Need implement RF gain equalizer (create uptilt in MMIC-based amplifier stage) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2025, 02:50:34 pm
content: I did some searching on eevblog forum and on internet and didn't find anything that I felt I could use as a starting point, so please forgive if this is FAQ or otherwise obvious?I need implement a MMIC RF gain stage that has some "uptilt" in gain (that is, somewhat more gain at higher frequencies, less at lower frequencies.) This sort of stage is common in cable TV line amplifiers (that compensate for tilt in coax segments).From what I have been able to find, a T-type resistive attenator with some parallel capacitance on the input and output sections and series inductance on the mid-point section is a way these can be built. What would be great would be an online calculator (or failing that, a calculation sequence) that would yield a nominally 50-ohm port impedance with a transfer function that has some desired degree of uptilt.Any suggestion/pointers?Thanks!

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2025, 08:29:55 am
content: maybe I misundestood but... won't an high pass filter achieve what you're asking ?

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2025, 12:18:35 pm
content: A high pass filter is the correct concept, however, the db/octave or db/decade tilt in the MMIC is lower than db/octave or db/decade tilt in a high pass filter. For example, an ideal high pass filter has 100% loss until "knee" frequency, then 0% loss. In the MMIC amplifier, the loss increases slowly across the whole specified frequency range, by some factor that is unique to the individual device type. So, equalizer needs to be designed to match this slow increase in loss (decrease in gain) with a equivalent-but-opposite effect. That is why a calculator or design tool would be helpful.I have seen some designs (which use resistor/capacitor and resistor/inductor pairs to create very low Q, this I think is the general concept, but detail implementation method is still not seen, but I am sure exists.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2025, 05:44:55 pm
content: You could use a gain slope equalizer MMIC.https://www.minicircuits.com/appdoc/AN60-106.htmlMCL makes a few equalizer components, up to 6 GHz. Other MMIC companies (Miller, Marki) make higher frequency components.

author: miniant
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 06, 2025, 08:06:40 am
content: Or you can build it yourself depending on your needs. You can easily simulate it with the RFSim 99 software.https://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/Equalizer.php

author: RFDx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2025, 03:48:57 am
content: Quote from: wb0gaz on April 04, 2025, 02:50:34 pmMatthew A. Morgan (2017): Reflectionless Filters, Artech House, Boston/London.On p.103 you can find a synthesis procedure for pos./neg. slope bridged-T equalizers. Compared to the more economic HP version, the BP configuration has better slope linearity and it actually reaches min. loss at the upper design frequency.

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 01:53:54 pm
content: Excellent, and thanks for the specific and detailed referrals!I am now awaiting PCB from chinese fab (so hopefully gets here "in time"), then will be ready for hands-on experimentation - the readings above are very much appreciated.Also, I did find the MCL inline equalizer components; hoping to DIY as this is personal use and the learning experience is >50% of the objective.Thanks again!

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 04:43:25 pm
content: Quote from: wb0gaz on April 05, 2025, 12:18:35 pmgive this toolhttps://markimicrowave.com/technical-resources/tools/lc-filter-design-tool/a tryHTH

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 07:06:51 pm
content: Thanks, A.Z. -I've used that tool from time to time before it was picked up by Marki, however, I've not seen the additional documentation (that appears before you click "Load Tool" before. The references to LTSPICE and QUCS are both encouraging (this task may well afford the motivation/opportunity to learn one of those two tools, although as I recall SPICE was available on the university CDC 6400 mainframe in 1975 when I was in undergraduate EE program.The suggestion is much appreciated!Dave