Efficiency:

The efficiency is defined as ratio of o/p power to total input power.

%(n)Efficiency(n)=poutpin×100

But Pin=Pout+Plosses

%(n)=PoutPout+Plosses×100

Where Plosses is the power lost in power transistor

Harmonic distortion:

Due to non-linear characteristics of transistors, distortion will be present on the o/p side of the amp.

That means, frequency components which are present on the i/p side will be present in the o/p.

This will distort the shape of the o/p of waveform. To measure the percentage of distortion, analysis
of o/p waveform is carried out.

REF: http://www.rfcafe.com/miscellany/quizzes-home.htm
7.  Why does the mechanism of noise generation in a mixer differ than that of an amplifier?
(see page 450)

8.  Why does a cascode amplifier provide higher gain than a single stage?

(see page 457)

9.  What is the equivalent of a triply-balanced mixer?

.  (see page 322)

Answers:

3. Which type of oscillator circuit is shown to the right?

 

RF Design Using EM Simulators 

1.What is an electric field?

a)  A plasmatic cluster of electrons

b)  The perpendicular component of a gravitational field
c)  An emotion-charged sports arena
d)  The potential gradient in space caused by voltage on a conductor

d)  The potential gradient in space caused by voltage on a conductor

"The electric field is the potential gradient caused by the voltage of the power supply
(electric potential difference) in the space around lines.  (see page 3)

2.  Where is current flow strongest on a microstrip line?

a)  Along the edges

b)  In the center
c)  Evenly distributed
d)  No current flows in a microstrip line

a)  Along the edge

Viewed from above, we see that current distribution is not uniform across the width
of the line. It flows most strongly along both edges of the line.  (see page 11)
3.  What is a meander line?

a)  A transmission line that wraps randomly around the substrate

b)  A reception line that wraps randomly around the substrate
c)  A transmission line that snakes back and forth along its length
d)  A transmission line layout named after Julius Meander

c)  A transmission line that snakes back and forth along its length

4.  Although microstrip lines are modeled as equivalent lumped element circuits, they are
actually:

a)  Many lumped elements

b)  Distributed elements
c)  Mechanical elements
d)  Magnetic elements

b)  Distributed elements

Microstrip lines are distributed circuits. 

5.  Why are microstrip line corners mitered in a bend?

a)  To reduce signal reflections

b)  To save metal
c)  To reduce substrate weight
d)  To allow denser packing of circuits

a) To reduce signal reflections

The mitered bend has substantially less reflection since a square corner
distorts the electromagnetic field, causing a reflected wave. 

6.  How can crosstalk between metal lines be reduced?

a)  Reduce the signal strength if possible

b)  Use a vertical isolation wall between the lines
c)  Use more separation between lines
d)  All the above

d)  All the above

Electromagnetic field lines between two or more lines can couple enough to
induce interference. The trick is to reduce that coupling. 
7.  How does current in the ground plane flow relative to the microstrip line above it?

a)  No current flows in the ground plane

b)  Perpendicular to the microstrip line
c)  Vertically
d)  Like a mirror image

d)  Like a mirror image

When we look at the current on the ground plane, we see that most of it
flows almost like a mirror image on the MSL directly above it. 

8.  What is a main motivation for using a differential pair transmission line?

a)  Crosstalk reduction

b)  High current handling
c)  Higher voltage handling
d)  Space savings

a)  Crosstalk reduction

The second line carries the return current rather than the ground plane, so
less signal current flows in the ground plane.  

9.  Which waveguide mode has the magnetic field component pointing in the
direction of the electromagnetic (EM) wave travel?

a)  Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) mode

b)  Transverse Magnetic (TM) mode
c)  Transverse Electric (TE) mode
d)  Obverse Magnetic (OE) mode

c)  Transverse Electric (TE) mode

The TE mode has all of the electric field perpendicular to the direction of
travel of the EM wave. There is some magnetic field pointing in the direction
of travel.  (see page 223)

10.  What is the main limit of a simulator's accuracy?

a)  Computer power

b)  Digitization increment size
c)  Number of circuits
d)  Display resolution
 b)  Digitization increment size
No matter how much we refine the cells or mesh, we cannot completely eliminate
error.

