IMS 2008 represents the return of the International Microwave Symposium to the east coast after five years on the west coast and beyond (with Hawaii last year). While everyone had Microwaves on their mind, I was hoping that the attendance and participation would come back strong after a below average year in 2007. This year’s show did bounce back with about 9000 total attendees and about 2500 technical session attendees although this was well below the record numbers set a several years ago in San Francisco. I expect Boston next year to set a new record (or at least come close) because of its convenient location for many RF and microwave companies. However, the buzz around the symposium this year about locations was a return to Hawaii in 2016.
The weather was very nice (a little hot and humid at the beginning of the week) and the Georgia World Congress Center was extremely comfortable and convenient with all of the meeting rooms and exhibition very close to each other. The IMS, RFIC and ARFTG organizations worked very hard to put together a strong technical program and made it convenient for everyone who attended.
Congratulations to the general chairs, Joy Laskar – 2008 International Microwave Symposium General Chair, Jenshan Lin - 2008 RFIC General Chair, and Nick Ridler – 71st ARFTG Conference Chair and all of the volunteers who helped them make this a very successful symposium. The technical program for each conference was very strong thanks to the hard work of the technical chairs Manos Tentzeris – IMS, Tina Quach and Yann Deval – RFIC, Roger Pollard – ARFTG and all those who helped them.
The Technical Program
The Plenary session on Tuesday kicked off the sessions with a very entertaining tornado themed video including funny scenes from the Wizard of Oz mixed in with actual photos of the severe damage in Atlanta after the storm. Everyone should be congratulated for working long hours after the tornado to get the convention center and the surrounding community back together in time for the symposium. There were still many broken and taped windows on the buildings, but there were no residual issues that affected the symposium. The two Plenary speakers were Joseph H. Taylor who talked about “Symbiotic Relationships in Technology and Basic Science” and Mike Farmwald who’s talk was entitled “What Should ‘Open Access’ Wireless Really Mean? – A Modest Proposal”.
This year, over 240 reviewers on the Technical Program committee were responsible for selecting the 279 papers for oral presentation and the 132 papers for the interactive forums. Choosing from the 762 submitted papers, the quality of the technical content was exceptional. Organizers also rearranged the schedules of the regular sessions so that the IMS attendees could have more flexibility to attend the RFIC sessions.
The panel sessions focused on automotive radar, multi-gigabit wireless, wireless medical, system/service engineering and cognitive radio. An evening Rump Session featured a talk by Joseph H. Taylor, entitled “The Discovery of Gravity Waves Amidst the Noise.” Thirty-eight workshops, four of which were jointly organized by IMS/RFIC and one organized by IMS/ARFTG, took place on Sunday, Monday and Friday. This year’s IMS also included a student paper competition as well as three design competitions. The student participation seemed strong with Georgia Tech leading the way.
The Social Program
The RFIC reception on Sunday night and IMS reception on Monday night kicked off the social activities. Tuesday night included the Women in Microwaves reception along with a Student reception. And Wednesday started off with the industry hosted cocktail reception followed by the MTT-S Awards Banquet. In addition, there were several Guest Program tours of attractions in the area.
The Industry Exhibition
Over 450 companies displayed their products and capabilities over the three day exhibition which was up significantly from last year. In general, most companies said the traffic was fairly robust (but not overwhelming) and the quality of inquiries was good. There was an impressive amount of new products and services introduced at the show. The Microwave Journal published an Online Show Daily that featured live video interviews from the show floor, virtual booths, podcasts on what to see and do, a Microwave Blog with real time updates by our editors and daily news and product announcements. The coverage will continue until June 27 and can be found on our home page. Please visit our Blog to see our coverage and comment on any of the events or sessions at www.microwavejournal.blogspot.com.
There seemed to be quite a bit of buzz about the recent acquisitions like Triquint acquiring WJ Communications, Cobham acquiring M/A-COM, Ansys acquiring Ansoft and even the previously announced additions to RFMD of Filtronics and Sierenza. I think GaN is starting to come into it own with many companies announcing new products and even foundry services (Triquint and Cree).
There was an impressive line up of new products from some of the leading companies in the microwave industry. The IMS 2008 Industry Exhibition highlighted several key introductions from exhibitors around the globe. In addition, Microwave Journal published an Online Show Daily sponsored by M/A-COM, RFMD and TriQuint Semiconductor that highlighted many of the latest product entries being introduced. A comprehensive listing of those new product releases can be viewed on the Microwave Journal web site at www.mwjournal.com/IMS2008.
Acceleware’s ClusterInABox™ Quad (Q30) harnessed the parallel processing power of graphics processing units (GPU) to deliver unrivaled performance and data processing speeds. The Q30 supports simulation sizes up to 200 Mcells and fully supports complex feature models, which allows for fast and accurate models of complex simulations. Acceleware’s certified, pre-configured workstations seamlessly integrate with existing simulation/modeling applications, increasing their speed by up to 30 times.
Acceleware announced acceleration of matrix equation solvers found in simulation and data processing software commonly used for scientific and industrial applications. These new methods significantly extend the problem solving capability of the Acceleware Platform, allowing a broad new range of application providers the opportunity to deliver the compelling performance of multi-core and hardware accelerators to their technical computing customers. With matrix methods added into the Acceleware Platform, end users of these advanced techniques can benefit by solving their linear equation problems up to 20x faster.
Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that it demonstrated many of its newest design and measurement solutions for advanced RF and microwave research, development and manufacturing at this year’s IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium. Innovations Agilent demonstrated included: The Agilent Nonlinear Vector Network Analyzer: Agilent’s revolutionary one-box technology for incredible measurement insight into RF nonlinear vector network analysis from 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz. The Agilent N9020A MXA Signal Analyzer: Delivering two-channel analog baseband inputs, this analyzer is suited to wireless transceiver and chipset R&D. The Agilent PSA now has two new options: 80 MHz analysis bandwidth to 50 GHz mmWave, and a 300 MHz wideband option for applications such as satellite, military communications and radar/EW. Agilent’s MXG RF signal generators: Providing higher output power and improved distortion performance than their predecessor, these signal generators enable increased measurement accuracy for PAs and MCPAs tested with high-PAR signals such as WiMAX, LTE and WCDMA. To assist engineers designing MIMO and beamforming systems, MXG offers baseband synchronization and phase coherency capability between multiple MXGs, providing a simple, complete solution for WiMAX, LTE and WLAN multitransmitter test set-ups. The WVAN Wireless Library: Part of Agilent’s Advanced Design System EDA software, this library is extremely useful in helping prevent unnecessary wafer spins, consequently accelerating the deployment of next-generation 60 GHz wireless video area networks (WVAN).
AnaPico AG has introduced the APSIN3000, a compact, high performance signal generator with wide frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 3300 MHz, sub-Hz resolution and broad power range up to 13 dBm. AnaPico also featured the APSIN6000, a compact, high performance signal sweep generator with wide frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 6000 MHz, mHz resolution and broad power range up to 13 dBm.
Anoison Electronics Ltd. announced that its CQN has managed to successfully incorporate a snap-on coupling mechanism with the internal structural parameters of the original Type N. The result is a waterproof, quick locking connector with electronic performance equivalent to its predecessor up to 11 GHz. By doing away with the N's threaded interface, CQN achieves 10x faster mating/de-mating, denser packaging and the ability to rotate the cable 360º with the connector in the mated position. Anoison also announced that its Mini-CQMA is a quick locking SMA (QMA) replacement that was designed with panel mount and PCB applications specifically in mind.
Anritsu Co. introduced PowerMax software that provides an enhanced visualization of instrument display and simplified remote control of Anritsu’s ML2490A series power meters via Ethernet. The new remote user interface can configure the single sensor input ML2495A and dual sensor input ML2496A so that results and traces can be shown in a larger format on a laptop or monitor, giving design engineers a better view of measurement results to ensure the performance of high bandwidth designs. Anritsu also introduced the MT8860C WLAN Test Set, a fully integrated test solution that performs high-speed radio layer measurements on WLAN chip sets. Anritsu also featured PowerMax software that provides an enhanced visualization of instrument display and simplified remote control of Anritsu’s ML2490A series power meters via Ethernet. Applied Radar Inc., a growing technology-based business in North Kingstown, RI, introduced its newest radar signal processor, the Titan V5.
AWR® announced Version 2008 of its Microwave Office design environment. The release includes more than 100 enhancements and sweeping changes to the user interface that dramatically increase its flexibility for the user.
Avago Technologies, a supplier of analog interface components, introduced a small RF amplifier. With miniature 0402 package dimensions and no wirebonds, the VMMK-2x03 amplifiers experience almost no signal loss and minimal parasitics. Its ultra-small size and fully matched SMT design are optimized for 500 MHz to 12 GHz frequencies, making these high-performance devices ideal to place in a variety of radio architectures. Also on display were a next-generation quintplexer for mobile handset applications and a complete RF 802.11 a/b/g/n front-end module. Operating in the 2.4 GHz and 4.9 to 5.9 GHz frequency bands, the fully integrated AFEM-9601 multi-function module is compatible with WLAN standards and optimized for MIMO applications.
Bliley Technologies Inc., a supplier and provider of crystal-based frequency control solutions, has announced its V-Series voltage-controlled crystal oscillators (VCXO). Bliley’s V-Series VCXO’s equip design engineers with a range of options for the timing and synchronization support of telecommunication and digital data systems.
Bliley also announced its C-series crystal oscillators (XO) designed to satisfy the timing support needs of sophisticated wireless and microwave systems, as well as portable electronic devices.
Boonton Electronics, a Wireless Telecom Group Company, introduced its new 4540 RF Power Meter Series. Boonton’s power meters, commonly recognized as high precision instruments, reliable and with state of the art features, welcome two more family members: the 4541 and the 4542.
Cree Inc. announced the sample release of two breakthrough gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT transistors for use in WiMAX applications covering the 4.9 to 5.8 GHz frequency band. The new transistors, CGH55015F and CGH55030F, are the first released GaN HEMT WiMAX products specified to operate at up to 5.8 GHz, a performance level that further demonstrates Cree's leadership in GaN technology. Cree also introduced commercially available GaN MMIC amplifiers.
Crystek continued to enhance its product portfolio with the release of the RedBox Amplifier. Crystek’s model CRBAMP-100-6000 is a low noise general purpose connectorized amplifier covering a frequency range of 100 MHz to 6 GHz. The amplifier is housed in a custom aluminum enclosure (1.25” x 1.25” x 0.59”) with three SMA connectors for both input and output as well as the power supply input. The unit operates from a single +5 V supply consuming only 60 mA.
CST featured its electromagnetic simulation software, CST STUDIO SUITE™ 2009, including its flagship product CST MICROWAVE STUDIO® (CST MWS). Design engineers use CST STUDIO SUITE products to solve electromagnetic problems, utilizing the most appropriate solver technology, sophisticated import filters, and automated optimization and parametric studies. CST also announced a ground-breaking performance enhancement to the market and technology leading CST MICROWAVE STUDIO® (CST MWS) time domain solver.
Dalicap Corp. now offers a line of non-magnetic, Hi-Q capacitors. Available in six case sizes, this non-magnetic series is available in two dielectric styles: 10 series (P90) or the 70 series (NPO). Products exhibit excellent performance for non-magnetic body and surface coil applications.
Emcore introduced the PB7100 Terahertz Spectrometer, a complete turn-key THz spectroscopy system featuring continuous swept frequency-domain analysis from 100 GHz to > 2 THz with frequency resolution of 200 MHz and signal-to-noise ratio of 80 dB-Hz at 100 GHz for rapid analysis of gases, liquids and solids.
