This book is about making measurements on radio frequency devices and in radio
frequency systems. "RF" is different from low frequencies for a number of reasons.
The chief reason is that component sizes approximate wavelengths in many cases,
so they become very important. Also, in certain cases stray inductance and capacitance
have a much more profound effect on RF circuits than they do on lower frequency
circuits. In this book you will find information about a number of topics,
including the basic theories of RF and any other form of measurement, as well as
some useful RF components for test and measurement. The Smith Chart is covered
(it would be a contradiction to leave it out). Additional topics include: signal
sources and signal generators; spectrum and network analyzers; RF power measurement;
measurement of time, frequency, and period; radio receiver measurements;
radio transmitter measurements; RF amplifier (including high-power
amplifier) measurements; antenna gain and pattern measurement; antenna and
transmission line measurements; L-C-R measurements at RF frequencies; and manual
Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurements.
My approach taken is to examine the instruments used in the various types
of measurement and then to look at practical measurement methods. The latter is
not always easily understood without knowledge of the former.