Microwaves & RF articles from January 2009

Microwaves & RF archives from January 2009

Correction.(feedback)(Correction notice)
January 1, 2009... In the article, "Silicon Capacitors Eye Niche RF Microwave Applications," (November Focus supplement, p. S1), the editors neglected to point out that AVX Corp. debuted silicon-based capacitors about 20 years ago. We thank the folks at AVX for...

Unknown Legends.(feedback)
January 1, 2009... While I rarely communicate concerning reader feedback, I felt compelled to comment on the "Unknown Legends" communication in the Feedback section of the December 2008 issue of Microwaves & RF. In fact, in addition to Randall and Boot and...

Author order.(feedback)
January 1, 2009... It was brought to the attention of the editors that the order of the authors for the December article, "Equalize RF Amplifiers With Bandpass Filters," on the Microwave & RF Update web site were out of order. The correct order for the authors is...

In quest of the highest accuracy.(from the editor)
January 1, 2009... Vector network analyzers (VNAs) are instruments unique to the microwave industry. Other areas of electronics have protocol analyzers, or power meters, or spectrum analyzers, but only RF/microwave engineers have VNAs. In many ways, the microwave...

Portable breast-cancer screening device for use in remote clinics.(the frontend)
January 1, 2009... AMHERST, MA -- Anatoliy Boryssenko, an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is building a portable breast-cancer screening-device alternative that uses low-power...

WiMAX advocate Clearwire eyes long term evolution.(the frontend)
January 1, 2009... AUSTIN, TX -- The US mobile-broadband industry received a big shot in the arm with the announcement that Clearwire Corp. completed its transaction with Sprint Nextel Corp. to combine their next-generation wireless-Internet businesses. However,...

Wireless technologies merge on future ICs.(the frontend)
January 1, 2009... WELLINGBOROUGH, UK -- The inclusion of multiple wireless technologies on a single integrated circuit (IC) is becoming increasingly common. Broadcom's recently announced IEEE 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, and FM combination has ensured that this...

Kudos.(the frontend)
January 1, 2009... AUSTIN, TX -- The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) will release Bluetooth version 2.2, a new specification of the Bluetooth standard, in mid-2009. This release will include a specification for High Speed Bluetooth, which allows...

The latest news, in e-mail form.
January 1, 2009... 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...

Defense Electronics.(APPEARING IN JANUARY)
January 1, 2009... Penton is launching a monthly digital publication, Defense Electronics, beginning in January. Edited by our own Jack Browne, this publication covers a wide swath of engineering technologies and details their impact on defense developments. The...

Tradeshow video coverage.
January 1, 2009... Whether you attended a conference or not, you can always learn more by watching our on-site videos from various trade shows. Go to www.mwrf.com and click on European Microwave Week 2008 to see our latest video interviews, which were conducted...

Link to the industry's most trusted directory.
January 1, 2009... The Microwaves & RF web site 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...

News and products.(WEB-EXCLUSIVE)
January 1, 2009... Please join us in welcoming Lisa Maliniak, Online Managing Editor, to the staff of Microwaves & RF. Lisa, who received a BSEE from Rutgers University, has been working as an editor for 20 years. Aside from stints as both a Technology Editor and...

Share your thoughts with quick polls.
January 1, 2009... Quick polls allow you to regularly share your opinion on a wide range of topics. LATEST POLL RESULTS: In which of the following market segments is your company looking for new market opportunities: Aerospace & Defense, Medical,...

VNAs support production and laboratory testing: the vector network analyzer is the centerpiece of most microwave research laboratory and production lines for its capabilities of measuring both signal amplitude and phase.(NewsReport)
January 1, 2009... It may be the single most important measurement tool in the RF/microwave industry. It is used for research and on production lines. It gathers critical data from active and passive devices and components that can in turn be transformed into...

Spectrum analyzers scan RF performance: when choosing a portable benchtop spectrum analyzer, the best value is in matching the performance and capabilities of an instrument to the waveforms under investigation.(RF Primer)
January 1, 2009... Spectrum analyzers are among the most versatile of RF/microwave test instruments, providing a window into the performance of high-frequency components and systems. Selecting a new spectrum analyzer for a test lab or production line is not...

An interview with the Unknown Editor.(crosstalk)(Interview)
January 1, 2009... The Unknown Editor * Microwaves101.com The Unknown Editor is a seemingly tireless creature who can expound at a moment's notice on topics ranging from skin depth to politics, old television shows, and the great state of New Jersey. An...

