Microwaves & RF articles from April 2008

Microwaves & RF archives from April 2008

WiMAX may not live up to the hype.
April 1, 2008... WiMAX broadband-access technology might not be able to deliver on its promises after all. The broadband technology, in both fixed and mobile forms, has been billed as the ultimate vehicle for last-mile services. Mobile WiMAX was certain to be...

WiMAX and LTE fight for the US broadband mobile market.(the front end)
April 1, 2008... Maravedis, a research and analysis firm that focuses on BWA technologies including WiMAX, LTE, 802.20, Ultra Mobile Broadband, and Wireless Local Loop, has issued a report. The report focuses on opportunities and challenges for the broadband...

SUIRG releases findings of field test report on C-band sharing.(the front end)
April 1, 2008... PUNTA GORDA, FL--The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG), a non-profit association, announced the findings of a field test on the compatibility of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and WiMAX services sharing the C-band spectrum....

European consortium increases speed limit of silicon-based transistor.(the front end)
April 1, 2008... PARIS, FRANCE--A European consortium, led by STMicroelectronics, held the kick-off meeting of the EU-funded project DOTFIVE and titled "Towards 0.5 TeraHertz Silicon/Germanium Heterojunction Bipolar technology (SiGe HBT)." The consortium...

Kudos.(the front end)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... LOS ANGELES, CA--Silvus Technologies received funding under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) MNM (Mobile Networked MIMO) program in 2007. The funding covers work on phase two and potentially phase three of the program for...

The latest news, in e-mail form.(Product Data Directory PDD)
April 1, 2008... Some of the most important high-frequency news won't be found in Microwaves & RF magazine, but in the e-mail newsletter Microwaves & RF UPDATE. Sent directly to your computer desktop twice each month, this concisely written newsletter features...

RF blog.(Product Data Directory PDD)
April 1, 2008... The RF Components Blog features the latest news and technology of interest to designers of high-frequency, high-speed components. Although integrated-circuit components are included in the blog, the majority of the coverage is devoted to...

Link to the industry's most trusted directory.(Product Data Directory PDD)
April 1, 2008... The Microwaves & RF website offers several instant links to the industry's only complete directory of products and suppliers: The Microwaves & RF Product Data Directory. With products from more than 2000 companies, thoughtfully classified into...

Find out more about: designing and testing wireless products.(Product Data Directory PDD)
April 1, 2008... Over the course of this year, the first five webcasts in the "Exploring Design and Test Challenges in the Wireless World" webcast series individually tackled the topics of WiMAX, Ultra Wideband (UWB), WiFi, Zig-Bee, and Bluetooth. In each...

Share your thoughts with quick polls.(Product Data Directory PDD)
April 1, 2008... Quick polls allow you to regularly share your opinion on a wide range of topics. LATEST POLL RESULTS: Would you watch broadcast TV on a cell phone if the price was right? YES 29% NO 71% NEW POLL: Will WiMAX survive as...

Rugged cables and connectors can take abuse: material, plating, and other developments are helping cables and connectors meet tough requirements for communications, military, and aerospace applications.(NewsReport)
April 1, 2008... Microwave and optical cables and connectors currently serve a variety of industries. Yet they always have the common objective of delivering a transmission path for both highspeed digital and high-frequency analog signals. Their diverse...

Ansys intends to acquire Ansoft Corp.(financialnews)
April 1, 2008... ANSYS, Inc. (Southpointe, PA) and Ansoft Corp. have signed a definitive agreement whereby ANSYS will acquire Ansoft for approximately $832 million in a mix of cash and ANSYS common stock. The business combining of ANSYS and Ansoft will create a...

Lockheed Martin and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).(CONTRACTS)
April 1, 2008... Lockheed Martin and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)--Lockheed Martin has received a $5.7-million contract from DARPA to compete in Phase 1 development of its System F6 space technology and demonstration program. F6 is...

Tektronix communications.(CONTRACTS)(StarHub Internet Private Ltd. makes use of wireless communications equipment)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Tektronix Communications--Announced that its GeoProbe, Advanced Performance Monitoring (APM), Orion, and Beamer solutions have been selected by StarHub, Singapore's second largest info-communication company. Tektronix's solutions were selected...

