A first in its 20-year history, the European Microwave Week (EuMW) came to Madrid and surpassed all records for delegate registration and exhibition size, belying any concerns about the attractiveness of Spain. Warm days, with no hint of autumn, mirrored an industry thriving on the birth of 5G and a renewed investment in defense.

We’ve tried to capture many of the highlights from the exhibitors in the following paragraphs, thanks to help from many of them. After reading this summary, be sure to view the gallery of photos we collected.

Test and Measurement

AMCAD Engineering has released IVCAD 3.7, a modeling solution associated with powerful measurement software that includes an MT930D1 traditional load-pull for single-tone CW and pulsed CW measurements using power meters; an MT930D2 harmonic, spectrum analyzer add-on for harmonic load-pull, two-tone load-pull and modulated load pull; and an MT930B visualization split into MT930B1 basic visualization and MT930B2 advanced visualization add-ons. It has LabVIEW IVI and Maury ATS instrument driver support, multi-auxiliary power supply support, advanced peak search algorithms for load-pull, RF stress test for load-pull, an easy configuration menu for IV measurements and VNA based load-pull, scripting capabilities integrated into advanced sweep plans and a compact model equation editor for flexible model optimization. In addition, they were showing an advanced RF circuit and system modeling solution, VISION, for accurate RF/microwave system design. VISION offers a unique platform to provide accurate behavioral models for system simulations.

Anritsu demonstrated several of its measurement solutions, including spectrum and signal analyzers, vector network analyzers and a new line of 1 mm components (attenuator, coupler, divider and splitter) for interfacing with its highest frequency instruments. With 1 mm connectors, the VectorStar VNA line’s frequency coverage extends to 110 GHz — to 145 GHz with a frequency extender. According to the company, the new VectorStar Option 48 is the first solution to handle three- and four-port devices and make single-ended, differential and common mode noise figure measurements. The Shockline family of VNAs is tailored for production test, applications where space is limited or a monitor isn’t required. The models in the Shockline family have no monitors, interfacing with PCs running Windows to control the instrument and process data. Single-, two- and four-port models are available. Anritsu also demonstrated a portable spectrum analyzer small enough to fly on a drone. With frequency coverage to 110 GHz, the unit can be mounted to a probe station to test millimeter wave ICs.

AR Europe was showing the 20S6G18A and 40S6G18B that are self-contained, air-cooled, broadband, class A solid-state amplifiers designed for applications where instantaneous bandwidth, high gain and linearity are required. The Model 20S6G18A, when used with a sweep generator, will provide a minimum of 20 W of RF output power instantaneously from 6 to 18 GHz, while the 40S version delivers 40 W. These instruments are suitable for radiated immunity testing, TWTA replacements and EW applications.

Copper Mountain Technologies’ VNA software is now available for Linux, specifically for Ubuntu and Mint distributions. The CMT VNA software for Linux includes all the same features as its VNA software for Windows. Any CMT VNA can now operate in a Linux environment, whether it is controlled manually or its operation is automated using SCPI commands via TCP/IP sockets. Alternatively, HiSlip interface uses the same SCPI command set and further allows for instrument discovery and automation through the Visa library of choice.

Holzworth Instrumentation highlighted several product demonstrations that included the new HA7062D Real-Time Phase Noise Analyzer. The HA7062D features full real-time data analysis to a 100 MHz maximum measurement offset while natively covering device under test (DUT) frequencies from 10 MHz to 26 GHz. The HA7062D also offers a frequency extension to cover up to 40 GHz, which will be released in early 2019 as a product option. Accompanying the phase noise analyzer was Holzworth's formal introduction and live demonstration of the 40 GHz channel options for the popular, high performance HSX Series Multi-Channel RF Synthesizer product line. The HSX Series is currently an industry leader in phase noise performance and spectral purity with a unique channel-to-channel phase coherent relationship that makes these 1U high signal sources ideal for many applications.

Ikalogic, a specialist in test and measurement devices for embedded system diagnostics and debugging, displayed IkaScope, the world’s first Wi-Fi connected oscilloscope probe. IkaScope is designed for quick and easy analog measurements. It offers a new dimension in ergonomics and overall end-user experience. Ikalogic, which enables electronics engineers to work more effectively on the peripheral circuits of microwave systems, also displayed its latest logic analyzers offering in-depth digital signal analysis.

