FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

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  IMS2013: Tech Trends You Don’t Want To Miss (Even If You’re Not Going)

  Like a restaurant with way too many appealing choices on its menu, IMS poses a particular dilemma to attendees and non-attendees alike. With so many educational opportunities available over such a short period of time, which ones should you attend (if you're going)? And with so much information coming out of the symposium in the days and weeks that follow, what’s worth paying attention to or investigating further (if you're not)? I caught up with IMS2013 Technical Program Chair Lenoard Hayden to get his advice.

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  5G Breakthrough? Samsung Develops mmWave Adaptive Array Transceiver

  Even though true 4G cellular is yet to arrive, Samsung claims to have already taken a major step toward 5G with the development of a new millimeter-wave adaptive array transceiver. The device, which operates in the Ka band (28 GHz), achieves data transmission speeds of up to 1.056 Gbit/s over distances of up to 2 km.

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  The Sequester, DARPA, And A New Reality For U.S. Defense R&D

  Sequestration was the dominant theme at SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing (DSS) 2013 in Baltimore last week. Talk of U.S. budget cuts and their impact on the defense industry was almost omnipresent during the event, starting with Monday’s plenary keynote address by DARPA Director Arati Prabhakar, who explained how the agency will approach the development of new military capabilities amidst both fiscal and threat uncertainties.

• Microwave Ablation Devices Heating Up, But Competition Looms
• Cosmic Microwave Background Anomalies Challenge Principles Of Big Bang Theory
• Power Amplifier ‘Heals’ Itself After Laser Blasts

PRODUCTS TO SEE AT IMS2013

Diplexers And Multiplexers

Diplexers are three port devices that are used to combine or split signals that are at different frequencies. A diplexer is designed with two fixed bandpass filters that are connected to a common port. Multiplexers are passive devices used to split or combine signals, usually of different frequencies. Once several frequencies are combined, a single transmission medium is used to send or receive the signals

Low Cost Attenuators With Ethernet/RS-232 And Manual Control

The 50BA-series from JFW Industries is an all-new line of variable attenuator systems. These plug-and-play modules come complete with Ethernet/RS-232 interfaces as well as manual control (via Momentary Lever Actuator Switches with 7-segment digital display).

AR’s Newly Redesigned “W” Series

Our newly redesigned “W” Series Class A solid state amplifiers have significantly increased their value to our customers.  We have superior gain flatness, better noise figure, improved linear power margins, better efficiency, and better harmonics measured at higher powers than in previous designs.  And if that wasn’t enough we reduced the size and weight by approximately  50%.

Broadband VNA: VectorStar ME7838A

Anritsu’s VectorStar ME7838A Broadband VNA is the first millimeter-wave system with stable real time leveling of power without the need for calibration software correction tables. The broadband system may be configured to include a full range of banded millimeter-wave modules extending the frequency range to 750 GHz and beyond.

DC Thru 20 GHz Microwave Chip Resistor

MSI’s MSMW series, a thin film microwave chip resistor being manufactured using specialized Laser Trimming for Optimal Performance over Operating Frequency Ranges of DC to 20 Ghz. Standard case sizes starting at 0201.

Visit us at IMAPS Booth 613.

RF Transistor: 2729GN-500V

Microsemi’s 2729GN-500V RF transistor is based on GaN on SiC technologies and targeted at high-power air traffic control airport surveillance radar applications. The 2729GN-500V delivers unparalleled performance of 500W of peak power with 12 dB of power gain and 53% drain efficiency over band 2.7 to 2.9 GHz band.

Low Phase Noise Reference Oscillator: XO5085

Low phase noise, high frequency reference oscillators improve signal-to-noise ratios in microwave radios, RF/EW/ATE,  radar systems, spectrum analyzers and more. The XO5085 covers the 50 MHz to 160 MHz range, has very low phase noise and comes in a 1” sq. package.

RECENT ARTICLES

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  How To Localize Interference In The High Frequency Range Using smartDF®

  Are you impacted by an illegal transmitter? …or a legal transmitter not operating within specifications? … or an industrial controller causing fizzle on an adjacent band? … or just crackle from a poor contact in the building’s wiring?

GUEST COLUMNS

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  RF Switch Matrix/Signal Conditioning Challenge: Reverse Engineering And Updating Your Legacy Test System

  Almost every company has an old test system in the corner of their lab that provides a test capability that they require. Perhaps it is related to a government program or a commercial product line that has been around forever. Sometimes the system has been mothballed and they need to get it to run again. This is the third in a series of guest columns by Bob Alman of SenarioTek.

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  Military Satellite Trends And Outlook: Part 1

  The use of space is increasing and becoming an essential component for infrastructure in communications, navigation and timing, agriculture and weather monitoring, and disaster relief efforts. From a military perspective, space assets provide necessary resources to support troops, including the provision of imagery, supporting communications, improving targeting, and conversely reducing collateral damage. As a force multiplier, space assets can provide advanced capabilities and compensate for reductions in other conventional assets. By Asif Anwar, Director, Advanced Defense Systems (ADS) Service, Strategy Analytics

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  Patterned Ground Shields For Silicon RFICs – Part I: What Happens In The Silicon?

  This is part of a series of guest columns by Dr. James C. Rautio of Sonnet Software, Inc.