Mitec Telecom, Inc.(CONTRACTS)
April 1, 2008... Mitec Telecom, Inc.--Received a second order from a major cellular network operator in Africa to provide its very-small-aperture-terminal (VSAT) block upconverter component. Development and manufacturing will take place at Mitec's Montreal...

Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd.(CONTRACTS)
April 1, 2008... Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd.--Is equipping its fleet of 125 ships with Iridium OpenPort optimized-bandwidth satellite terminals under a service agreement with AND Group. The first installations will take place this month with rollout to the...

ON Semiconductor Corp.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... ON Semiconductor Corp.--Completed its acquisition of AMIS Holdings, Inc. in a stock-for-stock merger. Holders of AMIS will generally receive 1.15 shares of ON Semiconductor common stock for each share of AMIS common stock they own. ON...

RF Micro Devices (RFMD).(FRESH STARTS)(Filtronic Compound Semiconductors Ltd. acquired)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... RF Micro Devices (RFMD)--Completed its acquisition of Filtronic Compound Semiconductors Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Filtronic Plc. RFMD paid an acquisition price of approximately 12.5 million pounds in cash for Filtronic Compound...

Agilent technologies.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... Agilent Technologies--Joined the Long Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution (LTE/SAE) Trial Initiative, which is designed to validate the technology's capability to bring high-speed wireless broadband to the global market. Agilent is...

Orolia.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... Orolia--Acquired Stockholm-based Pendulum Instruments. This acquisition extends the competencies and market reach of Orolia to a third area of expertise: the measurement of high-precision time and frequency signals.

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC).(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC)--Signed a definitive agreement to acquire Icon Systems, Inc. This acquisition strengthens SAIC's position in the virtual and live training environments and allows the company to provide a more...

SDR forum.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... SDR Forum--Eight organizations and educational institutions that develop and promote new and innovative technologies have joined the forum. They include: Adapt4 in Melbourne, FL; Battery Ventures in Waltham, MA; eASIC in Santa Clara, CA;...

Aeroflex and AT4 wireless.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... Aeroflex and AT4 wireless--The WiMAX Forum has designated the Aeroflex/AT4 wireless MINT223x protocol-conformance test system and AT4 wireless MINT T2110 radio-conformance test system as official test equipment for WiMAX Certification...

SiGe Semiconductor.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... SiGe Semiconductor--Reported that revenues for 2007 were US $69 million--an increase of 40 percent year over year. Sales were fueled by the growing demand for SiGe's radio front-end integrated circuits (ICs) and modules.

National Precision.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... National Precision--Opened its third facility in Warrensville Heights, OH. The new address is: 25901 Emery Road, Suite 103, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128.

Skyworks.(FRESH STARTS)
April 1, 2008... Skyworks--Has received LG Electronics' 2007 Best Supplier Award. In addition, Skyworks was graded as Class A for its work with LG in 2007. LG leverages Skyworks' front-end solutions for a variety of mobile handsets spanning all key air...

StratEdge.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... StratEdge--Has announced the success of its company-sponsored Vanpool program. Organized in conjunction with the San Diego Association of Governments' (SANDAG) RideLink Program, StratEdge enables employees to ride to and from work for $5 a...

Pinto da Silva becomes president of RFS Brazil.(people)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... ROBERTO PINTO DA SILVA, formerly vice president of sales for Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) Latin America, has replaced Luis Antonio Alves de Oliveira as president of RFS Brazil. Oliveira leaves RFS to pursue new endeavors outside the telecom...

Intelsat General Corp.(people)
April 1, 2008... Intelsat General Corp.--MARK DANIELS appointed vice president, engineering & operations; formerly served in senior program management, engineering management, and operations management positions at Verestar Government Services, PanAmSat, and...

D.B. Management Group (DBMG).(people)
April 1, 2008... D.B. Management Group (DBMG)--NIGEL WARSHAW appointed to management team; formerly managed international marketing of technical products in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Park Electrochemical Corp.(people)
April 1, 2008... Park Electrochemical Corp.--DAVID R. DAHLQUIST appointed as director of marketing; formerly product director.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.(people)
April 1, 2008... Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems--SANJAY KAPOR named vice president, Patriot Programs; formerly vice president, Finance IDS and chief financial officer. Anthony F. "Toby" O'Brien replaces Kapoor as vice president, Finance IDS and chief...

