Wireless Design & Development articles from March 2008

Wireless Design & Development archives from March 2008

Supply and demand--does it still hold true?(UP FRONT)
March 1, 2008... The laws of supply and demand are something everyone in this industry, particularly chip makers, electronics manufacturers and suppliers are all too familiar with. In order to succeed in today's high-tech business environment, semiconductor...

Sport and health monitoring applications coming to your PDA soon.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
March 1, 2008... ANT recently announced that Taiwan-based Spectec Computer Company Ltd. has launched the SDA-320 miniSDIO ANT RF card with ANT+Sport Software Development Kit. In demonstration form, the SDA-320 allows a miniSDIO card slot-equipped Motorola Q...

Technology powers books-on-mobile service.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)(Bango)(Macmillan Publishers Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Bango has made possible a new service that turns the mobile phone into a personal "on the go" library. Bango's billing and digital fingerprint technologies have enabled Macmillan Publishing Solutions (MPS) to create The Global Reader--a new...

IT departments get some relief with automatic password reset.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)(Nuance Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... With Nuance's Automatic Password Reset, employees can reset security passwords for any networked device or application simply by using their voice and the company's telephony system. Automatic Password Reset utilizes voice biometrics that...

Streaming and encoding platform enhances mobile music experience.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Driving innovation and a better customer experience for mobile music and on-demand mobile TV, Vidiator announces new capabilities delivered by its Xenon streaming and encoding platform that enables mobile handset users to quickly browse music...

Base stations designed for mobile WiMAX networks.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
March 1, 2008... Fujitsu Network Communications introduces the BroadOne[TM] WX series of mobile WiMAX base stations. These base stations consume low levels of power, deliver desirable performance and are easy to install. Fujitsu plans to provide three base...

Powerful tool supports successful deployment of next-generation mobile phone systems.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
March 1, 2008... Anritsu Company has released three software packages for its MS269xA Signal Analyzer Series that create a powerful tool to support fast and easy evaluation of 3GPP LTE uplink and downlink signals. Taking full advantage of the MS269xA Series'...

NFC turnkey solution.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(Inside Contactless introduced MicroRead multi-standard NFC chip)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Inside Contactless introduces the latest version of its MicroRead[R] multi-standard NFC chip. The MicroRead suite combines third-generation silicon, a full set of host interfaces, NFC software libraries and APIs, a field-proven reference...

Single-antenna approach improves antenna gain and receiver sensitivity.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SkyCross introduces Isolated Mode Antenna Technology (iMAT), a unique single-antenna approach providing benefits for device designers and manufacturers, network operators and end users, iMAT, a patented,...

Multicarrier power amplifier increases cell site capacity.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew Wireless Solutions' CommScope, Inc. division announces the release of The Andrew OneBase[TM] Extender Multi-Sector Micro, designed to be the smallest multicarrier power amplifier (MCPA) configuration for...

Single slot solution.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(Pentek Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Pentek's Model 4207 is the company's flagship product for high-performance digital signal processing and data-acquisition systems. This new board employs Freescaie's MPC8641D Dual Core PowerPC AltiVec[TM] Processor and a Xilinx Virtex-4 FX...

Technology shrinks quad-band EDGE PA Modules by 50%.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
March 1, 2008... TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. announces the first two members of its HADRON II PA Module[TM] family: the TQM7M5012 and TQM7M5005. These second-generation EDGE PAs were designed using the company's CuFlip[TM] copper bump technology, improving RF...

Dual core VME board enables OEMs to improve system performance.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(Emerson Network Power)(original equipment manufacturers)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Emerson Network Power announces its highest performance VMEbus single-board computer (SBC), the MVME7100. Featuring a dual core PowerPC[R] processor and 2eSST high speed VMEbus interface, the board is designed to enable industrial, medical and...

Selecting a suitable RFIC amplifier: while the specifications provided in data sheets seem pretty straight forward, beware of some of the potential pitfalls along the way.(EYE ON RFICs)
March 1, 2008... There are many RFIC amplifiers available on the market, often categorized by the process they are made on, ranging from low cost silicon parts with wideband internally matched inputs to low noise gallium-arsenide parts with high linearity. Some...

