Determining the RF resistance and Q-FACTOR of air-core inductors

Air-core inductors are large-body, low-loss components that find frequent u se in circuits such as RF power amplifier matching networks. The physical a ttributes of the inductors make loss characterization using standard commer cial instruments (e.g., impedance analyzers or resonant coaxial lines) prob lematic. In this paper, a resistance and quality factor extinction techniqu e based on low-impedance microstrip test fixtures is demonstrated at freque ncies neat. 800 MHz. It is shown that nn inductor resistance on the order o f 0.1-1 Ohm can be accurately determined. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.