Electronics 101
Fundamental electronics knowledge and basic articles (not only) for beginners.
Measuring filter response using a noise source
If you own a spectrum analyzer with tracking generator or, even better, a good vector network analyzer, measuring the frequency response of a filter is fairly easy. But there is one old approach using a noise source that can turn any oscilloscope with a FFT spectrum view into a useful tool for determining the frequency […]
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Crystal oscillator frequency pulling
This video briefly explains how to influence a crystal oscillator’s frequency by introducing reactive elements such as trim capacitors and inductors:
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L-Network impedance matching
Impedance matching is an everyday problem for RF circuit designers. The L-Network is one of the easiest lossless ways of matching a low source impedance to a higher load impedance. This article shows how they work and how to design them. Matching a transistor amplifier’s low output impedance with the higher impedance of an antenna […]
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Blown Capacitors – Repairing LCDs and TFTs
Blown capacitors have been around as long as capacitors themselves. Replacing defective capacitors is something every electronics engineer should be capable off. Let’s have a look how to turn a broken LC Display back into a functioning device. Free TVs and computer screens are almost literally laying on the side of the road. About a […]
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Why you should use high quality soldering tips
That a chain is only as strong as the weakest link should be common sense. Yet I see many people investing into extremely cheap soldering irons and then being surprised about their weak performance. Let’s compare tips of a budget soldering iron and a professional brand soldering iron. A while back I read an article […]
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