Radiated performance testing of WiMAX mobile devices: given the potential cost of higher network densities, wireless carriers need to be concerned about the RF performance of mobile devices on the network.(RADIATED PERFORMANCE TESTING)
March 1, 2008... The Technical Working Group (TWG) of the WiMAX Forum[TM] recently and resoundingly approved a new test plan, WiMAX Forum[TM] Radiated Performance Tests (RPT) for Subscriber and Mobile Stations. This test plan marks a distinct departure from the...

IEEE 802.1 5.4[TM] solutions for wireless networks of all sizes: no matter which protocol you choose, the IEEE 802.15.4 specification provides a solid foundation.(Cover story)
March 1, 2008... Wireless applications for the short-range, low-data-rate, low-power and low-cost market have grown dramatically in recent years. There are many solutions for this market, so the most critical job for application developers is to choose the...

Innovation in package-level EMI/RF shielding: with the trend towards smaller implementation sizes and higher functionality, older can shields may not always be the answer.(INTEGRATED RF SHIELDING)
March 1, 2008... Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are continually looking for ways to achieve a quicker time to market when launching new products. To accomplish this, common platforms are used to keep costs down and speed up development time. The...

Passive GaAs MMIC mixers deliver a wide if bandwidth.(PRODUCT FOCUS: MIXERS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hittite Microwave Corporation announces its double-balanced GaAs MESFET mixers for use in test and measurement systems, military radios, commercial sensors and transceiver infrastructure, including critical functions...

Upconverter mixer generates RF output signals from 70 to 150 MHz.(PRODUCT FOCUS: MIXERS)(Mini Circuits Laboratory)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Mini-Circuits introduces its frequency up-converter mixer Model HJKU151H+ that generates RF output signals from 70 to 150 MHz with typical conversion loss of 7.6 dB. It operates with IF input signals from l0 to 150 MHz, LO signals from 140 to...

Passive mixer includes an on-chip LO buffer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: MIXERS)
March 1, 2008... Analog Devices, Inc. announces its Model ADL5350 small footprint high-performance passive mixer. This GaAs pHEMT passive mixer can be used in both down-conversion receiver and up-conversion transmit path applications within a broad frequency...

Frequency mixers provide a range of wireless applications.(PRODUCT FOCUS: MIXERS)
March 1, 2008... WJ Communications, Inc. announces the expansion of its high-dynamic range WJZ diode mixer series, a family of second source frequency mixers created as pinfor-pin, drop-in replacements for popular diode-based frequency mixers. Seven products...

Transmitter provides linear, variable gain.(PRODUCT FOCUS: MIXERS)
March 1, 2008... Mimix Broadband, Inc. introduces surface mount technology (SMT) packaged, gallium arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) receiver and transmitter devices that cover the 35 to 45 GHz and 36 to 42 GHz frequency bands,...

GaAs amplifier for the cellular/GSM telephony market.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stealth Microwave, Inc.'s Model SM0929647L is a 925 to 960 MHz solid state GaAs amplifier for the Cellular/GSM telephony market. Its compact size and ultra high linearity make it suited for use in CDMA, TDMA or any...

Portable audio CODEC doubles battery life.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Leadis Technology, Inc. family of audio CODECs incorporate advanced FM transmitters and the company's Gmax audio amplifier technology, which increases power efficiency, maintains best-in-class SNR and extends battery life in portable audio...

Single chip HSPA offers on-chip multimedia features.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NXP Semiconductors announces its small, single-core, dual-mode Nexperia cellular multimedia base-band PNX6712 for HSPA and EDGE. Based on 65 nm process technology, it offers advanced on-chip multimedia features such...

Low-noise VCO offers spectral purity.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mini-Circuits announces its surface-mount VCO Model ROS-1590-319+ for applications requiring a low-noise signal at 1590 MHz. It offers optimal spectral purity with typical phase noise of -112 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz...

Operator interfaces achieve network support.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Red Lion Controls, Inc. announces DeviceNet network support for its G3 series of operator interfaces. This HMI series offers advanced communication and data management. With the release of the G3DN DeviceNet option card, users can add DeviceNet...

Baseband processor supports MAC and PHY functions.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Doubles acceleration * Eliminates need for an RISC co-processor * Lowers system cost Texas Instruments, Inc. combines the logic of PHY processing with the reasoning of MAC processing onto a single...

WiMax band isolators and circulators cover 700 to 3600 MHz.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Wide temperature range * Corrosion resistant * Fully RoHS compliant Raditek, Inc. announces its SS series Stripline Drop-in Isolators and Circuators that cover 700 to 3600 MHz at 10% bandwidth in...

