Latest RF & Microwave Products This Week (15th March to 22nd March, 2017)

GSM, UMTS, LTE Antenna Booster for Wireless Devices

The FR01-S4-224 from Fractus Antennas is a multiband antenna booster that operates in the GSM, UMTS and LTE Bands (698 - 960 MHz, 1710 - 2690 MHz and 3400 - 3800 MHz). It delivers a gain of up to 3.7 dBi with an efficiency of more than 60%. This linearly polarized device is built on a glass epoxy substrate measuring 12.0 mm x 2.4 mm x 3.0 mm and is ideal for wireless devices (mobile phones). Its an standard product, no customized options are available. Click here to see product specs.

E-Band Power Amplifier for Radar Systems and Communication Systems

The SBP-8138632520-1212-S1 from SAGE Millimetre is a power amplifier that operates from 81 to 86 GHz in the E-band. It delivers a gain of 25 dB with a saturated output power of up to 23 dBm. The amplifier requires a supply voltage of 8 V and consumes up to 1000 mA of current. It is available as a module that measures 1.10 x 1.70 x 0.50 inches offering a right angle structure with a WR-12 waveguide size and UG-387/U flange. The PA is ideal for use in test equipment, radar systems and communication systems. Other configurations, such as an in-line structure with a WR-12 waveguide size or 1 mm connectors are also available under different model numbers. Click here to see product specs.

Double-Balanced Microwave Mixer from 3 to 19 GHz

The SGS-6-17 from Synergy Microwave is a surface mount double balanced mixer with an RF frequency from 3 to 19 GHz and IF frequency from DC to 4 GHz. The mixer has a conversion loss of less than 11 dB and a high LO/RF and LO/IF Isolation. It can handle an input power of up to 100 mW and has has an LO power of 17 dBm and a P1dB of 4 dBm. The mixer has been developed using Synergy Microwaves SYNSTRIP® Multi-layer Technology and their REL-PRO® Patented Technology. Click here to see product specs.

Ultra-Compact Stand-Alone Secure Wi-Fi Modules for Industrial Markets

The NINA-W1 series from u-blox are ultra-compact stand-alone Wi-Fi modules with an integrated microcontroller (MCU) for 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n applications. These modules can act as a Wi-Fi station and a micro access point. The modules have a secure boot, which ensures the module only boots up with original u-blox software. They also provide end-to-end security on the wireless link by supporting the latest 802.11i (WPA2) standard and enterprise security to provide a secure connection to the infrastructure. These modules are available in a surface mount package and are ideal for applications like telematics, low power sensors, connected factories, connected buildings (appliances and surveillance), point-of-sales, and health devices.

The Wi-Fi modules are currently available in two models, one with an external antenna (NINA-W131) and another with an internal antenna (NINA-W132). The series will be expanded to include variants with Open CPU, Bluetooth connectivity, and additional hardware interfaces (RMII, CAN, SDIO, etc.). NINA-W1 will initially be certified for the US, Europe, and Canada. Certifications for other countries are planned. The modules will be qualified for professional grade operation, supporting an extended temperature range of -40 °C to +85 °C. Click here to see product specs.

Ultra-Low Power, Compact Multi-Constellation GNSS Patch Antenna Modules

The SE868Kx-Ax Series from Telit are multi-constellation GNSS receivers with an intergrated 9 x 9 mm patch antenna. This series simultaneously tracks GPS and Galileo plus either GLONASS or BeiDou, providing positioning data via a standard serial port. They have a sensitivity of up to -162 dBm and consumes under 30 mA of current. They support both server-based and local-based AGPS (Assisted GPS). Its on-board AGPS software engine can predict ephemeris up to three days in advance.
 
These GNSS modules have an additional LNA to increase sensitivity combined with a linear power supply that reduces power consumption. The modules are ready for Galileo and are in complaince Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS). They are available in ultra-compact 11 x 11 mm cavity PCB package. These modules are ideal for space constrained applications such as wearables, tracking, telematics, and security. The new integrated antenna modules include advanced features that significantly increase RF sensitivity, allowing for a much simpler integration without external components. Click here to see product specs.

