KM5KG RF NETWORK DESIGNER

Windows 98SE or 2000 Program for RF Design

for additional information e-mail grantbingeman@cs.com

or for a fully-enabled registered copy send $49 ($119 Pro) to Networks, 1908 Paris Ave, Plano, TX 75025

credit card orders are accepted by PayPal(drbingo@compuserve.com)

You may download a demo from this site. After downloading, unzip NETWORKS.ZIP into a new folder. Run the program called NETWORKS.EXE. If your version of Windows does not have the correct DLL, download VB6DLL.ZIP and unzip this into C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.

Depending on your version of Windows, the program may ask for additional files, most of which are available for download from this site

This program provides a large number of practical network design solutions integrated into a common package. The main screen above gives an idea of some of the design subjects covered within the program. User-definable curve-plotting, screen capture and screen printing, file import and export, and extensive on-line help text are available. The Pro version of the program includes an S Parameter function, automatic impedance broad-banding, and generic complex admittance matrix analysis.

Impedance matching of non-resonant loads is allowed for L, Tee and Pi networks. An example of Tee network design screen shows some of the extra details not normally available in typical RF design programs. Note the custom help message text in the lower left of the screen. All controls and displays on the screen are explained by simply passing the mouse cursor over them. More detailed design theory is covered by clicking on the HELP menu. Note that these design tools include the effects of coil, capacitor and transmission line loss.

The program automatically remembers all of the previous design parameters, so when you start the program you will start wherever you left off last time. Some of the frequency sweep features are demonstrated below. The information can be displayed in tabular form or as a curve. Of course, frequency limits are user selectable, and graph scales are user definable.

Components such as coils, capacitors, transformers and stubs can be designed with a few clicks of the mouse. Unusual component characteristics are provided, such as mutual inductance between coil sections of a tapped solenoid, in addition to the usual Q, self capacitance and inductance. Solenoidal coils of various cross-sectional shapes besides the customary circular form can be designed, including triangular, square, hexagonal, etc.

Many types of transmission line can be designed using this program. One of the types covered is open-wire line in a box, which we can call closed-wire line. A typical screen for this design function is included below. Note that many of the screens have drop-down menus or combo-boxes that allow easy selection of wire gauge, dielectric material, standard copper pipe sizes, etc.

The Smith chart routine permits resonating of a set of impedance data, which can be imported from a file or entered directly from the screen. Labels may be toggled on and off in order to reduce clutter (shown in off state below). Tabular data besides the usual resistance and reactance include SWR, reflection coefficient and return loss for each data point.

Besides the Smith chart model of a transmission line, the program also provides a lumped-parameter model which can be used to determine the impedance transformation through the line, the current phase shift, etc. Note that this is a complete model which also includes the effects of losses.

The diplexer design screen allows you to operate two transmitters at different frequencies into the same antenna. The various combiner screens allow you to operate two transmitters operating on the same frequency into the same load.

These are only a few of the available design functions. Refer to the main screen for other design topics covered by this program.

e-mail drbingo@compuserve.com if you have any questions

or for a registered copy send $49 ($119 Pro) to Networks, 1908 Paris Ave, Plano, TX 75025

credit card orders are accepted by PayPal