Keysight demonstrated a wide range of high frequency test equipment solutions that help customers master microwave complexities and design, simulate and test their latest innovations. The following was on display in the company's booth:

Solutions for millimeter wave applications:

• EW threat simulation to analyze and measure pulse characteristics.
• Microsatellite field test to test RF flight hardware such as satellite payloads and transceivers.
• Precise and reliable IoT measurements for easy, one-button measurements that quickly link cause and effect.
• Design for quantum computing to create, deploy and simulate custom hardware-accelerated DSP into instruments.

5G and wireless solutions for design and test:

• 5G base station and field test to streamline 5G design validation at 28 and 37 to 39 GHz with new wideband signal source and analyzer families.
• Millimeter wave testbed to generate and analyze very wideband millimeter wave test signals.
• Volume 5G manufacturing solutions for flexible, lean 5G new radio (NR) manufacturing test capabilities, scalable from sub-6 GHz to the new 24 to 43.5 GHz bands.

Flexible millimeter wave testing solutions

• Complete transceiver characterization to address varying measurement results between test systems or due to changes in test cables.
• Zero compromise USB test stations to decrease cost and get products to market faster, by leveraging the same technology across all instrument platforms used in each phase of product development.

Software and services

• PathWave Asset Advisor for real-time test asset utilization and health data.
• PathWave Design to connect circuit design, EM analysis and system simulation.
• PathWave Test to accelerate test workflow, with the power to collaborate and manage test projects from a web browser.

National Instruments shared a large booth with NI AWR (read an overview of their promotions in the Electronic Design Automation Software section). NI was discussing and demonstrating their hardware and software solutions for wireless and semiconductor testing. NI offers an extensive, modular-based set of instruments, including vector signal transceivers, software-defined radios, network analyzers, signal analyzers and spectrum analyzers, all tying to LabVIEW for data analysis. Over the past few years, NI has been integrating their hardware and software capabilities to offer customers complete testing solutions. Notable examples include modular systems for millimeter wave communications, semiconductors, vehicle radar and near-field communications and wireless power. NI has been very active in the development of 5G, partnering with the leading network equipment manufacturers and wireless carriers to prototype, test and iterate the 5G wireless links.

Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) had one of the largest booths at EuMW — if not the largest — to demonstrate its show theme of accelerating design and maximizing performance. Among the products featured at the conference were the new SMB100B analog signal generator and SMBV100B vector signal generator. These compact, mid-range signal generators offer signal purity and high output power and are well-suited for semiconductor, telecommunications and aerospace and defense applications.

R&S launched an improved version of its high-end FSW signal and spectrum analyzer; for models with input frequencies of 26.5 GHz and higher, the internal analysis bandwidth is now 2 GHz, with 800 MHz for real-time signal analysis (compared to 500 MHz previously). The unit has a capacitive touchscreen, making it as easy to use as a smartphone, and a internal SCPI recorder for automating test sequences.

5G was a core topic at EuMW, and R&S is actively engaged in the deployment of this next-generation mobile system, including what R&S says is the world’s first commercial 5G NR network measurement solution. Announced at the recent Mobile World Congress Americas, the system includes a network scanner with 5G NR scanning software and the R&S ROMES4 drive test software. The system, which has been field-tested with a first-tier operator and network equipment manufacturer, supports both the standalone and non-standalone NR configurations.

For generating wideband radar signals at millimeter wave frequencies, R&S featured the SMW200A with pulse sequencer. The unit has an internal modulation bandwidth of 2 GHz and can generate pulses with minimal pulse width and rise/fall times, as well as linear frequency modulated signals.

To test advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), R&S demonstrated a system meeting the mandatory testing requirements of the radio equipment directive. The system comprises the AREG100A automotive radar echo generator, ATS1500A shielded chamber, SMBV100B vector signal generator and SMB100B analog signal generator. To characterize the signal transparency of antenna radomes, R&S offers the QAR imaging system.

R&S was one of the sponsors of the 2018 Defence, Security and Space Forum, traditionally held on the Wednesday of each EuMW. This year's theme was defense and security considerations as UAVs are integrated into military operations and civilian life. Addressing the security threat UAVs can pose, Tobias Willuhn presented work being done by R&S to design systems and sensors to counter UAVs when they do become threats to civilians, business and government leaders or military personnel.