The PLXO series of phase-locked crystal oscillators from EM Research is now available with significantly improved performance and smaller size. With the option of a surface-mount or connectorized package, PLXO offers several outputs, including sine 7 dBm, 10 dBm, CMOS and PECL. Also on display was the CLX series, a ceramic resonator-based oscillator with exceptionally low phase noise, -110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The CLX series is an internally-programmed fixed-frequency unit in a small, 0.75" x 0.75" SMT package. Optimized loop performance for overall low RMS noise.
Endwave Corp., a provider of high-frequency RF modules for telecommunications networks, defense electronics and homeland security systems, announced the release of a new 60 GHz T/R module that targets short-range indoor communications that must transport data traffic at multi-gigabit speeds.
This line of integrated transceivers called Smart T/R™ modules incorporate digital micro-controller technology for improved performance. In taking Endwave’s leading microwave transceiver technology and marrying it with digital “smarts”, the result is a next-generation T/R module solution with a higher level of precision, consistency and accuracy.
Fotofab, a supplier of precision thin-metal parts, continues to exceed customer expectations with industry leading lead times. Their process of photochemical machining is capable of making high quality, custom parts faster than traditional manufacturing methods, without the expensive tooling. Fotofab also offers RF and board level engineers the design flexibility and cost efficiency they need to solve tough real estate issues on congested circuit boards with their custom “dimple” shields. The dimpled, snap-fit lid permits component access for testing and other procedures while eliminating the need for space-robbing lid-fixing hardware.
Freescale Semiconductor unveiled a 50 V LDMOS RF power transistor line-up for L-band radar applications. The line-up is ideal for a wide range of high power RF applications including air traffic management and long-range weather radar. The RF product line includes the MRF6V14300H final stage device and the MRF6V10010N driver. The MRF6V14300H produces pulsed RF output power of 330 W at frequencies between 1200 and 1400 MHz and sets new standards for efficiency, gain and thermal resistance at this power level and frequency when compared to competing bipolar and field-effect transistor (FET) devices.
South Korean company GigaLane featured two new products. First is a range of SML (SMB Snap-Lock) Connectors that are designed specifically for ‘snap-on locking’ applications for high reliability and durability solutions. These DC to 6 GHz connectors are highly resistant to vibration and are particularly suitable for transport, automation and instrumentation. They exhibit a VSWR of < 1.3 at 6 GHz and the SML locking structure protects against the condition of accidental unmating by pulling on the connector or cable.
The second new introduction was the company’s G-Series of Phase Stable Flexible Cable Assemblies, which ensure that measurements are accurate and repeatable. Typical phase and amplitude stability is ± 4° and ± 0.008 dB up to 18 GHz. All G-Series cables are highly flexible and are claimed not to suffer from the typical performance degradation sometimes associated with traditionally designed flexible assemblies.
Giga-tronics Inc. and CAP Wireless Inc. announced a joint technology, marketing and support agreement in which Giga-tronics will incorporate CAP’s unique Spatium™ spatial combining technology into its GT-1000A microwave power amplifier. The GT-1000A rack-mount broadband power amplifier, combined with the Spatium engine, delivers outstanding performance and exceptional value for electromagnetic interference/compatibility (EMI/EMC) test, semiconductor evaluation, load pull, antenna range and microwave laboratory applications.
Gowanda Electronics announced the introduction of a military-approved RF inductor series which is now on the military’s Qualified Product List per MIL-PRF-83446. Gowanda’s MLRF3013 series addresses a need in the marketplace for enhanced RF inductor options in military applications.
Greenray Industries' YH1518 high frequency oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) offers excellent phase noise in a miniature package. Available at any frequency from 110 to 250 MHz, the YH1518 series design utilizes a precision SC-cut crystal to achieve low noise performance with an internal assembly thermally efficient housed in a small 1.06” x 1.42” x 0.5” hermetic package.
Hesse & Knipps demonstrated the capabilities of the BONDJET BJ820, which is a high-speed fully automatic wedge bonder that offers the flexibility for both high-speed round wire and deep access ribbon and wire bonding. It handles all challenging fine pitch wire bonding applications in a single platform, including RF and microwave devices, COB, MCM and hybrids, fiber optics and automotive, using aluminum or gold wire or ribbon up to 6 wires/second.
With high repeatability of 1 Ìm at a balanced encoder resolution of 20 nm, the BONDJET BJ820 offers increased process stability that enables reliable bonding of extremely small bond pads with a larger wire diameter. Other significant machine capabilities include: 12.5 Ìm to 85 Ìm diameter wire bonding, ribbon bonding from 6 Ìm by 35 Ìm to 25 Ìm by 250 Ìm, constant loop height and wire length, the facility to maintain parallel loops within a mixed reference system and an auto teach feature for linear applications that reduces programming time.
Hittite Microwave introduced the HMC700LP4E, the first in a new series of integrated fractional-N synthesizers designed to cover a wide range of applications particularly those sensitive to phase noise and signal jitter. This fractional-N synthesizer features a 16 bit fractional divider, 24 bit delta-sigma modulator, 14 bit reference path divider, ultra low noise phase frequency detector (PFD), a precision controlled charge pump and extensive access to various modes of operation via a read/writable serial port.
Holzworth Instrumentation announced the HA2100A FFT/phase noise analyzer. The HA2100A FFT analyzer is optimized for use with a low phase noise RF synthesizer as part of a phase noise test set. Holzworth released the HS1001A USB-controlled 1.024 GHz RF synthesizer. Typical phase noise performance is -130 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz (10 kHz offset) with harmonics below -30 dBc and spurious below -60 dBc. Holzworth also announced the release of new component products. The addition of low phase noise components to the product line provides engineers with components that are 100 percent tested for extremely low phase noise. New component offerings included: 4 GHz amplifiers, 8 MHz to 4 GHz phase detectors, frequency multipliers and frequency dividers.
