Microwaves & RF articles from November 2007

Microwaves & RF archives from November 2007

Incorrect Figure.(feedback)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2007... FIGURE 2 in "Wireless Laboratory Aids Students And Research" by Huseyin Arslan (October 2007, p. 59) was incorrect. The figure has been corrected for the online version. The corrected figure can be found on the Microwaves & RF website at...

Attribution Needed.(feedback)
November 1, 2007... YOUR SEPTEMBER 2007 article "Evaluate Test System Impedance Matching And Switch Quality" by Jeremy Meier and Jaideep Jhangiani (p.84) has an interesting image for Fig. 5 on p. 90. Interesting to me because it was generated from a free download...

The year that has come and gone.(from the editor)(business year planning)
November 1, 2007... What happened to the rest of the year, you might be wondering? Why write a retrospective editorial in a November magazine? Time is very subjective, and it has been said by many much wiser (and older) than this writer that time seems to pass...

Nucomm to provide HD microwave equipment for aerial coverage Of Beijing Olympic games.(the frontend)
November 1, 2007... HACKETTSTOWN, NJ -- Nucomm, a provider of digital and analog microwave systems for the broadcast industry, common carrier, cable, government, military, and international marketplace, announced that it will supply HD microwave equipment to...

Cisco Systems is to acquire Navini Networks for $330 million.(the frontend)
November 1, 2007... OYSTER BAY, NY -- Cisco Systems has announced that it will acquire Navini Networks for $330 million. "This provides a way for Cisco to expand its wireless networking solutions from WLAN only to include WMAN and WAAN as well," comments...

WiMAX subscribers in India to reach 21 million by 2014.(the frontend)
November 1, 2007... MONTREAL, QC, CANADA AND BANGALORE, INDIA -- The telecom market-research and analyst firm Maravedis (www.maravedis-bwa.com), in partnership with Tonse Telecom (www.tonsetelecom.com), a telecom and market-research firm in India, have released...

QUALCOMM, Inc.(Kudos.)
November 1, 2007... SAN DIEGO, CA -- QUALCOMM, Inc., a developer of wireless technologies and data solutions, announced that they have committed $1.5 million to support relief and recovery efforts after the recent devastating wildfires in San Diego County. The...

Murata Electronics North America.(Kudos.)
November 1, 2007... SMYRNA, GA -- Murata Electronics North America announced that it has been awarded a Total Cost of Ownership (TCOO[TM]) Supplier Award from Celestica, a global provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS). The award recognizes suppliers...

FreeWave Technologies.(Kudos.)
November 1, 2007... BOULDER, CO -- FreeWave Technologies has been ranked number 44 on Deloitte's Wireless Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing wireless companies by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. Freewave has also been named, for the eighth consecutive...

Rogers Corp.(Kudos.)
November 1, 2007... ROGERS, CT -- Rogers Corp. announced that it has been named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for Connecticut, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the state.

Mobile WiMAX dominates broadband landscape: although various demonstrations of the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard are proving its viability, technologies like UWB will be called upon to bring broadband into the home.(News Report)
November 1, 2007... With all of the recent media hype surrounding mobile WiMAX, the term "wireless broadband" has grown almost synonymous with WiMAX. Mobile WiMAX, or IEEE 802.16e-2005, promises to provide a wireless alternative to wired broadband like cable or...

Researchers reach for higher frequencies at 2007 IEDM: researchers seek to extract more power and efficiency, and higher operating frequencies from electron devices using a variety of structural and process-oriented modifications.(News Report)
November 1, 2007... Each year, those interested in electron devices have the opportunity to assess the true states of the art in device physics, process technologies, and modeling approaches. That opportunity takes place at the annual IEEE International Electron...

Danaher to acquire Tektronix for $2.8B.(financialnews)
November 1, 2007... Danaher Corp. and Tektronix, Inc. announced that they have reached a definitive agreement under which Danaher will make a cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Tektronix for $38.00 per share. The aggregate...

Elcom Technologies, Inc.(CONTRACTS.)(military contractor)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Elcom Technologies, Inc.--Announced the receipt of a new contract in excess of $4 million from a major United States military contractor, for high-performance VME-based synthesized RF source and synthesized broadband downconverter. These...