Symmetricom, Inc.(people)
April 1, 2008... Symmetricom, Inc.--THOMAS STEIPP, president and CEO, joined the Alliance of Telecommunications Industry Solutions' (ATIS) board of directors.

Lockheed Martin.(people)
April 1, 2008... Lockheed Martin--DAVID B. BURRITT nominated to board of directors. Burritt is vice president and chief financial officer of Caterpillar, Inc. The nomination will be submitted to the stockholders for approval on April 24.

Boeing.(people)
April 1, 2008... Boeing--MATTHEW GANZ named president of Phantom Works advanced research and development unit; formerly president, chief executive officer, and general manager at HRL Laboratories. Ganz succeeds Bob Krieger, who retired Dec. 31, 2007.

Renaissance Electronics Corp.(people)
April 1, 2008... Renaissance Electronics Corp.--MICHAEL DONAGHEY appointed vice president of sales and marketing; formerly vice president/general manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Jeffrey L. Kraft appointed manager of switch division; formerly manager of...

Northrop Grumman Corp.(people)
April 1, 2008... Northrop Grumman Corp.--DARRYL M. FRASER elected corporate vice president, communications. He succeeds Rosanne O'Brien, who is retiring in May. Fraser is currently sector vice president of business development and strategic initiatives at the...

AR RF/microwave instrumentation.(people)
April 1, 2008... AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation--BUD OSTHAUS appointed microwave design specialist; formerly with Merrimac Industries, where he established a full-service microelectronic-prototype facility.

NDK.(people)
April 1, 2008... NDK--CRAIG TAYLOR appointed general manager of business & application development; formerly vice president of engineering frequency-control products at SaRonix.

Short courses.(education)(Calendar)
April 1, 2008... Besser Associates Short Courses Advanced RF Power Amplifier Techniques May 12-15 (Burlington, MA) RF Transceiver Architecture, Design, and Evaluation May 12-16 (Burlington, MA) RF and High Speed PC Board Design...

Meetings.(education)(Brief article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2008... 1st Annual EISCC, hosted by ERAI Inc. May 1-2 (Las Vegas, NV) The Rio Internet: www.erai.com/PUBLICVEGAS08. ASPX ICCE-Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nanosystems International Conferences & Exhibitions ...

Constraints impact UWB antenna performance.(R & Droundup)
April 1, 2008... SOLUTIONS FOR OPTIMAL WAVEFORMS for an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) link have been presented using transmit and receive antennas that are realistic and specific. Yet antenna expert David M. Pozar, who hails from the Department of Electrical and...

UHF CPUs promise to secure RFID communications.(R & Droundup)
April 1, 2008... TO ATTACH TO MERCHANDISE RANGING FROM books to fresh foods, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags need physical flexibility. RFID RF integrated circuits (RFICs) also must be produced at extremely low cost. In addition, they have to be able...

EM simulator models acoustic/electric designs: this powerful tool combines elements of acoustical, mechanical, and electrical design with an intuitive interface and ease of use in modeling a wide range of high-frequency structures.(DesignFeature)
April 1, 2008... Simulating a high-frequency device before it is built can help avoid pitfalls in its design and manufacturing. Fortunately, engineers faced with predicting the behavior of RF and microwave circuits have a wide array of electromagnetic (EM)...

Large-signal approach yields low-noise VHF/UHF oscillators: in contrast to traditional small-signal approaches, the use of large-signal, time-domain design techniques helps deliver low-noise grounded-base oscillators for VHF/UHF applications.(DesignFeature)
April 1, 2008... Oscillator design for veryhigh-frequency (VHF) and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) applications has been well documented in books and journals. Most early work focused on frequency stability and, to a lesser extent, on efficiency and output signal...

Cut loss in low-voltage, wideband PIN attenuators: some simple techniques, such as the addition of a ferrite bead, can be used to reduce the minimum attenuation of a PIN diode attenuation for broadband, high-frequency applications.(DesignFeature)
April 1, 2008... Variable attenuators based on the pi ([pi]) configuration can be designed with frequency coverage spanning multiple octaves, from the high-frequency (HF) range to the lower microwave region. As a result, they are suitable for numerous wideband...

OTA testing evaluates mobile-device performance.(applicationnotes)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... To more accurately predict the real-world performance of a mobile device, both standards organizations and network providers are increasingly turning to over-the-air (OTA) testing. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA),...