SMT MMIC LNA covers DC to 20 GHz.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Rated from DC to 20 GHz * Delivers 14 dB gain * +16.5 dBm output power at 1 dB compression Hittite Microwave Corporation's HMC460LC5 SMT MMIC is a wideband low-noise amplifier (LNA) that covers fiber...

Coupler offers nominal coupling of 20.4 dB.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Nominal coupling of 20.4 dB * Coupling flatness of [+ or -] 0.6 dB from 860 to 970 MHz * CW power levels to 10 W Mini-Circuits' Model ZFBDC20970HP handles CW power levels to 10 W with mainline insertion...

Fully compliant to medical safety standards.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)(Protek Power North America)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Comprehensive protection circuitry * Double fusing * Power fail detect Protek Power North America announces its PM201 series of 200 W, medical, low-profile AC/DC switching power supplies that offer a...

Channel emulator platform tests WiMAX systems.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Fully-functional channel emulation * Single box design * Complete RF isolation Azimuth Systems, Inc. introduces its ACE 400WB comprehensive channel emulator platform for testing...

Full measurement solutions for 700 MHz.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)(Rohde & Schwarz)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Support for all major Cellular standards * Testers cover the 700 MHz band * Mobile radio test sets Rohde & Schwarz announces that its full complement of mobile radio test sets and measurement platforms...

Voltage supervisors monitor power supply status.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... * Active-high reset function * 8-lead SOIC and 8-lead MSOP * Manual reset and watchdog timer Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. introduces the CAT705, CAT706 and CAT813 voltage supervisors for monitoring the power supply (Vcc) status of...

Step-down regulator breaks the size barrier.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)(Maxim Integrated Products Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Small TQFN footprint * Output currents of up to 25 A * 4.5 to 25 V input voltage range Maxim Integrated Products introduces its Model MAX8655 switching, step-down regulator to incorporate the MOSFETs...

Satcom link emulator processes signals at high data rates.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Solid-state memory for storage of test routines * Remote control via Ethernet * Static and Dynamic Operational Modes dBm Corp. announces its Model SLE700 satellite link emulator that accommodates the...

Flexible platforms for smart devices.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... * Intuitive Graphical User Interface * Multimedia applications processor * High integration and functionality Navicron announces two adaptable platforms that are optimized for wireless consumer electronics and handheld products...

Motor control kits feature floating-point DSC.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Modular structure * Double event manager * Embedded CAN interface Technosoft announces its MxK28335 DSC Motor Control Kits family that is based on the TMS320F28335 floating-point digital signal...

Portable test system for passive intermodulation.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Battery-driven and self-calibrating * IP55 protection * 80 dBc to -155 dBc Boonton, a Wireless Telecom Group Company, introduces its PIM 20 ultra-portable Test System for passive intermodulation. This...

Software defined radio supports GMR satellite specs.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... * High level of integration * Low power consumption * SDR-like capabilities Sequoia Communications announces its SEQ7400 HEDGE receiver has been verified to support HSUPA, TD-SCDMA, Femtocell, S-Band and GMR satellite...

Microwave spectrum analyzers support wireless technologies.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Lowers cost of test * Options cover RF measurement and modulation * Test routines for six wireless system configurations Anritsu Company enhances its MS271xB family of economy microwave spectrum...

Switching regulators reduce external component count.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Auto-burst mode operation * Bias-assist * AC Input-independent OCP Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. announces its STR-W6250D series of off-line switching regulators that are targeted at the consumer and...

Pulse function arbitrary noise generator enhances productivity.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * 13 Standard functions * All in one capability * Minimize space and test time Agilent Technologies, Inc. introduces its Model 81150A pulse function arbitrary noise generator that provides optimal signal...

Programmable LCD modules hasten product development.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EarthLCD introduces its ezLCD series of programmable color TFT LCD modules with touchscreens. These intelligent serial LCDs incorporate the necessary components for a graphical user interface (GUI) in a small, low...

AdvancedMCT module supports C6455 DSP.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CommAgility's AMC-D4F1 AdvancedMCT module supports Texas Instruments' TMS320C6455 DSP running at 1.2 GHz. The AMC-D4F1-1200 module is optimized for applications that require high-end signal processing, such as...