9. An amplifier has a voltage gain of 100 V/V and a current gain of 1000A/A.

https://electronicspost.com/multiple-choice-questions-and-answers-on-transistor-audio-power-
amplifiers/

Q1. The output stage of a multistage amplifier is also called ……………

Mixer stage
Power stage
Detector stage
F stage
Answer : 2

Q2. ………………. coupling is generally employed in power amplifiers

Transformer
RC
direct
Impedance
Answer : 1

Q3. A class A power amplifier uses …………

Two transistors
Three transistors
One transistor
None of the above
Answer : 3
Q4. The maximum efficiency of resistance loaded class A power amplifier is ……..

5%
50%
30%
25%
Answer : 4

Q5. The maximum efficiency of transformer coupled class A power amplifier is

………………

30%
50%
80%
45%
Answer : 2

Q6. Class……. power amplifier has the highest collector efficiency

C
A
B
AB
Answer : 1

Q7. Power amplifiers handle …………. signals compare to voltage amplifiers

Small
Very small
Large
None of the above
Answer : 3

Q8. In class A operation, the operating point is generally located ………. of the d.c. load line.

At cut off point

At the middle
At saturation point
None of the above
Answer : 2

Q9. Class C amplifiers are used as …………….

AF amplifiers
Detectors
F. amplifiers
None of the above
Answer : 3

Q10. A power amplifier has comparatively …………….. β

Small
Large
Very large
None of the above
Answer : 1

Q11. The maximum collector efficiency of class B operation is ……………..

50%
90%
5%
5%
Answer : 4

Q12. A 2-transistor class B power amplifier is commonly called ……….. amplifier

Dual
Push-pull
Symmetrical
Differential
Answer : 2

Q15. When a transistor is cut off……………..

1. Maximum voltage appears across transistor
2. Maximum current flows
3. Maximum voltage appears across load
4. None of the above
Answer : 1
Q16. A class A power amplifier is sometimes called ………….. amplifier
1. Symmetrical
2. Single-ended
3. Reciprocating
4. Differential
Answer : 2
Q17. Class ………….. operation gives the maximum distortion
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. AB
Answer : 3
Q18. The output stage of a multistage amplifier usually employs ………..
1. Push-pull amplifier
2. Preamplifier
3. Class A power amplifier
4. None of the above
Answer : 1
Q19. The size of a power transistor is made considerably large to
…………
1. Provide easy handling
2. Dissipate heat
3. Facilitate connections
4. None of the above
Answer : 2
Q20. Low efficiency of a power amplifier results in ……………….
1. Low forward bias
2. Less battery consumption
3. More battery consumption
4. None of the above
Answer : 3
Q21. The driver stage usually employs………….
1. Class A power amplifier
2. Push-pull amplifier
3. Class C amplifier
4. None of the above
Answer : 1

Q32. Power amplifiers generally use transformer coupling because

transformer permits……..
1. Cooling of the circuit
2. Impedance matching
3. Distortionless output
4. Good frequency response
Answer : 2
Q33. Transformer coupling can be used in …………… amplifiers
1. Either power or voltage
2. Only power
3. Only voltage
4. None of the above
Answer : 1
Q34. The output transformer used in a power amplifier is a …………….
transformer
1. 1:1 ratio
2. Step-up
3. Step-down
 4. None of the above
Answer : 3
Q35. The most important consideration in power amplifier is ………..
1. Biasing the circuit
2. Collector efficiency
3. To keep the transformer cool
4. None of the above
Answer : 2
Q36. An AF amplifier is shielded to …………
1. Keep the amplifier cool
2. Protect from rusting
3. Prevent induction due to stray magnetic fields
4. None of the above
Answer : 3
Q37. The pulsating d.c. applied to power amplifier causes ……………..
1. Burning of transistor
2. Hum in the circuit
3. Excessive forward voltage
4. None of the above
Answer : 2
Q38. The disadvantage of impedance matching is that it
………………….
1. Gives distorted output
2. Gives low power output
3. Requires a transformer
4. None of the above
Answer : 1
Q39. If the gain versus frequency curve of a transistor amplifier is not
flat, then there is distortion.
1. Amplitude
2. Intermodulation
3. Frequency
4. None of the above
Answer : 3
Q40. The most costly coupling is ……………… coupling
1. RC
2. Direct
3. Impedance
4. Transformer
Answer : 4
1. What comprises radio frequency signals?
a)  A stream of photons.
b)  Electromagnetic waves.
c)  Alpha rays (protons).
d)  Beta rays (electrons).
 
 b)  Electromagnetic waves.
An electromagnetic wave consists of time-varying electric and magnetic waves in phase with and
at right angles with respect to each other.
 