10-Bit Programmable PIN Diode Attenuator from 26.5 to 40 GHz

The DTA-26R5G40G-30-CD-1 from Planar Monolithics is a 10-Bit programmable PIN diode attenuator that operates from 26.5 to 40 GHz with a step resolution of 0.03 dB. The attenuator has an attenuation range of 30 dB with ultra-fast switching speeds of 300 ns. It can handle an input power of up to 24 dBm and requires a single supply voltage of 15 VDC while consuming 50 mA of current. This attenuator is available in a module that measures 2.0 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches with 2.92 mm female connectors at the input and output. Click here to see product specs.

Ultra-Low Phase Noise SineWave VCXO

The CVSS-945 from Crystek is a true sinewave voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) that generates frequencies from 10 MHz and 125 MHz. It delivers an output power of more than 5 dBm with harmonics ofunder -25 dBc and has a phase noise floor of -179.7 dBc at 10 MHz. The VCXO requires a 5 V supply and consumes up to 30 mA of current. It is available in an industry standard 9 x 14 mm SMD package. The VCXO operates over an extended temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. Custom specifications are also available. This VCXO is ideal in PLL (Phase Locked Loop) applications. Click here to see product specs.

2.4 GHz Multi-Protocol SoC for Ultra Low-Power Wireless Applications

The nRF52840 is an advanced multi-protocol system-on-chip (SoC) that supports several protocols, including the recently released Bluetooth 5 specification and is ideal for smart home, wearables, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The nRF52840 SoC employs a 64 MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F processor employed on Nordic’s nRF52832 SoC, plus a CPU with ample generic processing power, floating point, and digital signal processor (DSP) performance. The embedded 2.4 GHz transceiver supports Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth 5), 802.15.4, ANT and proprietary 2.4 GHz protocols. It includes IEEE 802.15.4 capabilities for ZigBee and Thread-based smart home technologies or as a Network Adaptation Layer with 6LoWPAN and standard internet protocols.

The SoC supports BLE connectivity with up to four times the range or up to twice the raw data bandwidth (2 Mbps) compared to the Bluetooth low energy implementation of Bluetooth 4.2. It has NFC-A tag support on the chip. NFC Type 2 and Type 4 tag emulation protocol stacks are provided for new applications, like NFC payment and Out-of-Band (OOB) pairing. OOB pairing using NFC simplifies the process of authenticated pairing between two Bluetooth devices by exchanging authentication information over an NFC link. It has on-chip USB 2.0 (Full speed) support and on-chip VBUS regulation allowing for direct connection to USB hosts for data transfer and direct USB power for hosted applications.

The nRF52840 is available in 7 x 7 mm 73 pin AQFN package with 48 available GPIO. Nordic provides protocol stacks for Bluetooth low energy. ANT protocol stacks are available from ANT. Click here to see product specs.

True RMS Power Meter with Bus-Powered USB Connectivity

The USB-5681 from National Instruments is a USB true RMS power meter that operates from 10 MHz to 18 GHz. It has a dynamic range from -40 to +20 dBm and a linearity of under ±0.18 dB. The device draws only 150 mA from the USB connection, making it highly suitable for mobile applications or adding to automated test applications to free up valuable rack space.

You can hardware-trigger the USB-5681 through an external trigger source or software-trigger it based on the signal source. Scope and slot modes use this software triggering to measure burst waveforms, such as WiMAX and LTE, and multislot waveforms, such as GSM and EDGE. The power meter is self-contained in a small form factor with calibration constants, including linearity and temperature corrections stored directly on the device. Click here to see product specs.

5 to 500 MHz, 9-Way Power Divider for Public Safety Networks

The 809-2-0.252WWP from MECA is a 9-way power divider that operates from 5 to 500 MHz. It has an insertion loss of less than 1.6 dB with an isolation of more than 20 dB. The divider can handle up to 10 watts of power and has a VSWR of under 1.40:1. This IP 67/68 weather proof power divider is available in a module with Type-N, SMA, BNC or TNC Female connector styles and is ideal for public safety networks. Click here to see product specs.

Low Cost, Software-Upgradeable Spectrum Analyzer from 5 kHz to 3 GHz

The FPC1000 from Rohde & Schwarz is a software-upgradeable spectrum analyzer that operates from 5 kHz to 1 GHz, which can be expanded to 2 GHz or 3 GHz via software upgrades (keycode upgrade concept). The device provides a low noise floor level of -150 dBm, which can be further extended to -165 dBm with an optional, keycode-activated preamplifier. It can measure RF signals up to 30 dBm (1 W), which is 10 times more power than offered by other entry class spectrum analyzers and has exceptionally wide measurement dynamic range.