HVVi Semiconductors announced two new additions to its growing line of products based on the industry’s first High Voltage Vertical Field Effect Transistor (HVVFET™) architecture. Using this innovative technology and its inherent ability to deliver higher output power and gain than competitive technologies in a smaller package,
The new 3D EM solver EMPIRE XCcel 5.15 was presented at the IMST booth. EMPIRE XCcel covers nearly all today's design challenges for RF designers, including antennas, passive circuits, packages, waveguides or EMC/EMI problems. Due to the unique structure and processor adapted code generation a simulation performance of up to 1600 million FDTD cells per second can be achieved on a conventional PC with full access to the built-in memory. Thus, very complex structures can be modeled very fast and highly accurate.
Inphi Corp. announced its ExacTik, DDR2 Register and PLL production-ready products that are fully compliant with the most stringent industrial temperature standards. The parts, already JESD47 qualified and meeting or exceeding all JEDEC specifications, enable OEMs and module vendors to broaden their DDR support for a wider range of applications.
Answering the critical need for high-speed and performance for electronic warfare and electronic counter-measure applications, Inphi demonstrated a monobit receiver application that utilizes its 25706CP 25 GHz Latched Comparator, which features the industry’s highest sampling rates of up to 25 GHz. This advanced technology enables detection and identification of gigahertz frequencies in real time at a fraction of the size, weight and cost of conventional methods.
Inphi also featured 1385DX a broadband 1:8 demultiplexer operating at bit rates from DC to 12.5 Gbps. Its data input is a highly sensitive, low-hysteresis latched comparator with an analog bandwidth of 14 GHz.
Jackson Labs Technologies Inc., a designer and manufacturer of test & measurement equipment, announced the availability of its breakthrough product FireFly-II. FireFly-II is an extremely small COTS Global Positioning System Disciplined Oscillator (GPSDO) that has been ruggedized to meet military requirements, in particular the DOD new and emerging timing requirements.
Jazz Semiconductor announced a PA Design Library for its 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS process, reducing design cycle time by providing validated PA cells ready for use with a custom power cell design flow. Combined with Jazz’s rich library of high quality passive devices including thick inductors and high density MiM capacitors, complete PA design is enabled. The PADL delivers a full PA design flow from schematic to layout including device models characterized over DC, temperature, small-signal and large-signal load pull measurements.
Jazz also announced its 0.18-micron Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS platform (SBC18) that enables customers to deliver next generation green, energy efficient analog ICs. Jazz's modular process technology offers significant power and efficiency savings over standard CMOS. Jazz SBC18 provides a next-generation solution for ultra low power, integrated wireless and networking products that require high-performance bipolar transistors with high-quality passives together with high density logic.
Infineon last week announced the release of the PTFA091201GL V1 and the PTFA091201HL V1, 120 W LDMOS FETs designed for cellular power amplifier applications in the 920 to 960 MHz frequency band. The products feature broadband internal matching, an open cavity plastic package with copper base and outstanding thermal performance.
In addition, the company introduced the PTFA181001GL V1 and the PTFA181001HL V1, 100 W LDMOS FETs designed for cellular power amplifier applications in the 1805 to 1880 MHz frequency band.
Instruments for Industry Inc. (IFI) showed another versatile amplifier system that can be tailored to meet any customer’s requirement and application. The RS1802-1KW-500 is an ideal Integrated System for EMC applications.
This system includes the company's SMCC1000, 1000 W amplifier for 200 MHz to 1 GHz as well as its 500 W amplifiers for 1 to 18 GHz (1 to 2.5 GHz, 2.5 to 7.5 GHz and 7.5 to 18 GHz). It is a versatile state-of-the-art design that can be tailored to meet customers’ specific requirements for frequency range and RF output power levels.
Jacket Micro Devices Inc. (JMD) announced that it has developed a halogen-free version of its patented Multi-Layer Organic (MLO™) packaging process.
MLO is the first commercial organic packaging technology to provide high Q RF filters embedded into the layers of a LGA package. MLO utilizes advanced, low-loss polymers and novel component geometries for System-in-Package (SiP) and Front-End-Module (FEM) applications where small size and low RF losses are critical.
JQL Electronics Inc. introduced a new series of solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA) at last week’s show. This SSPA utilizes Class AB linear power devices providing an excellent third-order interception, high gain and wide dynamic range. These amplifiers operate in frequency ranges from 800 to 960 MHz, 1700 to 2200 MHz and 2500 to 2700 MHz. The SSPAs produce medium to high power outputs of 100, 150 and 200 W, and offer an optional computerized built-in signal generator to lower total cost of testing. The standard 100 W SSPA is economically priced from $7500 to make RF testing affordable.
Kaben Wireless Silicon Inc., a wireless semiconductor design company, announced that it has successfully produced a WiMAX Fractional-N synthesizer in IBM 7WL process. The Fractional-N synthesizer delivers a -116 dBc/Hz phase noise performance and -90 dBc spurious response at 6 GHz output.
Keithley Instruments Inc. introduced Version 2.0 of its SignalMeister™ Waveform Creation Software, a powerful RF development tool with next-generation performance and usability. SignalMeister 2.0 features a new, “object-oriented” graphical user interface (GUI) and is the only waveform creation software on the market that uses a click-and-drag objects-based approach, allowing RF engineers to intuitively create basic and complex waveforms using graphical objects.
Keithley also announced a set of signal creation and analysis tools that extend its RF test capabilities to include WiMAX signal testing. Keithley’s new solution is built on a next-generation hardware platform that makes it simple and inexpensive to add support for new signal standards, such as 802.16e mobile WiMAX Wave 2 testing with up to 4x4 MIMO channels, without requiring expensive hardware upgrades or different instrumentation. In addition, the new instruments support testing to lower frequency bands down to 400 MHz, an increasingly important capability for new WiMAX solutions being developed.
L-3 Electron Technologies Inc. announced the introduction of its model 8928H 150 W K-band Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifier. Designed for electronic countermeasure and instrumentation applications, the new broadband TWT has a remarkably small footprint and weighs less than four pounds.
