JULY2016
ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE:
www.highfrequencyelectronics.com
Solving
the Wireless
Throughput Challenge
with More Bandwidth
IN THIS ISSUE:
How to Right-Size Your
Wireless Testing
Product Highlights
Tom Perkins: IMS
Demonstrates Continuing
Innovation
Product Highlights
In Memoriam: Tony Tirollo
Ideas for today’s engineers: Analog · Digital · RF · Microwave · mm-wave · Lightwave
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ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE AT: www.highfrequencyelectronics.com
22
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16
Feature Article
Feature Article
Featured Products
Solving the Wireless
Throughput Challenge
with More Bandwidth
How to Right-Size
Your Wireless Testing
Including Southwest
Microwave, Boonton,
MegaPhase, TRM
Microwave, Ophir RF,
Innertron, and more.
By Shivansh Chaudhary
Our mobile
communications networks
now support 500x the
network traffic they did a
decade ago.
4
JULY2016
Vol. 15 No. 7
By JFW Industries
Wireless testing is more
important than ever.
How do you balance
thoroughness, speed, and
budgets?
38
60
6
Product Highlights
In Memoriam
Editorial
Featuring LadyBug
Technologies, SGMC
Microwave, Passive Plus,
Skyworks Solutions, Micro
Lambda Wireless, Triad RF
Systems, and more.
A tribute to TRM
Microwave founder Tony
Tirollo.
Tom Perkins on how IMS
highlights this industry’s
unrelenting innovation.
6 Editorial
12 In the News
16 Featured Products
8 Meetings & Events
38 Product Highlights
64 Advertiser Index
High Frequency Electronics
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Editorial
Vol. 15 No. 7 July 2016
Publisher
Scott Spencer
scott@highfrequencyelectronics.com
Tel: 603-472-8261
Associate Publisher/Managing Editor
Tim Burkhard
tim@highfrequencyelectronics.com
Tel: 707-544-9977
Senior Technical Editor
Tom Perkins
tom@highfrequencyelectronics.com
Tel: 603-472-8261
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Copyright © 2016, Summit Technical Media, LLC
6
High Frequency Electronics
IMS 2016: Unshaken
Innovation
Tom Perkins
Sr. Technical Editor
The 2016 IEEE International Microwave Symposium is
now a completed event. There were no earthquakes, and
most of TSA lines were short. First, some statistics and
commentary from a press release by PR firm Weber
Shandwick.
“Nearly 10,000 attendees filled the sold-out show floor
at the Moscone Center, May 22-27. IMS2016, the Gateway
to the Wireless Future, focused on the latest microwave and
RF innovations and how they’re accelerating wireless collaboration, software, and human-technology interaction. With speakers from
major players such as Google, Facebook, Mediatek, Apple and Amazon, the
expansion of participation in this year’s show illustrates the importance of RF
and microwave technology and research within the broader technology industry.
“There were nearly 3,000 technical attendees, the most in a decade, with
75 technical sessions. Many technical talks had standing room only. More
than 600 exhibiting companies and almost 1,000 booths packed the sold-out
show floor for the three-day exhibition. IMS2016 saw an increase in overall
attendance of 15% over IMS2015, including 42% first-time attendees.
Attendees represented more than 60 countries including China (4% of attendees), Japan (3%), Korea (3%) and Germany (3%). There was a 32% increase in
show attendance since 2013, validating IMS as an essential event for the
wireless industry.
“Tradeshow News Network (TSNN) recently named IMS one of the 25
Fastest Growing Shows based on attendance. The six-day event drew nearly
3,000 attendees to the technical program and featured a record-breaking 625
companies on the sold-out show floor. IMS, the annual conference and exhibition of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S), is the
premier international meeting for technologists involved in all aspects of
microwave theory and practice.”
Wearing a Press Hat
As a member of the media, I had a very busy and gratifying time from
Monday through Thursday. Most of my activity is highlighted below, which
occurred in addition to attending a few technical papers, attending the
Awards Banquet, ham radio social, roaming the exhibit floor and speaking
with many colleagues and authors.
Monday morning I had a session with Dr. Amarpal “Paul” Khanna,
General Chair. I thanked him for 10 years of planning and the efforts of the
Steering Committee. We talked about where the thrust of microwave applications might be headed in the next several decades. Topics discussed included
medical imaging applications and that a physician may in the future dole out
Apps rather than prescriptions. We
discussed how wireless control of
many home and industrial functions
will likely increase significantly.
Imaging, no doubt 3-D, and the delivery of critical items, even hearts for
transplant delivered by drone, may
be possible.
A Monday Panel Session titled:
Bio-electronics: Silicon in MY Body?
was standing room only. Topics
included neuroscience, incredible
possibilities of altering body functions, reliability of RF interfaces, and
the ethics of such ideas including
who would receive such benefits of
science. This will undoubtedly continue to be a controversial topic as
technology advances.
At the Plenary session, Dr. Martin
Cooper, Father of the Cell Phone,
spoke on “The Birth and Death of the
Cell Phone.” He placed emphasis on
personal wireless connectivity and
how it may revolutionize health care
and education.
I was not able to attend the KickOff Celebration at the CA Academy of
Sciences, but heard it was quite successful, particularly because there
was plenty of food. Instead, I attended the IEEE MTT Chapter Chairs'
Meeting where I heard about the
Special
Interest
Group
in
Humanitarian Technology and the
recent efforts to enhance amateur
radio in places like India, by Dr. Jim
Rautio. One of the issues concerning
Chapter meetings is lack of younger
engineers attending. The internet
seems to have created a resistance to
face-to-face engagement.
Just prior to opening of the exhibit floor, I attended a press conference
talk by Mark Pierpoint of Keysight
Technologies regarding their vision
for defining and implementation of
5G and IoT. It was noted that mmwave frequencies ranging from 24.25
to 86 GHz may eventually be involved.
The idea of performing robotic remote
surgery was mentioned, with one of
the challenges being overcoming
latency. Later at the Keysight booth,
I viewed several interesting demonstrations including thermal imaging
equipment that could be useful to
GaN power amplifier developers.
Exhibit Floor Meetings
Huber + Suhner spoke about
not only their excellent cable capability, but that they are moving into new
areas of technology to maintain a
presence where existing technology
will be displaced. This includes fiber
optic cables for Fiber in the Home
(FITH) and Fiber to the Home
(FTTH).
Strategy Analytics gave an
excellent lunch-hour overview of
future wireless and semiconductor
trends. RJR Technologies described
(Continued on page 59)
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Meetings and Events
Conferences & Meetings
IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop
Series on “Advanced Materials and Processes for RF
and THz Applications”
Jul 20 - 22, 2016
Chengdu (China)
International Conference on Numerical Electromagnetic Modeling and Optimization for RF, Microwave,
and Terahertz Applications
Jul 27 - 29, 2016
Beijing
http://nemo-ieee.org/
2016 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array
Systems & Technologies
Oct 18 - 21, 2016
Waltham, MA
http://www.array2016.org/
IEEE MTT-S Latin America Microwave Conference
Dec 08 - 10, 2016
Puerto Vallarta
lamc-ieee.org
Company-Sponsored
Training & Tools
NIWeek
August 1 - 4, 2016
Austin, TX
http://www.ni.com/niweek/
Analog Devices
Training, tutorials and seminars.
http://www.analog.com/en/training-tutorials-seminars/resources/index.html
International Symposium on Radio-Frequency Integration Technology
Aug 24 - 26, 2016
Taipei
http://www.rfit2016.org/
NI AWR
On-site and online training, and open training courses on
design software.
http://www.awrcorp.com/news/trainings
EDI CON 2016
Sep 20 - 22, 2016
Boston
ediconusa.com
2016 Bipolar/BiCMOS Circuits Technology Meeting
Sep 25 - 27, 2016
New Brunswick, NJ
http://ieee-bctm.org/
National Instruments
LabVIEW Core 1
Online
http://sine.ni.com/tacs/app/fp/p/ap/ov/pg/1/
LabVIEW Core 2
Online
http://sine.ni.com/tacs/app/fp/p/ap/ov/pg/1/
Object-Oriented Design and Programming in LabVIEW
Online
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Free, online LabVIEW training for students and teachers.
http://sine.ni.com/nievents/app/results/p/country/
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HFE’s August Issue
Defense Electronics, Cables,
Signal Generation
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Market Reports
RF GaN Revenue Increases Sharply
The growing adoption of gallium nitride (GaN) technology in RF applications, coupled with the widespread
deployment of LTE base stations in China drove an
increase in RF GaN revenue of nearly 50 percent in 2015.
The Strategy Analytics Advanced Semiconductor
Applications (ASA) service report, “RF GaN Market
Update: 2015 - 2020,” indicates that growth in the base
station segment pushed the commercial portion of
the RF GaN revenue to more than 60 percent of the
total in 2015. The report concludes that continuing
growth in base station and defense applications
will propel RF GaN revenue to nearly $690 million
in 2020.
Eric Higham, Service Director, Advanced
Semiconductor Applications service, commented: “The
performance advantages of GaN fit nicely with the
requirements of new LTE base station power amplifiers.”
He added, “Despite an anticipated decline in the base station power market, we anticipate that GaN revenue will
increase as more equipment manufacturers convert to the
technology”.
Asif Anwar, Service Director, Advanced Defense
Systems service, added: “As countries undertake new
platform builds and retrofits, RF GaN revenue in defense
applications will grow faster than the overall market,
bringing it on par with commercial RF GaN revenue by
2020.”
—Strategy Analytics
strategyanalytics.com
RF Modules Take Over the Smartphone
Market
Mobile Experts LLC released a market study, “RF
Front Ends for Mobile Devices 2016.” This comprehensive
study provides a detailed view of the radio frequency
devices that enable communications in mobile terminals.
The report covers mobile handsets, tablets, PCs, and
machine-to-machine modems.
"We can see the end-game for the smartphone market", explained Joe Madden, Principal Analyst at Mobile
Experts. "As the OEMs run out of new smartphone customers to tackle, we're starting to forecast how the RF
module market will settle into a slow-growth mode.
Competition will get vicious as growth slows down—especially in the Complete Front End (CFE) market, where
five competitors will be fighting over the top three customers".
"We've outlined multiple disruptive technologies
in smartphone radio design, including the key
aspects of Envelope Tracking, Tuning, Carrier
Aggregation, MIMO, and other technologies in the
RF front end.
In particular, this year we have
10 High Frequency Electronics
looked at filter technology as a key strategic point.
Quadplexers, Hexaplexers, Extractors, and other
multiplexer modules have become the 'strategic
high ground' of the RF market. We have analyzed
how these advanced filters will enable network benefits for the mobile operators and improved battery
performance for the end user…and how they will
change the competitive landscape for RF devices."
Mr. Madden continued, "It's becoming critical for each
supplier to know about the adoption of integrated modules. We expect 73% growth for one type of module
this year, while other modules will drop by 38%. It's
becoming very easy for an RF supplier to get a nasty surprise as the market changes directions."