Semiconductors

Ampleon is vying to be the market leader for power transistors and says it is close to — if not ahead of — NXP (formerly Freescale and, before that, Motorola), the market leader for many years. Ampleon is aggressively pursuing the sub-6 GHz 5G market, anticipating China Mobile’s rollout next year, followed by China Telecom and China Unicom (or the combined company if merger rumors prove to be true). Continuing investments in LDMOS process technology and with two fabs, Ampleon is bullish that LDMOS will remain the preferred power transistor technology for China’s proposed 5G bands at 2.6 and 3.5 GHz — even the higher frequency 5G band at 4.9 GHz. Despite all the buzz about 5G, Ampleon announced two non-5G products at EuMW: 1) a 750 W, 62 percent efficient Gen9HV LDMOS transistor for particle accelerators operating at 1.3 GHz and 2) a 1600 W CW, >82 percent efficiency transistor for the 88 to 108 MHz FM band.

Analog Devices showcased several impressive new RF and microwave products — not just for 4G and 5G wireless communications infrastructure, but also a wide range of other applications such as radar, satcom, software-defined radio and test instruments. A major new product is the highly integrated, single-chip, high performance transceiver line. The new ADRV9009 has two transmit and two receive channels, with an observation receiver for DPD implementation in TDD small cells. A companion pair comprises the ADRV9008-1 and ADRV9008-2, a dual-channel transmitter and dual-channel receiver with observation receiver, respectively, for FDD small cells. The family has a built-in sync feature that allows easy and simple synchronizing of multiple transceiver chips to realize massive MIMO systems. The ICs are highly configurable; hence, they can support spectrum aggregation from 5G deployment to military communications, as well as software-defined radios.

Another new product is a 12-bit 10 GSPS pipelined RF ADC, the AD9213, capable of digitizing a 6.5 GHz input signal. With its noise floor of −154 dBFS/Hz and SFDR of 68 dBc, it offers the industry’s best dynamic range performance. The device has an on-chip digital down-converter, with configurable decimation filter, and DSP. It is an ideal device for fast digitization of RF signals, signal analysis and processing. The chip also supports accurate multichip synchronization to within one clock cycle. Its applications range from high speed signal detection in radar systems, test instrumentation and many other signal processing systems

ADI also showcased their soon-to-be-released low phase noise, ultrawideband fractional-N or integer-N PLL/synthesizer with integrated VCO, the ADF4371. It operates from 62.5 MHz to 32 GHz. The PLL offers a normalized phase noise floor figure-of-merit of −234 dBc/Hz. The VCO’s fundamental frequency is tunable from 4 to 8 GHz, allowing the synthesizer to output from as low as 62.5 MHz to 8 GHz. The chip has an on-chip 2x multiplier path with tunable tracking output filter, delivering a low subharmonic spurious output frequency range of 125 MHz to 16 GHz. Additionally, a 4x multiplier path is also available with corresponding tunable tracking output filter, covering the frequency range of 250 MHz to 32 GHz.

Adding to its already large portfolio of RF and microwave products, ADI showed off its ADAR1000, a four channel X-/Ku-band analog beamformer front-end IC. Each channel has separate and independent 0 to 360° phase shifter with 2.8° phase resolution, and 31 dB gain adjustment range with 0.5 dB increments. All controls are via a four-wire serial SPI interface. The four channels operate in half-duplex mode and are aggregated to a single RF input/output pin. The ADAR1000, with its highly integrated functions, greatly reduces the size and weight of a phased array radar while enabling fast beam steering and calibration flexibility.

EpiGaN displayed its latest GaN epiwafer developments tailored to 5G applications. EpiGaN is a global supplier of GaN on Si and GaN on SiC product solutions for next-generation semiconductor technology devices. EpiGaN has taken up the 5G challenge and released large-diameter versions of its HVRF (High Voltage Radio Frequency) GaN on Si, as well as GaN on SiC wafer product families. Customers can choose from various optimized top structures to best serve their specific RF device needs--AlGaN, AlN or InAlN barriers combined with GaN or in-situ SiN caps--on Si substrates up to 200 mm, and SiC up to 150 mm diameter. EpiGaN's HVRF products enable excellent dynamic behavior, highest power densities at mmWave frequencies and lowest RF losses (< 0.8 dB/mm up to 110 GHz).

MACOM showcased its industry-leading GaN on Si portfolio, lightwave antennas and other high performance MMIC and diode products at EuMW. MACOM featured new product solutions optimized for 5G, wireless base stations, radar, test and measurement and ISM, including:

• Lightwave antenna solutions combining RF coherent beamforming and fiber-to-the-element optical transport to deliver wideband performance, low latency and improved spectral efficiency.
• Enabling the next-generation of wireless base stations with a cutting edge GaN on Si 60 W average power Doherty module.
• Front-end modules delivering performance and reliability for wireless networking, leveraging proprietary switching technology and integration.
• RF energy, with the industry’s first GaN on Si RF Energy Toolkit.
• GaN on Si technology in mainstream CMOS factories, which is expected to enable the scale, capacity, cost structure and supply chain economics for mainstream base station and RF energy applications in volume production.
• MACOM’s high performance MMICs, industry-leading limiter diodes, cross-reference tools and application-specific solutions.

