Microwaves & RF articles from February 2006

Microwaves & RF archives from February 2006

Making the most of a modular approach.(from the editor)
February 1, 2006... MODULAR COMPONENTS afford a great deal of flexibility in high-frequency circuits and systems, especially when there is some level of compatibility among components. Common pin assignments and power requirements, for example, can go a long way...

Missing Mini-Circuits.(feedback)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2006... IT WAS DISAPPOINTING to open the 2005/2006 Microwaves & RF Product Data Directory (PDD) and not find listings for one of the more significant companies in the high-frequency industry, Mini-Circuits (www.minicircuits. com). Many of your readers...

An interview with RF Micro Devices' Jerry D. Neal.(crosstalk)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... MRF: In December 1994, Microwaves & RF ran that well-known Alexander Graham Bell photograph on the front cover, modified to include engineers from QUALCOMM and RF Micro Devices to represent your budding relationship with that company. How did...

3G phones and services will help to drive China's economic growth.(the front end)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... EL SEGUNDO, CA -- According to a report by Kevin Wang of iSuppli Corp., China is betting big on the service sector and on high-end consumer-electronics goods--so big that these areas have been identified as areas of economic growth over the...

RFMW announces distribution agreement with EMC Technology.(the front end)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... SAN JOSE, CA -- RFMW Ltd. announced that it has signed a distribution agreement for the Americas with EMC Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of RF/microwave surface-mount terminations, attenuators, and resistive products that was founded in 1963....

Worldwide telecom industry growth is expected in 2006.(the front end)
February 1, 2006... NEW YORK, NY -- The global telecommunications-industry revenue will reach $1.2 trillion by the close of 2006, with continued strong growth in wireless communications leading the way, states a market-analysis report from Insight Research....

Kudos.(the front end)(Hittite Microwave Corp gets ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification)(Vishay Intertechnology Inc won award from SPDEI a french association)(Powerwave Technologies Inc won award from Siemens Communications Ltd)
February 1, 2006... CHELMSFORD, MA -- Hittite Microwave Corp. announced that it has received its ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification for the design, manufacture, and sale of plastic encapsulated analog and mixed-signal ICs for RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave...

Modules house multitude of functions: microwave/RF module technology has advanced to traditionally planar formats to three-dimensional, multilayer assemblies with subsystem functionality in component packages.(NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Modules mean many things to many people. At the military systems level, they are generally ruggedized subsystems that can be as complex as a complete receiver or digital frequency discriminator (DFD). In the world of commercial high-frequency...

Software supports RF IC and fixed-point design.(editor's choice)(radio frequency integrated circuits)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... WIRELESS-COMMUNICATIONS products demand that engineers design the right system architecture while formulating the appropriate specifications for the underlying components. Visual System Simulator (VSS) 2006 plans to satisfy those needs by...

SAW oscillator operates at 1 GHz.(editor's choice)(Crystek Crystals Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... APPLICATIONS RANGING FROM phase-locked-loop (PLL) frequency translation to avionics can now take advantage of a 1-GHz voltage-controlled surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) oscillator (VCSO). FR-5 printed-circuit-board (PCB) and SAW-crystal technology...

3-dB hybrid coupler spans 1000 to 2500 MHz.(editor's choice)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... HYBRID COUPLERS are an essential component in RF/microwave and telecommunications products. Now, designers of such products have a new coupler option in the model IPP-2055. This high-power, 3-dB, 90-deg. hybrid coupler covers the...

Noise source covers broadband frequency.(editor's choice)(printed circuit boards)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... PRINTED-CIRCUIT BOARDS (PCBS) suffer extreme space constraints. When high levels of noise are required and the noise source must be mounted on a PCB, this issue becomes an even bigger challenge. Fortunately, the NW2G-D-14 dual-inline-packaged...

QUALCOMM buys Berkana Wireless.(financial news)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QUALCOMM, INC. announced that they have acquired Berkana Wireless, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based fabless semiconductor company. Berkana is a provider of complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) RF integrated circuits (RF ICs) to the...

EPCOS.(sold its Tantalum Capacitor Business Unit to the KEMET Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... EPCOS--Has sold its Tantalum Capacitor Business Unit to the US capacitor manufacturer KEMET. The definitive agreement for the sale was signed in December 2005. Closing is expected this spring, depending on the approval of the involved...

Goodrich Corp.(CONTRACTS with US army)(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Goodrich Corp.--Has been awarded a contract from the US Army's RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate to design, develop, and deliver an indium-gallium-arsenide (InGaAs) detector array for use in high-definition (1920 x...

Xceive Corp.(Skyworth aquires XC2028 silicon tuner)(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Xceive Corp.--Announced that its XC2028 silicon tuner has been selected by Skyworth, one of China's largest TV manufacturers, for its newest 21- and 25-in. TVs.