This 175-page report includes more than 160 charts
and diagrams, in a written market study and a detailed
Excel model. The five-year forecast includes shipment,
ASP, revenue, and market share information for:
• Antennas
• Amplifiers
• Filters, Duplexers, Quadplexers, Hexaplexers
• Switches
• Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs)
• Front End Modules or FEMs (ASMs, TxMs, PADs,
Switched Duplexer Banks, Diversity Filter Banks,
and others)
• Complete Front Ends (including PA, Filter, and
Switch)
• Antenna Tuners and Impedance Match Tuners
• Multimode, Multiband PAs (MMPAs)
• Envelope Tracking Power Supplies
• CMOS PAs
• Terminals including handsets, tablets, PCs, and
IoT/M2M
• Carrier Aggregation up to 5-way combinations
• 2x2, 4x4, and 8x8 MIMO for uplink and downlink
—Mobile Experts LLC
mobile-experts.net
5G to be Unifying Connectivity Technology
for Future Cars
By 2025, 67 million automotive 5G vehicle subscriptions will be active—three million of which
will be low latency connections mainly deployed in
autonomous and driverless cars. ABI Research highlights that 5G will unify connectivity in autonomous
vehicles; enabling broadband multimedia streaming,
cloud services for vehicle lifecycle management, the capturing and uploading of huge volumes of sensor data, and
cooperative mobility through V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle and
vehicle-to-infrastructure) communication.
—ABI Research
abiresearch.com
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In the News
nals into a one-way course through downstream circuitry.
Those magnets and ferrite materials have rendered the
circulators bulky, expensive, and incompatible with the
workhorse microcircuit technology, known by insiders
as CMOS, which stands for complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor. So it has been hard to miniaturize circulators for CMOS integrated circuits.
Novel Miniaturized Circulator Opens Way to
Doubling Wireless Capacity
Since the advent of the integrated circuit in 1958, the
same year the Advanced Research Projects Agency was
established, engineers have been jamming ever more
microelectronic integration into ever less chip real estate.
Now it has become routine to pack billions of transistors
onto chips the size of fingernails.
DARPA (the D for Defense was first added in 1972) has
played key roles in this ongoing miracle of miniaturization, giving rise to new and sometimes revolutionary
military and civilian capabilities in domains as diverse as
communication, intelligence gathering, and optical information processing. ‎Now a DARPA-funded team has
drastically miniaturized highly specialized electronic components called circulators and for the
first time integrated them into standard siliconbased circuitry. The feat could lead to a doubling
of radiofrequency (RF) capacity for wireless communications—meaning even faster web-searching
and downloads, for example—as well as the development of smaller, less expensive and more readily
upgraded antenna arrays for radar, signals intelligence, and other applications.
The work, funded under DARPA’s Arrays at Commercial
Timescales (ACT) program, was led by Columbia
University electrical engineers Harish Krishnaswamy
and Negar Reiskarimian.
The defining feature of circulators is that RF signals,
in the form of electronic waves in the circuitry, travel
only in a forward direction with reverse propagation of
the wave forbidden by the physics of the circuit. That’s
what you need for minimizing on-chip interference and
for keeping signals separated. Most materials can’t play
this role because RF traffic can flow both ways through
them; these materials exhibit what engineers refer to
as reciprocal behavior. Nonreciprocal components like
the new circulator, on the other hand, act like one-way
highways for RF signals. Traditionally, circulators have
relied on external, ferrite-based magnets to force RF sig12
High Frequency Electronics
The Columbia researchers got around this roadblock to miniaturization by coming up with a pathbreaking design that does away with the need for
bulky ferrites and magnets. Their design achieves
the one-way RF flow with a series of capacitors
coordinated with a minuscule and precise clock,
electronically emulating the direction-dictating
magnetic “twist” that in conventional ferrite circulators is imposed on RF signals by an external
magnetic field. That novel design makes possible an
unprecedented microelectronic assemblage: A receiver
connected to one “on-ramp” (or port) of the new circulator
structure; a transmitter connected to another port of that
same circulator; and an antenna shared by those two tiny
devices, itself coupled to the circulator via a third port
situated between the other two. Since the RF propagation
is one way (non-reciprocal) in the circulator, the transmitted and received signals smoothly traverse their respective paths without getting mixed up with one another.
That clean segregation of received and transmitted signals opens a powerful new capability. In most two-way RF
systems, transmission and reception at a given frequency
have to be staggered in time with a switching process,
slowing communication speeds. The way around this bottleneck has been to transmit and receive at two different
frequencies, which requires twice as much spectrum—a
limited resource. By contrast, the new pinky-nailsized circulator opens the door to communications
and radar systems operating in full duplex mode—
that is, transmitting and receiving at the same
frequency at the same time with a single shared
antenna.
“This new circulator component could enable full-duplex
systems that let you speak and listen all at once,” said
William Chappell, director of DARPA’s Microsystems
Technology Office. In radar applications, this capability
could put an end to brief but potentially deadly blind
moments since the system would not have to toggle
between separate transmission and reception modes. And
by halving the frequency needs, Krishnaswamy said, “fullduplex communication has the potential to double
a network’s capacity” for voice, data, and other
forms of information. In powerful radar and other RF
systems that require large arrays of transmitters and
receivers, he continued, “a compact, efficient, high-perfor-
MEDIUM POWER
LOW FREQUENCY BROAD BAND
In the News
LIMITERS
10-6000 MHz
10 WATT CW
mance circulator” makes it easier for
RF engineers to make their systems
smaller. Finally, noted Chappell, the
new circulator’s CMOS-compatibility
feature is critical because it should
ease integration into existing chipmanufacturing methods, potentially
making all the difference between a
laboratory achievement that stays in
the lab and one that transforms a raft
of RF technologies.
—DARPA
darpa.mil
Typical Performance @ + 25 Deg. C
Note 1. Insertion Loss and VSWR (typically 1.2:1 to
1.4:1) tested at -10 dBm.
Note 2. Typical limiting threshold: +6 dBm
Note 3. Power rating derated to 20% @ +125 Deg. C.
Note 4. Leakage +16 dBm maximum for 1 W CW input,
+21 dBm for 10W CW input for frequencies
below 100 MHz.
Other Products: Detectors, Amplifiers,
Switches, Comb Generators,
Impulse Generators, Multipliers,
Integrated Subassemblies
Please call for Detailed Brochures
155 Baytech Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
Tel: (408) 941-8399 . Fax: (408) 941-8388
Email: info@herotek.com
Website: www.herotek.com
Visa/Mastercard Accepted
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
14 High Frequency Electronics
The complete success story can be
found at awrcorp.com/customer-stories/ural-federal-university.
* * *
* * *
. Frequency range down to very low
frequency (10 MHz)
. Available single unit covering 10 MHz
to 6 GHz (LS00160P10A)
. Extremely low insertion loss and VSWR
. 10 Watt CW and 200 Watt Peak
(1 microsec) power handling capability
. Built-In DC Block @ input and output
. Hermetically Sealed Module
mance in isolation, imbalance and
operating bandwidth. The students
were further challenged to design the
coupler based on low-pass microstrip
filters instead of conventional transmission lines in order to achieve a
more compact layout.
Teseq, a unit
of
AMETEK
Compliance
Test Solutions
(CTS) and a leading developer of
instrumentation
and systems for
electromagnetic
compatibility
(EMC) emission and immunity testing, hired James Young as regional sales director for US/Canada and
Mexico. Young, who is experienced in
sales, marketing and product management in the EMC field, is expected to
lead the AMETEK CTS sales team to
increased performance in sales, service and applications assistance and
to help grow the business’s offerings
in radio frequency (RF) solutions and
systems. Before joining AMETEK CTS,
Young worked for Rohde & Schwarz,
Columbia, MD, where he served for 15
years in various EMC sales and marketing positions. * * *
Ural Federal University students
have successfully realized an RF
miniaturized branch-line coupler using the NI AWR Design
Environment™ platform, inclusive of Microwave Office circuit and
AXIEM 3D planar electromagnetic
(EM) simulators. The aim of the
design project was to reduce the size
of a 3 dB branch-line coupler as much
as possible without losing its perfor-
Raytheon Integrated Defense
Systems presented Mini-Circuits
with its 4-Star Supplier Award
for outstanding quality and service
for the sixth consecutive year. The
award was presented to Mini-Circuits
at Raytheon’s Operational Excellence
Supplier Conference in Danvers,
Mass.
* * *
Signals Research Group, in conjunction with Rohde & Schwarz
USA, Inc., is conducting a research
report on the state of 5G power
amplifiers that will involve the
products and support of several
industry leading component companies currently working on 5G
power amplifiers. Signals Research
Group plans to publish this report in
its Signals Ahead publication during
the second half of 2016.
Power amplifiers for 5G systems will
be required to deliver exceptional
performance and at much higher
frequencies than current 4G systems
today. The 28 GHz band, in
particular, is getting considerable
attention from researchers and
companies around the world
with its ability to supply very
wide bandwidths, allowing 5G
systems to deliver individual data
throughputs as high as 10 Gbps.
Other performance factors, such as
power added efficiency (PAE) and
error vector magnitude for single and
multicarrier signals, will be important
for 5G power amplifiers.
Features:
• Superior Ultra-Broadband
Performance from DC to 40+ GHz*
• EIA Case Sizes 0201, 0402 and 0603**
THE ENGINEERS’ CHOICE ®
• RoHS Compliant Terminations
• Proven Reliability
* Applies to Capacitors and Inductors
** Applies to Capacitors and Resistors
www.atceramics.com
Featured Products
and Output return loss over a broad
frequency range without the need
for external matching components
and has demonstrated excellent reliability.
Power Sensor
Boonton added a new fast measurement mode to the 55 Series USB
wideband power sensor, adding to
its 100,000 measurements-per-second capabilities. This new mode unleashes the power of the Real-Time
Power Processing architecture by
analyzing a signal as it is being captured and quantifying user- defined
events such as a series of pulses,
bursts, or time intervals. This realtime analysis is quickly available
to the user through a fast measurement readout of RF power measurements.
Boonton
boonton.com
Switch
Model
SK6-0232432520-KFKFR1 is a PIN diode based, reflective
single pole, six throw switch with
a TTL driver that operates from 2
to 24 GHz. It requires separate -5
V and +5 V biasing in addition to
the TTL control. This model offers
a small form factor, nominal 4.0
dB insertion loss, and 35 dB typical isolation with a switching speed
up to 50 microseconds. It has K female connectors for all RF ports and
solder pins for TTL control and DC
biasing.
SAGE Millimeter
sagemillimeter.com
C/N Generator
Noisecom announced a new CNGEbNo programmable precision
carrier-to-noise (C/N) generator
16 High Frequency Electronics
with an integrated spectrum analyzer designed for communication
systems data streams that include
multiple carriers in the frequency
band. This new CNG-EbNo allows
system designers and test engineers
to isolate and characterize a specific
frequency in the input data stream,
accurately measure the power of
the carrier at that frequency and
generate a precise C/N ratio.