NXP was promoting its power transistor line-up for ISM, RF energy and wireless infrastructure applications. Timed with EuMW, NXP introduced two new LDMOS transistors for ISM, extending its family of power transistors operating at 65 V. The MRFX600H provides 600 W CW from 1.8 to 400 MHz. The device is unmatched, allowing the user to tune it for the specific application, such as industrial, medical, broadcast, aerospace or mobile radio. With a high breakdown voltage (193 V), the device is very tolerant of high VSWR applications, such as plasma generators. A companion transistor, the MRFX035H, can be a driver for the higher power device or used alone. Also unmatched, it delivers 35 W CW from 1.8 to 512 MHz. These two devices complement the 1.8 kW transistor introduced last year, the flagship device in the 65 V family. NXP is also preparing for the sub-6 GHz 5G rollout, offering both LDMOS and GaN devices. Although GaN offers higher efficiency, up to six points greater than LDMOS, NXP feels LDMOS remains the preferred technology for the base station market.

Qorvo had a light presence on the exhibition floor, sharing space in their distributor RFMW’s booth. Nonetheless, they sent a sizable staff to meet with current and potential customers and discuss the Infrastructure and Defense Products (IDP) segment’s broad portfolio of products for defense and infrastructure. GaN was a key theme, reflecting Qorvo’s comprehensive portfolio, extending from below 1 GHz to well into millimeter wave. Of interest internationally are Qorvo’s S- and X-Band T/R modules for phased array radar. As one example, the QPM1002 MMIC integrates an all-GaN T/R switch, LNA and PA, covers 8.5 to 10.5 GHz and provides 35 dBm saturated output power with a 2.2 dB noise figure on the receive channel — including the switch loss. The 5 mm x 5 mm surface-mount packaged device fits within the required element spacing for an X-Band phased array.

Again this year, Qorvo was one of the sponsors of the Defence, Security and Space Forum, which focused on the integration of UAVs into defense and security regimes. During the industry panel session, Dean White discussed how semiconductor integration and packaging — particularly GaN — are reducing the size, weight and power of UAVs, giving them more capability. In another forum, addressing the looming 5G market, Bror Peterson participated in the MicroApps panel’s discussion of the “best” semiconductor technology for 5G, explaining the network trades that led Qorvo to develop fully-integrated GaN FEMs for the millimeter wave 5G bands (i.e., 28 and 39 GHz).

Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations (SEDI) offers cutting edge GaN RF and microwave electron devices for BTS, radar, space and radio link markets. Products include the SGC0910-300A-R GaN IMFET for X-Band radar, with the highest state-of-the-art output power; the SGN2729-600H-R GaN IMFET for S-Band radar, with the highest state-of-the-art output power; the SGM6901VU GaN Module for X-Band radar, a wideband, high gain device. According to SEDI, they hold a 56 percent share of the GaN device market, citing ABI Research from a 2018 report, and have achieved <1.0 FIT. These achievements with the company's state-of-art, high output power, support SEDI's claim to be the volume, power and reliability leader.

Promoting its RF capabilities, Tower Jazz discussed its RF silicon process technology, including advanced SiGe and RF SOI technologies. The company is targeting RFIC design wins in the emerging 5G and millimeter wave markets, particularly high data rate mobile and automotive applications. TowerJazz’s SiGe BiCMOS technology for 5G mobile has demonstrated greater than 12 Gbps data rates and record performance at 28 GHz. The company’s RF SOI technology includes a 65 nm process ramping on 300 mm wafers in Japan; it offers best in class performance for LNAs and switches, with low switch loss improving battery life. In addition to the TowerJazz booth, Paul Hurwitz, director of device technology, was a MicroApps panelist discussing the “best” RF semiconductor technology for 5G systems.