Labtech Microwave, who recently underwent a significant re-branding exercise to reinforce the particular values of the company with the aim of differentiating itself in an increasingly competitive environment, showcased the re-branded business with a refreshed offering to delegates attending this year’s MTT-S IMS exhibition.
LPKF Laser & Electronics announced the worldwide release of the new ProtoLaser S. The ProtoLaser S is a fully enclosed laser system for PCB prototyping and production on-demand. This stand-alone laser-based system works directly off of CAD data to produce circuits on a variety of materials, including ceramic, PTFE, as well as thin and flexible substrates.
Marubeni Chemix Corp. featured a new dielectric material that is now commercially available. This material is thermoplastic with low dielectric loss and adjustable dielectric constant for custom needs and is easy to process for mass production. Marubeni also displayed the application example, which is a dielectric waveguide slot antenna designed for automotive UWB radar systems and operates in a wide frequency range from 23 to 29 GHz.
With the beginning of the third quarter 2008 Mician GmbH from Bremen, Germany releases Version 6.6 of its EM-software tool ÌWave Wizard™. For this release a set of new elements has been developed for the radiation library, which exploits the body of revolution (BOR) symmetry of circular waveguide horn antennas.
MESL Microwave launched a range of space qualified package drop-in and substrate drop-in isolators and circulators. These devices are available with either MIC, tab or coaxial interfaces and are initially designed for C-, X- and Ku-band applications with other frequencies to follow. These devices have 0.5 dB insertion loss, 23 dB isolation and 21 dB return loss over a temperature range of -20° to +80°C.
Microphase Corp. announced the availability of the CSM, CST and CSP Series Schottky Detectors 0.5 to 40 GHz. The CSM, CST and CSP Series Schottky Detectors provide a comprehensive line of detectors covering most applications. These three AC coupled biased Schottky Detector designs may be optimized for frequency range, voltage sensitivity, flatness or VSWR parameters.
Microphase also announced wideband multiplexers 0.5 GHz to 40 GHz low profile, 0.40" thin. The Microphase low profile contiguous channel Wideband Multiplexer Series is available over the 0.5 to 40 GHz range and offers a number of features. Compact and lightweight, all models are 0.400” thin, yet product performance is not compromised.
Microphase featured a new Detector Log Video Amplifier (DLVA) design for Anti-jamming Solutions. Microphase, a leader in the DLVA industry, can design this product to meet your application to include the following features: fast pulse response, excellent frequency flatness, high-speed/broadband, extended dynamic range and ultra-high sensitivity.
The Microwave Innovation Group (MIG) has dramatically increased the calculation speed of EM CAD software with the new version of its hybrid MM/FE/MoM/FD WASP-NET® CAD tool. For example, it calculates a four resonator tapped circular-post combline filter in around 60 seconds (for 250 frequency points on a standard 2.3 GHz Core2Duo laptop, 2 GB RAM): i.e. ca. 0.24 seconds/frequency point. The accuracy is verified by measured results of a built prototype without tuning screws. A user-friendly combline filter synthesis wizard yields the rigorous, direct EM based design of such filters, starting from given specs within less than 2 hours.
Other new features include a graphical user-interface with modern visualization features that is intuitive and user-friendly, so that even those new to EM CAD will find it easy to use. Also, the GUI is not restricted by either operating systems or by the number of sub-circuits. WASP-NET offers true 64.bit capability and other features include a convenient synthesis wizard for designing slot arrays with prescribed performance, advanced MoM algorithms for handling large antenna arrays (e.g. 1200 slots on a common laptop); efficient building blocks for narrow wall slot arrays, horn clusters with arbitrarily shaped outer screen, dielectric loaded horns, lenses, radomes and dielectric resonator filters; horn pattern optimization capabilities and adaptive frequency sweep.
Mimix Broadband Inc. introduced a QFN packaged GaAs MMIC linear power amplifier with +39 dBm OIP3 and 26 dB small-signal gain. This power amplifier, identified as XP1035-QH, covers 5.9 to 9.5 GHz and includes an integrated temperature compensated on-chip power detector. The amplifier comes in a RoHS compliant, industry standard, fully molded 4x4 mm QFN package and includes on-chip ESD protection structures and DC bypass capacitors to ease implementation and volume assembly. The XP1035-QH is ideal for wireless communications applications such as point-to-point radio, LMDS, SATCOM and VSAT applications.
Mini-Circuit’s touted its PWR-6G+ USB Power Sensor. This power sensor offers a 50 dB dynamic range that is used with a PC via USB interface. The PWR-6G+ does not require any reference signal calibration. All specifications provided to apply to continuous wave (CW) signals. The Mini-Circuits USB Power Sensor comes with Power Meter software that turns the PC into a Power Meter. Product features include: 50 dB dynamic range, -30 to +20 dBm; good VSWR, 1.1 typ.; low cost replacement solution for conventional power meters; and easy installation and operation.
MITEQ introduced a new addition to its family of broadband high power amplifiers. Model AMF-6B-06001800-70-40P-PS is a self-cooled 3RU rack-mount high power amplifier that operates in a frequency range from 6 to 18 GHz and delivers approximately 10 W of power. The SMA connectorized box is 3.47” high, 16.99” wide excluding brackets and 12.12” deep including fans.
As a “preview of coming attractions,” Modelithics Inc. has released a free sample model library for accurate surface-mount capacitor, inductor and resistor component representation within Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator of Cadence (version IC6.1). The sample library, Modelithics SELECT™, is a collection of models selected from the Modelithics CLR Library™, representing five different popular surface-mount RLC component families. Each Modelithics® equivalent circuit model has been extracted from precision impedance and S-parameter measurements.
Molex Inc. showcased its multi-port SSMCX in an eight position coaxial connector block on 3.00 mm pitch. The SSMCX multi-port system is designed for cable-to-board applications and comes in four- and eight-port options.
