Passive Components in RF Circuits
Resistors, capacitors, Antennas. . . . Learn about passive components used in RF systems.
RF systems are not fundamentally different from other types of electric circuits. The same laws of physics apply, and consequently the basic components used in RF designs are also found in digital circuits and low-frequency analog circuits.
However, RF design involves a unique set of challenges and objectives, and consequently the characteristics and uses of components call for special consideration when we are operating in the context of RF. Also, some integrated circuits perform functionality that is highly specific to RF systems—they are not used in low-frequency circuits and may not be well understood by those who have little experience with RF design techniques.
We often categorize components as either active or passive, and this approach is equally valid in the realm of RF. The news discusses passive components specifically in relation to RF circuits, and the next page covers active components.
Capacitors
An ideal capacitor would provide exactly the same functionality for a 1 Hz signal and a 1 GHz signal. But components are never ideal, and the nonidealities of a capacitor can be quite significant at high frequencies.
“C” corresponds to the ideal capacitor that is buried among so many parasitic elements. We have non-infinite resistance between the plates (RD), series resistance (RS), series inductance (LS), and parallel capacitance (CP) between the PCB pads and the ground plane (we’re assuming surface-mount components; more on this later).
The most significant nonideality when we’re working with high-frequency signals is the inductance. We expect the impedance of a capacitor to endlessly decrease as frequency increases, but the presence of the parasitic inductance causes the impedance to dip down at the self-resonant frequency and then begin to increase:
Resistors, et al.
Even resistors can be troublesome at high frequencies, because they have series inductance, parallel capacitance, and the typical capacitance associated with PCB pads.
And this brings up an important point: when you’re working with high frequencies, parasitic circuit elements are everywhere. No matter how simple or ideal a resistive element is, it still needs to be packaged and soldered to a PCB, and the result is parasitics. The same applies to any other component: if it’s packaged and soldered to the board, parasitic elements are present.
Crystals
The essence of RF is manipulating high-frequency signals so that they convey information, but before we manipulate we need to generate. As in other types of circuits, crystals are a fundamental means of generating a stable frequency reference.
However, in digital and mixed-signal design, it is often the case that crystal-based circuits actually do not require the precision that a crystal can provide, and consequently it’s easy to become careless with regard to crystal selection. An RF circuit, in contrast, may have strict frequency requirements, and this calls for not only initial frequency precision but also frequency stability.
The oscillation frequency of an ordinary crystal is sensitive to temperature variations. The resulting frequency instability creates problems for RF systems, especially systems that will be exposed to large variations in ambient temperature. Thus, a system may require a TCXO, i.e., a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator. These devices incorporate circuitry that compensates for the crystal’s frequency variations:
Antennas
An antenna is a passive component that is used to convert an RF electrical signal into electromagnetic radiation (EMR), or vice versa. With other components and conductors we try to minimize the effects of EMR, and with antennas we try to optimize the generation or reception of EMR with respect to the needs of the application.
Antenna science is by no means simple. Various factors influence the process of choosing or designing an antenna that is optimal for a particular application. AAC has two articles (click here and here) that provide an excellent introduction to antenna concepts.
Higher frequencies are accompanied by various design challenges, though the antenna portion of the system can actually become less problematic as frequency increases, because higher frequencies allow for the use of shorter antennas. Nowadays it is common to use either a “chip antenna,” which is soldered to a PCB like typical surface-mount components, or a PCB antenna, which is created by incorporating a specially designed trace into the PCB layout.
Summary
Some components are common only in RF applications, and others must be chosen and implemented more carefully because of their nonideal high-frequency behavior.
Passive components exhibit nonideal frequency response as a result of parasitic inductance and capacitance.
RF applications may require crystals that are more accurate and/or stable than crystals commonly used in digital circuits.
Antennas are critical components that must be chosen according to the characteristics and requirements of an RF system.
Si Chuan Keenlion Microwave a large selection in narrowband and broadband configurations, covering frequencies from 0.5 to 50 GHz. They are designed to handle from 10 to 30 watts input power in a 50-ohm transmission system. Microstrip or stripline designs are utilized, and optimized for best performance.
Post time: Nov-03-2022