Noisecom
noisecom.com
App Note
A new app note illustrates how the
new in-situ measurement feature
in NI AWR Design Environment™,
specifically Microwave Office circuit
and AXIEM planar EM design software, thus automatically accounting for the coupling between the
circuit and the antenna in an easyto-use framework. The note details
two phased-array examples in
which the antennas are simulated
in AXIEM 3D planar EM and Analyst™ 3D finite-element method
(FEM) EM simulators, respectively.
Mini-Circuits
minicircuits.com
VNA Cables
These phase-stable alternatives to
over-priced OEM test cables provide the utmost precision in vector
measurements in the lab and during calibrations. The cable is constructed with an armor assembly
to protect the cable and connectors,
ensuring consistent performance in
VNA, PNA, and scalar test calibrations. Fewer calibrations means less
downtime, resulting in the MegaPhase promise of Lowest Cost per
Measurement. Cable assemblies
are available in any user-defined
length up to 25 feet.
MegaPhase
megaphase.com
National Instruments
awrcorp.com/resource-library
Amp Die
GVA-60-D+ (RoHS compliant) is a
wideband amplifier die fabricated
using HBT technology offering ultra flat gain over a broad frequency
range and with high IP3. In addition, the GVA-60-D+, has good input
Power Divider
The DL7700 is a space qualified,
low-profile 7-way power divider
which spans a 25% bandwidth of
620 to 820 MHz. This model uses
a combination of ferrite and microstrip technologies in a hermetically sealed flatpack. Maximum amplitude balance is ±0.5 dB while the
phase balance between output ports
is ±5°; with a total insertion loss of
2.3 dB. Maximum input and output
VSWR is 1.5:1. The output isolation
is 16 dB minimum. The DL7700 is
Make
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filters, in filters, couplers,
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electromag-
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netic isolation.
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onon
ourour
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enclosure
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Featured Products
rated for input power levels to 1 W
and measures just 1 x 1 x 0.170 in.
TRM Microwave
trmmicrowave.com
Waveguides
Fairview’s new flexible (and twistable) waveguide family consists
of 36 models ranging in size from
WR-137 as low as 5.85 GHz to
WR-28 up to 40 GHz. Typical
VSWR for these flexible waveguides ranges from 1.05:1 up to
1.35:1 depending on waveguide
size and frequency and insertion
loss performance is as low as 0.07
dB. These waveguide sections can
flex in both the E and H planes
and will also twist, making them
a great solution in many different
types of applications.
Connectors
Spectrum Elektrotechnik is a
leading supplier of state-of-theart components used in RF and
microwave technology, including
connectors, adapters, cable assemblies, phase shifters, couplers,
gain amplitude equalizers, terminations, and calibration kits. In
addition, a number of complex and
integrated components have been
engineered and manufactured for
specialized programs and various
customers' special needs.
Spectrum Elektrotechnik
spectrum-et.org
Fairview Microwave
fairviewmicrowave.com
Push-On Contacts
SSBP push-on contacts are designed to be used in industry
standard multi-contact connectors or can be arrayed in a custom
envelope for maximum flexibility.
The SSBP interface engagement
starts with a low insertion force
mate, then the spring loaded
sleeve is compressed when the
multi-contact connector is fully
engaged. The SSBP interface sides
are designated as pin and socket
following the convention of the
multi-contact connector industry.
Standard insertion and retraction
tools will work with SSBP contacts.
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
18 High Frequency Electronics
Southwest Microwave
southwestmicrowave.com
Power Amp
The 7003 is a multi-channel broadband system that covers the 202500 MHz frequency range with
switching capabilities for transmitting into 4 antennas. The integrated system provides 22W to
50W power as specified in the spec
for any selected frequency range.
The RS232/Ethernet and/or front
panel keypad provides full control
and reduces power consumption
to the minimum by shutting down
the unselected channel.
Ophir RF
ophirrf.com
Power Divider
Innertron’s 4-way power divider
for macro base transceiver station
applications features: frequency
range: 698 – 2700 MHz; insertion
loss, 0.7 dB max.; input VSWR,
1.25:1 max; output VSWR, 1.25:
The Right RF Parts.
Right Away.
We’re RF On Demand, with over one million RF and microwave components
in stock and ready to ship. You can count on us to stock the RF parts you
need and reliably ship them when you need them. Add Fairview Microwave
to your team and consider it done.
fairviewmicrowave.com
1.800.715.4396
Featured Products
balance, 6 deg. max; and power handling, 10 W. Innertron’s mission is to
provide its customers reliable, consistent, high-quality RF and microwave components.
Innertron
innertron.com
Power Dividers
2-Way & 4-Way, 30W Wilkinson
Power Dividers with industry leading specs across microwave and
millimeter-wave bands covering 6.0
GHz - 40.0 GHz with 2.92mm connectors. The 2-way has typical numbers of 1.3:1 Input & 1.17:1 Output
VSWRs and Isolation of 22 dB Typ.
The 4-way also has excellent typical
specs of 1.2:1 VSWRs and Isolation
of 19dB typ. Made in the USA - 36
month warranty.
1 max; Isolation, 20 dB min; amplitude balance, 0.6 dB max; phase
MECA Electronics
e-meca.com
Power
Division
Freq. Range
(GHz)
Insertion
Loss (dB)
Isolation
(dB)
Amplitude
Balance
Model
Number
2
2
1.0-27.0
0.5-18.0
2.5
1.7
15
16
0.5 dB
0.6 dB
PS2-51
PS2-20
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
1.0-40.0
2.0-40.0
15.0-40.0
8.0-60.0
10.0-70.0
2.0-20.0
1.0-27.0
5.0-27.0
0.5-18.0
2.0-18.0
15.0-40.0
0.5-6.0
0.5-18.0
2.0-18.0
2.8
2.5
1.2
2.0
2.0
1.8
4.5
1.8
4.0
1.8
2.0
2.0
7.0
2.2
0.6 dB
0.6 dB
0.8 dB
1.0 dB
1.0 dB
0.5 dB
0.8 dB
0.5 dB
0.8 dB
0.5 dB
0.8 dB
0.4 dB
1.2 dB
0.6 dB
PS2-55
PS2-54
PS2-53
PS2-56
PS2-57
PS3-51
PS4-51
PS4-50
PS4-17
PS4-19
PS4-52
PS8-12
PS8-16
PS8-13
5-40 GHz
13
1-5 GHz
13
13
10
10
16
15
16
16
17
12
20
16
15
10
10 to 30 watts power handling, visit website for complete specifications.
SMA and Type N connectors available to 18 GHz.
N-Type Cal Kit
Withwave's compact N-type Calibration Kits are especially suited
for fine-tuning in production environments and quality testing facilities using 50 ohm N-type connectors
from DC to 6 GHz. This Cal Kit includes all needed calibration standards (Open, Short, Load) in one
unit. Enables ease of use in VNA
calibration, especially in the field.
Features: DC to 6 GHz; Standard
Kit includes N-type (Male) OpenShort-Load; Return Loss: Load <
-38 dB; Phase Deviation (OPEN,
SHORT): <1.5 degrees. Applications: VNA Full 2-port CAL; Test &
Measurement.
Withwave
with-wave.com
HFE
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
20 High Frequency Electronics
s!
e
i
r
e
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NewTINY!
Ultra-Wideband
MMIC
M SPLITTER/COMBINERS
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P
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to to 9
5
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0 5
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26
o
2t
Single Unit Coverage as Wide as
2 to26.5GHz
5
$ 56
Models from
ea.(qty.1000)
THE WIDEST BANDWIDTH IN THE INDUSTRY IN A SINGLE MODEL!
Our new EP-series ultra-wideband MMIC splitter/combiners are perfect for wideband systems like defense, instrumentation, and all cellular bands through LTE and
WiFi. These models deliver consistent performance across the whole range, so you can
reduce component counts on your bill of materials by using one part instead of
many! They utilize GaAs IPD technology to achieve industry-leading performance,
high power handling capability and efficient heat dissipation in a tiny device size,
giving you a new level of capability and the flexibility to use them almost
anywhere on your PCB! They’re available off the shelf, so place your order on
minicircuits.com today, and have them in hand as soon as tomorrow!
•
•
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•
•
•
Series coverage from 0.5 to 26.5 GHz
Power handling up to 2.5W
Insertion loss, 1.1 dB typ.
Isolation, 20 dB typ.
Low phase and amplitude unbalance
DC passing up to 1.2A
EP2K-Series, 4x 4x1mm
EP2W-Series, 5x 5x1mm
Mini-Circuits
®
www.minicircuits.com
P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 (718) 934-4500 sales@minicircuits.com
549 Rev A
Expanding Throughput
More Hz for More Bits:
Solving the Wireless
Throughput Challenge with
More Bandwidth
By Shivansh Chaudhary
A decade ago, voice traffic consumed more than 90% of traffic in mobile
communications networks (Source: Ericsson Mobility Report 2012). In
2016, our mobile communications networks will support 500x the network
traffic they did a decade ago. However, we are not simply talking more. In
fact, today the human voice accounts for less than 0.5% of total network
traffic and will account for less than 0.05% of total traffic by 2021 (Source:
Ericsson Mobility Report 2016). So what is the driving cause for the rapid
increase in network traffic? It should come as no surprise that modern
applications like streaming 1080p video, web browsing, and social networking are consuming massive amounts of data on today’s mobile networks.
Our mobile
communications
networks now support
500x the network
traffic they did a
decade ago.
Exponential Growth
Knowing this, there is no question that the network capacity of mobile networks has grown
exponentially to keep up with the massive amounts of data. Although the demand for greater
capacity has influenced the way that mobile networks are designed, it has also had a dramatic
effect on the physical layer of today’s wireless standards. Just take a look at how LTE will
evolve to 5G – today’s LTE-Advanced systems can deliver up to 100 Mbps in low-mobility, and
5G is expected to greatly exceed that. 5G is aiming to provide peak capacity exceeding 10 Gbps
and with a network that can deliver 10,000x more total capacity than LTE.
Although the exponential improvements in throughput for mobile networks have been
stark, we observe similar evolutions in a wide range of wireless technologies. Take 802.11 or
Wi-Fi for example. In 2003, an 802.11g connection could deliver 54 Mbps peak data throughput.
By 2007, 802.11n had increased this by almost 10x to 600 mbps. And in 2013, 802.11ac could
theoretically deliver nearly 7 Gbps to a single user (although we have not yet seen this practically). In the future, standards such as 802.11ad, 802.11ax, and 802.11ay will even further
increase the data throughput.
The demands for more data have had a substantial effect on the evolution of the entire value
chain of the wireless industry – from the DACs and ADCs to signal processing technology to the
test equipment required to test mobile devices. So what do new wireless technologies require?
Back to Shannon
We find the answer in Shannon’s theorem – which was developed by mathematician and
engineer Claude Shannon in the 1940s.
Capacity=Bandwidth × log2(1+SNR)
Equation 1 • Classical Shannon-Hartley Theorem Model of Channel Throughput.
