RF & Microwave Industry News

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Astronics Corp., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Astronics Test Systems, introduced two new test instruments. The new PXIe-1802 Arbitrary Waveform Generator and the new PXIe-1803 Digitizer deliver unprecedented test capabilities and measurement accuracy in a compact, robust PXI form factor for aerospace, defense, communications, and other high-reliability applications.   

As part of the FLORAKO programme modernisation, armasuisse has awarded Thales a contract to upgrade the Master radars for the Swiss Air Force. This contract, which amounts to 74 million euros, will be the main order within the broader FLORAKO radars life extension project approved by the Swiss government in 2016, is intended to extend the lifespan of the radars and to ensure operational excellence until 2030.

Version 13, the first major update in 2017 to NI AWR Design Environment, has been released. V13 provides key new capabilities and major enhancements to better address the design challenges associated with highly-integrated RF/microwave components commonly found in communications, phased-array radar and other electronic systems. 

Peregrine Semiconductor announces the UltraCMOS® 12 technology platform. Now in production, this next-generation RF SOI platform boasts the industry’s lowest RONCOFF performance level of 80 fs—a 25-percent improvement over the last generation, and was developed in collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES.

Qorvo® has joined the China Mobile 5G Innovation Center, an alliance created to develop 5G solutions for China, the world’s largest wireless communications market. The innovation center is promoting industry collaboration on 5G development and the migration from 4G, including use cases such as self-driving cars, the IoT and VR/AR.

MACOM completed its acquisition of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation on January 26, 2017. The deal strengthens MACOM’s portfolio for the data center market, adding OTN framers, MACsec Ethernet networking components and a single-lambda PAM4 platform.

Surging Wi-Fi traffic, new uses cases, and emerging IoT applications will result in a nearly 54% increase in wireless IC shipments by 2020, forecasts ABI Research. The short-range wireless connectivity market technologies—including ZigBee, Thread, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and NFC—will continue to evolve to meet new market demands, as evident with various new and upcoming enhancements. 

The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Co. $235 million for Standard Missile-6 all-up round production missiles and spares. Raytheon will begin delivery in 2018. The missiles will be deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to support U.S. Navy fleet operations. The award funds the fourth year of full-rate production for the multi-mission missile, which recently accomplished significant testing milestones and achievements.

International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE), the premier annual event for communications technology professionals, offers the most comprehensive education program in the communications technology industry. IWCE will celebrate its 40th anniversary when it takes place March 27-31, 2017 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

Phasor and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of a software-defined, smart terminal for commercial Ka satellite communications.