As the global security landscape evolves, the need for highly reliable and robust aerospace and defense products becomes even more critical. The nature of aerospace and defense missions demands products that can withstand harsh weather conditions, operate flawlessly in the face of potential malfunctions, and remain resilient against intentional interference such as jamming attempts. everything RF has compiled a list of RF & Microwave Aerospace and Defense Products that are new and trending on the website in February. Visit the Aerospace & Defense Hub on everything RF to keep up to date with this sector.
Multi-channel, Multi-waveform Tactical Radio Systems for Military Applications
The ORION Gen 6 Family from Ultra I&C are Tactical Radio Systems for land, aerial, and naval applications. These multi-channel, multi-waveform radios provide an interoperable family of systems to bridge the upper and lower tactical tiers and reduce the overall cost of ownership. This tactical radio family consists of Orion X650, ORION X630, and Orion X610 variants. They are designed for improved command post mobility and survivability and support all topologies (PTP, PMP, Mesh). Read more.
3U OpenVPX Multi-Channel Programmable Digital Transceiver
The EnsembleSeries™ DCM3220 from Mercury Systems is a Multi-Channel Programmable Digital Transceiver optimized for SWaP-constrained environments. It consists of FPGA processing (Virtex Ultrascale VU7P FPGA, Zynq Ultrascale ZU11EG MPSoC, and 7488 DSP slices), VITA 65 backplane, 12-bit ADC and DAC, VITA 67 configurable rear I/O, security engine, and an AS9100D-qualified IPMI controller. This transceiver offers low latency, high instantaneous bandwidth, and high spectral density with accurate ADC and DAC having a sampling rate of up to 6.4 GSPS (user-selectable output modes available). It requires a DC supply of 0.85 V (for FPGA) and consumes 40 A (Zynq MPSoC) of current. Read more.
Rugged, Ethernet-Powered Beam Steering Outdoor Radio from 4.4 to 5.875 GHz
The PTP 45700 from Cambium Networks is a Beam Steering Outdoor Radio Unit (ODU) that operates from 4.4 to 5.875 GHz. It has an integrated smart antenna that provides electronic beamforming and allows for easy tactical installation and excellent interference mitigation. This antenna has an azimuth range of 120° and an elevation range of 30° for point-to-point links and enables quick, tactical installation by pointing in the general direction of the desired radio. It has an integrated spectrum analyzer, allowing real-time and historical monitoring of spectrum and utilizes Dynamic Spectrum Optimization (DSO) to maximize performance in dynamic spectrum environments. Read more.
Encrypted Radio from 1350 to 4990 MHz for Ground or Airborne Applications
The RT-2071(C) Secure CDL ISR SCISR Radio from Collins Aerospace operates from 1350 to 4990 MHz. It provides low-cost and lightweight wideband data link capability that is suitable for a wide range of applications. This radio can be configured as either a ground or airborne terminal and can be matched with a variety of antenna and power amplifiers to meet the requirements of wideband data throughput applications. It supports various waveforms such as BE-CDL and further enhancements such as legacy To Be Sunset (TBS) waveforms are added to the baseline. This radio supports LPI/LPD enhancements to enable RF operation in noisy and jammed environments and also significantly decreases the RF emissions signature of the radio. Read more.
Low Noise Amplifier from 0.4 to 3 GHz for Space and Military Applications
The TDLNA0430 from Teledyne e2v HiRel Electronics is a Low Noise Amplifier that operates from 0.4 to 3 GHz. It provides a small signal gain of 21.5 dB with a noise figure of 0.35 dB and has a P1dB of 18.5 dBm. This LNA utilizes application-specific biasing and can be biased over an operating voltage of 5 V. It can be used as the first-stage LNA for advanced satellite or military communication receivers or radar systems applications. The amplifier is available in an 8-pin dual-flat no-lead (DFN) plastic SMT package that measures 2 x 2 x 0.75 mm and is suitable for space and military applications. Read more.
