:31 pm
content: FWIW Lee cites "Microwave Engineering" by David Pozar quite a bit for the details of derivations so I picked up a SE Asian student edition. I've not read it yet. I got stalled 1/2 way through Lee by other projects. But Pozar writes well from the brief examination I've given it.The discussion of plane wave reflection from a semi-infinite medium interface seems rather brief, so I'm not sure it is really complete. I'm *very* familiar with the elastic case. That is very complex and I'd be surprised if EM were not as complex when you get into the fine details. Lee cited Pozar in enough places that I thought it advisable to have a copy of Pozar on the shelf. I feel confident it will prove a good investment.I also have Jin's "Theory and Computation of Electromagnetic Fields" so I'm not concerned if Pozar is a bit light on the some of the fundamental details. Jian-Ming Jin's writing is superb. Arguably some of the best technical exposition on the practical details of understanding and applying EM theory. Jin is much more readable than Aki & Richards which is the canonical equivalent for elastic wave propagation.Jin is very direct and brief. Quite the opposite of Lee, but for complex mathematical physics, that's actually easier to understand. At Jin's level level of treatment you'll be spending a lot of time with a pencil and pad of paper as you read it. One of the great strengths of Jin's book is that he starts by reviewing vector calculus using his notation which is a much better approach than simply listing symbols. Having on occasion spent hours trying to find the definition of a term in an equation, that's a a big deal to me. I had to contact the author of "Poromechanics" when he introduced a symbol without any explanation. As it turned out, the place I encountered the term was the definition, but it was not at all clear that was the case.