RT Logic.(CONTRACTS.)(Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... RT Logic--Announced a contract award by Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. (HTSI), for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) K-Band Upgrade Project (TKUP). Honeywell is the prime contractor working on NASA Goddard Space...

Harris Corp.(CONTRACTS.)
November 1, 2007... Harris Corp.--Has received a $104 million order from the US Army for high-frequency (HF) radio systems. Under the agreement, Harris will provide the Army with Harris Falcon[reg] II AN/PRC-150(C) HF radios and related accessories, as well as...

Hittite Microwave Corp.(FRESH STARTS)
November 1, 2007... Hittite Microwave Corp.--Announced that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Northrop Grumman to license Northrop Grumman's Velocium line of monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) products and related intellectual property....

Jasper Wireless and Telit Wireless Solutions.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Jasper Wireless and Telit Wireless Solutions--Announced a partnership agreement. The agreement covers joint marketing efforts targeted to application integrators, service partners, and OEM customers seeking simple, profitable methods to...

Elcoteq SE.(FRESH STARTS)(Telsima)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Elcoteq SE--Has become the global manufacturing partner for Telsima, a developer of WiMAX-based broadband-wireless-access (BWA) and DCME voice-compression solutions. Elcoteq has started volume manufacturing of Telsima WiMAX CPEs StarMAX 2100...

The WiMAX Forum.(FRESH STARTS)
November 1, 2007... The WiMAX Forum--Announced that it is pleased to recognize the decision of the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) to include WiMAX technology in the IMT-2000 set of standards. This decision is of...

LitePoint Corp.(FRESH STARTS)
November 1, 2007... LitePoint Corp.--Will be doubling its Silicon Valley facilities area. The new facility adjoins the current one and is expected to be ready for move-in by mid-December. LitePoint focuses entirely on the wireless market serving IC...

Nextreme.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Nextreme--Is relocating and expanding its North American corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility within Research Triangle Park, NC. Increasing Nextreme's production capacity, the 14,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art facility includes...

Applied Wave Research, Inc.(FRESH STARTS)
November 1, 2007... Applied Wave Research, Inc.--Announced record sales and profits for the first half of its fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2007. Sales revenues for the first six months increased nearly 30 percent over the prior year, and more important,...

Nujira names Pruden as VP Of worldwide sales.(people)
November 1, 2007... Nujira has appointed KEITH PRUDEN to the position of vice president of worldwide sales. Pruden was most recently global vice president of networking sales with Agere Systems, Inc. Prior to that, Pruden held executive sales positions with Agere....

Circuit Images.(people)
November 1, 2007... Circuit Images--DAN SPENCER to vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for all sales efforts throughout the US and Canada; formerly employed at Sanmina.

CSR plc.(people)
November 1, 2007... CSR plc--JOEP VAN BEURDEN to CEO and membership on the board of directors; formerly CEO of NexWave, Inc.

Interop Technologies.(people)
November 1, 2007... Interop Technologies--BRIAN MOORE to vice president of sales; formerly vice president of product marketing at ClearSky Mobile Media, Inc.

BI Technologies' Electronic Components Division.(people)
November 1, 2007... BI Technologies' Electronic Components Division--CHUCK NELSON to product marketing manager of the hybrid micro-circuit business unit; formerly worked in ceramic electronic packaging with NTK and Kyocera.

LitePoint Corp.(people)(Karsten Vandrup)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... LitePoint Corp.--KARSTEN VANDRUP to vice president of engineering; formerly senior research manager at Nokia Technology Platforms at Nokia. Also, SCOTT CONRAD to senior vice president of sales; formerly Western US basic instruments channel...

QUALCOMM, Inc.(people)
November 1, 2007... QUALCOMM, Inc.--DONALD J. ROSENBERG to executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary; formerly senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Apple.

Tadiran Telecom, Inc.(people)
November 1, 2007... Tadiran Telecom, Inc.--ZEEV RUBIN-STEIN to CEO, overseeing Tadiran's North and South American operations; formerly president and CEO of LEAD-COM Integrated Solutions.