22 High Frequency Electronics
HAND
FLEX
CABLES
CABLES
TM
Hand Flex Cables conform to
any shape required.
9
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Get the performance of semi-rigid cable, and the versatility
of a flexible assembly. Mini-Circuits Hand Flex cables offer the
mechanical and electrical stability of semi-rigid cables, but they’re
easily shaped by hand to quickly form any configuration needed
for your assembly, system, or test rack. Wherever they’re used, the
savings in time and materials really adds up!
Excellent return loss, low insertion loss, DC-18 GHz .
Hand Flex cables deliver excellent return loss (33 dB typ. at 9 GHz
for a 3-inch cable) and low insertion loss (0.2 dB typ. at 9 GHz for a
3-inch cable). Why waste time measuring and bending semi-rigid
cables when you can easily install a Hand Flex interconnect?
Two popular diameters to fit your needs.
Hand Flex cables are available in 0.086" and 0.141" diameters, with a
tight turn radius of 6 or 8 mm, respectively. Choose from SMA, SMA
Right-Angle, SMA Bulkhead, SMP Right-Angle Snap-On and N-Type
connectors to support a wide variety of system configurations.
Standard lengths in stock, custom models available .
Standard lengths from 3 to 50" are in stock for same-day shipping.
You can even get a Designer’s Kit, so you always have a few on hand.
Custom lengths and right-angle models are also available by preorder.
Check out our website for details, and simplify your high-frequency
RoHS compliant
connections with Hand Flex!
NEW
SMA
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www.minicircuits.com
P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 (718) 934-4500 sales@minicircuits.com
482 Rev. L
Proven Interconnect
PERFORMANCE
Expanding Throughput
Industry-leading
INNOVATION
Hi-Rel Connectors meet Space
performance specs, exceed contact
rotation retention requirements and
offer materials traceability, single lot
and process control.
Figure 1 • Maximum sample rate for 12-bit ADCs has grown exponentially since 1975.
1.0mm (W) DC to 110 GHz
Connectors offer superior
performance for high-frequency flange
mount, thread-in, board mount and
cable applications.
Low VSWR
Low Insertion Loss
Low RF Leakage
According to Shannon’s theorem, channel capacity is a linear function of
bandwidth. It is the reason why LTE Advanced Pro will allow aggregation up
to 32 carriers, why 5G will use up to 2 GHz of bandwidth, and why a future
802.11ay standard will use up to 4 GHz.
With the massive expansion in bandwidth, three big trends in the wireless
industry have emerged to tackle the wireless throughput challenge. First is the
advancement in ADC technology, leading to higher sample rates and driving
wider bandwidth in RF instruments. Second is the growing computational
power of processors to support the increasing amount of data and advanced
signal processing in real-time. And third is the continuous innovation in the
next generation of RF instrumentation to support the advanced RF test techniques and evolving wireless standards.
High Temperature
Rugged and Durable
Excellent Repeatability
www.southwestmicrowave.com
See us at
EDI CON USA Booth #212
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
24 High Frequency Electronics
Advancements in ADC Technology
Two decades ago, even the most advanced RF signal analyzers or wireless
test sets featured an instantaneous bandwidth of about 20 MHz – and it took
another decade to get to 40 MHz. It was not until the advent of draft 802.11ac
standard in 2012 that RF signal analyzers featured a bandwidth of 200 MHz.
And now, 500 MHz has become a standard option on high-end RF signal analyzers.
One of the biggest contributing factors in being able to match the
requirements of evolving wireless standards is the advancements in ADC
technology. In 1975, a 12-bit ADC with 500 kSamples/s was considered state
of the art. Today, the fastest sampling 12-bit ADCs hit rates greater than 2
Gsps, a feat that is powering some of the widest-bandwidth signal analyzers in
the industry.
Although advancements in ADC technology are critical to meet the bandwidth requirements of next-generation RF instruments, wideband instruments
introduce additional challenges that test vendors must solve.
Expanding Throughput
tion of test instruments must be
able to inherently benefit from the
parallelism of FPGAs. Moore’s Law
is enabling an ever-increasing progression of the modern computational power, and figure 2 demonstrates the progression of FPGA
capabilities over the last 15 years.
Pushing Instruments Beyond
Signal Bandwidth
It is important to note that the
evolution of the wireless communications industry is only one factor
driving instruments to support
wider
signal
bandwidths.
Technologies such as digital predistortion, carrier aggregation, and
new radar signals also require
Figure 2 • The performance increases of FPGAs and CPUs is analo- wider signal bandwidth.
gous to Moore’s law.
For example, when testing an
RF power amplifier (PA) under DPD
Moore’s Law for Signal Processing
conditions, more sophisticated DPD
Wider RF bandwidth implies higher throughput data. models can require that the instrument generate a signal
With the explosion in bandwidth, both the acquisition of that consumes 3x to 5x the bandwidth of the communicaRF data and analysis of the IF samples, after digitization, tion standard. Thus, when applying DPD to a 160 MHz
demand the need for advanced signal processing. This 802.11ac/ax device, the RF signal generator and analyzer
need is driving a greater use of FPGA-based signal pro- must have at least 800 MHz of bandwidth.
cessing as the heart of the RF instruments. The software
Testing products under carrier aggregation conditions
or signal processing capability powering the next genera- also requires substantially wider bandwidth instruments.
Figure 3 • NI’s Reference Solution for Digital Predistortion.
26 High Frequency Electronics
Supports a Wide Range of Critical Large and
Small Signal Minimal Drift Applications
Building on over 50 years experience in MLC performance, ATC offers 100 Series P90 Superchips
and 700 Series NPO MLCs with Q greater than 10,000.
Typical Applications:
• High RF Power Amplifiers
• High RF Power Switching
• Impedance Matching
• Induction Heating
• Filter Networks
• Antenna Matching
ATC Series
High Reliability
• Transceiver Modules
• Medical MRI Imaging
Coils
• Low Noise Amplifiers
• Synthesizers
• Mixers
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Dimensions
Capacitance Range (pF)
100 Series
700 Series
• Qualified to MIL-PRF-55681
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*ATC Capacitors are Qualified to S-Level
Failure Rate = 0.001%/1000 Hrs. @ 125°C
with 2X Rated Voltage Applied
Working Voltage (WVDC) max.
100A
700A
.055 X .055 (1.40 X 1.40)
0.1 to 100
0.1 to 1000
Up to 250
100B
700B
.110 X .110 (2.79 X 2.79)
0.1 to 1000
0.1 to 5100
Up to 1500
100C
700C
.250 X .250 (6.35 X 6.35)
1 to 2700
1 to 2700
100C: Up to 3600 / 700C: Up to 2500
100E
700E
.380 X .380 (9.65 X 9.65)
1 to 5100
1 to 2200
Up to 7200
inches (mm)
THE ENGINEERS’ CHOICE ®
w w w. a t c e r a m i c s . c o m
Expanding Throughput
range often results in the use of wider bandwidth waveforms. Today’s modern radar signals often consume up to
1 GHz of total bandwidth - and require wideband RF
signal generators and analyzers.
Figure • 4.NI PXIe-5840 World’s First 1 GHz Vector
Signal Transceiver.
With technologies like LTE-Advanced Pro, the standard
allows for carriers that can be spaced hundreds of MHz
apart. Although it is possible to generate advanced
multi-carrier signals using multiple signal generators,
this approach is cumbersome and expensive. As a result,
a more cost-effective solution is to simply combine two
multi-carrier signals in software and generate or analyze
with a single RF signal generator or analyzer. Although
using a single instrument requires higher analog performance, it is substantially more cost-effective.
A third example of wideband measurement applications is radar. Both in automotive and defense applications, the requirement for better resolution and longer
Lineage of NI Vector Signal Transceivers
While advancements in ADCs are leading to wider
analog bandwidth, high performance signal processing
and instrument calibration are vital to achieve ultra-wide
digital bandwidth. There is also the expectation from
Moore’s Law that the test and measurement industry can
deliver the next generation of RF instruments that meets
both of these needs at a smaller size and lower price
point. This makes the quest to design wideband RF
instruments one of the most significant challenges in the
test and measurement industry.
To tackle this challenge, NI built upon advancements
in converters and processors to design this next generation of RF instruments. In 2012, NI introduced the vector
signal transceiver (VST) which combined a wideband
signal generator, wideband signal analyzer, and userprogrammable FPGA into a single instrument. At the
time, its 80 MHz of bandwidth was ground-breaking.
However, demands of applications such as 802.11ac –
which feature up to 160 MHz waveforms - required more
bandwidth and the VST evolved accordingly to provide
200 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth.
Now, changing bandwidth requirements are driving
instrument bandwidth even further to a point where an
instantaneous RF bandwidth of 1 GHz is extremely critical
to meet the increasing bandwidth requirements of 802.11ac
or LTE-Advanced, with carrier aggregation and DPDenabled PAs/FEMs that require oversampling of 5-10
times the signal bandwidth. Additionally, an RF instrument should not only be able to support ultra-wideband
instantaneous bandwidth, but also be able to further integrate multiple RF instruments into one, supporting applications all the way from DC to
RF without compromising upon
the RF performance or soaring
up the prices.
As a result, NI recently
introduced a new, second generation VST. The NI PXIe-5840
features an RF signal generator and analyzer, each with 1
GHz of bandwidth, and a larger user-programmable Vertex7
690T FPGA to process the
entire instrument’s bandwidth
Figure 5 • The Compact
VSTs are easily scalable for
MIMO configurations.
28 High Frequency Electronics
in real time. With 1 GHz of RF bandwidth, NI’s second generation VST
meets the needs of developing wireless
standards such as 802.11ax and 5G,
and further meets the tight synchronization requirements of Envelope
Tracking techniques for PAs/FEMs
using advanced triggering and synchronization techniques such as the
NI-patented T-Clk technology.
In addition to offering at least five
times improvement over the instantaneous bandwidth of the first generation
VST, NI’s new VST features a highspeed serial interface, a wider frequency range, higher output power, and
better tuning time – all while decreasing the size to 2 PXIe slots. Given its
small footprint, the VST can be seamlessly scaled to an 8x8 MIMO configuration in a single 18-slot chassis,
enabling complete transceiver testing
with multiple antennas.
Similar to the first generation VST,
the second generation VST’s FPGA is
also user-programmable and can be customized to suit different application
needs. This FPGA can be used to implement a wide range of real-time signal
processing algorithms, and typical
applications include radar test, DPD
algorithm implementations, 5G prototyping and real-time spectrum analysis.
Conclusion
As wireless standards continue to
evolve from LTE to 5G, the test and
measurement industry needs a next
generation RF instrument that offers
wideband instantaneous bandwidth to
fulfill the challenging demands of
increasing
wireless
throughput.
However, bandwidth alone is not the
solution. Next generation RF test
instruments also require high linearity
ADCs with excellent spurious free
dynamic range and wide-band internal
calibration mechanisms for best-inclass measurement accuracy. In addition, wider bandwidth introduces the
need for more complex signal processing.