RECENT NEWSLETTERS

• 05.23.13 -- MIT Researchers Make Frequency Hopping Radios Practical
• 05.21.13 -- How To Localize Interference In The High Frequency Range
• 05.16.13 -- What Disrupts Radio Waves? NASA To Find Out
• 05.14.13 -- What's The Worst That Could Happen? RF Communication Disasters
• 05.09.13 -- First Transistors Using GaN-On-Diamond Wafers Produced

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Integrated Switch Matrices

Ducommun RF Products has been actively working with our individual customers to develop unique testing solutions with our Switch Matrices and coaxial switches.  Ducommun RF Products has over twenty five years experience with the design and manufacturing of switch matrix systems.  Combining together our technical knowledge of both coaxial switches and switching systems, we have been able to assist our customers with a variety of solution that fit their unique requirements.  Ducommun RF Products offers a complete, fully supported, turnkey solution that allows our customers to have the benefit of a customized solution at a fraction of the price.

50 MHz to 1 GHz High Intercept Low Noise Amplifier: HILNA™ V1

The HILNA™ V1 is a high intercept low noise amplifier that operates in the 50 MHz to 1 GHz frequency range. It features extremely low noise and high gain, a wide dynamic range, reverse voltage protection, high reliability, a high intercept point, a fully characterized and rugged assembly, and more.

160MHz Ultra-Miniature Log Amp

The Ultra-Miniature series of Logarithmic Amplifiers provide broadband performance and superb linearity over a wide temperature range. The UMSD range of logarithmic amplifiers are robustly constructed in lightweight aluminium alloy housings and are designed to withstand harsh mechanical environments.

1P2T Solid State RF Switch: 50S-1832

This solid state RF switch has a 1P2T configuration and operates in the 960-1300 MHz frequency range. It has an impedance of 50 Ohms nominal, a -20^oC to +70^oC operating temperature range, and more.

Antenna Placement Software

The challenges involved with measuring an antenna’s radiation characteristics when it’s mounted on a large platform stem from the fact that it’s very difficult to accurately simulate an antenna’s interaction with an electrically large environment.

EM Software: Sonnet Suites Release 13

Sonnet Software introduces the Sonnet Suites Release 13, featuring up to 3X faster analysis for large circuits, efficient micro-via array meshing, enhanced integration to our high frequency EDA framework partners and introducing diagonal ports and components. In release 13, Sonnet’s entry-level EM software suites have been revamped to double the allowed memory from previous releases and offer more features than ever before, while continuing to provide the most accurate EM software in the world.

Precision Potentiometers

These precision potentiometers are water resistant, RoHS compliant, and feature a wide temperature operating range. They’ve specifically been designed to withstand tough industrial applications, and are especially ideal for precision applications involving industrial control, valve and pump control, joysticks, lighting control, speed control, HVAC position sensing, marine and medical equipment, and more.

AVC/H.264 HDVE Software Encoder SDK

The HDVE-100 Encoder SDK is a software development kit that provides functionality for H.264/AVC video encoding with high visual quality and a high compression rate.

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Huber + Suhner AG

With many years of experience and knowledge HUBER+SUHNER develops and manufactures quality and competitive RF/microwave products for global needs. Our comprehensive product range and expertise includes RF connectors, cables and cable assemblies, resistive components; antennas, microwave modules and lightning protectors. All products/solutions are aimed at applications in communications, industrial and transportation markets.

Real Time Logic, Inc.

RT Logic is the leading supplier of innovative signal processing systems for the space and aerospace communications industry. More than 6000 Telemetrix® systems have been fielded since RT Logic’s founding in 1997, and 90% of America’s Space Missions utilize RT Logic Products during their test, launch, or on-orbit phase. We continue to build on the strength of that past performance success – and customers continue to place their trust in our proven ability to support both new and legacy program requirements.
 

RFMD

RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies. RFMD's products enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in the cellular handset, wireless infrastructure, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV/broadband and aerospace and defense markets.

EM Software & Systems (USA) Inc.

EM Software & Systems (USA) Inc. is established to distribute and support FEKO in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FEKO is a leading CEM code for the analysis of: antennas (wire antennas, patch antennas, horn antennas, integrated antenna systems, etc.), antenna placement on electrically small and large structures, electromagnetic compatibility, microstrip circuits and antennas in stratified media and dielectric bodies.

CURRENT HEADLINES

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  Pasternack Adds All New Line Of RF Coaxial Test Cables

  Pasternack Enterprises, Inc., an industry leading ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer and global supplier of RF and microwave products, adds new line of SMA and N-Type Test Cables, ideal for testing applications requiring low insertion loss and operating frequencies up to 26.5 GHz.

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  Low-Power Wireless Projected To Make Waves In Remote Controls

  Nearly one-fifth of all remote controls will feature wireless radio frequency (RF) technology by 2018 that enable many advanced technologies not available with current remotes, including voice and gesture control,  according to insights from IMS Research, now part of IHS.

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  6 To 11 GHz Low Noise Amplifier Offers 2.1 dB Noise Figure

  Custom MMIC, a developer of performance-driven monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), is adding a new 6 – 11 GHz low noise amplifier to their growing line of high quality products.

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  Vaunix Announces New 4 To 8 GHz Phase Shifter, Provides Excellent Phase Accuracy

  Vaunix Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of USB controlled and powered test equipment, is excited to announce the addition of their new Lab Brick Phase Shifter, the LPS-802.

• Epiq Solutions Announces The Matchstiq™ Z1 Handheld Software Defined Radio

  Epiq Solutions, an engineering firm specializing in the development of flexible wireless communications systems, has announced the Matchstiq™Z1, the latest addition to the company's small form factor software defined radio (SDR) product line.

• South Florida RF Connector Manufacturer Coaxicom Expanding Operations

  As the global economy continues to improve, US manufacturing jobs are also on the rise. Electrical engineers and project managers have focused their attention on replacing low-cost imports with high-quality, American-made electrical components.