|
S
|
Seimens
|
A unit of electrical conductance
named after German
Ernst Werner von Siemens (thanks for the correction, Dr.
Bill!)
|
| SAG |
self-aligned
gate |
|
| SAR |
synthetic
aperture radar |
|
| SAS |
suspended
air stripline |
|
|
SAW
|
surface acoustic wave
|
A phenomenon where electrical
energy is converted to a physical displacement on the surface
of a solid, similar to a sound wave.
|
| SC |
short
circuit |
Opposite
of open circuit. |
| SDR |
software-defined
radio |
|
|
SEM
|
scanning electron microscope
|
A great
toy for seeing stuff smaller than a wavelength of light (<~1
micron). |
| SFDR |
spurious-free
dynamic range |
A measure
of the range of amplitudes that a receiver can process. |
| SI |
semi-insulating |
As
in a GaAs wafer that has no semiconductor grown on it. |
| SiC |
silicon
carbide |
Semiconductor
technology associated with LDMOS. Also, one of the possible
wafers for growing gallium nitride devices (the other is sapphire). |
| SiGe |
silicon
germanium |
The
“great white hope” of major silicon IC manufacturers
for microwave devices (notably IBM). |
| SINAD |
signal
plus noise plus distortion, to noise plus distortion ratio |
This
is a new one on us! |
| SIT |
static
induction transistor |
A new
microwave semiconductor device with a buried gate. |
| SIW |
substrate
integrated waveguide |
A way
to make dielectrically-loaded transmission lines on a single-layer
substrate. |
| SLC |
single-layer
cap |
Capacitor
usually used in chip-and-wire construction, has excellent microwave
properties. |
| SMA |
subminiature
type A |
A ubiquitous
microwave connector. |
| SMD |
surface
mount device |
As
opposed to a "through-hole" device, ja? |
| SMT |
surface
mount technology |
When
parts are soldered to the top surface of a board, without leads
soldering into through-holes. Generally, all microwave PWBs
use SMT because it offers better impedance control. |
| SNA |
scalar
network analyzer |
Used
to measure return loss and gain, magnitude only. |
|
snafu
|
situation normal, all
f**ed up
|
One of
two excellent acronyms that are the legacy of the greatest
generation (see fubar).
|
| SNR |
signal-to-noise
ratio |
|
| SOD |
source-over-drain |
A layout
option for multi-finger power FETs. |
| SOG |
source-over-gate |
A layout
option for multi-finger power FETs. |
| SOI |
second-order
intercept |
|
| SOIC |
small
outline integrated circuit |
a type
of package |
| SOLT |
short-open-load-through |
A type
of network measurement calibration. |
| SOT |
small
outline transistor |
a
type of package |
|
SOW
|
statement of work
|
In a contract, a list
of the stuff you have to do to get paid.
|
|
S-parameters
|
scattering matrix parameters
|
The most commonly used
descriptors of a microwave two-port network.
|
| SPDT |
single-pole,
double throw |
A switch
with one input and two outputs, or vice-versa. |
| SPST |
single-pole,
single throw |
The
simplest possible switch. |
| SP3T |
single-pole,
three throw |
A switch
with one input and three outputs, or vice-versa. |
| SS |
small-signal |
Low-enough
power level where linear operation is assured. |
| SSB |
single-sideband |
A type
of receiver or downconverter that eliminates one sideband. |
| SSG |
small-signal
gain |
Output
power divided by input power, at a signal level that does not
compress the gain. |
| SSMA |
sub-subminiature
type A |
A rarely
used type of microwave connector. |
| SSPA |
solid-state
power amplifier |
|
| STALO |
stable
local oscillator |
|
|
STE
|
special test equipment
|
Dedicated test equipment
for a high-value job.
|
| SUV |
small
unit verification |
Either
you or your dude got a small unit? Drive a big SUV to compensate! |
| SWAG |
scientific
wild-assed guess |
Slightly
more accurate than a WAG. Thanks to Doug! |
|
SWR
|
standing wave ratio
|
An arcane way of specifying
impedance mismatches, dating back to the old days when the
old guys used standing wave meters because they didn’t
have network analyzers. See also VSWR.
|