Sigma Designs acquires Zensys Holdings.(financialnews)
January 1, 2009... SIGMA DESIGNS, a fabless provider of highly integrated system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Zensys Holdings Corp., a wireless startup company headquartered in Fremont, CA. Upon completion of the...

Savi.(CONTRACTS)(US Department of Defense )(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Savi -- Has been selected by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to compete for future task orders under the radio-frequency-identification (RFID) III procurement contracting vehicle. Three other prime contractors also were selected to bid for...

Technical Communities.(CONTRACTS)(LadyBug Technologies)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Technical Communities -- Has announced an exclusive government services partnership agreement with LadyBug Technologies, manufacturer of the PowerSensor+ line of "no-cal, no-zero" Universal Serial Bus (USB) power-measurement instruments. The...

Harris Corp.(CONTRACTS)
January 1, 2009... Harris Corp. -- Has been awarded an eight-month study contract by the US Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, Wright Patterson AFB, to develop a modular communications architecture for satellites that weigh less than 400 kg and...

Xceive Corp.(CONTRACTS)
January 1, 2009... Xceive Corp. -- Has announced that Mele selected Xceive's XC5000 hybrid silicon tuner for its new line of HMC-3915T and HMC-S01BT personal video recorders (PVRs). Through advanced RF design techniques and an on-board proprietary digital signal...

Merrimac Industries.(FRESHS STARTS)
January 1, 2009... Merrimac Industries -- Has been granted a patent for its Multi-Mix Microtechnology from the US Patent and Trademark Office entitled "Coupler Resource Module." Merrimac's proprietary process for constructing RF components and integrated modules...

Richardson Electronics Ltd.(FRESH STARTS)
January 1, 2009... Richardson Electronics Ltd. -- Has entered into an agreement with RADIALL to promote and distribute "Service +," an automated program for ordering, manufacturing, and delivering RF cable assemblies. RADIALL's Service + program includes the...

Renaissance Electronics.(FRESH STARTS)
January 1, 2009... Renaissance Electronics -- Has acquired Harmonix (HXI) Millimeter Co., a division of Proxim Wireless. As part of the transaction, Proxim and Renaissance entered into an agreement for the continued supply and support of the GigaLink radios...

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.(FRESH STARTS)
January 1, 2009... TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. -- Has announced that its North Carolina design center has moved into a new facility to accommodate its growing handset business. The North Carolina design center opened two years ago with one person and now hosts a...

Conexant Systems, Inc.(FRESH STARTS)
January 1, 2009... Conexant Systems, Inc. -- Has signed an exclusive agreement with Analog Devices, Inc. to manufacture, distribute, and support ADI's PC audio-codec product line. ADI's PC audio engineering support team is now a part of Conexant's Imaging and PC...

Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc. (EI).(FRESH STARTS)
January 1, 2009... Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc. (EI) -- Has created EI Technologies UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of EI located in Chelmsford, UK.

Mirics Semiconductor.(FRESH STARTS)
January 1, 2009... Mirics Semiconductor -- Has secured $7 million of financing from its existing investor team of Acacia Capital Partners, Intel Capital, and Pond Venture Partners. The funding will enable Mirics to expand its commercial activities and accelerate...

Staccato Communications.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Staccato Communications -- Has announced that its Ripcord2 family of single-chip Ultra-Wideband (UWB) solutions has achieved Wireless USB certification from the USB-IF. Ensuring seamless interoperability with multiple vendors, this...

Hu promoted to conexant Chief Financial Officer.(people)
January 1, 2009... JEAN HU has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at Conexant. She joined Conexant in 1999 as Director of Strategy and Business Development. Hu was promoted to Vice President of Strategy and Business Development in...

Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc. (EI).(people)
January 1, 2009... Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc. (EI) -- STEVE PAYNE named Director of European Sales at the newly formed UK office, reporting to Michael Hills, SVP of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at EI; formerly Divisional Manager at GEC...

Integral Systems, Inc.(people)
January 1, 2009... Integral Systems, Inc. -- JOHN MONAHAN promoted to President of RT Logic, a subsidiary of Integral Systems, Inc.; formerly served as Vice President, Signals, Navigation, and Satellite Test for RT Logic.

SkyCross.(people)
January 1, 2009... SkyCross -- DENNIS MCKENNA appointed Chairman of the Board; he currently serves as a private equity firm consultant.

IPC.(people)
January 1, 2009... IPC -- ARTHUR HUENECKE appointed to the newly created position of Chief Information Officer; formerly served as Integrated Business Systems Manager at Elkay Manufacturing.