United Monolithic Semiconductors (UMS) has promoted new GaAs, GaN and SiGe products and also its foundry service based on in-house GaN and GaAs processes. On the technology side, UMS has announced the next release, during the first half of 2019, of the GaN 0.15 µm HEMT process to address the power market needs in millimeter wave for 5G and other applications beyond Ku-Band. A new line of products in SMD hermetic packages for space applications, such as the CHT4690-FAA 5 to 30 GHz attenuator, CHS5104-FAA DC to 6 GHz switch and CHV1203-FAA 2.6 to 3 GHz VCO. New products for power applications include a 2 W highly integrated front-end covering 24 to 31 GHz, the CHA6550-98F 17 to 23.6 GHz wideband HPA, CHA6652-98F 21 to 27.5 GHz highly linear wideband HPA, CHZ8012-QJA 12 W internally-matched GaN power transistor and CHZ9012-QFA 65 W internally-matched GaN power transistor.

The world’s largest compound semiconductor foundry, WIN Semiconductors, presented its portfolio of process technologies and foundry services for wireless infrastructure, mobile, broadband and defense and aerospace applications, highlighting how its capabilities support 5G, both the sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave links. As SiGe and SOI technologies are making inroads into millimeter wave frequencies and being applied to 5G systems, WIN Semiconductors is countering by reminding the industry that GaAs is the technology of choice for the sub-6 GHz front-ends in LTE smartphones, uniquely satisfying the linearity and efficiency requirements of multi-band, multi-mode power amplifiers and arguing that GaAs has the same advantage with the sub-6 GHz 5G bands. For the 5G millimeter wave bands, WIN offers a GaAs PHEMT platform that integrates PA and LNA amplifier technologies with high performance switch, logic and ESD protection, enabling fully-integrated and high performance front-ends. David Danzilio. WIN’s senior VP for technology and strategic business development, “argued” WIN’s case at the MicroApps panel discussing the “best” RF semiconductor technology for 5G.

Wolfspeed, combining Cree’s GaN on SiC products with the RF LDMOS and GaN portfolio acquired from Infineon last March, now offers a broader and much stronger capability for wireless infrastructure, well timed for the rollout of 5G. Unlike Ampleon and NXP, Wolfspeed’s bets are on GaN for China Mobile’s 2.6 GHz rollout, and it is adding 100 mm GaN fab capacity to support the anticipated demand. Gerhard Wolf, vice president and general manager of Wolfspeed’s RF segment, presented a keynote paper discussing the technology challenges posed by 5G and how LDMOS and GaN are solving them. In its exhibition, Wolfspeed featured new products: a wideband, two-stage, LDMOS integrated PA for wireless infrastructure; and two 28 V GaN MMICs for C-Band radar, delivering 25 and 50 W with 50 percent nominal drain efficiency and greater than 30 dB gain.

Electronic Design Automation Software

From innovative fluids meshing technology to improved workflows for safety analysis to an innovative system coupling engine, the newly released ANSYS 19.2 enables customers to solve the most difficult product development challenges faster than ever.

With product life cycles continuing to shrink and trends in additive manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, electrification and 5G connectivity rapidly evolving, the pressure for companies to deliver innovative products is at an all-time high. The latest release of ANSYS Pervasive Engineering Simulation solutions empowers more users to accelerate the design process with its new single window, efficient workflows and patent-pending advanced meshing technology for computational fluid dynamics. Users will benefit from new processes for developing embedded software for safety-critical applications, dramatic computational speed and user experience improvements for solving automotive radar, digital twins, 3D design exploration and structural modeling cases.

COMSOL is adding several features to the RF Module in the company’s multiphysics software. Version 5.4 expands the library with Isola board materials, calculates the frequency domain response from time-domain data, calculates the time-domain response from frequency data, expands the 2D axisymmetric analysis to 3D and provides an array factor to easily create animation. The RF Module includes extensive tools for electromagnetic modeling, including antenna far-field radiation patterns, gain and directivity; microstrip, coplanar waveguide and substrate integrated waveguide; resonators and filters; couplers and power dividers; and ferrimagnetic devices.

Dassault Systèmes demonstrated the new VNA filter tuning functionality in CST Filter Designer 3D, which enables engineers to use a coupling matrix approach to quickly tune complex cavity filters. EuMW attendees could try this capability at the SIMULIA Filter Tuning Challenge. CST Studio Suite is now part of SIMULIA’s simulation software portfolio; this unlocks the capability to perform multi-scale, multiphysics simulations, combining EM with other domains, such as mechanics, multi-body structures and fluid dynamics.