Tie WiMAX RF chipsets to 18-MHz reference frequency.(applicationnotes)
April 1, 2008... RF chipsets are at the heart of WiMAX solutions for base-station hardware and customer-premise equipment (CPE). The TRF1xxx chipsets from Texas Instruments (www.ti.com), for example, house integrated synthesizers to realize a super-heterodyne...

Power-saving design brings DDS flexibility to portables: this innovative design blends low power consumption with a programmable modulus architecture to achieve new levels of modulation and output-frequency control.(CoverStory)(Cover story)
April 1, 2008... Direct digital synthesis (DDS) has served a wide range of applications due to its fast frequency switching speed and modulation capabilities. But it has often been relegated to a secondary choice in favor of analog phaselocked-loop (PLL)...

Advanced simulators focus on EM fields: a variety of electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools are available for planar and full three-dimensional analyses, as stand-alone tools or integrated into complete design software suites.(ProductTechnology)
April 1, 2008... Electromagnetic (EM) simulation software is no longer a luxury but now an essential tool in any practical high-frequency design effort. The number of commercial programs has grown steadily over the years, providing RF/microwave designers with...

VCO source programs arbitrary waveforms: based on linearized VCOs, this innovative programmable signal source can generate arbitrary FM waveforms in the manner of a DDS.(ProductTechnology)
April 1, 2008... Frequency agility is a key requirement for a variety of military systems, including electronic warfare (EW), electronic countermeasures (ECM), secure communications, and electronic intelligence platforms. For these systems, conflicting...

Field operations kit aids high-power testing: this handy collection of passive components works in conjunction with a cell-site tester or portable spectrum analyzer for accurate on-site communications power measurements.(ProductTechnology)
April 1, 2008... High-power attenuators are often used to decrease the power level from a base station or communications tower when making measurements with a spectrum analyzer or portable communications instrument. Test instruments are usually only rated for...

Broadcast signal generator integrates test functions: this instrument combines an RF source, real-time coder, transport stream generator, and high-power amplifier for production testing of broadcast television equipment.(ProductTechnology)
April 1, 2008... Broadcast television equipment production testing usually requires a trio of tools: a signal generator, modulator, and high-power amplifier for distributing test signals throughout a manufacturing facility. They combine to evaluate televisions,...

Surface-mount VCO tunes 800 to 1000 MHz: this miniature surface-mount VCO provides outstanding stability, tuning linearity, and noise characteristics from 800 to 1000 MHz.(ProductTechnology)
April 1, 2008... Signal generation is a critical component of most high-frequency systems. Oscillator suppliers are being asked to develop higher-performance solutions in smaller packages, to meet the needs of multi-mode, multi-band wireless communications...

Eight-channel ADCs cut wireless power needs: these data converters integrate eight high-performance channels into a compact footprint with reduced power consumption per channel for significant power savings at the system level.(ProductTechnology)
April 1, 2008... Multichannel wireless applications require a generous complement of signal-processing components. To save space and power in such systems, Texas Instruments has packed a line of eight-channel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in tiny 9 x 9 mm...

100-W SSPA targets Ku-band.(editor's choice)(Xicom Technology, Inc., )(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... To provide low-cost operation and longevity for satellite-communications (satcom) customers, a compact, 100-W, solid-state high-power amplifier (SSPA) has been introduced in an integrated antenna-mount package. This SSPA, which is dubbed the...

Power amplifier offers 50 dB gain from 6 To 18 GHz.(editor's choice)
April 1, 2008... By taking a monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) approach, a family of broadband high-power amplifiers is being billed as both economical and reliable. The model AMP6G18-50-33 is a 6-to-18-GHz amplifier. It flaunts more than 50 dB of...

Power divider/combiner covers 950 To 2150 MHz.(editor's choice)(I.F. Engineering Corp)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Power dividers and combiners are critical to the distribution or combining of microwave signals. The model PD-32-LB3-S, for example, provides for 1 x 32-way inphase power division or combining over the very-small-aperture-terminal (VSAT)...

Mini-TCXO keeps phase noise to--155 dBc/Hz.(editor's choice)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Designers are under pressure to shrink the size, lower the cost, and improve the performance of a variety of components. Oscillators are among the most essential of the components requiring these enhancements. Following this trend, the VTM3...