2. How does an antenna achieve gain when it has no active signal amplification?
a)  Excess electrons within the antenna structure increase the signal power.
b)  Gain is achieved by directing (concentrating) a majority of the signal in a preferred direction
rather than equally in all direction.
c)  By varying the diameter of the radiating elements.
d)  Antennas do not provide any sort of gain.
 
b)  Gain is achieved by directing (concentrating) a majority of the signal in a preferred direction
rather than equally in all direction.
As the radiation pattern plot to the right shows, the power contained in the main lob, compared to
all other directions, is greater. That represents a directional gain as compared to if the power was
spread out equally in all directions.
 

 
3. Why do RF people often speak of power in units of dBm and dBW rather than milliwatts and
watts, respectively?
a)  They are equivalent and therefore are interchangable.
b)  Using Latin words makes them appear intelligent.
c)  Scientific calculators and computer algorithms handle dBm and dBW more efficiently.
d)  Using dBm or dBW (decibels relative to a milliwatt or watt, respectively) allows multiplication
and division of gains and losses to be performed as addition and subtraction, respectively.
 

d)  Using dBm or dBW (decibels relative to a milliwatt or watt, respectively) allows multiplication
and division of gains and losses to be performed as addition and subtraction, respectively.
Using dBm or dBW (decibels relative to a milliwatt or watt, respectively) allows multiplication and
division of gains and losses to be performed as addition and subtraction, respectively.
The multiplication of A and B, A * B, is the equivalent of the addition of the logarithm (log) of A
and the log of B, log (A) + log (B).
A * B = log (A) + log (B).
The division of A by B, A / B, is the equivalent of the subtraction of the log of B from the log of A,
log (A) - log (B).
A / B = log (A) - log (B).
Therefore, dBm and dBW, both being logarithms of power ratios (relative to a milliwatt or watt,
respectively), allows gains and losses expressed in decibels (dB) to be added and subtracted
directly to power levels expressed in decibels (dBm, dBW).
Example: An amplification factor of 13 (13x) of a 250 mW signal yields 13 * 250 mW = 3,250 mW.
Equivalently, log (13) + log (250) = 1.11394 + 2.3979 = 3.51188. Antilog (3.51188) = 103.51188 =
3,250.
Keep in mind that although units of dBm and dBW are numerical ratios as is the dB, dBm and dBW
represent actual power levels in milliwatts and watts. There is a tendency for people to confuse
and conflate dB with dBm and dBW.
 
4. Why do coaxial (coax) cables specify a minimum bend radius?
a)  Too tight of a bend alters the internal physical dimension to where the impedance change
profoundly affects the internal signal.
b)  To prevent breakage.
c)  The outer insulation might split if the bend is too tight.
d)  Coaxial cables do not have a minimum bend radius.
 
 

a)  Too tight of a bend alters the internal physical dimension to

where the impedance change profoundly affects the internal signal.
The coaxial cable's characteristic impedance is a function of the radii of the outer metal shield and
the central conductor, and of the dielectric material that fills the space between them. Ideally, the
inner and outer conductors are perfectly round and perfectly concentric (i.e., coaxial). Changing
the geometry changes the impedance. A too-sharp bend alters the geometry by smashing
dielectric and shifting the center conductor off-center and thereby changes the impedance. Any
change in impedance sets up reflected waves inside the cable, which causes variations in the
signal amplitude along the length of the cable.

5. Why do discrete components - resistors, capacitors, and inductors - eventually not work as
frequencies increase beyond some point?
a)  Quantum mechanical tunneling dominates at high frequencies.
b)  Brownian motion randomizes the electron "walk,' and thereby limits the frequency.
c)  Parasitic resistance and reactance progressively dominates the component impedance as the
frequency increases.
d)  There is no frequency dependence in discrete components.
 

 
c)  Parasitic resistance and reactance progressively dominates the component impedance as the
frequency increases.

