FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

  • The 5 Biggest Industry Trends From IMS2013
    The 5 Biggest Industry Trends From IMS2013

    One of the things I love about the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium is the annual opportunity it affords us to reflect on the current state of the RF/microwave design industry. By attending a combination of keynote addresses, panel sessions, and technical presentations, and by speaking to as many exhibitors and attendees as possible, one can piece together a reasonably good mosaic of the major trends and issues shaping the industry.

  • 7 Standout Technologies From IMS2013
    7 Standout Technologies From IMS2013

    Never will you find more cutting-edge RF and microwave technology on display in one place than at the IMS Exhibition. Hundreds of component manufacturers, chipmakers, instrumentation suppliers, software developers, and other technology companies fill the IMS exhibit halls, showcasing tens of thousands of products, many of which are making their first public appearance. With all due respect to the dozens of compelling technologies that did not make the list, here are seven that really turned our heads at IMS2013.

  • 5 Powerful Forces That Could Defeat Your Medical Electronics Design
    5 Powerful Forces That Could Defeat Your Medical Electronics Design

    You’ve worked really hard on the design and development of your latest [insert your medical electronics technology here]. You’ve put in long hours. You’ve invested a ton of intellectual and emotional energy in it. You’ve obsessed over its every detail. You’ve neglected other important priorities: family, friends, pets, health, yard, etc. You’ve done everything in your power to ensure its performance and success.

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PRODUCTS TO SEE AT IMS2013

Diplexers And Multiplexers

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
RF Transistor: 2729GN-500V

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.

Broadband VNA: VectorStar ME7838A

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

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

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%.

DC Thru 20 GHz Microwave Chip Resistor

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.

Low Loss Digitally Tuned Bandpass Filters

Low Loss Digitally Tuned Bandpass Filters

MtronPTI expands their RF & microwave filter line with the introduction of digitally tuned bandpass filters.  Software defined radios (SDR) and cognitive radios require flexible RF front ends, similar to frequency hopping front ends of military communication radios. MtronPTI’s low loss TF010x digitally tuned bandpass filters are designed for exactly that.

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RECENT ARTICLES

Troubleshooting EMI In Embedded Designs

Today, engineers need reliable information fast, and to ensure compliance with regulations for electromagnetic compatibility in the most economical way later in the design, appropriate measures must be taken early in the design phase.

Cognitive Tactical Communication Networks

Cognitive Radio (CR ) has been an intensive topic of research in recent years. Its main applications range from the utilization of TV white spaces to interoperability between large communication systems in all layers.

Understanding RF Instrument Specifications, Part 1

RF instruments have many specifications that characterize the performance of the instrument. Although wireless technologies are always changing, engineers are routinely asked to design and test RF components and devices that may be beyond their level of RF experience. This three-part article is designed to help you understand both basic and advanced RF instrument specifications. The articles cover generic generator and analyzer specifications. Part 1 details specifications including frequency range, instantaneous bandwidth, tuning speed, phase noise, and voltage standing wave ratio. Parts 2 and 3 also describe 1 dB compression point, third-order intercept, dynamic range, and resolution bandwidth specifications.

Realistic Lab Simulations Of Cable TV Networks

This paper discusses the intricacies of testing cable TV settop boxes and line amplifiers from the perspective of providing a lab-grade signal source. By Peter Lampel

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GUEST COLUMNS

  • Patterned Ground Shields For Silicon RFICs – Part II: What Universe Are We In?
    Patterned Ground Shields For Silicon RFICs – Part II: What Universe Are We In?

    In Part I, we used Sonnet® to investigate the current in the surface of the silicon substrate that is induced by a spiral inductor. Since it is an inductor, we were expecting the substrate current to be induced magnetically. After all, inductors are just little magnets, and we would expect inductively induced current in any nearby conductor. The silicon substrate is a conductor, kind of, right? In addition, the magnetically induced current should flow parallel to (and in the opposite direction of) the current in the spiral inductor. This behavior obeys a special case of Clerk Maxwell’s equations known as Lenz’s Law. This is all, to use American slang, a “slam-dunk”1, hardly even worth checking.

  • A Receiver Intermodulation Primer
    A Receiver Intermodulation Primer

    Here at Bird Site Optimization Services, searching for and resolving intermodulation problems is something we do on a regular basis. There is certainly enough of it out there to keep us, and probably a bunch of others, busy for a long time.

  • RF Switch Matrix/Signal Conditioning Challenge: Reverse Engineering And Updating Your Legacy Test System
    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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RF GLOBALNET WELCOMES OUR NEWEST SUPPLIER

RF Globalnet Welcomes Our Newest Supplier

MtronPTI offers custom harsh environment RF/microwave filters – digitally tuned, cavity, LC, crystal, ceramic – and low noise oscillators – crystal, TCXO, VCXO, OCXO, GPS and IEEE-1588 locked – for Mil/Aero communication, Internet datacom, and instrumentation applications. Vertically integrated with complete control of basic material science, design and manufacturing, MtronPTI uses close working relationships to reduce risk and lower cost for your application.  Learn More.

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Remcom Video Center

Remcom Video Center

This collection of videos showcases interesting applications and features of Remcom’s 3D electromagnetic simulation software and wireless propagation tools. Included are short clips that briefly show a feature, as well as longer tutorial "how-to" videos.