MANET Tactical Radio Transceivers from 1150 to 1550 MHz for Airborne Applications
The P1350 Series from Berten are MANET Radio Transceivers that operate from 1150 to 1550 MHz. They use the proprietary COFDM or DSSS waveforms and deliver a data rate of up to 100 Mbps. These transceivers use TDMA multiplexing that allows point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and mesh networks (MANET) with configurable time slots and dynamic routing. They support encrypted communications and are internally synchronized to eliminate the need for GPS. The transceivers have built-in self-tests (BIST) & temperature monitoring and are qualified for airborne environmental conditions supporting hypersonic mobility up to Mach 5 (>6000 Km/h). Read more.
Rugged 50 GHz Fixed Chip Attenuators for Space and Defence Applications
The HR TXS Series from Smiths Interconnect are Fixed Chip Attenuators that operate up to 50 GHz. They are available in attenuation values from 1 to 20 dB and can handle input power of up to 3 W. These chip attenuators use robust thin-film process technology on an alumina substrate to provide a product suitable for harsh environments, such as space and defence applications. They allow wider coverage than traditional components while providing optimized return loss for multiple frequency ranges. This allows the customer to use a single chip in multiple applications, reducing the Bill of Material (BOM) item count and consequently, the cost of ownership. These chip attenuators conform to the MIL-PRF-55342 standard and are available in small 0604 surface mount packages that are ideal for pick-and-place applications. Read more.
50 GHz Rugged and Armored Test Cables for Flight Line Testing
The SiteLine™ Series from MegaPhase are Armored Test Cables that operate up to 50 GHz. They are protected by super-rugged armor designed for severe environments, such as flight line, outdoor antenna testing, and demanding production environments. These 50-ohm cables can endure torque, twist, and crush forces and are crush-proof to 44.6 Kg/linear cm. The cables have an outer diameter of 1.27 cm, a static bend radius of 7.62 cm and a capacitance of less than 95.1 pF/m. They provide a shielding effectiveness of more than 115 dB, have a time delay of less than 4.82 ns/m and a dielectric withstanding voltage up to 10 kV. Read more.
1.25 W Power Amplifier from 2 to 20 GHz
The MPAS-40-02002000-45-30P from Narda-MITEQ is a Power Amplifier that operates from 2 to 20 GHz. It provides a gain of 44 dB with an output P1dB of 31 dBm. This power amplifier has an ON/OFF switch with a switching time of less than 200 µs and a rise/fall time of less than 100 µs. It features reverse polarity protection, over-temperature alarm/protection, and over/under-current alarm. The amplifier requires a DC supply of 16 V, consumes 800 mA of current, and has internal DC voltage regulation. It is available in a module that measures 50.80 x 30.48 x 11.94 mm and has SMA connectors. It is ideal for wireless infrastructure, RF/Microwave and VSAT, military and aerospace, test instruments, and fiber optics applications. Read more.
Portable, USB-Powered Real-time Spectrum Analyzer from 100 kHz to 14.5 GHz
The SP145 from Signal Hound is a Real-time Spectrum Analyzer with a frequency range from 100 kHz to 14.5 GHz. It has a sweep speed of 200 GHz/s, a streaming bandwidth of 40 MHz, and a display noise average (DANL) of -160 dBm. This RTSA has an SSB phase noise of -134 dBc/Hz (@1 MHz offset), a system noise figure of less than 12 dB, and an LO leakage of -80 dBm (100 kHz to 5 GHz). It is designed for accurate remote spectrum monitoring and analysis and includes an internal GPS for enhanced field measurements. The analyzer requires a DC supply of 5 V (USB-C powered) and consumes less than 10 W of power. Read more.