Qualcomm, Inc.(people)
January 1, 2009... QUALCOMM, Inc. -- THOMAS HORTON appointed to Board of Directors; he currently serves as Executive Vice President, Finance and Planning and Chief Financial Officer of AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines.

Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA).(people)
January 1, 2009... Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) -- DR. DANIEL BALDWIN named President-Elect of SMTA. He is currently President of Engent, Inc.

MI Technologies.(people)
January 1, 2009... MI Technologies -- CHARLES LIANG appointed Strategic Account Manager for Asia; formerly a Program Manager for MI Technologies. JAMES ROWLAND named Director of Customer Support business unit, formerly served as President of Ultra Electronics,...

Renaissance Electronics Corp.(people)
January 1, 2009... Renaissance Electronics Corp. -- CHARLES NASHEF promoted to International Sales Manager; formerly managed the international markets for all Renaissance product offerings.

LXI Consortium.(people)
January 1, 2009... LXI Consortium -- VON CAMPBELL elected as the consortium's President; he is currently an executive with Agilent.

Meetings.(education)(Calendar)
January 1, 2009... 2009 IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium Jan. 18-22, 2009 (San Diego, CA) For more information, visit: www.rawcon.org 2009 IEEE Topical Symposium on Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications Jan. 21, 2009 (Atlanta, GA) (MTT...

Short courses.(education)(Calendar)
January 1, 2009... BESSER ASSOCIATES SHORT COURSES Applied RF Techniques 1, Course 001 Feb. 23-27, 2009 (San Diego, CA) For more information, contact Besser Associates, 480 San Antonio Rd., Suite 215, Mountain View, CA 94040; (650) 949-3300, FAX:...

Antennas prove feasibility of future space arrays.(R & D roundup)
January 1, 2009... FOR SPACE-TO-GROUND VOICE, data, and telemetry, both the Space Shuttle and future Crew Exploration Module rely on the constellation of geosynchronous satellites dubbed the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). At the heart of the...

VLF propagation in Earth-ionosphere waveguide pinpoints lightning.(R & D roundup)
January 1, 2009... USING ONLY 30 LIGHTNING SENSORS, worldwide lightning location (WWLL) has been successfully achieved via very-low-frequency (VLF) propagation in the Earth-ionosphere-waveguide (EIWG) atmospheric layer. To avoid ground propagation or mixed "sky"...

Program calibrates VNAs for broadband accuracy: this powerful software tool includes new calibration-standard model formats to enable broadband VNA accuracy as well as a novel function for assessing relative calibration quality.(DesignFeature)
January 1, 2009... Effective calibration is paramount to accurate vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements. Since the introduction of the VNA around 1970, a number of different calibration routines have been created for VNAs, based on the types of circuit...

Classify modern RF signals in the field: an RF/microwave spectrum analyzer with the proper functionality can serve as an effective tool for finding and locating unknown wireless signals in the field.(DesignFeature)
January 1, 2009... Signal identification is critical to many local and federal government groups for security, law enforcement, and intelligence applications. With the growing congestion of complex digitally modulated signals used in wireless systems, especially...

Build lowpass filters with elliptic DGS: these enhanced DGS cells support the design and fabrication of broadband lowpass filters with miniature dimensions and high out-of-band rejection.(DesignFeature)
January 1, 2009... Defected-ground-structure (DGS) circuit elements show great promise for reducing the size of circuit designs at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. (1) For active circuits, such as amplifiers, and passive component designs, such as...

Assemble a Ku-band frequency synthesizer: this straightforward design shows how to assemble commercial components into a low-noise 14.4-to-15.5-GHz frequency synthesizer with 625-kHz tuning steps for digital microwave radio systems.(DesignFeature)
January 1, 2009... Frequency synthesizers are an essential part of modern digital-microwave-radio (DMR) communications systems. With new ITU-R recommendations for DMR communications bands at 15, 18, 23, 38, and 55 GHz, frequency synthesizers are needed for use as...

Filter choices help to eliminate interference.(applicationnotes)(Anatech Microwave)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... AS TIME TO MARKET for RF and microwave products has shortened, wireless service providers and consumers have unearthed many shortcomings in frequency management. Such shortcomings, which include noise, crosstalk, and signal dropouts, often have...

Channel-emulation testing aids 4G Product Design.(applicationnotes)
January 1, 2009... AT THE HEART of fourth-generation (4G) wireless products and systems like Long Term Evolution (LTE) is multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. For engineers to accurately characterize the effects of multichannel RF interactions on the...

