As the frequencies of operation get higher and higher, we find that the component manufacturers are switching to chip level devices rather than packaged parts. The reasons for this are many and varied, but suffice it to say that it is happening. Thus if you are developing a module level product for high frequencies then you should be prepared for this and find appropriate assembly facilities or vendors who will not only fabricate a board for you but also be able to do COB ( chip on board) assembly. Please visit the Signal Processing Group Inc. website for other interesting articles and information on our services and products.

Many electronic circuits such as amplifiers are subject to instability or oscillation under certain conditions. usually these boil down to input and output terminations. There are some favorable or type b terminations which do not cause oscillation while the unfavorable terminations or type a terminations cause oscillation. The stability circle is tool that allows designers to evaluate the effect terminations have on their design using a graphical technique with the help of the Smith Chart. To learn more and understand the process, please visit and read the article in the Signal Processing Group Inc. website that explains the technique.