Software simplifies EMI measurements during product development.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Rohde & Schwarz introduces its ES-SCAN Windows software which, when used with proprietary ESPI3 or ESPI7 test receivers, enables electromagnetic interference (EMI) tests to be made at the earliest stages of product development, reducing the...

Passive wideband fixed attenuator chips.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Hittite Microwave Corp.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hittite Microwave Corporation's family of passive wideband fixed attenuator pads in die format operate in the DC to 50 GHz frequency band. These fixed attenuator chips are suitable for use in applications that...

Diagnostic tool is sensitive to electrostatic discharge.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Trek, Inc. introduces its Model 900 ESD event detector, a diagnostic tool for manufacturing environments that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), including electronic, semiconductor and medical device...

Test receiver measures network quality.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Digital Receiver Technology, Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Digital Receiver Technology, Inc. announces its Model DRT4301-LTE software defined radio (SDR) based test receiver that provides measurement and monitoring of network quality for the wireless industry. It also...

Integrated modules offer longer battery life.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. announces its highly-integrated Model TQM6M4028U and Model TQM613027 modules for low cost GSM and CDMA handsets in emerging markets. The TQM6M4028U is a dual-band GSM Tx module for use in...

Two-way splitter combiner operates with 25% bandwidth.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Raditek)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Raditek announces its two-way splitter combiner units that operate between 200 MHz to 18 GHz with 25% bandwidth, and they can be optimized to 2 to 4 GHz. They function over the full temperature range of-45[degrees] C...

LTE base station shares platform with WiMAX.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... picoChip, in collaboration with mimoOn, announces its PC86xx family of LTE base stations that cover the full range of eNode Bs from femtocells to multi-sector macrocells. It is supported on the same common hardware platforms as proprietary...

DSP development kit for MATLAB algorithms.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Xilinx, Inc. launches its XtremeDSP tools package along with its XtremeDSP development kit based on the Virtex-5 SXT FPGA platform. The individual DSP design tools, system generator for DSP and AccelDSP are offered...

Balun transformer maintains insertion loss of 1.5 dB.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Mini Circuits Laboratory)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Mini-Circuits announces its surface-mount RF transformer Model TCN2-45+ that maintains typical insertion loss of 1.5 dB from 3.3 to 4.5 GHz. Based on reliable low-temperature-cofired-ceramic (LTCC) for small size, the 50[ohm] transformer has a...

Signal generator features fast switching speeds.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Agilent Technologies, Inc. announces its compact microwave analog signal generator that is an extension to its MXG signal generator platform, providing frequency coverage to 20, 32 or 40 GHz. Featuring fast frequency...

16-channel LED driver ICs for display applications.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. announces its Models A6282 and A6285 LED driver ICs for use in displays, signs and control panels. They have 16 constant-current output channels and serial data inputs and outputs that can...

Flying probe test system with double-side probing.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Seica, Inc. announces its AERIAL M4 Flying Probe test system with a vertical and compact architecture that provides fixtureless testing, minimizes floor space requirements, and it features stable double-side probing....

Signal generators gain support for 1xEV-DO Rev. A.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Rohde and Schwarz)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Rohde & Schwarz introduces an option for its high-performance RF and baseband signal generators that allows the instruments to generate signals in conformance with Rel. 0 and Rev. A of the CDMA lxEV-DO standard, 1xEV-DO Rev. A is an enhancement...

UHF-band oscillator provides low phase noise.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Z-Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Z-Communications, Inc. announces its lead-free, RoHS compliant Model CLV0910B-LF oscillator in UHF-band (890 to 930 MHz) that features low phase noise performance of -l12 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The design covers...

Power amplifiers enable high linearity transmitters.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Endwave Corp. announces two power amplifiers that deliver optimal power and linearity performance for Ku-Band VSAT networks and emerging broadband satellite communications at Ka-Band. The Ku-band module features 40...

Diode detector for RF and microwave applications.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Res-net Microwave, Inc. introduces its miniature Zero-Bias Schottky diode detector for RF and microwave applications. It has a low junction capacitance and optimal sensitivity and bandwidth, making it suitable for navigation systems, wireless...

Oscilloscope breaks samples barrier.(TECHNOLOGY AWARD)
March 1, 2008... Agilent Technologies Inc. has broken the one-billion acquisition samples (1 Gpt) barrier for the first time in a high-performance oscilloscope. The Agilent Infiniium 90000A Series not only offers one of the deepest acquisition memory depths,...