That is why one of the most
important innovations of RF test equipment going forward is the ability of the
instrument to execute signal processing. And of course, signal processing is
more than a hardware requirement –
it’s also a software requirement. As is
the case with the VST, the future of RF
test and measurement equipment
requires that the instrument can be
defined – and even designed – by software. This presents an exciting challenge to design the next generation RF
test instrument that meets the needs of
today, as well as tomorrow.
About the Author
Shivansh Chaudhary is a Product
Engineer for RF and Communications
at National Instruments. His subjects
of expertise include digital signal processing and digital communications
systems.
!
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29
Wireless Test
How to Right-Size Your
Wireless Testing
By JFW Industries
Whether mobile devices, Internet of Things, or industrial RF applications, the world runs on wireless.
As a result, wireless testing is more important than ever before. But
how do you balance thoroughness, speed, and budgets? Quipping "pick any
two of the three" isn't a good answer. Testing must be thorough, fast
enough to keep up with getting to market, and yet within tight budgets.
Test engineers should adopt a right-sizing approach to manage tradeoffs and find solutions that are the best fit for a particular situation.
Wireless testing is
more important than
ever. How do you
balance thoroughness,
speed, and budgets?
Spec Out the Test Requirements
Right-sized wireless testing starts with comparing and contrasting the two general types of
wireless test systems: transceiver and handover. Transceiver testing means testing how radios
directly communicate with one another. In handover testing, you test how antennas or access
points perform with radios, which generally are called handsets.
Whether looking at transceiver or handover testing, testing gear has the following considerations:
• Ports connect devices to the test system.
• Internal RF components attenuate, divide, or combine signals.
• Attenuators may be remotely programmable or manual.
• Systems work over specific frequency ranges.
• Configurations establish paths of communications among devices.
The ports, attenuators and divider/combiners, frequency ranges, and internal configurations
are where tradeoffs will happen that affect overall testing speed, thoroughness, and cost.
Making Choices
In a perfect world, you would have the most flexible test system available. It would connect
any set of radios or collection of handsets and antennas that you wanted to test. Every path
between two devices would have a programmable attenuator to separately adjust the signal
strength between the devices and include the ability to adjust signal strength over time to
simulate signal fading.
However, as the numbers of ports, potential paths, and RF components increase, so does the
expense. Additional components expand the amount of rack space necessary for housing. They
also put greater demands on power and heat dissipation.
If you reduce the number of components in the test system; size, power, and cooling demands
decrease, as does cost. The price you pay is a loss of testing flexibility. Some test configurations
may be impossible to model. Other scenarios could take longer as decreased flexibility necessitates more testing iterations to cover individual cases and more time in the schedule to accommodate additional setup and stages of testing.
In handover testing, an additional source that can balance flexibility, time, and savings is
the use of manual attenuators. They are less expensive than programmable ones because they
lack the circuitry for remote programming. Instead, an engineer sets them through knobs on
the front of the attenuators. The manual action increases the time for configuration and cannot
30 High Frequency Electronics
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Wireless Test
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32 High Frequency Electronics
Figure 1• Full fan-out configuration.
accommodate all testing scenarios, like fading the dB setting over time to
simulate signal fading.
Even input power specifications can pressure a budget. Test equipment
frequently accepts limited antenna or access point power input, like 1 watt,
versus a typical commercial 40 watt device, because of the power dissipation
characteristics of the equipment components. Adding a dedicated attenuator
instead of running tests at full power is far less costly than upgrading the test
system's components.
Although not strictly a trade-off, the use of technically neutral language
can broaden your options in searching for appropriate test equipment. The
frequencies used by LTE wireless differ by country, for example. Specify
actual frequency ranges. Companies vary in how they refer to frequency
ranges. Some specify everything in megahertz; others quote gigahertz. Look
for the appropriate values under each to be sure you don't shortchange your
search.
What Are Your Needs Tomorrow?
Trade-offs affect the future as well. Test engineers cannot only consider
today's needs, because test devices usually aren’t reconfigurable. If you buy a
unit that works for a current project, next year may bring another design that
has more expansive requirements and will need a separate test system. And
yet, that second unit likely could have covered the current test cases, so
overly narrow economics can also be self-defeating.
In some cases, the additional expense of greater coverage might be negligible. For example, if you want to test transceivers in the frequency range of
900 MHz to 2 GHz, a customized test system might cost virtually the same as
one that would cover 698 MHz to 3 GHz because the latter could use more
standard parts, gaining off-the-shelf cost efficiencies.
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Wireless Test
Figure 2 • Hub fan-out configuration.
Figure 3 • Limited fan-out configuration.
Consider the amount of attenuation you will need on
connections. There are typical ranges, such as from 0 dB
to 95 dB in 1 dB steps up to 6,000 MHz, or 0 dB to 127 dB
in 1 dB steps up to 3,000 MHz. The more you can contain
your testing attenuation needs into typical ranges, the
more likely the test system will use less expensive standard components.
box and have an 8 limited fan-out design, each of the 12
ports will connect to the four immediately above it and
the four immediately below. That would reduce the number of paths needing attenuators to 48. The more ports,
the more economically attractive a limited fan-out design
can be. A 36-port full fan-out box would need 630 programmable attenuators. Switch to a 36-port 12 limited
fan design and the number of programmable attenuators
you need is now only 216, a savings of about two-thirds. A
limited fan-out can work, if in real-world use, the radios
would be spread out geographically far enough so that
not all would directly communicate.
The hub fan-out is the simplest design, using a hub
and spoke topology. There is only one programmable
attenuator per port. But you sacrifice flexibility. Each
radio communicates to every other radio through the test
system at the same time. When you set the attenuator on
one port, you've now limited its transmission to every
other port, rather than independently setting the attenuation for each possible pair of communicating devices. You
can still program a specific amount of attenuation
between any one pair of radios, but you lose flexible control over the attenuation on all other possible paths.
Transceiver Testing
Each port in transceiver test equipment will represent one RF signal for one of the radios being tested. Each
antenna, with radios often in a shielded enclosure to control the testing environment, is connected to the port
through a cable.
There are three types of configurations you may find
in transceiver test equipment:
• Full fan-out
• Limited fan-out
• Hub fan-out
Full fan-out is the most flexible because it offers a
fully meshed matrix. It is also the most expensive because
it requires the most RF components. In a full fan-out configuration, there is an attenuator for each possible path
between radio pairs. If you have 12 ports, there are
(12*11)/2, or 66, possible two-way paths, each requiring a
programmable attenuator. With 6 ports, there are (6*5)/2,
or 15, possible paths, and, so, 15 programmable attenuators.
In a limited fan-out, each port connects to a specific
subset of other ports to either side. If you take a 12 port
34 High Frequency Electronics
Handover Testing
In handover testing, there are two types of ports:
input and output. Input ports represent antennas: base
stations, access points, cell towers, or some other type of
connection to the communications network. Output ports
represent handsets or mobile devices. The terms "input"
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Wireless Test
and "output" in this case are naming conventions, as all
paths for a handover test system operate bi-directionally.
There are three types of handover configurations:
• Full fan-out
• Limited fan-out
• Manual handover
As with a transceiver test system, a full fan-out
handover system means all inputs can talk to all outputs.
Each input port is connected to an RF divider/combiner to
split the signal into multiple paths corresponding to the
number of output ports. Each path has an attenuator.
Then each path enters a divider/combiner for the associated output port. To find the number of paths in a full
fan-out handover system, multiply the number of input
ports by the number of output ports. An 8x4 system would
have a 1x4 divider/combiner and 4 attenuators for each
input port and a 1x8 divider/combiner for each output.
That makes 32 attenuators and 12 total divider/combiners.
In a limited fan-out, each input has an attenuator, so
the same signal strength reaches all the antennas. All the
inputs lead into a single divider/combiner, which in turn
leads to another divider/combiner connected to the outputs. For the 8x4 configuration, there are only 8 attenua-
tors and 2 divider/combiners. The number of components
is far smaller, but you can't independently adjust attenuation for each path from a handset to an antenna.
Manual handover systems also use a limited fan-out
configuration. The difference between manual and programmable limited fan-out is that, in a manual system,
manual rotary attenuators replace programmable ones.
Manual handover systems are the simplest and least
expensive type and are usually employed in early R&D.
Find the Right Size
Options are great to have. They also complicate the
process of making decisions. No one can tell you what is
best for your specific needs because no one else has to
balance your schedule, complexity, and budget. However,
chances are you can find the right type of testing equipment to meet your specific needs.
JFW Industries is a leader in manufacturing attenuators, RF switches, power dividers, test accessories and
RF test systems within an ISO 9001:2008 certified quality system. For more insight into how to configure test
equipment and integrate it into your testing process,
contact JFW today by telephone at 877-887-4539 or at
http://www.jfwindustries.com/.
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36 High Frequency Electronics
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Call us today and put our experience to work for you !!!
Product Highlights
Connectors
SRTechnology designs and manufactures a broad
range of connectors, including SMA, BNC, N, 7/16 DIN,
MCX, MMCX, SMB, and more. SRT has set up a strong
and motivated team able to serve customers worldwide in
a unique and successful way. R&D represents the core and
highest added value thanks to a balanced mix of well-
OMT
Model SAT-FE-12212-S1 is a WR-12 orthomode transducer (OMT) that operates between 60 and 90 GHz. It can
either separate a circular or elliptically polarized waveform into two linear, orthogonal waveforms or combine
two linear polarized waveforms into one circular or elliptically polarized waveform. It shows high port isolation
38 High Frequency Electronics
trained engineers and experienced personnel with both
electrical and mechanical competencies, all targeting customer satisfaction.
SRTechnology
srtechnology.com
and high cross polarization cancellation while providing
low insertion. It is configured with a 0.122“ square waveguide for the antenna port and two WR-12 waveguides for
the horizontal and vertical ports.
SAGE Millimeter
sagemillimeter.com
100W POWER AMPLIFIERS
700-2700 MHz
$8,995each
48 dB Gain, ±1.7 dB Flatness
Output power up to 100W with consistent performance across a wide frequency range for a fraction of the
cost of competitive products! Mini-Circuits’ new HPA-272+ high power rack mount amplifiers are ideal for a wide
variety of high power test applications including EMI, reliability testing, power stress testing, and burn-in of multiple
units at once. This model provides 48 dB gain with ±1.7 dB gain flatness over its entire frequency range and 89 dB
reverse isolation. Housed in a rugged, 19-inch rack-mountable chassis, the amplifier operates on a self-contained
110/220V power supply and includes internal cooling, making it easy to use in most lab environments. Extensive
built-in safety features include over-temperature protection and the ability to withstand opens and shorts at the
output.* They’re available off the shelf for an outstanding value, so place your order on minicircuits.com today for
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537 rev org
Product Focus
Power Sensor Demo Kit
“
LadyBug Technologies’ LB5900 series of patented no-zero
no-cal before use RF Power Sensors offer coverage from 9 kHz
to 40 GHz. The product’s broad frequency range combined with
exceptional sensitivity make them ideal for satellite, radar,
EMC testing along with defense applications and general testing.
