Microwaves & RF articles from September 2006

Microwaves & RF archives from September 2006

Handheld analyzer: scans 4-GHz spectrum: this battery-powered spectrum analyzer provides full-sized functionality from 100 kHz to 4 GHz for testing and commissioning base stations and broadcast facilities.(Product Technology)(Boonton Electronics Corp new model 9102 spectrum analyzers)
September 1, 2006... Portable, handheld spectrum analyzers such as the new model 9102 from Boonton Electronics allow engineers to bring their measurement gear to a site, rather than the other way around. This battery-powered test tool is a mere 355 x 190 x 91 mm...

GaN transistors reach for high power and linearity: these high-power transistors take advantage of the high power density and high-voltage capabilities of GaN to deliver generous output-power levels at key wireless frequencies.(Product Technology)
September 1, 2006... Cellular base-station developers face an ongoing quest for higher output power levels and improved linearity. To meet these high linearity and power requirements, many power transistor suppliers, including Eudyna Devices (San Jose, CA), are...

Tiny instruments combine power meter and sensor: these little measuring instruments pack a great deal of capability and accuracy into a package that saves space and money over conventional power meters and sensors.(Product Technology)
September 1, 2006... Conventional microwave power measurements call for a power meter and the right power sensor for the frequency range and power level of interest. The LB4XX Series universal serial bus (USB) PowerSensor+ products from LadyBug Technologies LLC...

Signal generator tests HD-radio signals.(editor's choice)
September 1, 2006... MANY OF TODAY'S RADIO STATIONS are broadcasting with HD Radio or upgrading their broadcast technology. Now, the DSG9000 series digital signal generators have been certified to provide test signals for HD Radio in both the AM and FM bands. The...

Two-stage driver amplifiers span 250 To 4000 MHz.(editor's choice)
September 1, 2006... WIRELESS APPLICATIONS like WiMAX and UMTS/WCDMA base stations should welcome a family of twostage driver amplifiers. Because they achieve higher gain while maintaining linearity, the amplifiers are well suited for linear applications above 2...

Compact VCXOs Reach 700 MHz.(editor's choice)
September 1, 2006... THE FATE OF voltage-controlled crystal oscillators (VCXOs) is often to serve applications that face extreme environmental conditions. The MVIP line of low-voltage positive-emitter-coupled logic (LVPEC) VCXOs satisfy this need in just 5 x 7 x...

Cassegrain antenna beats 20-dB return loss.(editor's choice)
September 1, 2006... WITH ITS SUPERIOR antenna noise temperatures, the Cassegrain antenna is at the core of many missile, satellite, and other applications. The RPS2P2-80-S Cassegrain antenna is specifically designed for military satellite communications operating...

Hertz deserved better.(feedback)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... I READ WITH INTEREST the article "Microwave Legends" in the August 2006 issue of Microwaves & RF (p. 51). You cited James Clerk Maxwell but gave Heinrich Hertz short shrift. Maxwell published his theory at the time of the American Civil War ["A...

RFID is not just for Wal-Mart.(from the editor)
September 1, 2006... Radio-frequency-identification (RFID) electronics have often been considered a "low-end" form of wireless technology due to their widespread use for tagging and tracking retail. But the technology took a major step toward scientific...

Motorola closes gap in Q2 mobile-phone ranking.(the front end)(iSuppli Corp. report)
September 1, 2006... EL SEGUNDO, CA -- According to a report by Tina Teng of iSuppli Corp., Motorola, Inc. was a bright light in the mobile-phone industry during the second quarter, with its shipments increasing by an industry-leading 5.8 million units during the...

Tiny smart labels combat product counterfeiting.(the front end)(Hyan Microelectronics Company Ltd. and Parelec partnered )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... SHENZHEN, CHINA AND ROCKY HILL, NJ -- Hyan Microelectronics Co. Ltd. and Parelec, Inc., a manufacturer of fully additive inks for electronic printed circuits, have teamed up to create an RFID applications development program. The effort has...

WiMAX Forum applauds Sprint Nextel for its decision to deploy.(the front end)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... BEAVERTON, OR -- The WiMAX Forum has praised Sprint Nextel Corp. for its decision to build a nationwide mobile WiMAX network using equipment and solutions from three WiMAX Forum member companies. A WiMAX Forum board member, Sprint Nextel...