G.T. Microwave, Inc.(contracts with Eltech Sales Associates and Guy Cicinelli)(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... G.T. Microwave, Inc.--Announced Eltech Sales Associates as their representative in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Long Island, and Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties in New York. Also, Guy Cicinelli of Wes Tech Associates was...

Vista RF.(contracts with Atlanthys)(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Vista RF--Have signed Atlanthys to be their new sales organization in France. Atlanthys will be responsible for marketing Vista RF's products and establishing new customer relationships with companies based in France. Laurent Rault,...

Cookson Group plc.(sold Specialty Coating Systems to Bunker Hill Co.)(FRESH STARTS)
February 1, 2006... Cookson Group plc--Announced on December 30, 2005 that it sold Specialty Coating Systems (SCS), a business which forms part of the Assembly Materials sector of Cookson's Electronics division, to Bunker Hill Capital for $55.5 million. The...

Renaissance Electronics.(contracts with Wavelength RF)(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Renaissance Electronics--Appointed Wavelength RF Supply of Colleyville, TX as its Texas sales representative. Ryan Krier of Wavelength RF Supply can be contacted at (817) 428-3506 or by e-mail at sales@wavelengthsupply.com.

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.(opens new design and support center)(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.--Opened a new design and support center in Chelmsford, MA. The facility, known as the New England Design Center (NEDC), is part of TriQuint's ongoing efforts to work more closely with strategic partners and...

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS).(website)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Radio Frequency Systems (RFS)--Has unveiled an industry-categorized 'portal' architecture and site navigation tool on its website. The addition of the 'solutions portal' to the RFS website at www.RFSWorld.com is the result of a major site...

IDI appoints Bock as vice president of marketing.(Interconnect Devices Inc. appoints Karen Bock)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Interconnect Devices, Inc. (IDI) has named KAREN BOCK as vice president of marketing. Bock has been employed at IDI for 17 years. In 2000, Bock was appointed as director of marketing communications and in 2003 was named the director of...

Indium Corp.(appoints Dan Mccall)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Indium Corp.--DAN MCCALL to applications engineer in the Technical Support Department; formerly manufacturing engineer.

California Eastern Laboratories.(appoints Kevin Beber)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... California Eastern Laboratories--KEVIN BEBER to vice president of worldwide sales; formerly vice president of Asia Pacific sales at Lumileds Lighting.

Northrop Grumman Corp.(appoints John F Olesak and jill kale)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Northrop Grumman Corp.--JOHN F. OLESAK to vice president of space and intelligence for the company's Information Technology (IT) sector. Also, JILL KALE to vice president of strategic program management, transitions, and processes, for the...

AR Worldwide Modular RF.(appoints Charles Ohiri)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... AR Worldwide Modular RF--CHARLES OHIRI to senior RF engineer; formerly involved in wireless-communication base-station amplifier design.

IPC.(appoints Bernie Klos)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... IPC--BERNIE KLOS to CFO and vice president of administration; formerly vice president and CFO at a manufacturer and distributor/retailer of imported home textiles.

Keithley Instruments, Inc.(appoints Linda C Rae)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Keithley Instruments, Inc.--LINDA C. RAE to COO; formerly senior vice president and general manager. Also, STEPHEN A. CHIPCASE to the position of vice president of operations; formerly director of operations.

u-Nav Microelectronics.(appoints Alan Ross)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... u-Nav Microelectronics--ALAN "LANNY" ROSS to executive chairman of the board of directors; formerly president and CEO of Broadcom Corp.

Hittite Microwave Corp.(appoints Stephen G Daly)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Hittite Microwave Corp.--STEPHEN G. DALY to chairman of the board; continues as president, CEO, and a director of the company.

Stratos Lightwave.(appoints Bill Hollis)(people)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Stratos Lightwave--BILL HOLLIS to production manager for the Video Division; formerly senior staff engineer at Harpo Studios, Inc.

LastMile Communications.(people)(appoints Gabriel Vizzard and Robert Turner)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... LastMile Communications--GABRIEL VIZZARD to director of marketing; formerly the global leader for IBM's wireless broadband solutions. Also, ROBERT "HAL" TURNER to chairman of the board of directors; formerly chief executive at InfiniRoute...

FlipChip International LLC.(people)(appoints Ted Tessier as senior vice president)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... FlipChip International LLC--TED TESSIER to the position of senior vice president of engineering for the semiconductor wafer scale packaging and bumping business in Phoenix, AZ; formerly employed at STATS ChipPAC, Amkor Technology, Biotronik,...