MtronPTI introduced a new cavity filter series specially designed for WiMAX applications and other wireless metro area network systems. This series covers the 2.3 to 2.7 GHz frequency range with emphasis on low-loss narrowband systems.
Narda, an L-3 Communications company, showcased its advanced microwave integrated circuit (MIC) technology that combines microwave hybrid manufacturing with multilayer printed circuit boards and advanced digital devices.
Nitronex, a producer of GaN-on-Silicon RF power devices, has developed a product reliability calculator to help customers determine the operating life and peak junction temperature of its gallium nitride RF power transistors. Nitronex’s reliability calculator features pre-programmed device parameters that quickly and easily provide accurate product performance and MTTF data to aid their customers’ design processes.
Building on its position as the leading producer of gallium nitride on silicon (GaN-on-Si) RF devices, Nitronex has launched an initiative to educate the industry regarding the use of this unique technology. Nitronex’s new GaN Essentials™ education center provides visitors with a better understanding of how to evaluate performance of, and design with, GaN in RF power applications.
NMDG featured a large signal network analyser (LSNA), an instrument and method for HF component characterisation. Its unique capability is the accurate measurement of the voltage and current waveforms at the ports of any component under realistic high-frequency stimuli, going from simple to complex signals, even in non-50 Ohm environments.
With NMDG extension kits for vector network analyzers the user can characterize the nonlinear behavior of HF components in time and frequency domain under realistic conditions, even in a non-50 Ohm environment.
The NMDG NM300 extension kit supports respectively the ZVA and ZVT Network Analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz. This kit is a software/hardware combination, enabling the VNA to characterize in time and frequency domain the harmonic behavior of high-frequency components,
NXP Semiconductors, an independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, launched the BLC7G22L(S)-130 base station power transistor – the first of its products to feature NXP’s Gen7 LDMOS technology – optimized for high power use and Doherty amplifier applications.
OEwaves introduced a compact Opto-Electronic Oscillator (OEO) with low phase noise in the X-band. The compact OEO offers typical phase noise performance of -145 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from the carrier in a compact form factor of 4.5” x 5.9” x 0.94”. The unique design of the compact OEO is based on the photonic generation of spectrally pure signals at microwave frequencies that is capable of scaling to higher frequencies with little or no penalty in phase noise performance.
OMMIC announced the introduction of two new high linearity dual low noise amplifiers (LNA) for wireless infrastructure and base station market to its product catalog. These devices are compatible with numerous standards including GSM, PCS, CDMA and W-CDMA.
Orient Microwave Corp. provided frequency synthesizers based on the phase lock loop (PLL) system. The product series is available in a frequency range of 50 MHz to 3.6 GHz, and any maximum frequency including 2048 combos that can be selected by input of 11 bit parallel signals. These frequency synthesizers measure 118.4 x 78.6 x 20.5 mm.
Paratek Microwave Inc. demonstrated its Passive Tunable IC (PTIC) technology in the form of two products. First is the Adaptive Impedance Matching Module (AIMM), which is designed primarily for commercial portable mobile devices but can also be adapted for use in military communication applications.
Passive Plus Inc. introduced 18 new Hi-Q Capacitor Design Kits that are available in two case sizes: A case at 0.055” x 0.055” and the B case at 0.110” x 0.110”. The six kits are also available in non-magnetic and NPO versions.
P1dB displayed YouForm™ high quality, low cost jacketed hand formable cables that feature stainless steel SMA plugs on each end and are now available in straight and right angle configurations. The cables are 100 percent VSWR tested: 1.35 at 18 GHz for SMA straight connectors and 1.35 at 12.4 GHz for SMA right angle connectors. YouForm cables are available in two diameters, 0.085 (0.102(OD) and 0.141 (0.161(OD).
Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., a supplier of high performance RF CMOS and mixed-signal communications ICs, released three new 7-bit UltraCMOS™ Digital Step Attenuators to complement its 50-Ohm DSA line. Building on their high performance predecessors, along with flexible Serial and Parallel interface logic these new HaRP™-enhanced devices also offer an unprecedented serial-addressable control interface that allows the user to control up to eight different DSAs using a common 3-wire interface bus.
Peregrine also announced the new PE42112 MultiSwitch™ RFIC, a 2.6 V dual-SP4T RF switch, designed for the needs of the tri-band WCDMA antenna switch module (ASM) market for use in multimode cellular handsets.
Peregrine featured the new PE42552 SPDT 50-Ohm RF switch, designed for use in test and measurement applications requiring ultra-linear RF performance and ultra-fast settling time.
Plextek, a Cambridge, UK-based electronics and communications design consultancy, has completed the design of 2 and 4 W X-band power amplifier (PA) MMICs for a UK electronics component supplier. Both MMICs cover the entire X-band (8 to 12 GHz) and are available as bare die, packaged components or connectorized modules for use in applications such as point-to-point and point-to-multi-point radios and radars. A significant advantage of the PAs is that they will not be subject to ITAR restrictions as fabrication, design and supply is all undertaken by non-US companies.
R&D Microwaves recently announced a broadband coupler that operates over the full frequency range from 380 MHz to 3.5 GHz with a single unit with ultra flat coupling, low loss and exceptionally high directivity. The design was produced with the latest continuous multi-section 3D computer-aided design techniques, to integrate the housing structure with the center conductor to achieve non-critical production tolerances and optimum broadband performance.
Three new products were showcased by Radiall. New SMT switches featured an innovative and original ‘micro-mechanical’ design that combines the reliability and repeatability characteristics of the company’s RAMSES coaxial switches with the miniature size and low cost implementation of surface mount components. Features include an SMT micro-SPDT relay that has 10 GHz capabilities, a footprint of 0.4 by 0.5 inches, high power handling of 120 W, guaranteed for 2 million cycles, RoHS compliance, a lead free design and waterproof to IP67.
Also featured were the highly ruggedized TestPro5 and TestPro8 very low insertion loss cables for use in every day test operations. The combination of higher grade stainless steel and a unique attachment method offers a very reliable product that can be connected and disconnected frequently. It has 5000 mating cycles durability, good resistance against corrosion, a temperature range of -55° to +125°C and power handling of 153 W at 18 GHz.
