Vidya Muthukrishnan What are S Parameters? Scattering parameters, or S-parameters, describe how a linear network reflects and transmits travelling waves at its ports. Each value is defined for a frequency, port reference impedance and operating condition. The S-parameter matrix supports calculations of gain, loss, reflection, phase, group delay and VSWR. It models a linear signal path through … Read more
What is Economic Dispatch? Economic dispatch allocates output among available generators to meet forecast or real-time demand at the lowest modelled operating cost. It is subject to generator, reserve and network constraints. Merit order is a simplified way to describe part of this process, not a synonym for the full optimisation. The model balances supply … Read more
What is a Transfer Function? DC gain of a transfer function is the steady-state output divided by a constant input, for a stable linear control system. For a continuous system you evaluate G(s) at s = 0. For a discrete system you evaluate G(z) at z = 1. A transfer function represents a linear time-invariant … Read more
What is ELI the ICE man? ELI the ICE man is a memory phrase for sine-wave current and voltage in an inductor and a capacitor. ELI: voltage [E] leads current [I] in an inductor [L]. ICE: current [I] leads voltage [E] in a capacitor [C]. It is a mnemonic for AC phase, not a circuit … Read more
What is a Centrifugal Switch? A centrifugal switch is a speed-operated electrical switch. Weights on a rotating shaft fly outward and open or close contacts at a set speed. On a single-phase electric motor that job is usually dropping the start winding after the rotor is up. The switch does not set shaft speed. How … Read more
What is Equivalent Resistance? The equivalent resistance is the single resistance that can replace a parallel or series group, or a mix of both, between two terminals. It is defined between those two nodes of the network. For a two-terminal resistor network it is the total resistance seen at that pair of terminals. That single … Read more
What is Q Factor? Q factor (also known as Quality Factor or Q-factor) is a dimensionless measure of how lightly damped an oscillator or resonator is. For a coil, a capacitor or an inductor it reports losses relative to stored energy and, for a resonator, the ratio of centre frequency to bandwidth. K. S. Johnson … Read more
What is Watts Law? Watts Law states the relationship between power, current and voltage drop in an electrical circuit. Instantaneous electric power is the product of voltage and current. For DC, or for AC when voltage and current are in phase, the same product gives the average power in watts. Watts Law Formula The Watts … Read more
What is an SWR Meter? A standing wave ratio meter, also called an SWR meter, ISWR meter (current I SWR) or VSWR meter (voltage SWR), measures the standing wave ratio on a transmission line. The reading shows how well a transmission line matches its load, usually an antenna. Technicians use that number to judge the … Read more
What is Cutoff Frequency? Cutoff frequency, also called corner frequency or break frequency, is a boundary in a system’s frequency response. At that frequency, energy through the system starts to be reduced or reflected instead of passing at the passband level. In electronics, the cutoff frequency is the frequency above or below which the power … Read more