MathWorks offers MATLAB, Simulink, Antenna Toolbox, RF Blockset, Phased Array System Toolbox and many other add-ons for different application fields such as radar, wireless communications, autonomous driving, sensor fusion and tracking. MathWorks introduced two new products that will be of interest to microwave audiences as part of release 2018b. The first is 5G Toolbox, which helps simulate, analyze and test the physical layer of 5G communications systems. The second is Sensor Fusion and Tracking Toolbox, which helps design and simulate multisensor tracking and navigation systems.

Mician GmbH featured a preview of version 9 of µWave Wizard. Version 9 introduces support for inhomogeneously filled waveguide ports, like microstrip lines, multi-layered coaxial lines or dielectric coated waveguides. This feature is accompanied by a set of predefined library elements: microstrip steps, stubs, tapers, patches and coupled lines; microstrip to coaxial line, rectangular waveguide and SIW transitions; and steps and tapers for multi-layered media in coaxial lines, which is steadily extended according to user needs. Also new with version 9 will be Mician’s new Filter Synthesis tool, an add-on for µWave Wizard products, which is capable of designing and optimizing narrowband microwave filters.

NI AWR was demonstrating the recently released version 14 of NI AWR Design Environment, including the suite of capabilities integrated in the environment: Microwave Office, Visual System Simulator™, and the AXIEM and Analyst™ EM analyzers. NI AWR also featured AntSyn™, cloud-based software for antenna design, synthesis and optimization and AXIEM 3D’s integration with the Cadence Virtuoso RF solution. Many of NI AWR’s activities were outside the exhibition booth, with two courses offered on multi-band chip antenna design, with Fractus Antennas, and a transceiver design competition for graduate students, conducted by David Ricketts, professor at North Carolina State University. NI AWR held the fifth annual PA forum, focusing on device technologies, characterization, modeling and applications and initiated the first forum on the design and simulation of filters.

REMCOM had its WaveFarer Automotive Radar Simulation Software on display at EuMW. The company also previewed the upcoming release of Wireless InSite, which will include MIMO beamforming and throughput prediction.

TEGAM Inc. highlighted its PS-Cal®, power sensor calibration software. Correctly calibrating an RF power sensor is an involved process that requires numerous complex calculations of calibration factor, mismatch correction and uncertainty. PS-Cal is successfully deployed by many organizations ISO 17025:2005 accredited. PS-Cal provides full calibration support across the greatest number of different sensors and is the only real option for those needing automation with sensors from multiple manufacturers.

Components, Subsystems and Systems

AirMems, a designer and manufacturer of switches for defense, space and telecommunications applications, displayed its RF MEMS switch technology, which is 100x smaller and faster than mechanical relays of equal performance. It enables RF engineers to shrink size, improve performance or lower power consumption in electronic systems.

AO developed a new line of high performance connectors up to 40 GHz. These series are manufactured with the highest quality materials and process to provide reliable and repeatable performance. They are available for different type of cables. The connectors are in stock and available for immediate delivery. Send an enquires to sales@aotechnologies.fr

American Technical Ceramics (ATC) displayed several products at EuMW, including RF ceramic capacitors, resistors, inductors, attenuators, filters and thin film products. ATC announced the the introduction of the new 531Z broadband multilayer capacitor. The 531Z is an excellent solution for applications requiring coverage from 16 kHz through 30 GHz, providing low insertion loss with a voltage rating of 16 WVDC. ATC also introduced the 560L ultra-broadband capacitor which is manufactured with the highest quality materials to provide reliable and repeatable ultra-broadband performance from 16 kHz to above 40 GHz. It exhibits ultra-low insertion loss, flat frequency response and excellent return loss and is ideal for DC blocking, coupling, bypassing and feedback applications requiring ultra-broadband performance.

API Technologies designs and manufactures RF, microwave and millimeter wave components and subsystems — including the well-known brands of Inmet and Weinschel — for defense, aerospace and commercial systems. With independent design and manufacturing capabilities in both the U.S. and Europe, API can supply European defense programs from within Europe. Among the products and capabilities promoted at EuMW, API highlighted a new digital attenuator from Weinschel, covering 100 MHz to 40 GHz with 31.5 dB range in 0.5 dB steps. The unit can be controlled with a parallel, I2C, SPI, UART or USB interface and is well-suited for automated test systems.

AVX offers a full line of Low Pass and Broadband Filters for frequencies from 500 kHz to 26 GHz. Thin film technology enables superior filter performance in miniature 0402 and 0603 low pass filters at high frequencies suitable for WiMAX, WiBro, and W-LAN applications. The DP series multilayer organic (MLO™) diplexers are available in 0603 and 0805 size packages with the lowest profile in the industry at 0.45 mm for 0603 size parts and 0.6 mm for 0805 size parts, making them ideal for height sensitive applications.