Finally, the QMA Calibration Kit is designed for vector measurements up to 12 GHz when making error-corrected measurements of QMA devices. The kit contains: offset opens and shorts, broadband loads, 3 QMA adapters that can be used as connector savers, SMA 3.5 to QMA adapters, a 80 N-cm (8in-lb) torque wrench, data disks with the calibration constants of all components of the kit and measurement and test data.
RF Connectors, a division of RF Industries, introduced its new two-piece N Male connector line. The company's new product offering features a quick fitting, cable insertion type connector with a captive internal contact. Minimal cable prep required. The cable conductor easily installs into the captive contact, which is designed for optimum electrical operation.
7/16 DIN connectors are large format 50 ohm interfaces designed for high power wireless telecom applications. RF Connectors introduced two versions of 7/16 DIN connectors for LMR-600® cable. The RFD-1600-2L2 attaches to the cable with a solder/clamp method. The RFD-1605-2L-2 attaches with a crimp/solder method. Both connectors have a combination feature that allows them to be assembled for straight or right angle applications in the field.
RF Micro Devices (RFMD®) delivered this year’s keynote address for the RFIC Symposium Plenary Session, and RFMD executives participated in over a dozen separate sessions during the symposium covering various technical topics.
RFMD’s broad, product portfolio serves more than 30 diverse markets. RFMD showcased products for multiple markets at MTT-S, including Aerospace & Defense, Broadband, Consumer, Wireless Infrastructure, WiFi, WiMAX and general purpose RF components. The company also showcased its portfolio of cellular front-ends for handsets as well as other high-performance cellular components, including cellular switches and front end power management components.
RFMD released a 5.8 GHz ISM band transceiver with an integrated power amplifier. The ML5805 is a low-IF, frequency shift key (FSK) transceiver designed for operation in the license-free 5.8 GHz ISM band.
RFMD unveiled a 400 W high power amplifier (HPA) that demonstrates the exceptional performance characteristics of RFMD's internally developed gallium nitride (GaN) process technology. The 400 W GaN HPAs are designed for air traffic control radar and ship-borne or ground-based pulsed S-band surveillance radar applications.
RFMD announced the introduction of nine single junction and dual junction isolators for wireless infrastructure applications. The new products include the PIxxxxAG-21H line of 30 W reverse power single junction isolators and the PDxxxxAQ-21H line of 100 W reverse power dual junction isolators designed for the high-power, linear amplification sections of cellular base stations.
Rogers Corp.’s Advanced Circuit Materials Division (ACM) demonstrated its impact on today’s – and tomorrow’s – world at the IEEE Microwave Theory & Techniques Society (MTT-S) tradeshow.
The theme of the booth – “Rogers’ World” – showed the universal range and worldwide impact of ACM product applications ranging from wireless base station, defense/aerospace and automotive to high speed digital and advanced chip packaging.
Featured high frequency circuit materials products included the newest addition to the RT/duroid® family - RT/duroid 6202 PR capable of producing resistor tolerances as low as five percent for high reliability planar resistor applications. Also to be featured will be Rogers’ RO4003C® and RO4350B™ laminates.
As always Rohde & Schwarz showcased a number of its latest product introductions including the R&S ZVA50, which is claimed to be the world’s first four-port network analyzer with measurement coverage to 50 GHz. Its two sources allow it to perform measurements on multiport and balanced components using a single instrument. With a measurement bandwidth of 15 MHz, high sampling rates and time resolution of 12.5 ns, the VNA is well suited to pulse profile measurements of radar and satellite signals. Its dynamic range is 130 dB, output power is +13 dBm and measurement speed is 3.5 Ìs/point.
Other products featured covered the complete applications spectrum from the SMF 100A microwave generator, which is said to set new standards in signal quality, speed, and flexibility to products aimed at mobile communications. For example when used as an LTE protocol tester, the R&S CMW500 covers every phase of UMTS LTE-compliant protocol development. Also, the company has added channel coding and MIMO precoding for up to four transmit antennas to its signal generators for 3GPP LTE (uplink and downlink). Solutions are available for those seeking a unique all-in-one solution for 2x2 MIMO signals and real time fading or simply standard-compliant RF or baseband signal solutions.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEM) introduced the SEM4001 as its GSM/GPRS quad-band CMOS PA module that meets 3GPP standards. By using SEM’s module technology, SEM4001 achieves power-added efficiency levels that are among the highest in the GSM PA industry. SEM’s patented PA techniques allow the power amplifier core and the power controller to be implemented in a single die with a standard silicon CMOS process technology bringing the cost advantage of true CMOS integration.
Skyworks Solutions Inc. introduced a product portfolio of energy management solutions for the wireless home. The company’s Linear Products’ business has captured several key design wins with various market leaders for automated meter reading (AMR), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and ZigBee® (IEEE 802.15.4).
Spectrum Microwave introduced a new line of high power amplifiers that provide up to 4 W of output power and are internally matched for 2000 to 6000 MHz. These amplifiers feature a new surface-mount package with an optional high performance heatsink. QB-900 series amplifiers offer exceptional wideband performance in a small surface-mount package.
SRI Connector Gage Co., a member of the SRI family of companies, announced a new product release – the RK high performance connectors with precision connector performance to 40 GHz. Designed in cooperation with Florida RF Labs Inc., of Stuart, FL, this new cable connector will provide a solution for field deployed systems.
StratEdge announced the introduction of a new family of small outline thermally enhanced molded ceramic packages for power semiconductors. The new line of packages can be used for silicon, silicon carbide, gallium nitride and other compound semiconductors in power integrated circuit applications.
Synergy Microwave Corp. featured the new DCO and DXO micro series of miniature voltage-controlled oscillators for C-band and X-band applications. These VCO’s are based on Synergy’s proprietary patented technology and patents pending, which enhances bandwidth, reduces phase noise and improves immunity to phase hits.
