Quintech Applications

Quintech Glossary of Terms


  • A-E
  • F-H
  • I-L
  • M-P
  • Q-Z

Glossary Of Terms

  1. Active (Combiner or Splitter)- RF device that includes active components (amplifiers) to compensate for losses inherent in typical splitter/combiner circuits.

  2. Agile Frequency Converter– Device that allows conversion of one frequency to another, either an up-converter or a down-converter, while allowing flexibility of programming frequencies.
  3. Amplitude Balance- The property of a signal splitter having equal output levels.

  4. Blocking Matrix– Matrix switch in which an input or an output may only be connected, one at a time, subsequent input or output reassignment will disconnect previous assignments.

  5. Block Up-Converter- (BUC) Typically used to convert L-band signals to satellite uplink frequencies.

  6. Combiner– Device used to combine multiple RF signals to a common output while maintaining impedance matching (See Active and Passive).
  7. Decibel- Abbreviation dB; a logarithmic function used to simplify RF calculations; decibels may be added or subtracted; 0 dB is the standard reference level.

  8. DC– Direct current, typically used to define RF input operating voltages.

    1. Down-Converter- Device used to convert a signal of higher frequency to a signal of lower frequency.

    2. DPDT– Double-pole double-throw switch.


         

 

Glossary Of Terms

  2. Fan-Out Matrix- a matrix switch that allow any input to be split or distributed to many or all outputs.
  3. Fan-In Matrix- a matrix switch that allows multiple inputs to be combined to a single output.

    Frequency Range– the span of frequencies over which an electronic component or combiner maintains the specified characteristics.

  4. Frequency Response- (also known as amplitude frequency response) indicates the loss or gain in signal level over the specified frequency range.

  5. Gain– A measure of amplification of a device. (See also unity gain)
  6. GHz- gigahertz, one gigahertz equals 1000 MHz.

  7. HPA– high power amplifier, typically used after the BUC to send signals to the uplink antenna assembly

Glossary Of Terms

  1. I/O- Input/output, typically refers to the number of inputs and/or outputs.
    Impedance- A characteristic of the design of RF signal products, usually express in ohms and allows for system design for maximum signal transfer throughout system.

  2. Input Return Loss– The standing wave ratio measured at the input port of an RF component with all ports properly terminated, expressed in dB. (Also referred to as Input VSWR, expressed as a ratio.
  3. Insertion Loss- The characteristic of a splitter or a combiner that expresses in dB the signal loss between input and output signal levels.

  4. IP2– Second order intercept point, the point at which second order products create spurious outputs, typically out of band.

  5. IP3- Third order intercept point, the point at which third order products create spurious outputs, typically out of band.

  6. Isolation– The characteristic of the separation expressed in dB of the output to output, input to input, or input to output port of RF Signal Management Products.
  7. Inverting- Typically the output of a mixer in which the Local Oscillator frequency is above the input frequency and the output is the difference of the two frequencies.

  8. L-Band– Frequencies ranging between 950 and 2,150 MHz (L-Band Matrix Switching Solutions)
  9. LNB- Low noise block converter, usually used on the downlink side of a satellite feed.

Glossary Of Terms

  1. Maximum Input Power- The maximum RF signal input level that is non-destructive to the operation of the equipment.

  2. MHz– one megahertz equals 1,000,000 Hz.

  5. Non-Inverting– Typically the output of a mixer in which the Local Oscillator frequency is below the input frequency and the output is the sum of the two frequencies
    6. Non-Blocking Matrix- A matrix switch in which an input or an output may be connected to multiple inputs or outputs. (See Fan-In and Fan-out for more detailed description)

    MIMO     - Multiple Inputs to Multi Output testing (See QRB,  LTE)

  6. Non-Inverting– Typically the output of a mixer in which the Local Oscillator frequency is below the input frequency and the output is the sum of the two frequencies
  7. Operating Frequency-The lower and upper operational frequency limits as specified on the product specification sheet.

  8. Output Return Loss– The standing wave ratio measured at the output port of an RF combiner with all output ports properly terminated, expressed as dB. (also referred to as Output VSWR, expressed in a ratio).
P1dB – the input level at which a small signal liner amplifier exhibits a 1 dB compression in its output and becomes non-linear.

Glossary Of Terms

      1.  

      2. Q-ROUTE – Provides Internal Signal Path Redundancy by Automatically Re-routing Around a Failed Signal Path (Example)

        Q-SENSE – Provides External Signal Path Redundancy by Automatic Switching of Back-up Input Signals (Example)

        RF Router– A switch used to monitor multiple RF signals inputs (one at a time) to a single output, for use with test equipment such as a spectrum analyzer
      3. RoHS-Restriction of Hazardous Substances..

      Signal To Noise Ratio– (S/N) - The ratio of desired signal level to the undesired noise level, expressed in dB. (Sometimes expressed as SNR).

      Splitter- A device used to split (divide) a common RF signal to multiple outputs while maintaining impedance matching. (See Active and Passive).

    2. Signal Strength– The level of an RF signal measured in volts (V), millivolts (mV), micro volts (µV), dBmV or dBm.
    3. SPDT-single-pole double-throw switch

    Terminator– A resistive device connected to unused ports on splitters and combiners to reduce unwanted signal reflections, ingress or egress problems due to impedance mismatches
  3. Unity Gain- A design characteristic to cancel losses inherent in electronic equipment, typically using active amplifier components.

  4. Up Converter– A device used to convert a signal of lower frequency to a signal of higher frequency.
  5. VSWR- Voltage standing wave ratio, frequently referred to as return loss, it is the ratio of signal loss due to reflected signals caused by impedance mismatches.