What is ARFTG?
The Automatic RF Techniques Group (ARFTG) is a technical organization interested
in all aspects of RF and Microwave test and measurement.
The ARFTG Experience
The most important part of the ARFTG experience is the opportunity to interact
one-on-one with colleagues, experts and vendors of the RF and microwave test
and measurement community. Whether your interests include high-throughput
production or one-of-a-kind metrology measurements, complex systems or simple
circuit modeling, small signal S-parameter or large-signal non-linear measurements,
phase noise or noise figure, DC or lightwave, you will find a kindred spirit
or maybe even an expert.
There is always ample opportunity at every ARFTG conference for
detailed technical discussions with others facing similar test and measurement
challenges. The members of ARFTG often find that these interactions are their
best source of ideas and information for their current projects. So come
and join us at our next conference. You’ll find that the atmosphere
is informal and friendly.
ARFTG History
ARFTG was founded in 1972 to create a more cohesive voice
for the RF and microwave test and measurement community to solicit support
from the manufacturers of test instrumentation. In the early years, the primary
focus was on instrumentation automation and calibration. Soon, however, issues
such as measurement metrology, connector repeatability, noise, power measurements
and CAD became common topics at every ARFTG conference.
The interests of ARFTG have continued to expand with the
interests of the RF and microwave test and measurement community and now
include such diverse topics as: nonlinear measurements, production testing,
temporal measurements, high frequency fixturing, four and six port network
analysis and load pull measurements. Indeed, the broad range of ARFTG interests
is reflected in the diverse nature of our recent conferences.
For the last 25 years, ARFTG has been at the leading edge
for the development of new RF and microwave test and measurement techniques.
In 1987 ARFTG became affiliated with the IEEE
Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) and in 2001 became incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation.
ARFTG Microwave Measurement Conference
ARFTG sponsors two conferences each year. The Spring Conference is a single-day
conference cosponsored with MTT-S held in June on the Friday following the
IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS). The Fall Conference is a two-day
conference on Thursday and Friday in late November or early December, one
week after the Thanksgiving holiday. Conferences are conducted in a single-track
workshop style with papers on topical subjects used to stimulate further
discussion and interaction. Both user and manufacturer papers are solicited
and a formal digest consisting of all of the conference papers is published.
ARFTG/NIST Measurement Short Course
This popular two-day course is offered by ARFTG in cooperation with National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This course is taught in a
seminar style and provides both an excellent grounding in the fundamentals
as well as exposure to the latest in RF and microwave test and measurement
techniques taught by the experts.
Basic measurements are covered on Day 1, including: a microwave
measurement overview, circuit theory, vector network analysis, test fixtures,
on-wafer measurements, power, and noise. Additional in-depth topics are covered
on Day 2, including: phase noise, load-pull, digital modulation, and time
domain techniques. Several tutorials specifically related to the conference
theme are also covered on Day 2. This course is not only for young engineers
just starting out but also for experienced engineers who want to broaden
their expertise.
The fellowship provides financial assistance to graduate
students who show promise and interest in pursuing research related to the
improvement of RF and microwave measurement techniques. Once each year a
$7500 award may be granted to a deserving candidate.
This is a free service offered by ARFTG, which allows participating laboratories
to compare their network analyzer measurements to those obtained from other
laboratories. Laboratory confidentiality is maintained. Given the increasing
emphasis on measurement assurance, this program provides a valuable, cost-effective
method for validating the participant’s measurement capability.
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