Trident Microsystems, Inc.(people)
November 1, 2007... Trident Microsystems, Inc.--SYLVIA D. SUMMERS to CEO and membership on the board of directors; formerly executive vice president for the Consumer Smart Card and Industrial Division at Spansion, Inc.

Silicon Image, Inc.(people)
November 1, 2007... Silicon Image, Inc.--HAL COVERT to CFO; formerly CFO at Openwave Systems, Inc.

Park Electrochemical Corp.(people)
November 1, 2007... Park Electrochemical Corp.--MATTHEW FARABAUGH to vice president and controller; formerly corporate controller of American Technical Ceramics.

Harris Corp.(people)
November 1, 2007... Harris Corp.--PETER CHALLAN to vice president of government relations; formerly vice president of Washington Programs for Government Communications Systems.

ABI Research.(people)
November 1, 2007... ABI Research--JAMIE ROSS to industry analyst for wireless, based in ABI's European regional headquarters in London; formerly tracked the global wholesale pricing market for long-haul capacity and fiber-optic networks at TeleGeography.

StratEdge.(people)
November 1, 2007... StratEdge--BRAD KING to senior account manager; formerly held senior-level positions in sales and marketing as well as business development at California Amplifier (CalAmp)/Vytek, Indyme Electronics, and Dynatech Wireless Technologies.

International Rectifier Corp.(people)
November 1, 2007... International Rectifier Corp.--DR. MICHAEL A. BRIERE to executive vice president for research and development and chief technology officer; formerly executive vice president for research and development.

Short courses.(education)(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... Besser Associates Short Courses Applied RF Techniques II December 3-7 (San Jose, CA) RF and Wireless Made Simple December 5-7 (San Jose, CA) February 27-29, 2008 (San Diego, CA) RF Measurements: Principles &...

Meetings.(education)(Brief article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... ARFTG 70th Microwave Measurement Symposium November 27-30 (Tempe, AZ) Tempe Mission Palms Hotel Internet: www.arftg.org Wireless Coexistence Summit December 4-5 (Santa Clara, CA) Hilton Santa Clara Internet:...

Call for papers.(education)(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... 9th IEEE Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications July 6-9, 2008 (Recife, Brazil) Mar Hotel Submission deadline: January 28, 2008 Notification of acceptance: March 31, 2008 Final paper due: April...

SiGe bipolar broadband amplifier boasts 3-dB bandwidth above 84 GHz.(R & D roundup)
November 1, 2007... IN TODAY'S HIGH-SPEED communications systems, wideband amplifiers are created through a variety of techniques. Recently, engineers from Austria's Technical University Vienna began working with designers from Infineon Technologies (Munich,...

GaN HEMT amplifier delivers 80-percent PAE at 2 GHz.(R & D roundup)
November 1, 2007... COMPARED TO THEIR gallium-arsenide (GaAs) counterparts, gallium-nitride transistors can offer significant performance improvements. GaN HEMT transistors in particular are suitable for Class F amplifiers, as they have a high [f.sub.max]compared...

Wireless distribution system eliminates dispersion in clock networks.(R & D roundup)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... AS SYSTEM OPERATING frequency and projected die size increase, it has become more difficult to distribute clock signals across a chip. The resulting problems include larger R-C delays, tighter skew and jitter tolerance, and signal dispersion...

Designing MMIC distributed amplifiers: fabricating a classic broadband amplifier design with newer PHEMT devices should provide improved performance over the same MMIC amplifier based on older GaAs MESFET devices.(Design Feature)
November 1, 2007... Distributed amplifiers offer moderate to high gain over broad frequency ranges. They have been designed with transmission lines as input and output feeds for some time. An early paper (1948) by Bill Packard (co-founder of Hewlett-Packard Co.)...

Power modules provide solutions for L/S-Band: these compact power solutions modules (PSMs) help to simplify the addition of high-power amplifier stages to pulsed RF radar systems at L-band and S-band frequencies.(Design Feature)
November 1, 2007... Pulsed radar systems consume power, in both operation and from the RF devices in the system. To feed the power needs of modern pulsed RF radar systems, a series of L-band and S-band power solutions modules (PSMs) has been developed by the Power...

