Abstract
This application note discusses s-parameter techniques for designing networks used in amplifiers and oscillators. The basic theory behind using s-parameters to characterize any two-port network is presented, and the measurements of s-parameters for a transistor are summarized. Examples of using s-parameters to optimize amplifier and oscillator performance are presented and the optimization of the power gain of a narrow-band amplifier is used to illustrate the use of s-parameters and the Smith Chart in network design. The optimization of a broadband amplifier is also described together with stability considerations, and the design of a transistor oscillator is used to illustrate the use of s-parameters in identifying stable operating regimes. Includes an appendix summarizing primary equations related to s-parameter design. This application note contains more than 70 online pages, 20 zoomable illustrations, photographs, device screen-captures, and two QuickTime™ animations.

Online Materials
This application note is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format and is bundled with QuickTime animations. It is available for download for all major computing environments. There is also an interactive Java™ model that illustrates basic techniques for using s-parameters in network design. To view the PDF application note and the Java model, you may need to download some supporting software technologies. A link to the interactive model is found below and is also available from inside the application note Acrobat file. The standalone PDF application note also contains web-links to the complete library of Agilent Test & Measurement application notes, datasheets, and a general reference web-link back to the T&M directory on Agilent's world wide website.

Supporting software technologies