Cobham Microwave recently combined several European product groups into a single business unit, aiming to offer customers more integrated solutions. The Electrical and Electronic Equipment unit, headquartered in Paris, produces silicon diodes, filters/duplexers, isolators/circulators, rotary joints, waveguide components and multi-function microwave modules. Cobham’s heritage includes defense, space and industrial programs.

At EuMW, dB Control promoted its designs of high efficiency and reliable high power TWTAs, MPMs and high voltage power supplies with modulators for radar, ECM and data link applications. The company also promoted its specialized contract manufacturing, build-to-print and repair depot services for high voltage power supplies and TWTAs.

Greenleaf manufactures lossy or microwave absorbing ceramics that can be tuned to absorb microwave energy in specific frequency ranges, based on design, electrical properties (dielectric constant and loss tangent) and other application requirements. They are offering new technology for the microwave transmission industry by developing ceramic components based on frequency response instead of composition. This allows military and microwave transmission players to optimize equipment through more precision waveguides, detection devices and sending and receiving instruments for modern microwave uses. Greenleaf offers a complete line of lossy ceramics for use as buttons, wedges, servers, pellets, terminators, slot modes and custom designs. These materials are capable of operating with no outgassing under high vacuum and temperature extremes. Special ceramic formulations can be developed to meet specific applications.

Intelliconnect promoted their 2.9mm Solderless RF Connectors. The cost effective 2.9mm connectors provide solderless attachment to 0.085″(RG405) and 0.141″ cables. System designers will find the main advantages of these connectors are faster assembly time, repeatability and performance and they also provide field replaceable connectivity.

Inoveos, a developer and manufacturer of passive microwave components and systems for military and commercial radar and telecommunications applications, exhibited isolators and circulators with unique dual-band and bi-directional capabilities.

JFW featured its RF products for 5G wireless testing. The fifth-generation wireless mobile system is being actively researched by a multitude of companies. Its high data rates will enable it to be much more than just the next-generation of mobile networks. It appears that 5G deployment will include frequency bands from sub-1 GHz to 6 GHz for mobile coverage and up to 50 GHz for the highest point-to-point transmission speeds.

JQL Electronics promoted its range of isolators, circulators, filters and other passive components for the defense, space, telecom and other commercial markets.

K&L Microwave was showing off the company's new Transition Time Converters, designed specifically for high speed digital networks, utilizing a modified Bessel filter function. It covers the 10 MHz to 20 GHz range with minimum ringing and overshoot and minimizes inter-symbol interference. It has broadband VSWR match and supports Sonnet OC-1 to OC-192, SDH STM-0 to STM 64, Fiber Channel and Gigabit Ethernet.

Mega Gysel combiners are capable of adding up to 16 inputs together to create a high reliability, high power output. These combiners operate from 100 MHz to 1,500 MHz and can combine from 8 to 16 inputs. They provide high isolation between the inputs (>40 dB) and are extremely low loss (<0.1 dB). Type-N and 7/16 DIN inputs are standard, and the output can be sized to meet output power requirements. Rack mounted, the Mega Gysel can be customized for the application and configured to save space and optimize performance. Mega also introduced a line of high power dummy loads. Ranging in size from WR650 to WR42, these are some of the highest power air or liquid cooled loads available.

Over the past decade, Mercury Systems has evolved from a computer company to one with a strong RF/microwave component and packaging portfolio, capable of integrating digital signal processing with the RF/microwave portion of the block diagram. At EuMW, the company exhibited its broad range of capabilities, from highly integrated subsystems to GaN PAs that provide from hundreds to kilowatts of output power, depending on frequency. Lee Provost, senior sales director, said Mercury is the only company that has qualified GaN PAs for space and is seeing strong demand from space programs.

Microwave Product Group (MPG) featured its RF and microwave filters and switched filter banks; low insertion loss, high reliability switches and switch matrices; integrated co-site interference equipment and design solutions for maximizing communication system performance; frequency-agile filters; manual and digitally-controlled tunable filters; and low PIM components and test rack assemblies for broadband emission monitoring.

Passive Plus Inc. featured its multilayer ceramic capacitors and broadband capacitors. The company offers a high quality product line with competitive pricing and quick delivery. Delivery times range from stock to 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the capacitor needed.

