RF Passive Network Design and Synthesis for Mobile Communications, Volume 1, provides a comprehensive design reference for microwave and RF engineers, bridging a critical gap in the literature with detailed, closed-form analytic design equations for passive network components used in mobile RF front-end design. Distilling decades of experience from RF veteran Peter Wright, this guide focuses on real-world applicability, emphasizes intuitive design tradeoffs and powerful parametric modeling techniques. These methods allow engineers to explore innovative architectures and optimize performance before investing time in complex EM simulation.
Gain an understanding of unique network topologies, with unmatched detail in evaluating high-performance RF components such as couplers, combiners, splitters, and passive matching networks. Leveraging widely accessible tools like Excel, its analytic approach enables fast iteration and provides deep insight into the behavior of RF circuits. With over 650 illustrations, 750 equations, and extensive practical commentary, the book teaches how to model parasitics, design efficient lumped-element networks, and synthesize components that meet demanding performance targets across real-world operating conditions.
This is an indispensable reference for circuit designers, microwave engineers, and RF engineers working with mobile communications modules, power amplifiers, and integrated passive networks. The book offers foundational theory and actionable strategies that solve today’s toughest RF challenges, such as designing compact PA modules and developing next-gen mobile architectures. It helps professionals' model parasitics, synthesize components, and optimize performance, saving significant time and resources in the design process.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 [ABCD] Parameters – Key Relationships
1.1 Some useful [ABCD] relationships
1.2 Common two-port network [M] parameters
1.3 Interconnection of two [ABCD] matrices
1.4 Modified matrix coefficients with ground impedance
Chapter 2 S-Parameters – Key Relationships
2.1 Some useful S-parameter relationships
2.2 Changing port normalisation impedances
2.3 Some useful two-port S-parameter relationships
2.4 Common two-port network S-parameters
2.5 Coupled inductors multi-port S-parameters
2.6 Interconnection of two two-port S-parameter networks
2.7 S-Parameter reduction of a terminated three-port to a two-port network
2.8 S-Parameter reduction of a terminated four-port to a three-port network
2.9 Useful Three-Port Formulae
Chapter 3 Y- & Z-Parameters – Key Relationships
3.1 Y-parameters
3.2 Some useful two-port Y-parameter relationships
3.3 Common two-port network Y-parameters
3.4 Z-Parameters
3.5 Some useful two-port Z-parameter relationships
3.6 Common two-port network Z-parameters
Chapter 4 Power Relationships
4.1 Fundamental power relations
4.2 [ABCD] power relations
4.3 Two-port S-parameter power relations
4.4 Two-port Y-parameter power relations
4.5 Two-port Z-parameter power relations
4.6 Some useful power relationships
4.7 Maximum Available Gain – Optimum Conjugate Matching of a Passive Two-Port
Chapter 5 Lumped-Element Basics
5.1 Parametric Model Extraction
5.2 Capacitor lumped-element models
5.3 Inductor lumped-element models
5.4 Quadratic interpolation for dY/dω and dZ/dω
5.5 Integration of RF inductors into compact module design
5.6 Summary
Chapter 6 Efficient Analytic Optimisation Approach
Chapter 7 Excel®, a Powerful Interactive RF Design Tool
7.1 Visualisations in Excel®
7.2 Complex expressions in Excel®
7.3 Use of Macros in Excel®
Chapter 8 LC Resonator Basics
8.1 Formulae for equivalency between LC-series and -parallel resonators
8.2 Design of LC resonators for passband filtering
8.3 Design of LC resonators for stopband rejection
8.4 Design of LC-series resonators with desired in-band capacitance and a high-side resonance
8.5 Design of LC-series resonators with desired in-band inductance and a low-side resonance
8.6 Design of LC-parallel resonators with desired in-band inductance and a high-side resonance
8.7 Design of LC-parallel resonators with desired in-band capacitance and a low-side resonance
8.8 Practical bandpass filter design
8.9 Novel Resonator Pairing for Bandpass Shaping
8.10 Novel LC-series resonator pairing for passband-type response
8.11 Novel LC-parallel resonator pairing for passband-type response
Chapter 9 Fundamentals of Amplifier Output Matching
9.1 Passband harmonic susceptance compensated uniquely by bias inductor
9.2 Passband harmonic susceptance compensated by bias inductor and matching network
Chapter 10 Basic RF Power Amplifier Bias and Harmonic Trap Networks
10.1 PA shunting inductance and single harmonic trap
10.2 PA shunting inductance and dual harmonic traps
10.3 PA shunting inductance and dual coupled harmonic traps
10.4 Differential PA shunting inductances and harmonic traps
10.5 Differential PA shunting inductances and coupled harmonic traps
10.6 Differential PA shunting inductances and coupled bias and harmonic traps
10.7 All-pass bridge-T low-pass differential network
Chapter 11 LC Single-Ended Matching Networks Overview
11.1 Basic two-element matches
11.2 Basic two-element matching networks characteristics
11.3 Three-element network dependency options
11.4 π-network design
11.5 T-network design
11.6 π- and T-network characteristics
11.7 Two-element single-ended matching networks
11.8 Dual-Π Single-Ended PA Matching
Chapter 12 Coupled-Inductors Single-Ended PA Matching
12.1 Terminology: Coupled inductors versus transformer
12.2 Basic single-ended coupled-inductors design
12.3 Single-ended coupled-inductors with interwinding capacitance analysis approach
12.4 Low-pass π-network with auto-transformer action
12.5 High-pass T-network with auto-transformer action
Chapter 13 Considerations of Single-Phase versus Multi-phase Power Amplifiers
13.1 Considerations of single-ended versus differential PA architectures
Chapter 14 Classic Coupled-Inductors Matching for Differential PAs
14.1 Basic differential coupled-inductors design
14.2 Differential coupled inductors with interwinding capacitance
Chapter 15 Lattice Splitter/combiner
15.1 Generalised lattice splitter/combiner design basics
15.2 Generalised lattice design examples
15.3 Development of six-element lattice coupler
About the Author :
Dr. Peter V. Wright is an accomplished RF engineer with over 40 years of experience in microwave and acoustic system design. A graduate of Cambridge University, he earned his Ph.D. from MIT, where he pioneered coupling-of-modes theory for SAW devices. His career spans leading roles at Lincoln Laboratory, RF Monolithics, Schlumberger, Thomson Microsonics, and Qorvo, where he developed innovative architectures for RF components and power amplifier modules. Holder of nearly 50 patents, he now resides in Portugal, writing fiction and continuing his passion for design and technology.