Speedy VNA spans 70 kHz to 70 GHz: the widest-bandwidth member of this new line of high-performance vector network analyzers offers outstanding accuracy, dynamic range, and measurement speed to 70 GHz.(COVER story)
January 1, 2009... Bandwidth is crucial to a vector network analyzer (VNA), which is often called upon to make critical measurements on a passive or active device in order to develop a software model that is then used to optimize the design. In terms of VNA...

USB commands fast power meter/sensors: these low-cost USB instruments combine a power meter and sensor in a compact housing for accurate, wide-dynamic-range power measurements through 26.5 GHz.(ProductTechnology)
January 1, 2009... Power measurements once required tracking down the right sensor for connection to a benchtop power meter. LadyBug Technologies LLC has simplified matters not only by integrating the sensor with the meter, but by adding a Universal Serial Bus...

Signal/spectrum analyzer speeds production testing: this mid-priced instrument can perform 1000 sweep/s under remote control, has an analysis bandwidth as wide as 40 MHz, and offers operation to either 3.6 or 7 GHz.(ProductTechnology)
January 1, 2009... Manufacturers of electronic equipment for wireless applications such as IEEE 802.11n, WiMAX, and Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications systems need test equipment with performance matched to these standards. The R&S FSV signal analyzer from...

16-b ADCs flaunt 86-dB dynamic range to 10 MHz.(editor's choice)
January 1, 2009... A PERFORMANCE GAP HAS EXISTED between pipeline and SAR analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) architectures because no converters could satisfy emerging applications that simultaneously demand high dynamic range, wide bandwidth, and low power. Now,...

WiFi solution puts full matched PAs on one die.(editor's choice)
January 1, 2009... FOR CONSUMER APPLICATIONS like wireless networking, integration and higher performance are key. A new RF frontend solution for WiFi applications, dubbed the SE2566U, provides a pair of matched 2.4-GHz power amplifiers (PAs) on a single die to...

Modulator translates baseband I/Q into RF signals.(editor's choice)(CML Microcircuits USA, Inc)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... TO SATISFY BOTH WIRELESS DATA and two-way radio systems, an RF quadrature modulator supports a wide range of modulation types through its in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) architecture. The CMX993 general-purpose, RF quadrature modulator covers 100 MHz...

Standalone LXI digitizers boast high resolution.(editor's choice)
January 1, 2009... DESIGNED FOR WAVEFORM ANALYSIS, the L4532A two-channel digitizer and L4534A four-channel digitizer offer simultaneous sampling to 20 MSamples/s with 16-b resolution. These digitizers include isolated input channels that can measure up to [+ or...

Accurately test 3G LTE power amplifiers.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... Long Term Evolution (LTE) is often characterized as the next step forward in cellular third-generation (3G) services. But achieving success in consumer-enabled devices will not be easy. Among other things, it will require the engineer to pay...

SAW oscillators generate outputs to 2.5 GHz.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... A pair of surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) oscillators--the single-frequency EG-9000GC and the voltage-controlled EV-9000GB--produce fundamental output frequencies from 800 MHz to 2.5 GHz. The devices' low phase noise, low jitter, and superior...

VCO boasts -106 dBc/Hz phase noise at 10-kHz offset.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... Voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) model CVCO55CC-3619-3711 operates from 3619 to 3711 MHz with a control voltage range of 0.1 to 16 V. It offers typical phase noise of -106 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The VCO's output power is usually +5.0 dBm...

VCOs cover 100 MHz To 5 GHz.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... The EVCO series of voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) spans 100 MHz to 5 GHz with an operating temperature range of -40[degrees] to +85[degrees]C. Available in hermetic TO-8 housings and with coaxial connectors, the MIL-STD-883-compliant...

TCXO squeezes into 2016 package.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... A new temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) vows to provide sufficient frequency stability for Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and other applications. Dubbed the TG-5025BA, it is available for frequencies from 13 to 52 MHz and is...

VHF amplifier modules generate as much as 40 W.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... A pair of power-amplifier (PA) modules helps simplify very-high-frequency (VHF) transmitters and communications systems. Model MAPM-020512-010C00 is a dual-stage PA module that delivers 20 dB gain and 10 W output power from 20 to 512 MHz. It...

Filtered GPS LNA rejects signals by at least 35 dB.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... The 310 series of filtered LNAs provide in-band gain with out-of-band rejection for Global Positioning System (GPS) applications. The surface-mount amplifiers are available with gain levels of 26, 32, or 38 dB at 1575.42 MHz, all with 1.8-dB...

