Enter gain, noise figure, P1dB, and IP3 to calculate cascaded system performance.
Note: Pressing <Enter> will change field values from those entered. Use the Mouse to click into each field to enter new values. The calculation will be updated after each entry.
Formulas Used
Note: The calculations for Total P1dB and NF use linear values
Cascade Analysis Calculator User Instructions
This RF/microwave system Cascade Analysis Calculator is an easy to use design analysis tool. But it does have a few entry boxes and drop-down menus that can take some time to familiarize yourself with. So, let’s take a step-by-step look at how to get your cascade analysis rolling.
Note: Pressing <Enter> will change field values from those entered. Use the Mouse to click into each field to enter new values. The calculation will be updated after each entry.
Note: P1dB and IP3 should be referenced to the output of each stage.
- Start by choosing the number of stages. (Stage 1 = input stage and you can presume the system flows left to right.)
- Pick the corresponding component type from the drop-down menu. (This information is purely for your convenience and does not impact the calculation in any way.)
- The next parameter required is gain in dB. In keeping with standard conventions, use positive numbers to represent gain and negative numbers to represent loss. As an example, a 4 dB passive attenuator has a gain of -4.
- Next is noise figure, also in dB. By convention, this should always be a positive number, where the noise figure of a passive component is generally the opposite of its loss. Thus, the 4 dB passive attenuator above has a noise figure of 4.
- Finally, is IP3, which is also in dBm, and to be consistent with the choice in step 3.
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Now move through each stage. Every time you enter a number, you will see the results in the "Output" section self-update.
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When you’re done entering data, your system cascade analysis will be complete and ready for printing.
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To start over, hit "Clear Values". This button will remove the values you entered from all stages.
Note: Pressing <Enter> will change field values from those entered. Use the Mouse to click into each field to enter new values. The calculation will be updated after each entry.