Capacitance exists between parallel conductor

surfaces such as between adjacent windings on an inductor or transformer as well as between
metal in other nearby components (including a circuit board ground plane and signal traces), etc.
Inductance is present in all lengths of metal such as external leads, internal bond wires (in IC's),
surface mount pads, etc. Those "parasitic" reactances can be ignored at low frequencies, but as
the frequency increases, their effects grow more significant. At a component's self-resonant
frequency (SRF), the magnitudes of capacitive and inductive reactance are equal, and above the
SRF the components exhibits the opposite form of reactance; i.e., capacitors act like inductors and
vice versa.
 
6. What can cause a poorly shielded AM or FM radio to change its audio level as you vary your
distance from it?
a)  Your body creates half of a capacitor (the radio and/or antenna is the other half) that can alter
the resonant frequency of the radio's local oscillator(s).
b)  Your fingers act like windings an inductor and detune the circuit.
c)  Your body reflects the radio waves away from the radio.
d)  Your natural aura is coupled to the radio receiver circuitry.
 
 
a)  Your body creates half of a capacitor (the radio and/or antenna is the other half) that can alter
the resonant frequency of the radio's local oscillator(s).

As a result, the intermediate frequencies (IF) shift

toward the edges of the IF filters rather than in the center, thereby attenuating the signal more
intensely.

7. What does the "S" in S-Parameters stand for?

a)  Splattering.
b)  Scintillation.
c)  Stability.
d)  Scattering.
 
 d)  Scattering.
     The term "scattering" in physics refers to deviation in the intended path of travel due to
interruptions. In the case of electrical signals, impedance discontinuities cause reflections. An s-
parameter matrix is used to mathematically describe the relative changes in signal strength and
phase. Each port (potential entrance or exit of the signal) has a unique set s-parameters that
describes it relationship with every other port. For example, in a 3-port device like a circulator,
S31 describes the signal exiting Port 1 when it is injected into Port 3. S33 describes the signal
exiting Port 3 when it is injected into Port 3; i.e., the portion of the injected signal that is reflected
back out the port.

8. What is the phase shift at the shorted end of a coaxial cable?

a)  0°
b)  90°
c)  180°
d)  360°
 
 
c)  180°
     A good illustration is a rope attached fast to a pole so it cannot move. Give the far end of the
rope a whip and watch the wave travel down the rope toward the pole. When it reaches the pole,
the wave is reflected back toward you in the opposite phase (180° shift). This is so because in
order for the amplitude of the wave to equal zero (0) at the pole (since that end cannot move),
some force must exactly cancel out the amplitude and phase of the wave. The only thing that can
do that is a force equal in amplitude and at the opposite phase, hence the 180° phase shift (as
with a short circuit). The same phenomenon occurs with an electrical wave.
    Conversely, if the rope is attached to the pole such that the end can freely move up and down
the pole, the wave on the rope will cause the end of the rope to move to the position on the pole
where the wave would be if the pole was not there. The wave reflects backward beginning at the
same amplitude and phase as is arrives. Hence there is 0° of phase shift (as with an open circuit).

9. At what rate does the power of an RF signal attenuate in free space?
a)  2 dB for every doubling of distance.
b)  4 dB for every doubling of distance.
c)  6 dB for every doubling of distance.
d)  8 dB for every doubling of distance.
 

c)  6 dB for every doubling of distance.

     An electric field's voltage falls off at a rate of 1/r, where "r" is the distance from the source. At
twice the distance, 2r, the field intensity is 1/2r. In terms of decibels, the relative voltage level is
10 * log (1/2) = 10 * (−0.301) = −3.01 dB. Since power is proportional to the square of the
voltage, the relative power power level is 10 * log (1/22) = 10 * log (1/4) =  10 * (−0.602) =
−6.02 dB. Note: The negative sign indicates a reduction in gain, hence, attenuation.
 

 
10. What is the name of the frequency band occupied by license-free devices such as WiFi routers
and Bluetooth headphones?
a)  ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical)
b)  LF (License-Free)
c)  USB (Unlicensed Side Band)
d)  UHF (Unlicensed Hybrid Frequency)
 

a)  ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical)

     Many frequency bands are designated by the FCC and other countries' regulatory bodies for
unlicensed use. They were originally created for use in the industrial, scientific, and medical
communities, but have evolved to include many other domestic and commercial uses.