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Space for Microwaves is the theme for European Microwave Week 2012 and on Tuesday evening space for around a 1,000 delegates and exhibitors was set aside in the Elicium, Amsterdam RAI to enjoy the Agilent Technologies sponsored Welcome Reception. However, there was definitely no space for microwaves in the kitchens as the buffet that offered a choice of Continental and Asian food, was of very high standard!

Cobham has reached agreement with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to extend the existing Sentinel aerial maritime surveillance contract by 2 years. This £105M contract extension secures the contract until the end of 2021.

Cobham plc has established a new strategic business unit (SBU) – Cobham SATCOM – that combines all of the Group’s satellite communications businesses into one organisation, following the successful acquisition and integration of Danish satcom company Thrane & Thrane earlier this year. Thrane & Thrane will trade as Cobham SATCOM from November 2012, and will form the core of the new SBU.

Northrop Grumman Corp. has developed a line of gallium nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) for military and commercial uses. These devices represent the first commercial availability of GaN-based components from the company.

The MILCOM management and sponsors made a wise decision to cancel the event this year as most of the east coast was pretty much closed down from hurricane Sandy.  Everyone I know in New England down to the Mid-Atlantic found out over the weekend that their flights were cancelled.  It was a good move and addressed any safety concerns of people trying to get there.  MILCOM even analyzed their attendee list and determined that approximately 40% of them would be affected by the storm so decided to cancel.  I applaud them for taking this action and promoting it quickly to the attendees.  Even though the show was cancelled, there was still a lot of company news and products that I received for the event so here is a summary of the show that did not happen from an RF/microwave perspective.

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced expanded capabilities for the N934x C family of rugged handheld spectrum analyzers. The additional features give the HSA enhanced versatility for in-field applications like instrument remote control and peak power measurement of pulsed signals.

NuWaves Engineering of Middletown, Ohio, an international Radio Frequency (RF) and Embedded Systems solutions provider, will be exhibiting its high-performance, miniaturized RF products and also demonstrating its most recent technological advancement, a Power Amplifier Linearizer Module (“PALM”) at MILCOM 2012. 

ViaSat Inc. has received orders in excess of $11 million for Joint IP Modem Network Control Centers (NCCs), remote modems, and Joint IP Modem enhancements. These production contracts enable the Department of Defense to complete its roll out of interoperable network services to warfighters from teleports and Strategic Tactical Entry Points (STEPs). In addition, the orders include further development of the Joint IP Modem to enable efficient regional connectivity within a larger global network footprint. These awards follow successfully deliveries against previous contract obligations.

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc., a leading supplier of high performance analog semiconductor solutions, is showcasing a broad portfolio of new products for Networks, Aerospace and Defense, and Multi-Market applications at European Microwave Week (EuMW) 2012.  Product solutions on display in M/A-COM Tech’s booth #421 include:

Designed for high-bandwidth applications using proprietary processes, Molex Inc.'s Temp-Flex microwave cables deliver exceptional electrical performance in military, A&D, robotics and medical markets, in addition to automatic test equipment.