The sensor line offers an optional SPI / I2C connectivity
system allowing the sensors to be used in compact instruments
and ATE systems that do not include a PC. LadyBug now offers
its LB9040A Demonstration Kit for use with LB5900 sensors
with the I2C/SPI Option. The demonstration system is complete with a pre-programmed micro-processor board with
example firmware installed and all required hardware and adaptors. Just add an LB5900 Sensor with Option SPI.
LadyBug manufactures a broad line of high quality first tier NIST traceable USB power sensors. Its sensors are
compatible with Windows XP, Win 7, Win 8; in 32 and 64 bit systems. LadyBug offers LINUX compatible sensors along
with the only SPI & I2C sensor available. With its patented NoZero NoCal feature, it is not necessary to zero or calibrate before making measurements, even for low level measurements requiring high accuracy. Simply connect and
measure.
The sensor line offers an
optional SPI / I2C connectivity
system allowing the sensors to
be used in compact instruments
and ATE systems that do not
include a PC.
LadyBug Technologies LLC
ladybug-tech.com
40 High Frequency Electronics
”
Product Focus
Digitizer Allows Capture of Fast
Transients with High Fidelity
Keysight Technologies launched the U5310A 10-bit
PCIe® high-speed digitizer running at 10 GS/s. With its
very-high dynamic range and 10-bit resolution across a
wide 2.5 GHz bandwidth, the high-speed digitizer allows
the capture of fast transients with high fidelity.
This unique ADC card is designed for embedded OEM
applications, such as medical research, analytical time-offlight (MS-TOF), environmental monitoring (LiDAR),
ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT), semiconductor
testing and distributed strain temperature sensor (DSTS).
Furthermore, the U5310A is ideal for advanced physics
experiments using single-shot or event-based applications.
The new U5310A high-speed digitizer features two
channels with 10-bit resolution, simultaneous sampling
at up to 5 GS/s, and an unrivaled 10 GS/s in interleaved
mode. With a DC up to 2.5 GHz bandwidth, this digitizer
provides on-board real-time averaging at full sampling
rate and large 4 GB memory.
Keysight developed new proprietary ICs for the
U5310A. In particular, the low distortion and low noise
LDNA front-end amplifier IC to drive the ADC. This key
42 High Frequency Electronics
component provides single ended to differential outputs
with a distortion from 10 to 15 dB lower than the distortion of the ADC—therefore overall performance is not
impacted.
Keysight also designed a low noise dedicated QMCK
clock IC with very low 25 fs jitter. This specific IC drives
the two ADCs, minimizing jitter. Moreover, the TRAC trigger IC provides time precision of 15 ps RMS.
The averager (-AVG) firmware ensures accumulation
of a large number of triggers for synchronous real-time
sampling at 5 GS/s on two channels and 10 GS/s when
interleaved. Innovative features, such as the unique programmable self-trigger output, optimizes the signal-tonoise ratio and increases the ability to measure very
small peaks accurately.
This new PCIe high-speed digitizer focuses on interoperability, reusability and upgradability with other U53xxA
digitizers. The U5310A’s software driver provides support
for multiple programmable interfaces ensuring easy integration of the ADC card into existing environments.
Keysight Technologies
keysight.com
Product Highlights
Power Amp
The 5293 is a high power broadband system that covers the 700-6000 MHz frequency range. This RFPA system utilizes the latest in GaN technology and provides
linear output power across the entire band.. The Ethernet/
IEEE-488/RS-232 or front panel keypad provides full
remote control capabilities. All Ophir RF Amplifier sys-
Power Amps
Exodus Advanced Communications released a family
of 10W, 20W and 40W 6-18 GHz Solid State High Power
Amplifiers. They are available in both modular and
bench-top or rack-mount system configurations. The 10W
module (AMP1068), 20W Module (AMP1052) and 40W
Module (AMP1062) as well as the systems that incorpo-
tems come with a standard three warranty, and are
designed, manufactured and serviced in the USA.
Ophir RF
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rate these modules, utilize the latest in Linear GaAsFET
Chip & Wire technology and are suitable for all modulation schemes.
Exodus Advanced Communications
exoduscomm.com
43
Product Focus
1.85mm Male Direct Solder One-Step
Cable Connectors for .085” Cables
“
With no loose parts to
handle, assembly is as
simple as trimming
the cable and then
inserting it into the
body for soldering.
”
SGMC Microwave’s new One-Step connectors have
“Captivated” center contacts offering excellent performance up to 65 GHz (usable up to 67 GHz). With no loose
parts to handle, assembly is as simple as trimming the
cable and then inserting it into the body for soldering.
• DC-65 GHz / VSWR: 1.25:1 Max per connector
•2
4” Flexible Cable Assembly produced 1.34:1 Max
VSWR to 65 GHz
•8
” Semi-Rigid Cable Assembly produced 1.21:1 Max
VSWR to 65 GHz
• Captivated center contact (beryllium Copper, gold plated)
• Body Components (Corrosion resistant Type 303 Stainless steel, passivated)
Quality, performance, & reliability you can count on, from SGMC Microwave.
SGMC Microwave’s products are distributed through: C.W. Swift & Associates: (800) 642-7692; sales@cwswift.com;
www.cwswift.com
SGMC Microwave
sgmcmicrowave.com
44 High Frequency Electronics
Product Highlights
In Stock
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Capacitors, Resistors, and More
Passive Plus, Inc. (PPI), is a manufacturer of high-performance RF/
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0201 0402
0603
• Case Sizes: EIA
• Low ESR/ESL
• TC = NPO
• Modeling Data Available
0805
    
• Case Sizes: 0505, 1111
• Q > 10,000
• Low ESR/ESL
• TC = NPO / P90
• Modeling Data Available
Available in Non-Magnetic Terminations

  
2225
3838
6040
7676
• High Power Capacitors
• Up to 25kV
• High Current
• TC = NPO
• Values: 1pF - 10,000pF
• Custom Assemblies
1313
Case Sizes:
2225
3838
6040
7676
1313
Available in Non-Magnetic Terminations
Attenuator
RCDAT-8000-90 is a general purpose programmable RF attenuator supporting frequencies from 1 to 8000 MHz with attenuation from 0 to 90 dB in
0.25 dB steps. Its unique design maintains linear attenuation change per dB,
even at the highest attenuation settings. It is controlled via USB or EthernetTCP/IP connections and supports both HTTP and Telnet network protocols.
It comes housed in a rugged, shielded metal case with input/output SMA(F)
RF ports (input/output ports are interchangeable), a standard Ethernet port,
and a USB type Mini-B power and control port.
Mini-Circuits
minicircuits.com
      
   

• Unmatched customer service
• Modeling Available
• Design kits in stock
• Inventory programs
Call us today
631-425-0938
sales@passiveplus.com
www.PassivePlus.com
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
45
Product Focus
Antenna Tuning Solutions
“
Skyworks Solutions expanded its best-in-class antenna
tuning product portfolio with the addition of several new
high performance solutions. Skyworks’ latest antenna tuning
offerings address the design challenges mobile device manufacturers face as smartphones become thinner, leverage revolutionary case materials and integrate more cellular bands.
By optimizing radiated efficiency, Skyworks’ antenna aperture tuners enable higher data throughput and smaller footprints, minimizing dropped calls and improving the consumer experience.
Skyworks’ new antenna tuning switches provide low Ron
for higher efficiency, transfer more power to the antenna,
offer low Coff to deliver accurate and consistent tuning
results, enable high Vpeak for improved radiated spurious
emission (RSE) performance and integrate GPIO-control for
ease of use. To simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market, Skyworks assists with antenna modeling,
data simulation, design and layout optimization, and onsite support to help customers leverage these advanced
antenna tuning products into their platforms. These products are shipped in a RoHS compliant plastic package with
compact 10 pin 1.1 x 1.5 x 0.5 mm quad-flat no-leads (QFN). The common footprint of these devices allows customers
to utilize one layout across multiple designs.
Skyworks’ antenna
aperture tuners enable
higher data throughput
and smaller footprints,
minimizing dropped
calls.
Skyworks Solutions
skyworksinc.com
46 High Frequency Electronics
”
Product Focus
YTFs with Field-Replaceable RF
Connectors Cover Up to 26.5 GHz
“
Micro Lambda Wireless, Inc. announced the production release of YIG-tuned filters with field- replaceApplications include Test
able RF connectors covering the frequency range up to
Instruments, Wide Band Receivers,
26.5 GHz. First models released are the MLFRC42026 and the MLFRC-46026. However, this techTelecom, Satcom and a variety of
nique can be applied to other model series packages
Military applications.
including the 1”, 1.4”, 1.7” and 2.0” size packages.
The standard models operates over the 0 to +65 C
temperature range, but Military versions covering -40
to +85C are available on special order. Units are available with remote Analog, 12 bit TTL and 16 bit serial drivers.
Applications include Test Instruments, Wide Band Receivers, Telecom, Satcom and a variety of Military applications.
Availability: 4-6 weeks from receipt of order.
We offer not only the deepest standard product line of YIG oscillators, synthesizers, filters, multipliers, and benchtop intruments, we’ve also thought ahead and designed complementary drivers for nearly every product in our portfolio. So you can employ them right out of the box. Every product is supported by a team of engineers that are always
ready to help you with your application engineering and product integration challenges.
Review our products and get in touch. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about getting the
most out of our standard or custom designed YIG products.
”
Micro Lambda Wireless
microlambdawireless.com
47
Product Highlights
Coupler
MECA announced the latest addition to its extensive
line of stripline couplers with the 780-dB-9.500-M01, covering from 1.0 to 18.0 GHz. Available in 10 & 20dB models
with SMA female connectors, optimized for excellent performance with industry leading specifications offering
typical VSWR’s ranging from 1.40:1, Isolation of 15dB
typical. Made in the USA and 36-month warranty.
Since 1961, MECA Electronics Inc. has designed and
manufactured an extensive line of RF/Microwave compo-
Bi-Directional SSPA
The TTRM1078D is a 2.2- 2.5 GHz SSPA for UAS
radio links utilizing MIMO technology. It is capable of
high 20W output per channel for QPSK operation and 4W
/ channel for higher data rate applications such as
64QAM OFDM.
Triad RF Systems is engaged in the design and manufacture of RF power amplifiers and systems. Our mission
48 High Frequency Electronics
nents with industry leading performance including Fixed
Attenuators, Directional Couplers, Hybrid Couplers,
Isolators/Circulators, Power Divider/Combiners, RF
Loads, DC Blocks, Bias Tees and Adapters & Cables.
MECA Electronics
e-meca.com
is to provide advanced, highly linear, and efficient RF
amplification solutions for customers in the Aerospace/
Defense, Telecommunications, and Science communities.
