Components
Nonreflective/Absorptive Switch
This variable rise time, high power (1 W), high isolation nonreflective/absorptive SPST switch operates from 500 MHz to 18 GHz (other frequencies are available) with the capability of adjusting the rise time in four discrete steps of 25, 50, 75 and 100 ns. Insertion loss is < 1.75 dB at 500 MHz and < 3.5 dB at 18 GHz. Isolation is > 80 dB at 500 MHz and > 85 dB at 18 GHz. In addition, SWR is 2 (typ).
American Microwave Corp., Frederick, MD (301) 662-4700.
Wideband, High Power Hybrid Coupler
The Xinger® series model 2A1306-3 surface-mount 3 dB hybrid coupler is designed for use in high power applications within a 1.8 to 2.5 GHz bandwidth. The unit provides an isolation of 21 dB (min) and insertion loss of 0.23 dB (max). In addition, the component features a phase balance of ±3° and a return loss better than 20 dB. Power handling is 100 W for digital audio broadcast and higher at lower frequencies. The unit measures 0.65" x 0.48" x 0.14". The coupler is manufactured using materials with x and y thermal expansion coefficients compatible with many common substrates, including FR-4, G-10 and polyimide, and can be used in a variety of high power applications.
Anaren Microwave Inc., East Syracuse, NY (315) 432-8909.
SMD Surge Arrestor Gas Tubes
The company’s two-element BA and three-element BM surface-mount surge arrestor gas tubes have been designed to protect telecom/datacom equipment against lightning surges and electrical transients. The nonradioactive tubes are half the size of conventional tubes and their surface-mount capability will allow original equipment manufacturers to save time and money. The units are currently available in 90 to 420 V. Prices: 40¢ to $2.00 each.
CITEL Inc., Miami, FL (305) 621-0022.
Right-angle Connectors
These factory-installed, right-angle connectors are designed for use with the company’s Sure-Flex™ cable assemblies. The connectors provide the good electrical performance of a straight connector with the mechanical advantages of a right-angle connector. In factory tests, SureFlex 1/2" cable assemblies with right-angle connectors provide a return loss of 28 dB or better up to 2.5 GHz. The new right-angle connectors are available on SureFlex cable assemblies for 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" HELIAX® superflexible foam dielectric cable.
Andrew Corp., Orland Park, IL (800) 255-1479.
High Power, 120 dB Attenuator
The model 100-SA-MFN-120 120 dB attenuator features an attenuation accuracy of ±1.5 dB. The convection-cooled unit operates at 100 W (avg) and 2000 W (peak). This 50 W attenuator also offers a frequency range of DC to 1 GHz with an SWR of 1.15. Size: 9.15" x 2.75" x 2.75". Weight: 52 oz. Available connectors are N-type male and female.
BCP, Largo, FL (727) 547-8826.
Replacement Electron Multiplier
The Magnum Electron Multiplier™ is a replacement electron multiplier that installs directly into existing ion-optic frames, eliminating the need to replace expensive mounts. No retrofitting with special ion-optic mounts is required, making replacement tool-free, fast and inexpensive. The unit utilizes Spiraltron™ technology to provide superior operational lifetime and output linearity. Multipliers are available for instrument models HP5770A, 5970, 5970B, 5971A, 5972A GCD, 5973, 5989A, 5989B, MS Engine and 5995 mass spectrometers.
Burle Electro-Optics Inc., Sturbridge, MA (800) 648-1800 or (508) 347-9191.
Coaxial Cable Assemblies
The model Lab-Flex™ 160 coaxial cable assemblies are designed for use up to 40 GHz where high performance and repeated flexing are required for RF interconnects. A solid center conductor and double-braid outer conductor ensure a long life without performance degradation. Low density dielectric yields low insertion loss. The extruded fluoroethylene propylene jacket provides good temperature performance. Specifications include a velocity of propagation of 76 percent, impedance of 50 ±2 W, capacitance of 27 pF, delay of 1.34 ns and temperature range of -65° to +200°C. Weight: 0.04 lb.
Florida RF Labs, Stuart, FL (800) 544-5594 or (561) 286-9300.
High Speed PIN Diode Switches
The models ES0129, ES0130 and ES0133 10 W CW hot switching, high speed, PIN diode switches cover the frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz. Switching rate is 2 MHz with 35 ns switching speed. Insertion loss is < 2 dB at 18 GHz and < 1 dB from 2 to 8 GHz. Isolation is > 50 dB. The switches operate on +5 and -15 V DC to +85°C.
Enon Microwave Inc., Topsfield, MA (978) 887-8234.
Quartz Chip Components
These quartz dielectric passive components feature improved performance for operation up to 26.5 GHz. Volume production of spiral inductors, couplers and attenuators is available with a variety of metallizations and form factors down to 0.01" x 0.01". Tolerances on ion-milled features are typically less than 75 microinches and result in good lot-to-lot repeatability.
Ion Beam Milling, Manchester, NH (603) 644-2326.
50 W Surface-mount Feedthru
This patented 50 W feedthru breaks the frequency, weight, mechanical versatility and cost barriers. With an SWR < 1.5 up to 15 GHz, this hermetic unit allows transformation of wideband and high frequency passive and active devices into true surface-mount applications. The low cost feedthru is then fitted into a lightweight aluminum housing as opposed to a traditional Kovar package.
Thunderline Z, Hampstead, NH (603) 329-4050.
Cellular and DCS-/PCS-band Directional Couplers
These cellular and DCS-/PCS-band directional couplers are suitable for forward and reflected site power monitoring, handset test stands/general instrumentation and signal injection for antenna testing applications. The units are configured with passbands of 800 to 980 MHz for the cellular band and 1700 to 2000 MHz for DCS/PCS. Insertion loss within the passbands is specified at 0.2 dB (max), and passband return loss is specified at 20 dB (min) at all ports. The units offer 30 dB coupling ports with tolerance of ±0.75 dB (max) and directivity of 30 dB (min). Maximum power handling is rated at 500 W CW and 20 kW peak instantaneous. Intermodulation products are specified at -110 dBm (max) with two +43 dBm CW carriers applied as input into the device with coupled ports terminated. The operating temperature range is -20° to +70°C. These units measure 4.5" x 2.0" x 1.0" for the 800 to 980 MHz passband and 3" x 2" x 1" for the 1700 to 2000 MHz passband (excluding connectors). Connectors are N-F at all ports.
K&L Microwave Inc., Salisbury, MD (410) 749-2424.
BNC Connectors
This family of BNC connectors meets the needs of industry-standard RF connectors in many kinds of radio, telecommunications, medical equipment, computer network and test instrumentation applications. The units are available in both 50 and 75 W versions and are provided in a choice of styles, including crimp, clamp, PC board mount, chassis mount and bulkhead mount. Customers can choose from a wide variety of plating options as well as custom-configured connectors to meet their specific requirements. The RF connectors meet all industry standards and provide an SWR of less than 1.3 across the DC to 4 GHz frequency range with a maximum center contact resistance of 1.5 mW at DC 1 A. Prices for the BNC connectors varies according to quantity, options and mounting style. Typical pricing for a standard BNC crimp style is 28¢ each (10,000).
Methode RF Products, a division of Methode Electronics Inc., Union, NJ (908) 688-8000.
Three-way DIN Power Splitter
The model D3-24FD three-way power splitter is designed using gasketed 7-16 mm Deutsche Industrial Norms (DIN) connectors for use in base stations, leaky line and similar applications in the 800 to 2200 MHz frequency range. The unit splits high power signals evenly with minimal reflections, passive intermodulation or insertion loss up to 700 W average power. The mechanical shape allows simple attachment to a pole or wall using the bracket provided.
Microlab/FXR, Livingston, NJ (973) 992-7700.
Surface-mount, Common-mode Choke Coil
The model PLW3216S wire-wound, surface-mount, common-mode choke coil provides an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering solution to manage the increased data transmission speeds necessary for the next-generation electronics devices. The new high speed interfaces are ideal for this surface-mount, common-mode choke coil. These recent innovations have enabled significant increases in data transmission speeds between digital consumer products and PCs. Such transmissions generate EMI noise on the data lines and require filtering to meet Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements. The unit provides good EMI suppression in a compact 1206 package size and enables electromagnetic compliance set forth by the FCC. The choke coil utilizes the company’s winding technology, which enables a high coupling coefficient and good common-mode noise suppression in the gigahertz range. The unit is also a lead-free product.
Murata Electronics North America, Smyrna, GA (770) 433-5782.
Waveguide Bandpass Filter
The model 7892D waveguide bandpass filter is designed to suppress strong out-of-band interference caused by marine or airport radar systems. Coastal and marine navigational radar frequencies (2.9 to 3.65 GHz) are just below the television receive only (TVRO) band and frequently wipe out transponders 1-5 in the TVRO installed near harbors. The airport altimeter band (4.2 to 4.4 GHz) affects transponders 22-24 at TVRO sites near airports. The filter features an insertion loss of 0.5 dB (typ) at the center frequency and 1.25 dB (max) (1 dB (typ)) at 3.7 and 4.2 GHz. Suppression is 25 dB (min) at 3.65 and 4.25 GHz and 50 dB (min) below 3.55 GHz and above 4.35 GHz. Group delay variation is less than 8 ns (typ). The filter measures 5.75" long (flange to flange). The flanges are rectangular CPR229G (grooved) and CPR229F (flat).
Microwave Filter Co. (MFC), East Syracuse, NY (800) 448-1666 or (315) 438-4700.
DC - 6 GHz Termination
The model ROSE-50 termination is designed for use in a wide range of applications in the DC to 6 GHz band, including cellular, test setup, instrumentation and PCS. The unit features a half-watt rating to 70° ambient (derated linearly at 0.005 W/°C to 0.35 W at 100°), 50 W impedance and minimum return loss of 30 dB in the DC to 2 GHz band, 22 dB from DC to 4 GHz and 17 dB band wide. The unit is equipped with an SMB plug connector and is available off the shelf for $9.95 each (1-9).
Mini-Circuits, Brooklyn, NY (718) 934-4500.
Wireless Isolator
The model CIC01A1723-01 wireless isolator performs over the frequency range of 1700 to 2300 MHz and is designed for an insertion loss of 0.3 dB (max). The isolator provides isolation of 22 dB (min) with an SWR of 1.15 (max). With input power rated at 25 W, the unit operates from 0° to +55°C. This high performance isolator can be used for amplifier output-stage protection. Delivery: stock.
Narda Microwave-West, Folsom, CA (916) 351-4500.
Power Divider/Switched Combiner
The model SDU-2162 switch combiner is suitable for base station and/or high power amplifier designers working at 1850 to 1975 MHz. The device provides for separate contributions of modular amplifiers. This approach allows power summation without the loss associated with using common combiners that require loading unused ports. The unit sums up numerous (two, three, four) coherent signals of 150 W each and survives random peak powers of 1800 W. The unit is optimized for insertion loss in both the three-port and four-port active condition. Typical specifications for both the power divider and power combiner include an insertion loss of 0.5 dB (max) and phase balance of ±2° (max). SWR is 1.25 and input power is rated at +23 dBm. Amplitude balance is 0.4 dB (max) for the power divider and 0.3 dB (max) for the combiner. The unit operates over a temperature range of 0° to +80°C and at altitudes up to 13,000 feet. The power divider/switched combiner is packaged in a rugged connectorized housing.
Signal Technology Corp., Olektron Operation, Beverly, MA (978) 524-7211.
Isolator
This 1.93 to 1.99 GHz SMA/stripline isolator features a stripline or surface-mount (microstrip) interface on the input and SMA female on the output. Other custom frequency configurations are possible. The company also manufactures waveguide and microstrip (to > 100 GHz) isolators.
Raditek, San Jose, CA (408) 266-7404.
Custom EMI Filtered Solutions
The company works with design and manufacturing teams to create any unique filtering or power conditioning design necessary. Current and voltage ratings can be specified to meet any stringent requirements. Application-specific options include transient suppression, circuit breaker protection, voltage cutoff, reverse polarity and power distribution. These custom EMI power filters can be used in various industries, including the medical, telecommunications, computer and general industrial areas. Specific applications include cellular base stations, communications racks, telephone switching equipment, UPS, industrial controls and welders, computer/peripheral equipment, PC work stations and servers.
Spectrum Control Inc., Fairview, PA (814) 835-1650.
SMA Connectors
The models TC-240-SM, TC-240-SM-RA and TC-240-SF-BH SMA male straight, male right-angle and female bulkhead connectors, respectively, are designed for the company’s LMR-240 flexible low loss coaxial cable and are fabricated from passivated stainless steel with gold-plated solder-pin contacts and crimp-style outer contact attachment rings. The male connectors have hex coupling nuts. These high quality, low loss connectors are designed to operate at frequencies up to 18 GHz.
Times Microwave Systems, Wallingford, CT (203) 949-8424.
Dual-junction Isolator
The model DSW1054-A dual-junction isolator is designed for use in base station filter subsystems, combiners and amplifiers. The unit is available in PCS1900, DCS1800, European Digital Extended Group Special Mobile and AMPS frequencies. The isolator features good IM3 performance, internal loads and standard outline.
Trak Microwave Ltd., Dundee, Scotland +44 (0) 1382 833411.