TCXO offers stability of [+ or -]0.5 ppm over temperature.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... Applications requiring the use of a stable reference oscillator from 50 to 120 MHz without multipliers now have another option in a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). With tight stability of [+ or -]0.5 ppm from -20[degrees] to...

MMIC PA delivers 14.5-dB small-signal gain.(AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS)
January 1, 2009... Model XP1050-QJ monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) power amplifier provides 14.5-dB small-signal gain from 7.1 to 8.5 GHz with output third-order intercept point of +49 dBm. The GaAs amplifier includes a temperature-compensated...

Programmable and fixed attenvators continve to evolve.(PASSIVE COMPONENTS)(Statistical data)
January 1, 2009... Programmable/variable and fixed attenuators are being constantly refined to meet the needs of modern applications. Newer attenuator products boast improved attenuation accuracy, greater stability with temperature, and less insertion loss than...

High-CV, low-ESR ceramic capacitors withstand stresses.(PASSIVE COMPONENTS)
January 1, 2009... Easily placed, surface mountable, and mechanically tough, the MH series of high-capacitance/voltage (CV) ceramic capacitors meets a wide range of commercial and high-reliability applications. The series was developed by mounting an MLCC in a...

Resistors drop parasitic capacitance in power combiners.(PASSIVE COMPONENTS)
January 1, 2009... Constructed on copper flanges and a beryllium-oxide substrate, a series of low-capacitance, flanged resistors promises to provide very low thermal resistance and capacitance. A range of power, frequency, and capacitance ratings are available....

2.4-GHz ISM antennas serve machine-machine systems.(PASSIVE COMPONENTS)
January 1, 2009... Two 2.4-GHz ceramic-antenna models have expanded an existing line that is suitable for Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) bands of 315 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and GPRS frequencies. The 50-Ohm model W3008, for example,...

Tiny isolator saves space in handset circuit layouts.(PASSIVE COMPONENTS)
January 1, 2009... At just 2.0 x 2.0 x 1.0 mm, the CEG23 series of isolators is well suited for multiband mobile phones. The model CEG23836MDCB000 isolator covers 824 to 849 MHz. It operates from -35[degrees] to +85[degrees]C. Thanks to new electrode...

WiMAX base-station antennas close coverage gaps.(PASSIVE COMPONENTS)
January 1, 2009... To provide optimized coverage, a series of wideband WiMAX base-station antennas delivers single and double null-fill capability. The antennas' design also allows for higher system isolation. The antennas cover a frequency range of 2.3 to 2.7...

Low-pass filters sport 3-dB cutoffs to 22 GHz.
January 1, 2009... The LBT series of fourth-order, tubular, Bessel lowpass filters reduce the impact of higher-order distortion and noise in receivers and other systems. These 50-Ohm filters offer 3-dB cutoffs from 1 to 22 GHz. Thanks to computer-aided design and...

New materials give cables much-needed boost.(CABLES & CONNECTORS)
January 1, 2009... Microwave-cable manufacturers consistently exploit advances in new dielectric materials, metal conductors, and construction techniques. Their persistence enables them to meet the demanding requirements of cable assemblies needed in...

Miniature circular connectors withstand 5 PSI.(CABLES & CONNECTORS)
January 1, 2009... Miniature circular connectors are now available to meet the needs of tactical communication and control systems, imaging systems, and television camera equipment. Dubbed the MIKQ IP68 series, the connectors are designed to withstand...

Copper cables offer alternative to fiber-optic modules.(CABLES & CONNECTORS)
January 1, 2009... SFP+ copper cable assemblies vow to provide an economical alternative to fiber-optic modules in high-performance computing and networking systems--especially for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and 8- and 10-Gigabit Fibre Channel applications. The cable...

SMA connectors can be fitted to many coax types.(CABLES & CONNECTORS)
January 1, 2009... Interconnection requirements of both systems and components can now be met with a series of SMA connectors. This flexibility is derived from the wide variety of cable connectors, receptacles, feed thrus, stripline launchers, and precision...

75-[ohm] BNC connector handles high-performance video.(CABLES & CONNECTORS)
January 1, 2009... Suited for use in high-performance video applications, the Connex 112740 connector is a 75-[ohm] BNC bulkhead jack. Its end-launch termination saves space in high-density installations, where panel real estate is critical. Return loss for these...

Rugged QMA connectors are watertight.(CABLES & CONNECTORS)
January 1, 2009... Thanks to a refinement of the proprietary Quick Lock mechanism, a new series of QMA connectors is purportedly waterproof. These 50-[ohm] connectors span DC to 18 GHz. Their dielectric withstanding voltage rating is 1000 V rms at 50 Hz while...