Triad RF Systems
triadrf.com
Product Highlights
HIGH POWER
SOLID STATE
RADAR AMPLIFIERS
Cable Assemblies
The W1 Series is a complete line of high performance
flexible microwave cable assemblies. They have an
extruded low density PTFE dielectric structure to allow
low dielectric constant as close as air up to 1.3 and achive
fast velocity propagation of 83%. The W1 Series has the
lowest insertion loss available to 18, 26.5, 40 GHz. These
low loss cable assemblies are extremely versatile, moderately priced, and fit a variety of applications.
Withwave
with-wave.com
Sensor
Model SSD-24307-2216M-A1 is a single-transmit,
dual-receive ranging sensor that can be used in CW, FSK,
or FMCW modes. The sensor uses a 24 GHz voltage controlled oscillator with a high quality PLL IC to generate
the desired signal with an internal reference signal of 100
MHz to cover the frequency range of 24.00 to 24.25 GHz.
This sensor has an analog TX power control, but digital
TX power controls are available upon request. The RX to
IF gain is digitally controlled and adjustable over a range
of 40 dB nominally. The sensor operates on 3.3V logic
inputs.
SAGE Millimeter
sagemillimeter.com
www.ophirrf.com
310.306.5556
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
49
Product Highlights
Coatings For
EMI/RFI Shielding
Electrically Conductive
Elastomeric Systems
• X5SC
silver filled
• X5N
nickel filled
• X5G
graphite filled
LNA
ZX60-83LN+ is a wideband low noise connectorized amplifier providing a unique combination of low noise figure, high IP3 and flat gain
over a very wide frequency range, supporting a wide range of sensitive,
high-dynamic range receiver applications and many systems where
high performance over wideband is needed. It operates on a single 5 or
6V supply and comes in a rugged, compact unibody case (0.74 x 0.75 x
0.46”) with SMA connectors, making it an excellent candidate for tough
operating conditions and crowded system layouts.
Mini-Circuits
minicircuits.com
www.masterbond.com
HFE’s
Product
Showcase
Classified
Advertising
Your ad will
stand out
when it’s
displayed in
our Product
Showcase!
Schottky Diode Detectors
Herotek’s single-diode general-purpose DS series biased Schottky
diode detectors feature: Low Output Resistance (350 Ohm Typical);
Optimized Performance in Octave-Band Models; Extremely Wideband
and High Frequency; Performance Available in a Single Unit (1 to 40
GHz); Hermetically-Sealed Module.
Herotek
herotek.com
For more
information, or
to place your
ad, please
contact:
Joanne Frangides
Tel : 201-666-6698
Fax: 201-666-6698
joanne@
highfrequencyelectronics
.com
50 High Frequency Electronics
Product Showcase
WAVEGUIDE SWITCHES
COAXIAL SWITCHES
DUAL SWITCHES
WE ARE THE WAVEGUIDE & COAXIAL SWITCH EXPERTS
YOUR #1 SOURCE FOR MICROWAVE SWITCHES SINCE 1992
QUALITY, SERVICE & QUICK DELIVERIES UNMATCHED IN THE INDUSTRY
754 Fortune Crescent, Kingston, ON, K7P2T3, Canada
■
30
Years
OCXO up to 500 MHz
■ Wideband
VCXO up to 1 GHz
pull up to ±5000 ppm
crystal filter for
high selectivity
■ �-derived
■ Customized
crystal & L/C filter
■ Amplitude matched
■ Phase matched
■ Group delay equalized
■ Std. 1.7/21.4/45/70
pole crystal filters
MHz two
■ Low
phase noise crystal
oscillators
CALL OR FAX YOUR
REQUIREMENTS FOR A QUOTE
ph: (602) 971-3301
fax: (831) 303-2588
www.kselectronics.com
16406 N Cave Creek Road #5
Phoenix, AZ 85032-2919
WHERE YOUR SPECIFICATIONS
TURN INTO REALITY
www.highfrequencyelectronics.com
Product Highlights
Epoxy
Master Bond EP42HT-2LTE is often chosen for a variety of bonding, sealing, coating and select casting applications in the electronics, aerospace, optical and specialty
OEM industries. This two component epoxy has a flowable
paste consistency that enables precise alignment with
minimal fixturing. It cures at room temperature or more
SMD Circulators/Isolators
VidaRF offers high performance “SMD” Circulators
and Isolators with LOW IMD covering frequency 0.73.0GHz. This rugged design uses a screwed-in cover and
machined housing. Units are fully tested to perform
vibration, thermal shock and moisture making suitable
52 High Frequency Electronics
quickly with the addition of heat. This system is notable
for having a low coefficient of thermal expansion of 9-12 x
10-6 in/in/°C.
Master Bond
masterbond.com
for base station and other infrastructural environments.
RoHS Compliant.
VidaRF
vidarf.com
Product Highlights
Coupler
MBDA-30-451HP high-power bi-directional coupler
provides high power handling up to 200W and mainline
loss of 0.15 dB. Covering frequencies from 225 to 450
MHz, it supports a wide variety of applications from
power amplifiers and antenna feeds to military applications and more. High directivity of 28 dB provides accurate sampling from the coupled port, and 30 dB typical
Capacitor
Passive Plus, Inc. (PPI) is now offering the 1313C
(1.30” x 1.30”) series capacitor. The main features of the
series are its High Q above 10,000, Low ESR, High
Operating Voltage, High Operating Current, and High
Reliability. Target Industries are Semiconductor manufacturing, Inductive Heating, Inductively Coupled Plasma
input/output return loss provides excellent matching over
full frequency range. It is fabricated using laminated PCB
process (1.0 x 1.0 x 0.051”) and includes wrap-around
terminations for good solderability and easy visual inspection.
Mini-Circuits
minicircuits.com
Systems, Scientific instrumentation, Medical, High
Energy RF Power Transfer, and matching circuits using
multiple frequencies.
Passive Plus
passiveplus.com
53
Product Focus
Spectrum Analyzer Offers 160 MHz
Analysis Bandwidth Over Its Entire
Frequency Range
“
The instrument offers users very
high accuracy in spectral
measurements on narrowband
modulated signals and in phasenoise measurements.
”
Rohde & Schwarz has expanded its portfolio of midrange signal and spectrum analyzers. The new R&S
FSVA offers a 160 MHz analysis bandwidth over its
entire frequency range, making it the only analyzer in its
class to do so at frequencies between 26.5 GHz and 40
GHz. With its enhanced phase noise performance, the
instrument offers users very high accuracy in spectral
measurements on narrowband modulated signals and in
phase-noise measurements.
54 High Frequency Electronics
The advanced features of the R&S FSVA include more
than the improved phase noise of typ. –117 dBc at 1 GHz
with 10 kHz offset. Rohde & Schwarz also has improved
the third order intercept (TOI) for frequencies lower than
7 GHz, for a higher dynamic range. As a result, the R&S
FSVA offers enhanced spectrum measurements compared
with the current R&S FSV family, e.g. spectrum emission
mask and ACLR under higher power conditions. The sensitivity of the preamplifier of typ. –166 dBm for frequencies lower than 7 GHz has also been improved.
Like the R&S FSV, the R&S FSVA is available in five
models, covering frequency ranges from 10 Hz to 4 GHz,
7 GHz, 13.6 GHz, 30 GHz and 40 GHz. The R&S FSVA
supports all R&S FSV hardware functions and firmware
options. Plus, the R&S FSV and the R&S FSVA are fully
remote control compatible for use in complex test setups.
Rohde & Schwarz
rohde-schwarz.com
Product Highlights
Product Selection Guide
Established in December 1996, AMCOM is a leading
edge microwave design organization that provides power
FETs, MMIC power amplifiers, as well as high-power
amplifier modules with RF and DC connectors.
AMCOM’s product selection guide provides an easy
way for customers to peruse the company’s extensive
product line. You can download the guide at: http://amcomusa.com/downloads/productselection.pdf
AMCOM
amcomusa.com
amcomusa.com
301-353-8400
The RF Power House
Wideband Power
Amplifiers (And More!)
Connectors
Southwest Microwave’s SuperMini Board-to-Board
DC to 67 GHz connectors optimize interconnect performance for board-to-board stacking applications. Based
on Southwest Microwave’s superior coax platform,
SuperMini connectors maximize electrical performance
of the transmission path between connector and circuit
while accommodating axial misalignment of up to .010”
and radial misalignment of +/- 5° via unique bullet and
PCB receptacle (jack) designs. With an array of available bullets that enable board-to-board spacing as close
as 3 mm, this solution assures RF/millimeter wave
transmission line dependability for tightly stacked
PCBs.
Southwest Microwave
southwestmicrowave.com
Power Device
(GaAs FET, GaAs PHEMT,
GaN/SiC)
MMIC PA
PA Module
Bias T
T/R Switch
Attenuator
Phase Shifter
401 Professional Drive | Suite 140 | Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
55
Product Highlights
Switch
Richardson RFPD, Inc. announced availability and full
design support capabilities for a new UltraCMOS® SPDT
RF switch from Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation.
The PE42723 is a HaRP™ technology-enhanced reflective
SPDT RF switch designed for use in cable applications,
including DOCSIS 3.0/1 cable modem, set-top box and
Attenuator
PMI Model PDVAN-6012-60-8 is an 8-bit programmable 60 dB pin diode attenuator with step resolution as
low as 0.25 dB over the frequency range of 6.0 to 12.0
GHz. Features include SMA female connectors, 15 Pin
Sub-miniature D (Male) with supplied mating connector
56 High Frequency Electronics
residential gateway. It delivers high linearity and excellent harmonics performance in the 5–1794 MHz band, as
well as low insertion loss and high isolation performance.
Richardson RFPD
richardsonrfpd.com
and 8-Bit TTL Compatible. Unit size is 2.00” x 1.80” x
0.50”.
Planar Monolithics Industries
pmi-rf.com
Product Highlights
Low PIM Adapters
MECA’s Low PIM (-165 dBc Typ) adapters for DAS
Applications feature industry leading PIM performance
of -160 dBc Min. Available in 7/16 DIN, Type N, SMA and
4.1/9.5 standard and bulkhead connectors. Ideal for IDAS
/ ODAS, In-Building, base station, wireless infrastructure,
4G and 5G applications. Made in the USA and 36-month
warranty.
MECA Electronics
e-meca.com
App Note
This application note illustrates how the new insitu measurement feature in NI AWR Design
Environment, specifically Microwave Office circuit
design software, enables communication between the
circuit and antenna, thus automatically accounting
for the coupling between the circuit and the antenna
in an easy-to-use framework.
