This year SPG will be over 24 years old. We have had a long history of projects, most of which were great successes. A few of them spectacular failures. After much soul searching we decided to publish what we think were some outstanding reasons for the failures. As is understandable and usual there were shortcomings and challenges on both sides. SPG and the customer. This post tries to list these and should be read with respect to one of the earliest posts about first pass success, already published in this blog. The reason for this baring of skeletons is to help establish a better and better methodology for success and to avoid mistakes of the past. It may be slightly controversial but its veracity is unquestionable.
Project # 1.0 ( Non – chip project)
1.0 Communication problems. Customer and SPG not communicating comfortably and well.
2.0 No statement of work. No plan. No list of things to do and a timeline associated with it.
3.0 No clear guidance from the customer.
4.0 Bad, bad, bad documentation from the customer. Bits and pieces strung together in random order. Failure of SPG to not accept this.
5.0 Micro – managing by the customer instead of managing.
6.0 Too much anxiety on the customer’s part about the project.
7.0 No specification.
Project #2
1.0 Change of specifications and mission creep.
2.0 Failure to do full chip simulations.
3.0 Initial time estimates were off. Too aggressive a schedule.
4.0 Delay in implementation. Faults on both sides.
Project #3
1.0 Change of specifications. Mission creep.
2.0 Customer pushing to get the database out too quickly before checking got done.
3.0 Severe micro-management by customer..
4.0 Did not correct DRC or LVS problems completely because of 2.0
5.0 Lack of pcb expertise on the customers part.
6.0 Would not let us do the reference pcb design and initial test.
Project #4
1.0 Lack of right design tools and training to use them
2.0 Lack of good communication and comfortable give and take between the two parties.
3.0 Lack of appropriate effort on the project.
Project #5
1.0 Lack of the right process technology.
2.0 Used a process that did not have comfortable performance margins.
3.0 Circuit failure under stress conditions.
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Price for one unit: $25.00. Lead time for delivery 3 days. 30 Day return policy. Pricing for 100 units or more: $20.00 per unit. Please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. for details for purchase from Signal Processing Group Inc. Email: spg@signalpro.biz 24/7
Please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. on email: spg@signalpro.biz . We will answer within 24 hours.
Please see details at http://www.signalpro.biz/2rf_amplifier_details.htm Delivery lead time is 3 days. Return within 30 days for a full refund. Price is $15.00 for one unit and $10.00 per unit in volumes of 100. For higher volumes than 100 please contact Signal Processing group Inc.
Delivery lead time is 3 days. Return within 30 days for a full refund. Price is $15.00 for one unit and $12.00 per unit in volumes of 100. For higher volumes than 100 please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. at email: spg@signalpro.biz or call 602-626-0272 for fastest service.
The input interface.
The frequency divider has a differential analog interface. The following parameters apply:
The minimum frequency that can be input is 500 Mhz and the maximum frequency is 6.0 Ghz.
The RF input level is 5 dBm to – 5 dBm. For lower frequencies make sure that the slew rate is
greater than 560 V/us. The input is biased by two 500 Ohm resistors connected to a 1.6V DC bias.
Therefore AC coupling is used at the input. These are two 100pF capacitors.
The output interface.
The output is single ended. The output driver is capable of sourcing and sinking 24 mA. The
equivalent output impedance is 50 Ohm. To avoid reflections it is recommended that the divider
work into a 50 Ohm load.
General operation.
The inputs are applied to the input SMA I/O. The product will work with both a differential input as
well as a single ended input. However, a differential input works best. The division ratio is applied
to the N1 and N2 control inputs as follows:
N2 N1 Division ratio
0 0 8
0 1 16
1 0 32
1 1 64
The logic levels are:
Logic level Voltage
1 1.4V minimum
0 0.6V maximum
The supply voltage interface.
The operating supply voltage is 3.3V typical. The quiescent (DC) operating supply current is 2 mA.
Please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. at email: spg@signalpro.biz or telephone 602-626-0272. Get a response within minutes or worst case 24 hours if contact is by email.
RF Switch typical features
Supply voltage = Vcc = 0/+5 Vdc
Operatng temperature = TA = -50° C to 125 Deg C
Operating impedance = 50 Ohm
Input power for 1 dB
compression ( 5.0V system) = 37 dBm ( f = 0.5 to 3 Ghz)
Input third order Intercept = 64 dBm ( 0 to 5.0V system, f = 0.5 to 3 Ghz)
Operating frequency range = DC to 3 Ghz.
Insertion loss DC to 3 Ghz = 0.8 dB
Isolation DC to 3 Ghz = 14 dB minimum
Return loss DC to 3 Ghz = 20 dB
50% contl to 10/90 %
( ON/OFF) = 120 ns
Summary Specifications
Gain, Operating: 19.5 dB
Operating frequency range: 1.0 – 2700 Mhz
OIP3: (Pout = 19.0 dBm), -8.5 dBm
P1dB: 4.6 dBm
N.F: 4.2 dB
Supply voltage Operating: 3.3 – 5.5 Volts
Price: single unit $7.50, 100 units : $5:50.
Free delivery, shipping lead time 2 days.
30 day return policy, buyer ships.
Supply current Supply = 5.0V, 23.0 mA
Signal Processing Group Inc. is offering embedded design and development using Microchip processors. Please contact us on spg@signalpro.biz for more information
