IMS2011: Day 1 Technology Report
By Ron Grunsby and Jim Pomager
Nearly 9,000 members of the worldwide microwave engineering community gathered in Baltimore, MD, from June 5 to 10 for the industry's main event, the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS). Despite some unseasonably hot weather — temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday reached an oppressive 100°F — Charm City once again proved to be a delightful IMS host. (Baltimore also hosted the conference in 1986 and 1998.) Total attendance was up 9% over 2010, with representatives from 56 different countries, helping IMS2011 truly live up to its Microwaves for the World theme.
During the IMS2011 Exhibition, which took place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, over 600 exhibitors showcased the latest in RF and microwave technology: components, subsystems, systems, test equipment, software, and much more. And, as always, RF Globalnet editors were on the exhibit floor to see the new technologies, take them for a test drive (whenever possible), talk with the people who made and use them ... and report back to you on what we found. What follows is our day-by-day, booth-by-booth report on the 50+ vendors we visited — and hundreds of interesting products we learned about — at IMS2011.
Before you wade in, one thing we would like to point out is our expanded video coverage of this year's event. In all, we shot 30 videos at IMS2011 — product demos, technology introductions, interviews, and more. You will find links to these videos scattered throughout the related write-ups below, and you can also view all the videos in the video section of our IMS2011 Resource Center. Thanks for reading (and viewing)!
See also our IMS2011 Day 2 and Day 3 technology reports.Anritsu Company
Anritsu Company launched the ME7838A, a broadband vector network analyzer (VNA) system at the show. This new 70-kHz to 110-GHz system uses smaller, lighter RF and millimeter-wave modules, which reduces cost and frees up bench space. It also features wide dynamic range (107 dB at 100 GHz and 92 dB at 125 GHz) and measurement stability of 0.1-dB magnitude and 0.5-degree phase across the entire frequency range over a 24-hour period. The ME7838A conducts broadband device characterization of active and passive microwave/mmWave devices, including those designed into emerging 60-GHz wireless personal area networks, 40-Gbps and higher optical networks, 77- and 94-GHz automotive radar, digital radio links, 94-GHz imaging mmWave radar, and Ka-band satellite communications. Click here for a video demo.
Avago
The big news for Avago at IMS2011 was a new front-end module designed to enable the coexistence of WiMAX with other cellular and Wi-Fi radios in the same mobile electronic device (handset or portable PC). Integrating two receive ports and one transmit port in a 5 x 7 x 1 mm package, the module provides up to a 25% space savings for 2.5- to 2.7-GHz devices, according to the company. (For more on the new module, see our video demo.) Avago also launched two new series of LNAs for BTS and tower-mounted amplifiers (TMA) applications during the week, and also exhibited its recently announced high-power switch LNA modules for TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE base stations.
AWR
AWR demonstrated the latest release of its high-frequency EDA software suite, AWR 2011, which boasts a number of new features aimed at improving design process efficiency. For example, Microwave Office (for high-frequency design) and Analog Office (for RFIC design) include a new design-sharing capability that makes it easier to manage data across the enterprise and to resolve subdesign conflicts. In addition, AXIEM (for 3-D planar EM analysis) now has asynchronous simulation, allowing users to continue working on a design while EM analysis is performed in the background. For more on these and other new features, check out our IMS video demo of AWR 2011.
CST
CST had a pair of announcements at IMS2011. First, they announced a number of new high-performance computing (HPC) options that can markedly speed up simulation times for large or complex models. Second, they unveiled a new finite element (FEM)-based eigenmode solver with curved elements, which improves the accuracy of resonant structure simulation. Along with the unstructured FEM grid, which can resolve small structure details very efficiently, it can greatly increase simulation performance. The new eigenmode solver is now available for download to customers with valid maintenance contracts for the eigenmode solver. Click here for a video about these announcements.
dBm
dBm showcased their recently released 9000 Series ultra-high bandwidth satellite link emulator (SLE) for satellite and aircraft RF link testing. It can be configured with up to four independent channels and operates at an IF of 70 or 140 MHz (L-band for the high bandwidth model). Optional internal L-band and external C, S, X, and Ku, Ka-band RF converters may be added. The DSP engine allows optional Rayleigh and Rician multipath fading (up to six paths per channel) and digital additive White Gaussian Noise impairment to be added to the link. Applications include earth terminal testing, satellite payload testing, satellite system integration test beds, mobile transceiver testing, and UAV testing.
Microsemi
Microsemi showcased its family of RF components and subsystems for radar systems, defense electronics, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, with a particular emphasis on its RF power transistors. New for IMS2011 was a GaN-on-SiC high-pulsed power transistor for S-band radar applications. These new transistors deliver what Microsemi claims is the industry's highest peak power (up to 280 W, depending on the model) and power gain (<13 dB) for systems operating in the 2.7- to 3.5-GHz band. Microsemi also exhibited the line of microwave amplifiers and subsystems for defense electronics applications obtained via its recent acquisition of AML Communications.