The analyzer has a resolution of 1 Hz and has a 10.1 inch (26 cm) display. It can be controlled via a smart wireless remote control software and is ideal for basic research, production and educational applications. Upgrades can be purchased as needed and are available as soon as the keycode is entered. Recalibration is not required. It comes with three-year standard warranty. Click here to see product specs.

1559 to 1609 MHz IoT Antenna Optimized for Metal Surfaces

The SR4G031 from Antenova is an antenna that operates from 1559 to 1609 MHz. This linearly polarized antenna delivers a peak gain of -0.5 dBi with an efficiency of more than 45%. The self-adhesive antenna measures 23 x 16 x 1.7 mm and is available with 150/200/250 mm cable length options. This antenna is ideal for smart meters, smart lightning and tracking moving objects.
 
While antennas are usually positioned away from metal surfaces to prevent reflections, this antenna has been optimized to radiate on metal surfaces. The design of this antenna allows it to maintain its performance, without de-tuning, when it is mounted on various surfaces, including metal. Click here to see product specs.

Ultra-miniature GaAs Double Balanced Mixer from 2.5 GHz to 7 GHz

The HMC219B from Analog Devices is an ultraminiature GaAs double balanced mixer that operates from 2.5 GHz to 7 GHz. It can be used as an upconverter, downconverter, biphase demodulator, or phase comparator and requires no external components or matching circuitry. This mixer provides an excellent local oscillator (LO) to radio frequency (RF) isolation of 40 dB and LO to intermediate frequency (IF) isolation of 35 dB due to optimized balun structures. It is availabe in an 8-lead, 3 mm x 3 mm plastic surface mount package with exposed pads and is ideal for microwave radios, high performance radio local area network (HiperLAN) and unlicensed national information structure (U-NII). The RoHS compliant mixer eliminates the need for wire bonding and is compatible with high volume surface-mount manufacturing techniques. Click here to see product specs.

High Frequency Ultra Stable TCXOs for Low Jitter and Phase Noise Applications

The RHT1490 series from Rakon are low jitter ultra-stable TCXOs that are available in frequencies from 50 MHz to 204.8 MHz. They deliver world class telecommunications grade stability with a low RMS phase jitter of less than 200 fs (12 kHz - 20 MHz). These oscillators are an ideal reference clock solution for SyncE and packet clock requirements (ITU-T G.826x and G.827x).

They work with both discrete and integrated IEEE 1588 solutions, providing excellent medium term stability for low loop bandwidth applications. Their ultra-low noise floor performance, combined with system PLL filtering, helps achieve very low system clock RMS jitter numbers. The low jitter is required by reference clocks of physical layer devices for high speed interfaces (40G and 100G applications). The TCXOs have a low close-in phase noise under -120 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz offset for a 122.88 MHz clock, making them ideal for C-RAN radio heads, microwave links and small cell applications. They have the optimal balance between close-in phase noise and the noise floor, making it suited to be the single reference clock to be used for network and air interface applications. Their excellent thermal insulation and airflow resistance, makes the system design highly flexible and are available in a 14.4 mm x 9.2 mm x 4.7 mm package. Click here to see product specs

LTE Cell GSM Antenna from 700 MHz to 6 GHz

The 08-ANT-0959 from MPAntenna is a multi-polarized, multiband antenna that operates from 700 MHZ to 6 GHz. It provides a gain of 5 dBi and can handle a power of up to 100 watts. This RoHS complaint, IP67 rated antenna measures 2.5 x 2.5 x 3.7 inches with a total height of 5.1 inches (including the connector) and is available with N-female bulkhead connector. It is ideal for public safety communications, DAS, BDA systems, remote monitoring, SCADA and M2M applications. Click here to see product specs.

Double Junction Drop-In Circulators from 824 to 2025 GHz

The double junction drop-in circulator series from VidaRF operates from 824 to 2025 GHz. They have an insertion loss of 0.5 dB with an isolation of 50 dB. These circulators can handle a power of up to 200 watts. They are available in a drop-in package and operate over a temperature range of -45 to 85 degrees. Custom designs are availabe upon request. Click here to see product specs.