FKI Logistex.(people)(appoints Bob Duplain as president)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... FKI Logistex--BOB DUPLAIN to president of the Warehouse and Distribution division of FKI Logistex North America; formerly acting division president.

Renaissance Electronics Corp.(people)(appoints Sheenu Chacko Thomas as sales and marketing specialist )(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Renaissance Electronics Corp.--SHEENU CHACKO-THOMAS to sales and marketing specialist for the Ferrite Product Group; formerly employed in marketing communications and sales consulting at John Hancock.

TRAK Microwave Corp.(people)(appoints Michael J Kujawa as vice president )(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... TRAK Microwave Corp.--MICHAEL J. KUJAWA to vice president of sales and marketing; formerly vice president of sales at MI Technologies.

Short courses.(education)
February 1, 2006... Besser Associates Short Courses RF Transceiver Architecture, Design, and Evaluation February 27-March 3 (San Diego, CA) Digital and Analog Linearization Techniques for RF Power Amplifier Systems February 27-March 3 (San Diego,...

Meetings.(education)
February 1, 2006... 4th Annual RFID World Exhibition and Conference February 27-March 1 (Dallas, TX) Gaylord Resort Hotel Internet: www.rfid-world.com The 12th International Conference on Lead-Free Electronic Components and Assemblies ...

Innovative front-end approach eliminates external balun.(R&D roundup)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... WIRELESS-COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS inevitably require the conversion of single-ended signals from the receive antenna to the differential inputs of a low-noise amplifier (LNA). It is possible, of course, to use a single-ended amplifier in the...

Equivalent-circuit model helps design frequency-selective surfaces.(R&D roundup)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... FREQUENCY-SELECTIVE SURFACES (FSSs) offer great promise as compact filter and resonators that can be tuned by means of applied voltages. But predicting the performance of an FSS or component based on the technology is still somewhat uncertain...

SiGe BiCMOS forms 10 Gb/s adaptive cable equalizer.(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... ADAPTIVE CABLE EQUALIZERS are useful for overcoming the effects of signal loss through coaxial copper cables. Even though such cables tend to have low loss, as operating frequencies reach 10 Gb/s and higher, signal losses become significant,...

Verification tools help PHS transceiver take silicon form: with the effective use of software verification tools, the tight integration of RF and digital function blocks becomes part of an efficient IC design flow.(DESIGN: PHS TRANSCEIVER)
February 1, 2006... Software-verification tools support the constant evolution and improvement of many integrated circuits (ICs). For example, these tools have enabled designers to shrink the size and cost of personal-handy-phone-system (PHS) ICs while increasing...

Generate digital chirp signals with DDS: understanding the inner workings of modern direct digital synthesizers helps their deployment for advanced waveform generation, including the control of linear FM or chirp signals.(DESIGN: DDS CHIRP SYNTHS)(direct-digital synthesis)(frequency-modulation)
February 1, 2006... Direct-digital synthesis (DDS) is a mature digital-signal-processing (DSP) technology that offers great flexibility and power for generating complex waveforms. One of the advanced waveforms within the realm of DDS creation (given a...

Estimating RKE system performance: understanding signal propagation effects can help when estimating the performance of transmitters and receivers designed for remote-keyless-entry (RKE) applications.(DESIGN: RKE PATH LOSS)
February 1, 2006... Remote-keyless-entry (RKE) systems unlock cars from a distance by transmitting a coded radio signal over the air from a key fob to a receiver in the car. The receiver decodes the signal and controls an actuator that opens the door. An important...

Making bridge measurements with delta-sigma ADCs.(application notes)
February 1, 2006... LOAD CELLS THAT ARE BASED on a resistance strain gauge have a small electrical output of only a few millivolts. Yet instruments with 100,000 or more counts of resolution are still possible. In "Delta Sigma ADC Bridge Measurement Techniques,"...

Using polar techniques for multi-mode and multiband terminals.(application notes)
February 1, 2006... MULTIMODE APPLICATIONS for wireless communications are placing increasing demands on the mobile device's RF power amplifier (PA). Whether it is a cellular or personal-area network or another type of mobile system, that system's characteristics...

Software defines cellular transceiver IC: in spite of the multitude of wireless radio standards, this single chip can alter its electrical characteristics under software control to serve the great many of them.(TRASNSCEIVERS)(Cover story)
February 1, 2006... Wireless standards abound, causing near endless design cycles for semiconductor suppliers and foundries. Each new cellular or wireless-local-area-network (WLAN) standard invites the development of yet another wireless chip set and its...

Looking back.(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... IN DECEMBER 1985, then Editor Barry Manz interviewed the private-but-fascinating Harvey Kaylie, founder of Mini-Circuits (www.minicircuits.com), in an exclusive report that offered a rare glimpse into the mind of the "Component Master."