398: Clocks Get Into Everything

Embedded.fm · 14 Jan 2022 · 1h 10m · Episode 398

What this episode covers

Tom Anderson, an engineer at Keysight Technologies who also consults for Alembic, explains the fundamentals of radio frequency (RF) electronics, clarifying that RF issues arise from voltage differentials on wires due to signal propagation delays. He demystifies RF jargon like dBm and Smith charts (which he calls 'dollhouses') and discusses practical design strategies, such as managing clock rise times, avoiding ground plane slots, and tuning antennas using varactors. The conversation also covers the specific electronic challenges of high-end bass guitars, including EMI shielding and signal-to-noise ratios.

Mentioned

Companies
Keysight Technologies, Agilent, HP, Alembic, OSH Park
Chips
varactor
Tools
Smith chart, Bode plot

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