Methodology & References
Every formula and simulation on rftools.io traces back to a textbook, IEEE paper, ITU-R recommendation, or open-source reference library. This page lists the citations for the tools and calculators where methodology matters most.
Editorial standard
- RF, antenna, and microwave formulas are validated against Pozar — Microwave Engineering (4th ed.), Razavi — RF Microelectronics, and the relevant IEEE / ITU-R recommendations.
- Where an open-source reference implementation exists (scikit-rf, ITU-Rpy, openEMS, DEAP), our results are benchmarked against it — see the “Powered by” badges on individual tool pages.
- Physical constants use 2019 SI exact values: c = 299,792,458 m/s, k = 1.380649 × 10⁻²³ J/K, e = 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.
- Hard-coded magic numbers are avoided — every formula is auditable in the calculator’s open-source TypeScript / Python source.
Cited libraries we align with
- scikit-rf — open-source RF/microwave toolkit, IEEE MTT-S Microwave Magazine paper, 7,200+ weekly PyPI downloads.
- ITU-Rpy — reference implementation of ITU-R propagation models (P.453, P.530, P.618, P.676, P.838, P.839, P.840, P.837, P.1144), validated against ITU’s own test vectors.
- openEMS — open-source FDTD EM simulator used by the FDTD transmission line tool.
- DEAP — evolutionary algorithm framework powering the NSGA-II magnetics optimizer.
Simulation tools with full methodology
Broadband Impedance Matching Synthesizer
Powered by scikit-rf
- Microwave Engineering, 4th ed. — David M. Pozar (2011), Chapter 5 — Impedance Matching and Tuning
- Network Analysis and Feedback Amplifier Design — Hendrik Bode (1945) — Bode-Fano bandwidth limit
- HF Filter Design and Computer Simulation — Randall W. Rhea (1994)
Satellite & Terrestrial Link Budget
Aligned with ITU-Rpy
- ITU-R P.618-13 — Propagation data and prediction methods required for the design of Earth-space telecommunication systems
- ITU-R P.676-13 — Attenuation by atmospheric gases
- ITU-R P.840-8 — Attenuation due to clouds and fog
- ITU-R P.838-3 — Specific attenuation model for rain for use in prediction methods
- ITU-R P.530-18 — Propagation data and prediction methods required for the design of terrestrial line-of-sight systems
RF Cascade Budget Analyzer
Matches scikit-rf cascade
- Noise Figures of Radio Receivers — Harald T. Friis, Proc. IRE 32(7), pp. 419–422 (1944)
- Microwave Engineering, 4th ed. — David M. Pozar (2011), Chapter 10 — Noise and Nonlinear Distortion
- RF Microelectronics, 2nd ed. — Behzad Razavi (2011), Chapter 2 — Cascaded Noise and Intercept Points
- IEEE Std 182-1989 — IEEE Standard for Measurement of Amplifier Noise Figure
Calculators with full methodology
- A Note on a Simple Transmission Formula — Harald T. Friis, Proc. IRE 34(5), pp. 254–256 (1946)
- ITU-R P.525-4 — Calculation of free-space attenuation
- ITU-R P.618-13 — Rain and atmospheric attenuation for Earth-space links
- Microwave Engineering, 4th ed. — David M. Pozar (2011), Chapter 14 — Wireless Communication Systems
- Noise Figures of Radio Receivers — Harald T. Friis, Proc. IRE 32(7), pp. 419–422 (1944)
- Microwave Engineering, 4th ed. — David M. Pozar (2011), Chapter 10
- RF Microelectronics, 2nd ed. — Behzad Razavi (2011), Chapter 2
- IEEE Std 182-1989 — IEEE Standard for Measurement of Amplifier Noise Figure
- Transmission Line Calculator — Phillip H. Smith, Electronics 12(1), pp. 29–31 (1939)
- Microwave Engineering, 4th ed. — David M. Pozar (2011), Chapter 2.4 — The Smith Chart
- Electronic Applications of the Smith Chart, 2nd ed. — Phillip H. Smith (1995)
- ITU-R P.525-4 — Calculation of free-space attenuation
- A Note on a Simple Transmission Formula — Harald T. Friis, Proc. IRE 34(5), pp. 254–256 (1946)
- Microwave Engineering, 4th ed. — David M. Pozar (2011), Chapter 14.1
- Introduction to Radar Systems, 3rd ed. — Merrill I. Skolnik (2001), Chapter 1 — The Nature of Radar
- Principles of Modern Radar: Basic Principles — Mark A. Richards, James A. Scheer, William A. Holm (2010)
- Radar Handbook, 3rd ed. — Merrill I. Skolnik, editor (2008)
All 210 calculators also include a formula.reference field citing their primary textbook source; the list above highlights the hero set with full methodology blocks.
Corrections
If you spot a formula error, a missing citation, or a case where our result diverges from a published reference, please submit a correction via the request page or email hello@rftools.io. Corrections are reviewed and deployed with a note in the tool’s methodology block.