Kudos.(K and L Microwave Inc. won ISO 14001 certification)(Flowserve Corp. won the award from American Society of Mechanical Engineers)(Imago Scientific Instruments won the award)
September 1, 2006... SALISBURY, MD -- K&L Microwave, Inc., part of Dover Corp's Microwave Products Group[R], has received ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). Implementing an ISO-certified EMS greatly improves K&L's ability to...

Share your thoughts with quick polls.
September 1, 2006... Quick Polls allow you to share your opinions on a wide range of topics. These informal surveys are updated on a regular basis and visitors to the Microwaves & RF website can freely view poll results and even review the results of previous Quick...

Frequency synthesizers supply stable signals: specifiers have an expansive choice of products when selecting a frequency synthesizer, with a wide range of different form factors, performance levels, and price tags.(News Report)
September 1, 2006... Frequency synthesizers generate the stable, low-noise signals for many microwave designs, including commercial communications systems, electronic warfare and intelligence systems, and test equipment. Synthesizers come in many shapes and sizes,...

Technology cancels cellular interference: TensorComm's Interference Cancellation Technology (ICT[TM]) provides wireless operators with increased capacity, improved data rates, and greater spectral efficiency.(News Report)
September 1, 2006... Interference often stands in the way of effective communications. In third-generation (3G) wireless-communications systems, interference can degrade the quality of service (QoS), decrease efficiency, and bring the data rates of digital...

Sirenza will acquire Micro Linear Corp.(Sirenza Microdevices Inc.)
September 1, 2006... According to a report from PR Newswire, Sirenza Microdevices, Inc., a designer and supplier of RF components for communications-equipment manufacturers, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Micro Linear Corp., which is...

Raytheon Co. and Naval Sea Systems Command.(CONTRACTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Raytheon Co. and Naval Sea Systems Command--Have finalized an $11 million modification to an existing contract for Raytheon's AN/AQS-20A mine-hunting sonar systems. The modification brings the total value of the contract, originally awarded in...

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.(CONTRACTS)
September 1, 2006... Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.--Has awarded a turnkey network expansion contract to Nokia. The deal expands CHT's WCDMA 3G and HSDPA network coverage. Deliveries and deployment began last month. Under the agreement, Nokia will deploy WCDMA 3G...

Tampa Microwave.(CONTRACTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Tampa Microwave--Announced that the company has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple awards contract from the US Department of the Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center to provide satellite simulators....

WPCS International, Inc.(CONTRACTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... WPCS International, Inc.--Has been awarded a variety of new contracts totaling $9 million. some of the contracts awarded to WPCS include projects to be completed for the US Coast Guard, Bally's Park Place Hotel and Casino, New Jersey Transit,...

Pickering Interfaces.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Pickering Interfaces--Announced the opening of a new sales office in Littleton, CO. For further information, see www.pickeringtest.com.

G.T. Microwave, Inc.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... G.T. Microwave, Inc.--Appointed a domestic representative, Odyssey 1, to cover Colorado and Utah. Odyssey 1 is a privately owned organization that represents RF and microwave firms. They have offices in Denver, CO and Salt Lake City, UT....

Newark InOne.(contracts with Stego Inc., )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Newark InOne--Has signed a national agreement with Stego, Inc., the US subsidiary of global manufacturer Stego Elektrotechnik GmbH, to supply its line of environmental management products and accessories for enclosures. In addition to the US,...

Keithley Instruments, Inc.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Keithley Instruments, Inc.--Announced a new partnership agreement with TestMart, Inc. The agreement authorizes TestMart to present a catalog of Keithley's test and measurement, including digital multimeters, data acquisition/ dataloggers,...

TRAK Microwave Corp.(contracts with Castle Microwave Ltd)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... TRAK Microwave Corp.--Appointed Castle Microwave Ltd. as their exclusive sales representative in the United Kingdom. Castle Microwave will represent all of TRAK Microwave's products including RF and microwave multi-function assemblies,...

National Technical Systems, Inc.(Dynamic Labs)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... National Technical Systems, Inc.--Announced the acquisition of Dynamic Labs, an EMI and Environmental Testing Laboratory with locations in Phoenix, AZ and Austin, TX. The Phoenix laboratory offers EMI, environmental, and dynamics testing for...

Modelithics, Inc.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Modelithics, Inc.--Announced that it will be represented in Scandinavia by MTT Components & Systems AB, a division of AGETO AB, located in Taby, Sweden.