Tektronix Inc. announced the new SA2600 handheld Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer that includes DPX™ waveform image processor technology that provides a live RF view of the spectrum. DPX is now also available on the H600 “RF Hawk” handheld unit originally introduced in February. With these additions, Tektronix offers a full portfolio of Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers with DPX for use in the field and the design bench.
The Harmonix Division of Terabeam Corp. (Terabeam/HXI) announced the availability of several products targeting V-band communications applications. The products, covering 55 to 65 GHz, include a low noise amplifier (LNA), power amplifier, x4 multiplier and balanced mixer, all currently available in two to four weeks in low to moderate quantities. Custom variations of these products, plus a similar set of components for the E-band communications bands, are also available.
Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. (TAEC) announced the expansion of its gallium arsenide field effect transistor (GaAs FET) lineup with four new devices optimized for power efficiency. The power added efficiency enhanced GaAs FETs are targeted for microwave radios and block up converters (BUC).
TAEC also announced the addition of two new gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) to its power amplifier product family.
Trilithic’s RF and Microwave Components division has released a new programmable attenuator. Model 522095-1S-12V-TTL-R features a dynamic range of 95 dB in 1 dB steps over a frequency range of DC to 2.2 GHz. Attenuation accuracy is ±0.2 dB or 2 percent over the entire range.
Trilithic also released a solid-state non-reflective RF switch that features a frequency range of 1 MHz to 4.2 GHz. Model PS-4.2/2S-5V-TTL-R has a switching speed of < 100 ns; isolation is > 50 dB at 4.2 GHz. Insertion loss is 4 dB maximum and the operating temperature range is 0° to +70°C.
TriQuint Semiconductor released the first of its gallium nitride (GaN) power transistors for a wide range of high frequency applications including mobile base station, defense and space communications systems. TriQuint also announced opening the industry’s first GaN Foundry service for customers with circuit designs intended for production starts in September, 2008.
TriQuint announced the release of two new HV-HBT (high voltage-heterojunction bipolar transistor) devices created at TriQuint’s San Jose, CA design center, formerly WJ Communications. The highly efficient, highly linear devices expand TriQuint’s HV-HBT portfolio, and when paired with TriQuint’s high power HBT devices, provide a complete RF solution for 3G/4G high power amplifier (HPA) mobile infrastructure designs.
New SMPM microminiature RF connectors from Tyco Electronics offer the same performance and convenience as the proven SMP connectors, but in a form factor that is 30 percent smaller. With a low VSWR through 40 GHz, SMPM connectors offer a versatile solution for high-density packaging, allowing center-to-center spacing of 0.135 inches.
Tyco Electronics M/A-COM also announced a new RoHS compliant 2.4 to 2.5 GHz linear power amplifier for 802.11b/g MIMO WLAN applications that require high gain, high efficiency and small size all at a low cost. The MAAP-008516 is a three-stage power amplifier designed specifically for linear 802.11b/g applications and is available in a lead-free 2 x 2.5 mm PQFN plastic package.
Valpey Fisher Corp. introduced the VFJA402 and VFJA430 jitter attenuators, integrated clock/PLL timing solutions for 1G/10G/100G synchronous Ethernet applications. The VFJA402 provides two LVPECL outputs from 10 to 200 MHz. The VFJA430 has two LVCMOS outputs from 10 to 200 MHz.
Vishay Intertechnology Inc. announced the release of surface-mount X7R multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCC) designed to prevent surface arc-over. The new devices provide maximum capacitance in high-voltage ratings and an increased capacitor voltage breakdown.
Vishay also announced the release of the new VJ series of surface-mount, open-mode design (OMD) multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCC) with available polymer terminations to prevent board flexure cracks. Offered in eight case sizes with X7R and C0G dielectrics, the new devices provide a wide range of capacitances and increased capacitor voltage breakdowns.
Vubiq Inc. announced the availability of its 60 GHz integrated radio solution, enabling commercial, government and academic institutions to utilize the unlicensed 57 to 64 GHz band for application development. Vubiq’s tiny radio modules (patent pending), packaged in a 10 mm BGA, combine 60 GHz transmitters and receivers with integrated antennas, and are available in a cost-effective development system.
XMA Corp. announced an expanded frequency range for its families of 25 and 50 W attenuators and terminations. XMA now offers a DC to 18 GHz range for both its attenuators (X082-75XX-FF-XX) and terminations (X001-75XX-XX). In addition to this new range, both the 25 and 50 W components are available in multiple configurations, including several m/f variations as well as Type-N, SMA, TNC and 7/16 connectors.
XMA Corp. also announced the newest addition to its high-performance line of Omni Spectra™ microwave components.
After introducing the 40 GHz line of attenuators and terminations just a month ago, XMA is now expanding its offering with a new 2 W design: the Omni Spectra 4801-6XXX-dB family of coaxial fixed attenuators. The addition of this 2 W component demonstrates a push by XMA to make Omni Spectra the premier choice for performance applications.
Winton Machine Co., a manufacturer of CNC coaxial cut-off and bending machines, announced it demonstrated its model RD5 CNC bender. This coax bender is designed for complex semi-rigid coax configurations that have more than one bend radii in the same part. This semi-rigid coax bender is 3 Axis Servo controlled, and features the Window® XP Professional® Operating System along with a “touch screen” LCD Color display.
W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore) introduced an on-line builder for configuring
GORE™ Ultra High Density (UHD) Interconnects to use in Bench Top Test Systems, Instrument Probe Cable, Parallel Data Link, Production Floor Equipment and Automated Test Equipment. GORE Ultra High Density (UHD) Interconnects provide an integrated system of board mount headers and ganged assemblies with reliable signal integrity performance. Cost savings are achieved through shorter test set-up, fewer calibrations and smaller boards. GORE UHD Interconnects enable lower loss, lower skew, better impedance control and shorter board trace lengths.