Download the app note today at:
http://www.awrcorp.com/sites/default/files/
resource-library/attachments/AN-XINSU-2016.6.14_0.pdf
National Instruments
awrcorp.com
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
57
Product Highlights
SSPA
Exodus’s ultra-wide band AMP1074 compact SSPA
covers the full 2-20GHz frequency band at 10W Min. The
AMP1074 uses C&W hybrid GaN devices, and operates
from a 32VDC supply at 4.5A with gain flatness of 5.0dB
Max peak to peak. Covering multi-bands, this SSPA is
suitable for use with all modulation standards and fea-
Block Upconverter
Comtech Xicom Technology announced a GaN-based
solid-state X-band block upconverter (BUC) that packs a
tremendous amount of power into a 5.3-pound (2.4 kg)
antenna-mount outdoor unit. This compact, lightweight
and highly capable BUC provides 20 watts of linear output power in a 5.8” x 5.1” x 3.9” (147mm x 130mm x
99mm) feed-mountable package designed to handle tough
58 High Frequency Electronics
tures a small form factor, lightweight construction and
high reliability. Typical applications include EMI/RFI
testing, EW and Communications systems.
Exodus Advanced Communications
exoduscomm.com
environments and meet stringent X-band RF requirements, while drawing very little power for extended battery operation.
Comtech Xicom Technology
xicomtech.com
Product Highlights
Power Dividers
VidaRF offers a wide selection of 2-way through
16-way power divider/combiners, designed to cover 100
MHz to 20 GHz with average power handling of 30 Watts
for narrow, octave, dual and multi-octave band applications. Standard Connector type: SMA female, other connectors available upon request. VidaRF is focused on
being a solutions provider by building to customer specs
and offering zero days lead time for custom parts through
their stock and ship program.
VidaRF
vidarf.com
(Editorial continued from page 7)
their Liquid Crystal Polymer based device packaging using
their unique epoxies. Molex described their latest innovations in interconnects.
Ampleon, formerly NXP, described their LDMOS
power amplifier technology. Microsemi described their
fabless GaN HEMT capability, monolithic PIN switch elements, metal electrode leadless face (MELF) bonded high
power ceramic PIN diodes, MMICs, low current sleep
state transceivers, high linearity amplifiers and front-end
modules.
On Wednesday I met with Guerrilla RF and heard
about their high-performance gain blocks and MMICs for
enterprise/carrier-class Wi-Fi, small cells, backhaul and
cellular repeaters. Qorvo emphasized wider bandwidth,
higher frequencies and improved efficiencies for their
GaN products. The benefits of massive MIMO at millimeter-wave frequencies was also discussed.
Later I met with Wolfspeed, a Cree Company, and
learned of their latest GaN technology and SiC MOSFETs.
The name “Wolfspeed” has a specific derivation: it is an
amalgam of the North Carolina State University football
mascot and high speed. Besides innovative technology,
they are emphasizing rapid delivery and customer satisfaction. Skyworks Solutions provided an excellent overview of their product line, which seems underexposed.
They offer a large family of integrated products employing switches, linear power amplifiers, LNAs, limiters and
filters. Their target industries include IoT, Aerospace and
Defense, Wireless Infrastructure and Consumer
Electronics. NXP Semiconductors, which recently
merged with Freescale, gave an impressive press overview of their developments, including an innovative portable solid-state-device-based microwave oven that looks
like a large thermos bottle.
Analog Devices, having recently acquired Hittite,
appears to be aggressively developing products for use at
high microwave frequencies. Peregrine Semiconductor,
a Murata Manufacturing company with UltraCMOS silicon on sapphire (SOS) and silicon on insulator (SOI) technology, is focusing on the future with ability to make
12-in. wafers. Meetings with two UK companies, Diamond
Microwave and Plextek, yielded interesting possibilities for future technical articles in HFE. In all we got
about a dozen article commitments from various companies. The RF Energy Alliance seems to be getting traction with a number of credible partners. SAGE Millimeter
expects to play a key role in the emerging mm-wave 5G
activity.
Near the end of the exhibit closing, I had the unexpected pleasure of a conversation with Dr. James
Truchard, Founder and CEO of National Instruments.
Widely known by the affectionate moniker “Dr. T,” he was
very engaging and personable. He has a very integrated
view of merging technologies, of which software and wireless will play a large part. Dr. T delivered one of two
Closing Ceremony speeches later that day, Software's
Role in Next Generation 5G RF and Microwave Systems.
The second talk was by Professor Jan Rabaey, who spoke
about the Human Intranet, IoT and Swarm concepts, and
how some of our senses may be exercised in new ways.
My interactions with other attendees continued almost
non-stop, even on the airport shuttle and while waiting
for the departing flight. My overall impression of IMS2016
is that healthcare, 5G, GaN proliferation, strong maturation of millimeter-wave technology, defining the bounds of
the Internet of Things, and connectivity are all now leading technologies and topics.
IMS2017 will be held 4 to 9 June 2017, at the Hawaii
Convention Center in Honolulu.
59
In Memoriam
Tony Tirollo
Although Tony’s presence will be missed on a daily
basis, he had the vision to create a sustainable, longterm business plan focused on serving TRM’s customers
with innovative product solutions, and the manufacturing capabilities to meet our commitments.
Today, TRM is a vibrant, independent WOSB that
will continue this business practice well into the future.
The first phase of our 10-year plan aligned organizational goals and built an infrastructure of people necessary to achieve the future growth objectives. This phase
“
With great sadness, TRM Microwave informed its
customer base and the Microwave industry of the passing of TRM Microwave Founder Tony Tirollo on 21 May
2016.
Tony founded the company in 1970 as an innovative
RF design engineer. His training, instincts and determination allowed him to thrive. Ultimately, as the owner of
a small business, he performed every job while building
a culture of participation and family values across the
growing employee base. As required for a person who
managed a successful business for 46 years, he focused
in two areas. He constantly shared his knowledge with
employees working to expand each person’s abilities, and
he planned ahead. Tony started the transition to a new
management team in 2010 with the appointment of
Wendy Tirollo as CEO and Mark Schappler as COO. This
transition was advanced a year ago in June 2015 when
Tony transferred ownership to Wendy and TRM became
a woman-owned business.
60 High Frequency Electronics
Tony performed
every job while
building a culture
of participation
and family values
across the
growing employee
base.
”
was successfully completed in 2015. The next phase has
been to focus on facility and capability expansion. TRM
will continue our plan to invest in new technologies
designed to serve our customers for years into the
future.
Indeed Tony will be missed, but the foundation he
has left and the clear path moving forward he orchestrated are reflections of his ability to see a future full of
possibilities.
HFE
FIVE DAYS
THREE CONFERENCES
ONE EXHIBITION
EUROPEAN MICROWAVE WEEK 2016
EXCEL LONDON, UK
3 - 7 OCTOBER 2016
3-7 OCTOBER 2016
EUROPE’S PREMIER MICROWAVE,
RF, WIRELESS AND RADAR EVENT
The Exhibition (4th - 6th October 2016)
• 8,000 sqm of gross exhibition space
• 4,000 key visitors from around the globe
• 1,700 - 2,000 conference delegates
• In excess of 300 international exhibitors
(including Asia and US as well as Europe)
The Conferences:
• European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference (EuMIC)
• European Microwave Conference (EuMC)
• European Radar Conference (EuRAD)
• Plus Workshops and Short Courses
• In addition EuMW 2016 will include the ‘Defence, Security and Space Forum’
Official Publication:
Organised by:
Co-sponsored by:
Supported by:
Co-sponsored by:
Co-sponsored by:
Co-sponsored by:
Co-sponsored by:
INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING?
For International Sales:
Richard Vaughan
International Sales Manager
E: rvaughan@horizonhouse.co.uk
Tel: +44 20 7596 8742
For US Sales:
Alyssa Connell
Event Coordinator
E: aconnell@mwjournal.com
Tel: +1 781 619 1930
For more information visit:
www.eumweek.com
POWER
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handling, in coaxial,flat-pack, surface mount and rack mount
housings for 50 and 75Ω systems.
From 2-way through 48-way designs, with 0°, 90°, or 180°
phase configurations, Mini-Circuits’ power splitter/combiners offer a vast
selection of features and capabilities to meet your needs from high power
and low insertion loss to ultra-tiny LTCC units and much more.
Need to find the right models fast? Visit minicircuits.com and use Yoni2®!
It’s our patented search engine that searches actual test data for the models
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P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 (718) 934-4500 sales@minicircuits.com
448 rev Q
Advertiser Index
Company
Page
Advanced Switch Technology.................................................. 51
American Technical Ceramics................................................. 15
American Technical Ceramics................................................. 27
AMCOM.................................................................................... 55
API Technologies INMET.......................................................... 1
Cernex....................................................................................... 18
Coilcraft.................................................................................... 11
CST........................................................................................... 17
C. W. Swift & Associates..........................................................C2
dBm............................................................................................. 7
Delta Electronics...................................................................... 25
European Microwave............................................................... 61
Fairview Microwave................................................................. 19
Herotek..................................................................................... 14
KS Electronics.......................................................................... 51
L-3 Narda-MITEQ................................................................... 36
MegaPhase................................................................................. 5
Master Bond............................................................................. 50
MECA Electronics.................................................................... 57
Micro Lambda Wireless............................................................. 9
Microwave Components........................................................... 37
Mini-Circuits.......................................................................... 2, 3
Mini-Circuits............................................................................ 21
Mini-Circuits............................................................................ 23
Mini-Circuits............................................................................ 31
Mini-Circuits............................................................................ 39
Mini-Circuits...................................................................... 62, 63
Molex........................................................................................C4
Ophir RF................................................................................... 49
Passive Plus.............................................................................. 45
Pasternack................................................................................ 32
Pasternack................................................................................ 33
Pulsar Microwave.................................................................... 20
RF Bay...................................................................................... 51
Rogers....................................................................................... 35
SAGE Millimeter..................................................................... 13
Satellink................................................................................... 51
Sector Microwave..................................................................... 51
SGMC Microwave....................................................................C3
Southwest Microwave.............................................................. 24
Times Microwave..................................................................... 41
VidaRF...................................................................................... 29
Wenteq Microwave................................................................... 51
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High Frequency Electronics (USPS 024-316) is published monthly by Summit Technical Media, LLC, 3 Hawk Dr., Bedford, NH 03110.
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64 High Frequency Electronics
QUALITY, PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY
IN PRECISION COAXIAL CONNECTORS
BETWEEN SERIES
ADAPTERS
EDGE LAUNCH
CONNECTORS
BULKHEAD & PANEL
ADAPTERS
CABLE CONNECTORS
IN SERIES ADAPTERS
CUSTOM DESIGNS
ADAPTERS · CABLE CONNECTORS · RECEPTACLES · CUSTOM DESIGNS
Including These Connector Series
1.85mm
2.4mm
DC-65 GHz
DC-50 GHz
2.92mm
3.5mm
DC-40 GHz
DC-34 GHz
7mm
SSMA
DC-18 GHz
DC-40 GHz
ISO 9001:2008
SGMC Microwave — The name to count on for Quality, Performance
and Reliability! Please contact us today by Phone, Fax or Email.
Manufacturer of Precision Coaxial Connectors
620 Atlantis Road, Melbourne, FL 32904
Phone: 321-409-0509 Fax: 321-409-0510
sales@sgmcmicrowave.com
www.sgmcmicrowave.com
Get info at www.HFeLink.com
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