Digi-Key Corp. and Amphenol Connex Connector Corp.(FRESH STARTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Digi-Key Corp. and Amphenol Connex Connector Corp.--Signed a global distribution agreement. Amphenol Connex, a division of Amphenol, designs, manufactures, and distributes RF connectors, interfaces, crimp tools, and accessories. Among Amphenol...

IGG names Peter Higgs as managing director.(people)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... PETER HIGGS has been appointed managing director of IGG Component Technology Ltd. Higgs has over 30 years' experience in aerospace and defense. He was most recently divisional managing director with Smiths Aerospace.

MDT.(appoints Rob Sinclair)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... MDT--ROB SINCLAIR to sales and marketing manager; formerly employed at Barry Industries.

The WiMAX Forum.(appoints Dr. Hideo Okinaka)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The WiMAX Forum--DR. HIDEO OKINAKA to the board of directors; continues as vice president and general manager of KDDI Corp.'s Standards and Spectrum Division.

Pinnacle Data Systems.(appointed Benjamin Brussel)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Pinnacle Data Systems, Inc.--BENJAMIN BRUSSELL to the board of directors; continues as president of Generation Management Co.

QUALCOMM, Inc.: Barbara T. Alexander.(appointed Barbara T. Alexander)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... QUALCOMM, Inc.--BARBARA T. ALEXANDER to the board of directors; formerly senior advisor at UBS Securities and managing director at Dillon Reed & Co.

Atmel Corp.(appoints Steven Laub)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Atmel Corp.--STEVEN LAUB to the board of directors; continues as director.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(appointed Wayne M. Rogers)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.--WAYNE M. ROGERS to the board of directors; continues as president of investment management firm Wayne M. Rogers & Co. and formerly acted in movies and TV programs, including TV's M*A*S*H.

Advantech Satellite Networks.(appoints Michael Pollack)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Advantech Satellite Networks--MICHAEL POLLACK to vice president for government sales; formerly director of federal sales.

Anchor Bay Technologies, Inc.(appointment of Craig Soderquist)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Anchor Bay Technologies, Inc.--CRAIG SODERQUIST to CEO; formerly CEO at Core Networks, Inc.

Cinch Connectors, Inc.(appointed Bill Mackillop)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Cinch Connectors, Inc.--BILL MACKILLOP to business development manager; formerly principal engineer at Deutsch.

Celerity, Inc.(appointed Adriana Stadecker)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Celerity, Inc.--ADRIANA STADECKER to senior vice president of human resources; formerly senior contractor in the human resources department at Novellus.

PalPilot.(appointed Marc Descoteaux)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... PalPilot--MARC (DEAC) DESCOTEAUX to director of business development for the East Coast office; formerly employed at KAW.

NEC Electronics America, Inc.(appointed James Hettema, Jim Trent)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... NEC Electronics America, Inc.--JAMES HETTEMA to vice president of corporate sales; formerly associate vice president. Also, JIM TRENT to associate vice president of the automotive strategic business unit; formerly general manager.

Pickering Interfaces.(appointed Bill Green)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Pickering Interfaces--BILL GREEN to western region sales manager; formerly held sales-management positions with Tektronix, Anritsu, Acterna, and Synthesis Research.

Pericom Semiconductor Corp.(appointed Dr. Simon Wong)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Pericom Semiconductor Corp.--DR. SIMON WONG to the board of directors; continues as professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University and as a Fellow of the IEEE.

Zarlink Semiconductor.(appointed Warner Andrews)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Zarlink Semiconductor--WARNER ANDREWS to vice president for strategic marketing and business development; formerly owned and operated the consulting firm 290 Ventures.

FKI Logistex.(appointed Lauren Beckmann)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... FKI Logistex--LAUREN BECKMANN to director of human resources for FKI Logistex Manufacturing Systems North America; formerly benefits group leader.

iSuppli Corp.(appointment of Peter Brown)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... iSuppli Corp.--PETER BROWN to editorial manager; formerly a staff writer at the San Francisco Examiner.

QUALCOMM, Inc: Jing Wang to senior vice president and chairman of QUALCOMM Asia Pacific.(appointments)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... QUALCOMM, Inc.--JING WANG to senior vice president and chairman of QUALCOMM Asia Pacific; formerly head of the Asia Practice Group at Reed Smith, LLP.