GC4800 Planar Beam Lead PIN Diodes

GC4800 Planar Beam Lead PIN Diodes

Hybrid microwave integrated circuit applications utilizing stripline or microstrip substrates generally require that the active components be of appropriate size and integrity so that the physical constraints imposed by handling and bonding and electrical performance demands can be met...
Cable & Antenna Analyzer + Spectrum Analyzer: Site Master™ S332E

Cable & Antenna Analyzer + Spectrum Analyzer: Site Master™ S332E

To keep up in today's rapidly evolving wireless communications market, you need tools that enable you to efficiently maintain legacy networks in addition to the new 3G and 4G networks now being installed. And as the market continues to expand, you're being required to service more base stations than ever before. This means completing sweeps quickly, performing calibrations instantly, and implementing fast trace naming while in the field.
Tx/Rx Front End Module

Tx/Rx Front End Module

The SKY77523 is a transmit/receive FEM designed for Skyworks Helios™ II-Plus EDGE RF Subsystem when combined with the SKY74138 direct down-conversion RF Transceiver. The SKY77523 is intended for quad-band GSM, GPRS, and EDGE handsets and modules. The device supports GSM850, EGSM900, DCS1800, and PCS1900 applications
Wideband RF Splitters / Combiners

Wideband RF Splitters / Combiners

These HyperGain Wideband Signal Splitters/Signal Combiners are ideal for applications involving 1.9 GHz PCS cellular systems, 800/900 MHz cellular and ISM band operation, the WCS, CDMA, 2.4 GHz 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n & 2.6 GHz WiMAX, MMDS Bands, and WiFi wideband design. Three models are available to cover the 750 MHz to 2700 MHz frequency range and are available in 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way configurations.

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Oscillators

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Oscillators

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Oscillators by Phonon are essentially specialty microcircuits that process analog signals in radar, communications, electronic warfare (EW), and other defense and space applications. SAW Oscillators are different from other oscillator types in that they use acoustic waves on a material's surface for signal processing.

Any Platform. Any Time.

Trust dB Control with your high-power solutions for radar, ECM and EW threat simulation systems. Our TWT Amplifiers (TWTAs), microwave power modules (MPMs) and power supplies can be custom-configured for mission-critical ground-based, shipborne and high altitude manned/unmanned airborne platforms. We utilize modular designs for rapid configuration to create power products that are reliable and easy to maintain. If your expectations are as high as your power requirements, contact us today.

26.5 GHz Phase Noise Analyzer: NXA-26

26.5 GHz Phase Noise Analyzer: NXA-26

This phase noise analyzer measures Absolute and Residual phase noise and offers Amplitude noise options. It can also measure phase and amplitude noise on pulsed signals.

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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Arlon Materials for Electronics

Arlon Materials for Electronics

Arlon Materials for Electronics Division develops and manufactures copper clad laminates and prepreg bonding materials for the fabrication of high performance and frequency dependent printed circuit boards.

GPS Networking

GPS Networking

GPS Networking, Inc. is the Worldwide Leader in GPS Networking for over 13 years. We specialize in providing global positioning products that allow you to network the signal throughout your site or facility. Our products are designed with building-block simplicity so that you can design the system for your individual needs...
Ducommun LaBarge Technologies Inc.

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies Inc.

Ducommun RF Products is a leading designer and manufacturer of RF Coaxial Switch, Switch Matrices and Millimeter Wave components, Millimeter Wave Sub-Assemblies and Millimeter Wave Systems.

Ducommun RF Products Coaxial Switches are used on a variety of commercial and military aircraft, communications equipment, and defense, industrial, medical, Satcom and Test & Measurement applications.

CURRENT HEADLINES

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ELECTRONIC MILITARY AND DEFENSE RESOURCE

The 2012 edition of Electronic Military & Defense was developed as a resource for engineers, program managers, project managers, and other professionals involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for a wide range of defense and aerospace applications. Visit our digital edition of the magazine, released this August, and you will find a wealth of information — emerging trends, new technologies, helpful tutorials, and other resources — to help you succeed in today's challenging-but-rewarding military and defense market.

Sign up to receive a free copy of the 2013 edition!

INDUSTRY EVENTS

10 YEAR ADVERTISER CLUB

READERS' CHOICE

Readers' Choice Product

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Editor's Choice Product

ABOUT RF GLOBALNET

RF Globalnet is the Internet's leading source of cutting-edge technical information for the RF/microwave design community. If you are an RF/microwave design engineer or engineering manager involved in the design and development of wireless subsystems and components, or military and other radio-based communication systems at all levels, you now have access to a comprehensive web community delivering the latest updates on RF technology to give you the competitive advantage in your industry.

To provide this technical information, the site offers detailed coverage of the design and development of RF/microwave subsystems and components such as amplifiers, oscillators, modulators, attenuators, mixers, resonators, frequency synthesizers, filters, coaxial cables, connectors, switches, antennas, intergrated circuits (ICs), modules, transmitters, receivers, and transceivers. The site also includes information on discrete components such as diodes, inductors, capacitors, transistors, and resistors. We also examine the technology that creates and verifies the design, namely test and measurement equipment, computer-aided-design (CAD) tools and electronic design automation (EDA) software, among others.

RF Globalnet's database is structured to serve the needs of RF/microwave design engineers, engineering managers, system integrators, product specifiers, business executives, consultants, and others involved in the design and development of commercial wireless systems, military devices, and other commercial communication systems. Reflecting the dynamic and interactive character of the Internet, RF Globalnet is the most accurate and convenient technical source of design, product, and news information available for the rapidly changing and growing RF/microwave design industry.

Please take a moment to join our community and discover all the benefits of your FREE membership.