Full Article: Future Outlook For The RF And Microwave Industry

Discussing general trends in the RF/microwave design industry is tricky business for a couple of reasons. For one, the number of unique technologies that fall under the umbrella of ?RF/microwave? is vast, incorporating everything from tiny discrete components to large integrated systems. In addition, the scope of application areas for RF/microwave products is nearly as broad as the number of technologies themselves, with a reach that grows wider with each passing year. As a result, meaningful trend identification becomes almost impossible because an important factor in one sector may be completely irrelevant to another.

So rather than make a few sweeping claims, this article explores a variety of niche RF/microwave design trends, each applicable to a specific technology or application area. And instead of making grand pronouncements from an ivory tower, it borrows the voices of those directly involved in the creation of the nextgeneration of technologies. What follows are their words, commentaries on their individual technology or application area of expertise. When viewed as a whole, however, these varied perspectives create a fascinating collage, one that accurately depicts the future outlook for the RF/microwave industry.