Short courses.(education)
September 1, 2006... SHORT COURSES R.A. Wood Short Courses Introductory RF and Microwaves November 6-7 (Philadelphia, PA) RF and Microwave Receiver Design November 8-10 (Philadelphia, PA) RF Power Amps Class A-S November 13-14 (Philadelphia, PA) For further...

Meetings.(education)
September 1, 2006... MEETINGS 2006 Texas Wireless Summit September 26-27 (Austin, TX) InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel Internet: www.twsummit.com RFID 2006 September 26-27 (Paris, France) Palais des Congres de Paris Porte Maillot...

Full-silicon 77-GHz, +17.5-dBm PA welcomes new mm-wave applications.(R & D roundup)(Abbas Komijani and Ali Hajimiri developed power amplifier)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... THE ONSET OF millimeter-wave (mm-wave) technologies promises to enable applications like automotive radar in the 77-GHz band and short-range communications in the 60-GHz band. These frequencies have typically been served by compound...

Wavetaps extend impedance bandwidth of mobile-handset antennas.(R & D roundup)(Peter Lindberg and Erik Ojefors research)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... THE SIZE AND SHAPE of a groundplane determine the achievable impedance bandwidth of internal mobile-handset antennas for a fixed allocated antenna volume. Bandwidth maximas are obtained at frequencies at which the chassis effective electrical...

2.4-ghz receiver satisfies sensor power requirements.(R & D roundup)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... POWER CONSUMPTION is a major challenge for sensor radio, which operates in the 2.4-GHz ISM band with Bluetooth. A 1.2-V, 3.4-mW direct-conversion receiver has been designed to meet those needs. It uses a modified Bluetooth systems that has...

Developing designs for RFID transponders: the design of a passive UHF RFID transponder involves a series of trade-offs between power requirements, complexity, and chip size in order to achieve desired performance.(Design Feature)(radio frequency identification equipment)
September 1, 2006... Radio-frequency-identification (RFID) technology has expanded into a wide range of markets. It is particularly well suited to supply-chain management, due to the contactless, non-line-of-sight nature of the technology. Passive RFID has been on...

Understand requirements for WiMAX testing: the test requirements of IEEE 802.16-2004 for WiMAX transmitters and receivers can be incorporated into the experimental tester for evaluating the performance of WiMAX devices.(Design Feature)
September 1, 2006... High-data-rate communications as defined in the WiMAX IEEE 802.16-2004 standard may pave the way for true broadband, multimedia services over wireless networks. Based on orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplex (OFDM) techniques, the WiMAX...

Directional couplers aid antenna power monitoring: this innovative coupler structure supports coupling past 40 dB and can be readily fabricated using conventional low-cost circuit-board materials.(Design Feature)
September 1, 2006... Directional couplers are useful for monitoring and measuring power levels from antennas and at different points in a communications system. Designing a microstrip or stripline directional coupler requires a clear understanding of the physics of...

Monopole arrays are electronically steerable: by dielectrically embedding monopole elements in low loss material, compact electronically steerable antennas can be fabricated with good mechanical stability.(Design Feature)
September 1, 2006... Electronically steerable antennas can provide beam scanning in azimthal and elevation planes without moving parts, adding to their reliability under severe weather conditions. Such an antenna has been developed based on a monopole center feed,...

Maintaining bias control for LDMOS transistors in RF Power Amplifiers.(application notes)
September 1, 2006... TO MAXIMIZE THE data throughput in a communications-system channel, LDMOS transistors demand very good linearity. This linearity will primarily be achieved by DC biasing the transistor for the optimal drain current for a given power output. The...

Picking the best switch for a given application.(application notes)
September 1, 2006... SWITCHES PERFORM THE essential signal routing between instruments and devices under test (DUTs). By incorporating a switch into a switch matrix system, an engineer can route signals from multiple instruments to one or numerous DUTs. Multiple...

Next-generation instruments speed wireless testing: these new test instruments take aim at the needs of the production line with blazing measurement speed that doesn't compromise performance.(GENERATORS/ANALYZERS)
September 1, 2006... Speed is as important as accuracy for production testing. With that in mind, Agilent Technologies (Palo Alto, CA) undertook major development programs for three different families of high-frequency test instruments. These extensive efforts...

Achieve improved spectrum analyzer amplitude accuracy.(MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS SERIES)
September 1, 2006... Amplitude accuracy is a key barometer of spectrum-analyzer performance. Simply put, amplitude accuracy instills confidence in a measurement. In an extreme case, poor amplitude accuracy can lead to shipping a component that did not meet a...