Microwave Communications Laboratories, Inc. (MCLI)
Microwave Communications Laboratories, Inc. (MCLI), promoted several of their latest products, including their broadband isolator and circulator and their broadband 90-degree hybrid. The new broadband isolator and circulator, MCLI models IS-130 and CS-130, cover the frequency range of 0.8 to 2.5 GHz with high isolation (15 dB minimum) from 10°C to 40°C. Insertion loss is 0.9 dB maximum, and VSWR is 1.45:1 maximum. The broadband 90-degree hybrid, MCLI model HB-57, covers a frequency range of 1 to 12 GHz with high isolation (15 dB minimum), high temperature stability over the range of -55°C to 85°C, and low insertion loss (1.6 dB maximum).
National Instruments (NI)
NI was busy in the weeks leading up to IMS2011, acquiring two RF/microwave companies — the aforementioned AWR, as well as instrument, subsystem, and component supplier Phase Matrix. According to NI and AWR executives we spoke with at IMS, the AWR acquisition helps NI bridge the gap between design and test, integrating AWR's high-frequency design software with NI's test equipment and LabVIEW graphical programming environment. And through Phase Matrix, NI obtains additional high-frequency design expertise, particularly when it comes to synthesizers. NI also demoed its new PXIe-5665 signal analyzer — check out our video demo of the product.
NXP Semiconductors
NXP introduced its new XR family of ruggedized LDMOS RF power transistors, designed for ISM applications in which transistors must survive VSWR tests that can exceed 100:1. (Check out our product intro video and some pretty dramatic ruggedness tests.) The company also conducted live demos of several new GaN amplifier products and a mixed-signal base transceiver station (BTS) radio (see our video). In addition, the winner of NXP's first High Performance RF Design Challenge was announced — "A 2-kW Amplifier for a Portable 449-MHz Spaced Antenna Wind Profiler Radar" by Brad Lindseth of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (also captured on video).
Peregrine Semiconductor
Peregrine had an exciting week at IMS2011. At Monday's Plenary Session, co-founders Dr. Mark L. Burgener and Dr. Ronald E. Reedy received the 2011 IEEE Daniel E. Noble Award for Emerging Technologies for their development of silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology. On Tuesday, Peregrine announced two new DuNE Digitally Tunable Capacitors (DTCs), the PE64904 and PE64905. These solid-state, variable capacitors enable frequency agile tunable matching networks and have an operating range of 100 MHz to 3 GHz. Peregrine presented the technology behind these DTCs during a workshop ("Handset Impedance Tuners") on Wednesday.
Remcom
Remcom talked about some of the new features coming later this summer in the company's new XFdtd EM simulation software release. Simulation results will be delivered more quickly and easily thanks to more streamlined workflows — for example, through automating project settings based on frequency ranges of interest. There will also be a new library of 700+ material definitions, including generic metals and dielectrics, as well as commercial products from Rogers, Arlon, Polyflon, and other suppliers. Other enhancements include additional modeling capabilities that enable more precise control over cut geometries when sketching complex models, and simulations using averaged materials now exploit XStream GPU acceleration technology. Click here to view a video about these enhancements.
Skyworks Solutions
Noteworthy new tech from Skyworks at IMS2011 included the first in a series of low-power (<6 ma of bias current), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) for high-volume consumer wireless applications — Bluetooth headsets, set-top boxes, hearing aids, 2.4-GHz WLANs, and others. The 2 x 2 mm SKY67014-396LF delivers 15-dB return loss (typical), 12-dB gain, <1-dB noise, and +18-dBm OIP3 linearity. Skyworks also launched a new line of high-power filters for military and homeland security applications. These ceramic-based filters are available from 50 to 100 W in a 12- and 20-mm coaxial resonator design, reaching frequencies as high as 2100 MHz.
Valpey Fisher
Valpey Fisher celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Microwave Products line at IMS2011 by launching two new products. The VFH3225 is a new miniature (3.2 x 2.5 mm) high-reliability/commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) oscillator (XO) for military communications applications. It generates frequencies up to 160 MHz and delivers ±50 ppm frequency tolerance/stability over the temperature range of -55°C to +125°C. The company also introduced the VFOV650, a new oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) that consumes only 0.6 W of power, has phase noise of -170 dBc/Hz, and generates frequencies up to 52 MHz.
Wireless Telecom Group
Wireless Telecom Group displayed Boonton's new Amplifier Test Bench software, which integrates Boonton power meters with your existing synthesizer system to enable power over frequency, gain over frequency, and VSWR measurements of active or passive devices. It works with Boonton 4540 and 4500B power meters as well as pulsed, continuous, or random signals. The software supports a variety of signal/pulse generators, and even if a specific generator is not supported, it allows the creation of individual instruction tables for most generators without requiring the user to have complex programming knowledge. Click here for a demo of the software's capabilities.
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., unveiled the newest addition to the company's GORE PHASEFLEX product line — an 18-GHz cable assembly designed for high throughput production test applications in the wireless infrastructure market. The "0G" features internally ruggedized construction, offering crush resistance of 187 pounds per linear inch (85 kg/cm), and a large coupling nut that enables accurate connection and disconnection without the use of a torque wrench. Available in 1.0- and 1.5-meter lengths with both SMA and N-type male connectors, the assembly can withstand 100,000 flexures at a minimum bend radius of one inch. Click here for a video detailing Gore's cable assemblies.
Continue on to our IMS2011: Day 2 Technology Report.