Ruggedized OCXO from 60 to 220 MHz
The SiT7112 from SiTime is an Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) that operates from 60 to 220 MHz. It produces an LVCMOS or clipped sinewave output and has a frequency stability of ±1 ppb (from -40°C to + 95°C). This OCXO leverages SiTime’s unique temperature sensing technology and advanced CMOS design to deliver excellent stability in extreme environments. It has less than 3.0 µs time error after 12 hrs without GPS synchronization. This oscillator is up to 70x resilient against g-sensitivity compared to vibration-rated quartz OCXOs and has a shock survivability of up to 20,000 g. It eliminates the need for a dedicated LDO and is optimized for excellent balance between EMI and jitter. Read more.
Low Phase-noise Sinewave OCXO from 80 to 160 MHz
The AXIOM5050ULN from AXTAL is an Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) that operates from 80 to 160 MHz. It provides a sinewave output with a frequency stability of ±50 ppb (vs. temperature) and has a phase noise of -137 dBc/Hz (at 100 Hz offset). This OCXO has a warm-up time of up to 5 min and a g-sensitivity of 1 ppb/g. It requires a DC supply of 12 V and consumes less than 250 mA (steady-state) and 450 mA (warm-up) of current. This RoHS-compliant oscillator is available in a module that measures 50.0 x 50.0 x 21.0 mm with SMA connectors. Read more.
Benchtop 400 MHz, 4-Channel Frequency Analyzer
The CNT-104S from Pendulum Instruments is a 4-channel 400 MHz Frequency Analyzer. It can simultaneously track parallel frequency, phase, or time on 4 input channels and provides gap-free measurements for back-to-back measurements without losing any cycle. This analyzer has a time resolution of up to 7 ps resolution, a frequency resolution of up to 13 digits/s frequency resolution, and a measuring speed of 20M results/s. The ultra-high single-shot resolution gives better insights into the design under test, faster results in phase comparisons between clocks, and more accurate calibration, and it enables the capture of very small time/phase changes. Read more.
L1/L2-Band Military-Grade, GPS Disciplined Rubidium Time and Frequency Clock
The AR51-09 from AccuBeat is a military-grade, GPS Disciplined Rubidium Time and Frequency Clock that operates in the L1 and L2 bands. It can be disciplined to a GPS or an external synchronization source with a time accuracy of 1 PPS and a frequency accuracy of ±1 x 10-12. This system has spurious levels of less than -100 dBc, harmonics of -53 dBc, and phase noise of -140 dBc/Hz (at 1 kHz offset). It offers excellent stability and accuracy and includes a Rubidium-atomic standard, which is phase-locked to the disciplining source. Read more.
C-band Solid-State Transponders from 5.4 to 5.9 GHz
The XPDR-520 Series from Curtiss-Wright are C-band Transponders that operate from 5.4 to 5.9 GHz. These solid-state transponders deliver a pulsed RF output power of 20 W and have a sensitive superheterodyne receiver and crystal-controlled frequency stability. They are mismatch-protected from high antenna VSWR and do not require pressurization. These transponders consume 5 W of power and can be controlled via serial COM or RS-485 multi-drop interfaces. They are available in compact enclosures and are ideal for instrumentation tracking radar, range expansion/enhancement, and flight tests of various airborne vehicles. Read more.
Ruggedized, Multi-Band Handheld Transceiver from 30 to 512 MHz
The HH3100 from Datron is a Handheld Transceiver that operates in the VHF Band from 30 to 512 MHz. It offers 100 programmable channels at 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz spacing. This transceiver supports simplex and half-duplex modes and provides a user-selectable output power of 500 mW to 7 W. It provides accurate position and time-of-day capability using the embedded GPS receiver. This transceiver features embedded ECCM, COMSEC (AES-256), and GPS capabilities. It utilizes frequency hopping and digital encryption waveforms for high jamming resistance and security. This transceiver includes a rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery delivering 10+ hours of mission life. Read more.