RFHIC released a prototype of its new C-Band, 5 kW (pulsed), GaN transmitter for radar, medical and scientific testing. The RRT56575K0-67 is 19 in. wide by 8U high, so users can integrate the transmitter into existing rack systems. Using GaN technology for the active devices yields a smaller hardware footprint, lower maintenance costs and reduces operational start-up time.

SCAN Antenna displayed its new program of antennas designed for IoT and M2M applications. All cellular bands, as well as GNSS and Wi-Fi, can be included. The antenna is designed for outdoor use, but works equally well indoors. All the antennas in the family can be mounted on both conductive and non-conductive surfaces.

Stevenage Circuits Ltd. displayed its RF and microwave PCBs that are a type of PCB designed to operate on signals in medium to extremely high frequency ranges (MHz to GHz), used for everything from mobile phones to military radars.

TEMWELL Group is a provider of microwave and RF solutions from wireless communications to markets such as aerospace, military and medical. Temwell Brand has focus on designing and manufacturing helical bandpass filters for more than 24 years. At EuMW, TEMWELL highlighted its RF/microwave filters and passive components.

Würth Elektonik eiSos GmbH & Co. KG displayed its electronic and electromechanical components. Würth Elektronik now offers RF coaxial connectors with a full range of SMAs for both standard and reverse polarity. They are designed to cover the frequency range from DC to 18 GHz with a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. With its threaded-type coupling mechanism, connection is secured in any type of environment, even with intense vibration.

Special Technology Exhibitors

ALPHA-RLH (Route des Lasers & des Hyperfréquences), a technology cluster specializing in photonics, microwave, RF and digital technologies, accompanied six cluster members to EuMW. Exhibits included microwave modeling and system simulation software, an RF MEMS-based switch technology aimed at addressing performance system needs in size, speed and power consumption and the first Wi-Fi connected oscilloscope probe. Other instruments designed for quick and easy test and measurement, as well as component and circuit design capabilities, were displayed.

A first-time visitor to EuMW, CATIE, a specialist in digital technology solutions for IoT, big data, AI, robotics and the study of cognition and human behavior, discussed its 6TRON platform. 6TRON provides hardware, software and cloud services under an open, collaborative and professional methodology. It enables rapid prototyping and integration, drastically reducing the time-to-market of IoT projects.

Cisteme, a high-tech transfer center, works in collaboration with the XLIM laboratory at the University of Limoges. Cisteme proposes R&D services for RF/microwave components and system design, as well as wireless applications (e.g., IoT, 5G). The center is active in antenna systems, wireless networks, autonomous and communicating sensor networks (IoT-related), ultra-wideband communication systems, filtering, amplifier design and optimization, wireless propagation, RF front-end design, electromagnetic characterization of materials and electromagnetic compatibility.

Sales representative Spantech represents a wide range of RF, microwave and millimeter wave companies and products in Spain and promoted them in the company's EuMW exhibition:

• JFW — Customisable test systems including variable attenuators and switches from DC to 40 GHz.
• DLi — Custom filters in high DK, ultra-temperature stable dielectrics, providing smaller and better solutions.
• Boonton — USB power heads with the fastest rise time on the market: 3 ns.
• Flann — A full range of waveguide test solutions and calibration kits to 500 GHz.
• Dow-Key — Configurable test matrices including low PIM solutions.
• Wenzel — Best in class, ultra-low phase noise solutions, including for high vibration environments.
• BSC — NANo transitions that enable a waveguide interface to fit the same way as a field replaceable SMA.
• Tallysman — Very high positional accuracy GNSS antennas at reasonable cost.
• Knowles — High voltage ceramic capacitor solutions for applications such as electric cars.
• Sector — Best in class waveguide and coax switches.
• IMS Resistors — Thermal bridge solutions that provide paths for heat to escape.
• ITF — Fast turn SAW solutions.
• L3 Narda Safety — S3 personal monitors for ensuring worker safety in high power environments.
• Getelec — Sealing gaskets providing environmental as well as EMI solutions, foams for thermal management and RF absorbent sheets.
• L3 Narda MITEQ — A new range of standard amplifiers, soon be available from stock.
• dB Control — Ultra-high power Ka-Band satellite HPAs, both in hub and rack configurations.
• Intelliconect — Solderless cryogenic cables.
• Werlatone — In-line power meters for forward, reverse and VSWR measurements in high power applications.
• Link Microtek — A range or rotary joints, including its integrated microwave rotary joint and slip-ring assembly for SOTM.
• Viper RF — GaAs and GaN custom and standard products.
• Spacek Labs — A leader in millimeter wave technology.
• QEI — A range of high power, narrowband amplifier.