Author Topic: DIY RF Noise Bridge: Anyone use an SMD RF transformer with success?  (Read 988 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline abitofhelpTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 6
  • Country: us
    • A Bit of Help, Inc.
Hello,

I am building an RF noise bridge (DC-100MHz (200-400, even better) to replace one that failed in my Palomar Engineers antenna tuner.  I am using SMD components and have completed the implementation of the noise generator.

Now, I am designing the transformer stage between the generator and the Wheatstone bridge. I was planning on using an FT50-43 ferrite toroid, but I was curious whether any SMD RF transformers could be used.  I found that several companies make SMD RF transformers, such as those I've listed below, but I don't know whether they would be good solutions for an RF noise bridge.  There is no transmitting involved, so the requirements are simpler.

https://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/TCM1-382WX+.pdf
https://productfinder.pulseelectronics.com/api/open/part-attachments/datasheet/cx2041nlt

>>> Assuming the correct taps on the SMD RF transformer, would one be a good substitute for a wrapped ferrite toroid? 

Mike
K2MM

« Last Edit: December 11, 2024, 05:14:36 am by abitofhelp »
 

Offline EggertEnjoyer123

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 331
  • Country: us
Re: DIY RF Noise Bridge: Anyone use an SMD RF transformer with success?
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2024, 04:31:40 am »
Make sure you don't need a center tap before buying the Mini Circuits one.

A lot of the designs online have a center tapped transformer in the schematic.
« Last Edit: December 11, 2024, 04:33:38 am by EggertEnjoyer123 »
 

Offline abitofhelpTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 6
  • Country: us
    • A Bit of Help, Inc.
Re: DIY RF Noise Bridge: Anyone use an SMD RF transformer with success?
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2024, 05:14:08 am »
Good catch, @EggertEnjoyer123!  Indeed, I do need that center tap.   
 

Offline abitofhelpTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 6
  • Country: us
    • A Bit of Help, Inc.
Re: DIY RF Noise Bridge: Anyone use an SMD RF transformer with success?
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2024, 12:15:05 am »
I am very interested in using a Mini-Circuits TC1-1T+ RF Transformer in my RF Noise Bridge. Based on the specifications, it seems like it would work well, but I am not a professional electrical engineer.  I've attached an image showing the circuit and would appreciate your comments or suggestions about using the TC1-1T+.

https://www.minicircuits.com/WebStore/dashboard.html?model=TC1-1T%2B


Thank you for your help!
Mike

 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf