The 27th edition of the European Microwave Week (EuMW 2024), under the theme Waves Connecting Europe, took the main stage in Paris at the Paris Convention Centre. The largest trade show dedicated to RF and microwaves Europe did not disappoint, with grand exhibits from key industry players, including Rohde & Schwarz, Keysight Technologies, Aaronia AG, RF Lambda and more. Check out some highlights from the trade show floor. The event drew more than 5,000 attendees, a new record for the event. It was also the largest exhibition in square meters compared to previous years.

Be sure to check out our EuMW photo gallery!

Aaronia AG
Aaronia AG presented real-time spectrum analyzers with waveguide technology at booth 501L. With a real-time bandwidth of up to 490 MHz and a sweep speed of 3 THz/s, the SPECTRAN® V6 Xplorer is the new reference in terms of speed. Equipped with waveguide connections, the analyzer allows measurements in the mmWave range that are not possible with conventional cables. Waveguides transmit the signal without distortion or loss. They are less susceptible to external disturbances such as electromagnetic interference, which is important in an environment with many electrical devices and radio signals. As a result, the signal remains clean and the measurements of the spectrum analyzer are not distorted. The SPECTRAN® V6 Xplorer sets a new benchmark with measurements up to 140 GHz and still offers the advantages of inexpensive USB devices.

Radar distance sensors in the automotive sector determine the distance to objects by emitting electromagnetic waves and measuring the time it takes for the reflections to return. These waves travel very fast, almost at the speed of light. With the SPECTRAN® V6 real-time spectrum analyzers with waveguide technology, these high frequency and rapidly changing signals can be reliably analyzed and evaluated. The new devices are also an attractively priced solution. Thanks to the waveguide connection, the real-time spectrum analyzers from Aaronia AG can be connected to your own amplifier and splitter systems according to your requirements using the waveguides that will be available in the future.

In order to fully exploit the performance of the SPECTRAN® V6 real-time spectrum analyzers, the world market leader from Germany is also presenting its broadband antenna range. Included here are the brand new PowerLOG® horn antennas up to 70 GHz as well as the real-time DF solutions based on the improved and further developed IsoLOG® DF DF and tracking antenna. The IsoLOG® DF 16-10180 with a frequency range of 1 to 18 GHz and the IsoLOG® DF 16-20400 with a frequency range of 2 to 40 GHz, which are currently under development, will also be on display.

ACST GmbH

ACST is a European supplier of high-power frequency multipliers and THz sources. Their products target radioastronomy, communications and scientific instrumentation applications, along with industrial applications like mmWave/sub-mmWave imaging for security and non-destructive quality control. They offer high-performance semiconductor components, modules and sources in the mmWave to THz frequency range, along with full systems for scientific research, laboratory instrumentation, industry, security and space applications.

Alaris Kuhne

Alaris Kuhne was featuring RF components for security and defense including a 30-3500 MHz PA with max input power of 17 dBm and gain of 39 dB with gain flatness of +/- 2 dB (2500-3500 MHz) and noise figure of 15 dB. They have another model from 30-550 MHz with output power (P1dB) of 49 dBm, one covering 600-2700 MHz with sat. output power of 49 dBm. Also, a LNA operating from 10-10000 MHz with noise figure of 2.3 dB typical.

Alaris Linwave

Alaris Linwave supplies custom RF and microwave products into defense, avionics, marine, wireless, industrial and healthcare applications. The company designs and manufactures customized microwave/RF components for harsh environmental applications at frequencies up to 100 GHz. Solutions can range from die-level semiconductor components assembled and tested internally to complex sub-systems with multiple functions incorporating software and embedded control. Alaris

Altum RF

Altum RF is a fabless semiconductor component supplier providing high-performance RF to mmWave solutions for targeted market applications. They offer over 40 GaAs and GaN MMICs from X-Band to over 100 GHz. Altum RF featured new components for satcom, telecommunication (with E-band), radar and test and measurement markets. Product highlights included Altum RF’s new E-band family of power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers for mmWave telecom and SATCOM applications. The E-band power amplifiers include an on-chip integrated power detector.

AMCAD Engineering

AMCAD Engineering has recently become part of the SIMULIA Brand of Dassault Systèmes. It is dedicated to selling and supporting IVCAD, IQSTAR, VISION and WHITEBOARD software products as part of the SIMULIA brand portfolio. AMCAD SAS has been formed to continue its hardware-related business, including the Pulse IV system, automatic test equipment and hardware solutions. AMCAD SAS will remain under the umbrella of the CGD Group, including its sister company, WUPATEC ITEST. AMCAD SAS specializes in the sale of measurement and test instruments.

Ampleon Netherlands

Ampleon was showing GaN and LDMOS products and capabilities from their broad portfolio. Created in 2015 and headquartered in the Netherlands, Ampleon is shaped by nearly 60 years of RF power experience. The portfolio offers flexibility in scaling design and production for any volume and addresses applications for 5G NR infrastructure, industrial, scientific, medical, broadcast, navigation, and safety radio. They discussed recent releases in their advanced rugged transistors (ART) series of devices that target high-power ISM applications with up to 2500 W transmit power.

Anritsu 

Highlights on stand 207F included Anritsu’s cutting-edge Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) solutions and its advanced Rubidium™ RF/Microwave Signal Generator, alongside a range of other innovations tailored to meet diverse application needs with unparalleled performance and flexibility.

Configured as ME7838G and ME7838G4, VectorStar VNA provides 2- and 4-port 70 kHz to 220 GHz high performance measurements, offering industry-best calibration and measurement stability with 0.1 dB stability over 24 hours. The compact mmWave modules MA25400A enhance broadband measurements up to 220 GHz using proprietary nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) technology in a compact case. This single sweep coverage is crucial for on-wafer device characterization.

In a demonstration, the VNA, with a SPEAG AG open-ended coaxial probe, swept signals from a few MHz to 43.5 GHz, offering detailed material characterization of samples like solids, liquids and graphene. The MS46131A VNA also tests RF passive components, cables, antennas, sensors and PCBs.

Anritsu’s VNA and TMYTEK’s XRIfle Dynamic Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) combine to enhance field testing by intelligently managing signal paths, reducing power consumption and providing precise measurements for optimal network performance. TMYTEK’s XRifle Dynamic RIS minimizes interference and improves signal quality, while Anritsu’s patented PhaseLync™ approach (ME786xA) enables detailed radio path characterization in line with absolute phase measurements to support more robust network operations.

Elsewhere on the stand, Anritsu showcased its testing solutions for signal generation and signal analysis. The Rubidium MG362x1A Analog Signal Generator is designed for R&D, manufacturing and depot repair, offering top-tier signal purity, high output power and frequency stability from 9 kHz to 70 GHz. High power and signal purity are essential for non-linearity testing, overcoming ATE system losses and enhancing OTA or receiver blocking tests. The new Pulse Train Option 025 enables generating precise and long pulse sequences with highly flexible trigger mechanisms, ideal for Radar Warning Receiver testing. Additionally, low-phase noise and signal purity are critical for improving radar accuracy and effective electronic warfare countermeasures. The MG362x1A also supports user-defined waveform creation and onsite calibration for optimal flexibility and performance.

The Anritsu MA244XXA Real-Time Peak Power Sensor and MS2090A/MS27201A Spectrum and Signal Analysers are powerful tools for Tx testing, offering unmatched capabilities for power measurements and signal analysis.  The MA244XXA Power Sensor ensures accurate multi-pulse waveform validation, measuring PEP, Crest Factor, CCDF and RMS power with precision. The MS2090A/MS27201A Analysers, with a wide dynamic range and sensitivity up to 54 GHz, offer comprehensive pulse analysis and IQ Capture & Streaming, making them essential for radar, satcom and interference assessment.

ANTENNEX BV

ANTENNEX specializes in developing instrumentation for over-the-air measurements of integrated antenna systems spanning the frequency range of 20 to 140 GHz. They were showcasing and demonstrating their "Wireless Connector^TM," a tabletop mmWave measurement platform.

ANYFIELDS

ANYFIELDS’ technology makes antenna radiation visible in high definition, enhanced by high performance data processing algorithms. It has 300 000 measuring points in 1 shot, no band limitation going from Hz to THz measurements and features smart measurement powered by AI. Their EMBox is a portable measuring bench for compact antennas that enable internalization of testing activities.

AO Technologies

AO Technologies supplies waveguide products, rigid, flex/twist and seamless (brass/BeCu) integrated waveguide output arm assemblies and advanced TWT switching networks (up to 1 THz). They also supply cryogenically-cooled LNAs for quantum computing, space exploration, radio astronomy and laboratory applications. They also have a portfolio of passive and active components, along with high-performance microwave cable assemblies operating to 110 GHz.

Cadence

A barista in the Cadence Design Systems booth served espresso and cappuccino to guests who stopped by for information on the latest capabilities of their RF/microwave design, signal integrity/multi-physics analysis and implementation workflows for silicon/III-V IC, advanced package and PCB product development. Demos highlighted the company’s concept to manufacturing solutions for systems realized in advanced-node semiconductors and integrated heterogeneous technologies supported by their EDA products, including the AWR Design Environment platform with Microwave Office and Visual System Simulator (VSS), Virtuoso Studio and Virtuoso Heterogeneous Integration (HI) Solution, Clarity 3D Solver, Celsius Studio Thermal Solver, and EMX 3D Planar Solver. 

Calterah 

At EuMW, Calterah demonstrated how its cutting-edge mmWave radar chip technologies empowered in-cabin sensing and intelligent driving and also engaged in in-depth discussions with global industry experts. Also, Radar System Expert at Calterah, Dr. Zhifei Wan, was invited to attend EuRAD 2024 to share in-depth insights on Calterah's latest in-cabin detection radar SoC technology.

Calterah’s in-cabin radar solution utilizes the post-training quantization technology, reducing the model's memory footprint and speeding up inference. Specifically, in the solution, Calterah has deployed a deep learning model on the Rhine-Pro SoC for the first time, occupying only about 76 KiB of memory, with a single inference taking just 44 ms. This makes the solution easy to deploy while meeting the real-time requirements of in-cabin applications. The post-training quantization technology also enhances inference speed and reduces power consumption, providing more time and energy efficiency for other functions.As the automotive industry embraces smart mobility, Calterah will continue leading innovations in mmWave radar semiconductors, helping to create safer, more convenient and more comfortable smart car cabins and intelligent driving systems.

Chengdu Haoyi Chuangxiang Technology Company

Chengdu Haoyi Creative Technology Company focuses on broadband, ultra-wideband power amplifier equipment, modules and die, along with ultra-wideband frequency conversion equipment from DC to  220 GHz. The output power of these devices ranges from milliwatts to kilowatts.

Chengdu KSW Technologies Company

Chengdu KSW is a simulation test instrument and system solution provider focusing on wireless communication, navigation, V2X, IoT and other applications. Their main products and solutions include wireless channel simulators, vector signal generators, spectrum analyzers and other test and measurement instruments. They also make mobile communication mMIMO, large-scale networking, electromagnetic environment performance evaluation and other simulation test system solutions. 

Chengdu RF-Cube Technology Company

Chengdu RF-Cube Technology designs and manufactures RF, microwave and millimeter wave products, including active modules, passive modules and system-level equipment. These products include EMC benchtop power amplifiers, high-power AC/DC power amplifiers, AC/DC ultra-wideband low noise amplifiers, high-power switches, attenuators, phase shifters, power dividers and couplers. They provide customized solutions for wireless infrastructure, RF microwave and network connection, test and measurement instruments, IoT and many other fields.

CML Micro

CML Micro extended its SµRF range of sub-GHz MMICs with a 2 W power amplifier (PA) optimized for linear performance and high reliability. The CMX90A006 is intended as a final-stage ISM (915 MHz) and SRD (868 MHz) band power amplifier in wireless transmitter applications.

The packaged two-stage indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) device delivers +33 dBm output power at 1 dB gain compression over the 860 to 930 MHz frequency range, making it suitable for multi-market applications operating in the license-free bands. The CMX90A006 operates over a wide 2.5 to 5.25 V supply voltage to enable system-level optimization and can be powered by a single-cell Lithium battery for portable applications.

ConductRF

ConductRF exhibited their most popular RF cable assemblies at booth #715B with their European representatives, Richardson Electronics. ConductRF’s dedication to quality is evident in their commitment to 100 percent testing of every assembly they ship. Typically, a supplier will do “loT testing” on a few assemblies to ensure the quality of the entire lot. At ConductRF, every cable assembly undergoes rigorous electrical and mechanical testing to ensure it meets the highest standards of performance and reliability — and this data is backed up and saved for future reference. This meticulous attention to detail ensures ConductRF’s assemblies not only meet your supply chain needs today, but the data is also available to match up with future lots that your company might order tomorrow.

Copper Mountain

CMT has partnered with MilliBox and Eravant to offer a complete OTA antenna measurement chamber solution for engineers needing to make measurements from 18 GHz to 220 GHz. Each OTA bundle can be configured with a set of 2,3, or 4 anechoic chamber cubes, depending on far field measurement requirements. The measurement system is anchored by CMT’s 2-port 9 GHz Cobalt VNA and includes a 3D antenna positioner (Gimbal), sophisticated but intuitive measurement software, frequency extender modules, and other necessary accessories to fully set up a chamber for far field antenna measurements. These comprehensive OTA solution bundles provide a low-cost, space-saving solution that is ideal for antenna testing applications across automotive radar, aerospace, satellite communication, and similar industries. The OTA bundle is an all-in-one solution that provides everything needed to accurately test a large number of antennas. The combination of affordability and portability will enable multiple systems in a single lab environment for users to simultaneously test multiple antennas.

DiTom Microwave

DiTom Microwave manufactures connectorized ferrite isolators and circulators from 350 MHz to 43.5 GHz. DiTom also specializes in parts for space flight, hi-rel military, t-vac and cryogenic applications.

Eravant

Eravant, formerly SAGE Millimeter focuses on millimeter wave and sub-THz components, subassemblies and test equipment. Eravant claims to have the most complete mmWave/sub-THz offering in the industry. With a portfolio that covers DC to 330 GHz, they are an AS9100D certified, ITAR-registered, women-owned small business designing and manufacturing in the United States. They were showcasing a range of VNA frequency extenders and high-power rotary joints in the 170 GHz frequency range.

ERZIA

ERZIA's supplies GaN and GaAs solid-state power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, microwave amplifiers, filters, mixers, frequency converters and microwave-integrated subsystems, focusing on high-performance, high-reliability applications for EW, satcom, space, and radar applications. ERZIA most recent announcements include a range of broadband and/or mmWave high-power and low noise amplifiers. One of their hottest new products of 2024 is the ERZ-HPA-1730-2120-44, a popular choice among our NewSpace customers. This High Performance Amplifier has the highest output power for downlink speed in Ka Band. This kind of reliable performance is critical for enabling advanced satellite communications and radar systems, especially in the compact and challenging environments of nanosatellites.

Farran Technology 

Farran provides systems, sub-systems and components solutions for millimeter wave applications in test & measurement, security & imaging, communications and research applications. The company has a full range of products including extenders and noise sources and were showcasing frequency extension heads for VNAs operating from 40 to 500 GHz.

Filtronic

Filtronic specializes in designing and manufacturing high-performance microwave and mmWave subsystems for the aerospace, defense, space and telecom markets. They were showcasing their Morpheus X2 E-Band transceiver and Cerus SSPA.

FormFactor

FormFactor provides test and measurement technologies along the full IC life cycle, from characterization, modeling, reliability and design debug, to qualification and production test. FormFactor’s probe stations, probes, probe cards, advanced thermal subsystems, quantum cryogenic systems and integrated systems deliver precision accuracy and superior performance both in the lab and during production manufacturing. FormFactor was featuring their Summit200 Probe System and EPS200RF complete RF measurement package.

GapWaves

Gapwaves presented a new generation of waveguide antenna for imaging radars in 813C. This innovative waveguide antenna is designed with a very high number of channels within a small and compact form factor. With 48 transmitters and 48 receivers, the antenna offers 96 channels, providing superior performance compared to existing radar antennas on a small area. Its compact size — measuring just 120 x 105 x 3.25 mm — combined with full-band coverage of 76-81 GHz, makes it a unique solution for high-resolution radar applications. It has been designed for Sensrad’s 4D imaging radar, the Hugin D1. Attendees were invited to discover the new antenna in person and learn more about its features and applications. Abolfazl Haddadi, Gapwaves’ senior antenna designer, presented "A New Generation of Waveguide Imaging Radars" at the Automotive Forum, September 23.

Garlock WavePro

Garlock WavePro now makes laminates with their dielectric panels so available for many different applications. With their variety of dielectric constant materials, the possibilities are numerous. Garlock has formulated and processed filled PTFE as sheets and shapes for more than 50 years. As experts in PTFE and polymers, we are continually exploring new applications for our product and process expertise. They take pride in engineering materials and developing innovative processing techniques in order to deliver high-quality, high-performance products to meet exacting requirements.

Greenerwave

Greenerwave announced the successful tests conducted in collaboration with the DGA – Direction générale de l’armement, a long-time partner of Greenerwave, and the experts from DGA MI – Maîtrise de l’information, for our innovative satellite communication terminal for both military and civilian applications.The trials at the DGA site in March connected military stations with a Greenerwave antenna station, enabling reliable videoconferences via the French military satellite Syracuse 4A.The tests highlighted Greenerwave’s technology advancements, showing advanced wave control, higher data rates, and the antenna’s multi-beam capability. This enabled secure, simultaneous connections to two government satellites, including Syracuse 4A.

Greenray Industries

Greenray Industries provides precision oscillators (TCXOs, OCXOs, VCXOs and clock oscillators), crystals and filters for applications in aerospace, defense and telecommunications markets. Their quartz crystal oscillators function as stable reference sources for communications, instrumentation and defense applications and offer low phase noise, tight stability and low g-sensitivity.Their quartz crystal oscillators serve the needs of the communications industry with frequency control products designed for applications including Stratum III and IIIE for telecommunications, as well as for wireless, Satcom and other emerging technologies. They provide components for industrial, instrumentation and GNSS applications. For the defense market, they provide high-performance oscillators, reference sources for smart munitions, missile guidance, mobile receivers and radar systems. They were showcasing a range of TCXOs and OCXOs.

HAROGIC (Haide Tuohai Communication Technology)

HAROGIC designs, manufactures and sells advanced RF instruments up to 40 GHz. HAROGIC products target applications in R&D, factory testing and RF embedded systems. They had examples of their entire RF test instrument catalog on display.

Intelliconnect

Intelliconnect (Europe) exhibited in 146C -  Area: 12 with team members of their Trexon Global sister company EzForm. Intelliconnect’s cable division are specialist manufacturers of affordable, high-quality, high frequency microwave cables including triaxial assemblies, semi-rigid, semi-flexible and cryogenic cables as well as standard RG/LMR type products. Cables can be waterproofed to IP68 and include special features including phase matching and ruggedised assemblies for use in harsh environments.

EzForm is an AS9100D certified manufacturer of coaxial cable, cable assemblies, RF connectors and coaxial delay lines. EZ Form’s RF, microwave and mmWave transmission line solutions offer proven performance for critical applications in military, aerospace, cryogenic/quantum computing, telecommunications, medical, instrumentation and test.

The Pisces range of waterproof RF connectors, coaxial adaptors to facilitate inter-series connection and gender change etc. were also on Intelliconnect’s stand. The fast-growing cryogenic cable assembly brand CryoCoax supplies the growing market for quantum computing, medical, research, test and measurement and the emerging low temperature computing markets.

Horizon Microtechnologies

Horizon Microtechnologies offers small and lightweight passive mm-wave components made by highly precise polymer additive manufacturing and metallization techniques and coating processes tailored to 3D precision parts. They claim weight savings of more than 80 percent, as well as size reductions, can be achieved without compromises on performance. They offer a one-stop-shop approach from design to prototyping and subsequent series production to address design challenges as well as shorten the time to market.  

IMST GmbH

IMST GmbH presented its development and service portfolio in almost all areas of telecommunications and RF electronics at booth 908C. Their expertise includes antenna design, system development, MMIC design (III-V, GaN, SiGe), hybrid and ASIC (CMOS) design as well as intelligent radar technologies. At the show, the company introduced the brand-new version of the 3D FEM simulation tool EMPIRE XPU. EMPIRE XPU addresses all current challenges in areas such as antennas, passive circuits, packaging, thermal modeling of waveguides and EMC/EMI issues. Unlike conventional EM solvers, EMPIRE XPU can accurately perform the 3D EM design of extremely large and complex structures. EMPIRE XPU is the fastest 3D EM simulator running on CPUs in the world.

IMST introduced cutting-edge software tool EM Twin designed specifically for Antenna Digital Twin EM simulation. Powered by IMST’s advanced FDTD solver and innovative XPU technology, it delivers highly accurate simulations through proprietary algorithms based on equivalent currents. To simplify the process, the tool features specialized wizards tailored for various applications, such as automotive and exposure simulations. 

Insulated Wire

Insulated Wire designs and manufactures a wide range of cables to support demanding customer application-specific requirements for high-performance cable assemblies operating at frequencies up to 110 GHz across a range of diameters from .034 to 0.750 in. diameter. These cables include low-loss/phase stable, hand-formable and semi-rigid cable types.  They also offer a broad selection of connectors to provide cable assemblies for specific applications. They were showcasing the 750 series cable with a 0.765 in. outer diameter that operates to 6.5 GHz and can handle up to 20 kW at 100 MHz and 1.75 kW at 6.5 GHz.

Integra Technologies

Integra Technologies had the misfortune of having all its booth graphics and collateral material get lost in the shipping process to the show. However, their booth personnel were willing to fill in that gap with screen presentations and discussions of some of the groundbreaking work the company is doing in RF power for radar applications. The company touts its best-in-class RF GaN transistor performance with its high voltage GaN process that produces the industry's highest W/mm² metric. With their broad capabilities, they support UHF through X-band radar system applications with a full selection of the most advanced high-power pre-matched and fully matched RF power transistors and integrated RF power amplifier modules.

JFW Industries

JFW Industries specializes in RF attenuators and RF switching products and they also manufacture a variety of RF test systems. They integrate RF switches, step attenuators and other RF components into remotely-controlled RF subsystems from DC to 40 GHz. They have just recently announced a new line of five USB attenuator models in various bands ranging from 1 to 6000 MHz, with three of the family members having attenuation values going from 0 to 95 dB in 1 dB steps. All attenuators offer USB-based control. The company was also spotlighting a 48 attenuator assembly for Wi-Fi 6 testing that operates from 200 to 7125 MHz.

Junkosha

Junkosha exhibited its MWX3 series of mmWave cabling solutions, designed for measurements within a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC). Thanks to its precision engineered expanded-PTFE tape wrapping technology, this interconnect features characteristics including excellent phase stability in response to temperature variations (-65˚C to 125˚C) and minimal outgassing in thermal vacuum test environments, preventing environmental contamination. This means it has highly desirable properties for those looking for precise measurements within a TVAC and utilization in the outer atmosphere and space environment.

The Junkosha TVAC cable offers two specialized approaches to meet the demands of space environments. The first approach features a vent hole design, available in MWX322 SMA and 3.5 mm connectors, which prevents discharge inside the connector. The second approach utilizes FEP heat shrink tubing (HST) to reduce outgassing, increasing the compatibility across a wider range of Junkosha’s MWX3 series of non-armored cable assemblies. To add to its ease of connection, the connector cable junction has been reinforced to enhance durability, making it significantly more robust than standard microwave cables for wiring between devices. All of these are now familiar requirements for today’s communication technologies to ensure reliable performance in challenging thermal vacuum conditions.