X-Band Electronically Tunable Filter from 8 to 10 GHz
The NWETF8010-10 from Nanowave Technologies is an X-Band Electronically Tunable Filter with center frequencies from 8 to 10 GHz. It allows the center frequency to be adjusted electronically and has an adjustable 3 dB bandwidth from 10 to 100 MHz. Both the bandwidth and frequency of the filter can be electronically controlled in frequency steps of less than 1 MHz. This filter has a noise figure of less than 25 dB and an additive phase noise of -142 dBc/Hz (at 10 MHz offset). It has harmonics of better than -30 dBc and spurious emissions of less than -50 dBc. This filter requires a DC supply of 15 V and consumes less than 0.8 A of current. Read more.
Ruggedized Multi-Channel Datalink Transponder from 358 to 380 MHz
The MODEL 290-3 from Kratos is a UHF Datalink Transponder with a frequency range from 358 to 380 MHz. It is a command receiver, digital command decoder, digital telemetry encoder, telemetry transmitter, and target interface enclosed in a single lightweight package. This transponder has 16 frequency channels and supports the GMSK modulation scheme. It receives commands transmitted by the ground control station and interfaces with the vehicle management computer or autopilot. The autopilot can then send a serial data stream back to the transponder where the telemetry downlink is then transmitted down to the ground control station. It also has three antenna ports to support multiple antenna inputs via the vehicle RF switch and allows multiple antenna inputs to be toggled through for the strongest signal. Read more.
Rugged, Multi-Channel Radio from 30 to 450 MHz for Airborne Applications
The HAMR from L3HARRIS is a Multi-Channel Radio that operates in 30–520 MHz, 762–870 MHz (narrowband) and 225–450 MHz (wideband) frequency ranges. It repackages Falcon III® AN/PRC-152A radios into an avionics-ruggedized form factor, with two wideband channels and maximized interoperability for air-to-air and air-to-ground communications. This radio employs a JTRS-approved, SCA-compliant architecture that can accommodate changing mission needs and emerging waveforms with simple software upgrades. It has appropriate accessories to meet specific battlefield scenarios, including power amplifiers with LNAs and tunable cosite filters. Read more.
Ku-/Ka-Band Aviation SATCOM Terminal from 10.95 to 31.0 GHz
The 5530 (GAT-5530) from Viasat is an Aviation SATCOM Terminal that operates from 10.95-14.5 GHz (Ku-band) and 17.7-31.0 GHz (Ka-band). It delivers an EIRP of 52.5 dBW (Ka-band) with a G/T of 11.0 dB/K (Ku-band) and 12.5 dB/K (Ka-band). This SATCOM terminal has a medium profile dual-band Tx/Rx airborne antenna and a waveguide horn array aperture with electronically switchable linear (Ku-band) and circular (Ka-band) polarization. It has an elevation coverage from 0°to 90° and a continuous azimuth coverage from 0° to 360°. This terminal enables global broadband connectivity services for commercial and government users on worldwide high-capacity satellite networks. It can be controlled via a 1000 BASE-T Ethernet interface. Read more.
Ruggedized Ground Data Terminal from 14.4 to 15.35 GHz
The Mantis II from Cubic is a Ground Data Terminal that operates from 14.4 to 15.35 GHz. It supports long-range, high-data-rate communications with airborne platforms equipped with a multitude of DoD standard Common Data Link (CDL) waveforms. This terminal provides an operating range of up to 250 nmi or more (depending on system configuration) and delivers a full-duplex data rate from 200 Kbps to 44.73 Mbps. It is combined with Cubic’s Video Interface Network Execution (VINE) module to create a powerful Data Link terminal capable of operating in harsh environments to provide valuable real-time data and video. Read more.
Sub-6 GHz Military-Grade Antennas for Electronic Warfare Applications
The FMANOM114X Series from Fairview Microwave are Military-Grade Antennas that operate from 1.15 to 6 GHz. These vertically polarized antennas have an omnidirectional radiation pattern and provide a gain of 3.5 dBi. This antenna series consists of ruggedized GPS, manpack, and vehicle-mount antennas designed for mission-critical applications. They meet the MIL-STD-810 standard with heavy-duty construction and a rugged design for long-lasting performance in challenging environments. Read more.
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