Developing designs for CMOS power amplifiers: the power amplifier (PA) is an essential building block for highly integrated silicon CMOS wireless transmitters and transceivers, with many different configurations possible.(Design Feature)
November 1, 2007... Widespread adoption of wireless technology has created market demands for highly integrated circuits, such as a transmitter, receiver, and frequency synthesizer on a single chip. Silicon CMOS technology has made such integration possible with...

Analyzing a resonator for MRI applications: The use of commercial electromagnetic (EM) analysis software can help in the study of a slotted elliptical tube resonator (SER) that is well suited for use in high-resolution MRI systems.(Design Feature)
November 1, 2007... Magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) systems can produce high-resolution images of cross sections of human bodies, proving to be invaluable for medical diagnostics. An important component in an MRI system is the RF probe used to emit a uniform RF...

Commercial radios make leap from single carrier to MIMO.(application notes)
November 1, 2007... COMMERCIAL RADIO TECHNOLOGY is moving away from single-carrier technologies, in which one digital symbol is transmitted at a time. At the heart of the new broadband connection is a modulation scheme called Orthogonal Frequency Division...

Gain a better understanding of antenna radiation plots and their uses.(application notes)
November 1, 2007... ANTENNA RADIATION PLOTS show a quick picture of an antenna's overall response. To many individuals, however, radiation plots appear very confusing. The problem is that each antenna supplier and/or user has different standards and plotting...

Surveying solutions for UMTS handset designs: designers of third-generation (3G) wireless handsets can take several different approaches to meeting multimode, multiband front-end radio requirements.(Cover story)
November 1, 2007... Third-generation (3G) multimode wireless communications promise mobile multiedia services as a result of enhanced data rates. For example, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology is providing evolutionary performance improvements through...

Multi-company teamwork fashions compact filters: the challenges of shrinking an already-compact switch filter bank have encouraged Dielectric Laboratories and K&L Microwave to pool their resources to satisfy customer's demanding requirements.(Product Technology)
November 1, 2007... Large multi-company organizations can sometimes deflate any attempts at inter-company partnering. In contrast, the teamwork developing among three of the Dover Corp's Electronic Technologies companies--Dielectric Laboratories (DLI), K&L...

Portable analyzer checks cables and antennas: this compact spectrum analyzer provides all the functionality of a bench-top instrument, but in a battery-powered package measuring a mere 318 x 207 x 69 mm.(Product Technology)
November 1, 2007... Wireless infrastructure relies on many wires, or cables and antennas, to be more precise. In order to maintain a wireless network, tests must be performed periodically on the cables and antennas. The new Agilent N9330A cable and antenna tester...

Fast-switching synthesizer adds modulation capabilities: a proven performer with low phase noise through 1600 MHz has been enhanced with external narrowband AM, FM, and pulse-modulation capabilities.(Product Technology)
November 1, 2007... Fast-switching frequency synthesizers have important places in a variety of applications, including in antenna measurements and in automatic-test-equipment (ATE) systems. Since having the capability of producing flexible modulation schemes is...

MIMO test system performs measurements to 6 GHz.(editor's choice)
November 1, 2007... MULTIPLE-INPUT MULTIPLE-OUTPUT (MIMO) techniques are rapidly becoming more popular for enhancing radio performance in the presence of noise and interference. To cover both the R&D and production testing of next-generation RF communications...

CATV amplifiers target 1-GHz networks.(editor's choice)
November 1, 2007... A FAMILY OF GALLIUM-ARSENIDE (GaAs) cable-television (CATV) hybrid amplifiers recently welcomed the addition of two multi-chip modules (MCMs). These modules boast feature bandwidth of 40 to 1000 MHz for high output capacity. The maximum noise...

Multilayer press speeds PCB prototyping.(eitor's choice)(prototype printed-circuit boards )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... IN THE CREATION of custom or prototype printed-circuit boards (PCBs), key factors often include speed, security, and convenience. The MultiPress S microprocessor-controlled, benchtop multilayer lamination press vows to satisfy all of these...