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Continuing improvements in radar system capabilities enabled by digital architectures are imposing new testing requirements and more capable measurement systems. This eBook explores this system trend and the implications for test and measurement systems. Topics include the continuing evolution of radar, advanced multi-mode multi-mission software-defined mmWave radar, heterogeneous Integration enables direct conversion RF to digital processing at the tactical edge, choosing the right GaN package for long pulse radar modes, plus several testing related articles such as signal generation for radar system testing, testing secondary surveillance radar, and measuring GaN PA linearity.

This eBook provides practical considerations for PCB design, given the central role PCBs play in virtually all components. The articles discuss the unique thermal challenges posed by mmWave active phased arrays, the theory of heat flow and the importance of PCB thermal conductivity, dielectric constant, dissipation factor and their respective changes with temperature, how the temperature variation of these parameters affects the response of a bandpass filter, long-term reliability, and short-term thermal stresses on PCBs caused by manufacturing process.

Qorvo has long been known for its RF capabilities, particularly its strength in power amplifiers based on GaN technology, which provides higher power density with high efficiency. Traditionally, RFIC companies haven’t worried about how their semiconductor components are biased, specifying a voltage and current in the data sheet and leaving procurement of the power supply to their customers. Yet the performance of the power supply affects the overall performance of the system: size, weight, efficiency, noise. So, it was logical that Qorvo expanded its product strategy to include power management. This eBook surveys Qorvo’s expanded portfolio for high performance analog applications.

This eBook explores the innovative automotive systems that use RF, microwave and mmWave technology and addresses some of the challenges testing them. Topics covered include UWB, C-V2X testing, radar development, integrated radar-bumper assembly test, 3D waveguide antennas for radar, target simulation, production testing of automotive radar, and new 4D imaging radars with the performance required to enable autonomous vehicles.

Ultra-wideband (UWB) is the latest wireless standard moving to mass market adoption, some 20 years after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission authorized low power, unlicensed use of the band from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. UWB, defined by IEEE standard 802.15.4z, can accurately determine distance and location, even in the presence of noise and multipath. This eBook provides an overview of the technology and explores several of its applications.

This eBook explores advancements in the design of filters and resonator technologies. The first article illustrates how EM simulation has significantly improved the development of complex filters. The article illustrates the process with the design of a 75 Ω filter covering 564 to 1200 MHz for a cable TV distribution system. The second article continues the design discussion using a bandpass filter for 5G band n257. The next article describes an innovative evolution of YIG resonators — reducing power consumption, size and cost — and its application to tunable filters. The article discusses the evolution of the YIG and how one company is applying this improved capability to tunable filters operating above 2 GHz. Read this to learn more about these topics.

This eBook contains five articles describing aspects of EMC testing, which is the means used to validate EMC among the near infinite possibility of co-located systems. The first article reviews the characteristics of mmWave propagation, how mmWave signals are generated, their applications and the measurement challenges when identifying and characterizing potential interferers. The next addresses one of the core challenges faced by companies offering EMC testing: long test times reduce the availability of the test facility and limit the number of devices that can be certified, reducing testing revenue. The article describes an approach to accelerate testing without reducing the accuracy of the measurement, known as time domain scanning. An application note from AR covers the important factors when selecting a power amplifier for EMC testing, including the type of amplifier for the required power level (e.g., solid-state or tube), modulation capabilities and other requirements such as linearity and the ability to withstand mismatches. The next article assesses the ROI from establishing an in-house EMC test capability using representative costs. The final article presents the rationale and benefits for multi-tone testing. Read this eBook to learn more about these topics.

The adoption of mmWave frequencies to provide the bandwidth for the high data rates envisioned for 5G — “enhanced mobile broadband” or eMBB — unveiled a stream of measurement challenges. They begin with the greater sensitivity of the cable assemblies interconnecting mmWave components and extend to the need for over the air measurements where there are no wired connections. To address the challenges making accurate and repeatable measurements, from the semiconductor to the system, this eBook collates several Rohde & Schwarz articles and focuses on the mmWave frequencies in the FR2 (frequency range) bands. The eBook concludes with an example of a test system for characterizing and testing a Sivers Semiconductors transceiver and antenna module that operate over the 57 to 71 GHz unlicensed band.

This eBook explores 5G and mMIMO trends, beginning with an overview of the market gathered by 5G Americas, Omida and GlobalComm. The next article provides a tutorial on O-RAN and its approach to standardizing the interfaces among the radio unit, distributed unit and centralized unit. The next article shifts the focus to private 5G networks, discussing the steps to ensure success. An O-RAN compliant mMIMO base station was the focus of the next article; however, mMIMO is not the only type of base station used in a 5G network. Small cells are equally important, particularly for indoor settings and high data demand areas, whether indoors or outdoors. “Anatomy of the 5G Small Cell,” condensed from a Small Cell Forum report. Turning to testing, the next article discusses the challenges testing deployed 5G networks. The concluding article in the eBook addresses test challenges unique to TDD networks, stemming from the rapid switching among the subframes transporting the data. The test equipment used to evaluate these TDD systems, such as power meters, must have better performance than the radio, including fast rise time and measurement speed, wide video bandwidth and short time resolution.

This eBook explores GaN applications and highlights the capabilities of the technology. The first few articles describe applications where GaN’s high power, high temperature and radiation tolerance may prove useful: LEO satellites, EW, and hypersonic weapons while the remaining articles cover “hands on” topics covering GaN technology.