Response of RF Networks to Transient Waveforms: Interference in Frequency-Hopped Communications

The long-tail transient responses of a bandpass network to pulsed and switched-tone stimuli are examined and a time-domain closed-form expression of the envelope response is developed. It is shown that the long-tail response leads to interference in frequency-hopping communication systems. Interference, and in particular co-site interference, can result in any radar, communication, or RF sensor system becoming exposed to unintentional pulsed RF signals. In the experimental study, 900-MHz Chebyshev bandpass filters are considered.