News Wrap of the Week : 29th Jan, 2016

Ultra-Small Bluetooth Module from TDK Ideal for Werable Devices

Mouser Electronics now stocks the SESUB-PAN-D14580 Bluetooth v4.1 module from TDK. This ultra-compact, Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy (LE) micro module is the world's smallest module for Bluetooth Smart devices. The 3.5mm × 3.5mm × 1mm SESUB-PAN-D14580 module is based on TDK's proprietary Semiconductor Embedded in Substrate (SESUB) technology, reducing the size by 60 percent compared to modules using discrete components. The single-mode module's ultra-compact footprint and low current consumption make it ideal for battery-powered wearable devices where small size, light weight, and low power consumption are essential. Read more

Fujitsu Develops GaN Power Amplifier with Record Power for W-Band Wireless Transmissions

Fujitsu has announced the development of a gallium-nitride (GaN) high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) power amplifier for use in W-band (75-110 GHz) transmissions. This amplifier can be used in a high-capacity wireless networks with coverage over a radius of several kilometers.

In areas where fiber-optic cable is difficult to lay, to achieve high-speed wireless communications of several gigabits per second, one promising approach is to use high-frequency bands, such as the W band, which uses a wide frequency band. In order to get good long-distance coverage in these frequencies, however, it is necessary to increase the output power of the power amplifier to the scale of watts. Read more

Skyworks Exceeds First Quarter FY16 Expectations

Skyworks Solutions has reported their first fiscal quarter results for the period ending January 1, 2016. They delivered solid financial results in the first fiscal quarter of 2016 driven by their diversification across customers, markets and applications. Revenue for the first fiscal quarter was $926.8 million, up 15 percent year-over-year and 5 percent sequentially, exceeding the First Call consensus estimate of $915.7 million.

On a non-GAAP basis, operating income for the first fiscal quarter of 2016 was $366.6 million, up 30 percent from $282.0 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2015. Read more

Semtech LoRa Wireless RF Technology Used by IoT Challenge Finalists

Semtech Corporation, a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, has announced that its LoRa® wireless RF technology was used by the three finalists of the Global Internet of Things (IoT) Challenge to develop exciting new IoT applications, including a home automation system, a bed bug monitor and a pallet tracker. More than 200 companies from around the world participated in the challenge, and solutions were judged by Machina Research and the Board of Directors of the LoRa® Alliance on criteria such as degree of innovation, overall business potential and go-to-market approach.

The winning solution, Connected Home, was presented by Leroy Merlin, a home improvement and gardening retailer with more than 370 stores in twelve countries.  Read more

XMA Corporation Appoints PMR as a Sales Representative

XMA Corporation and PMR Technical have signed an agreement for under which PMR Technical will be a Sales Representative for XMA products. PMR provides a powerful combination of professional grade Subject Matter Experts that assist customers in choosing proper high performance, quality products for their application. They have a strong presence in the four states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

PMR offers a unique service by guiding customers with specific RF and microwave needs to key component manufacturers in the form of advanced engineering support and timely sales support. Read more

Radio Frequency Systems Launches High-Performance Passive DAS Products

Radio Frequency Systems has enhanced its portfolio of passive RF components with an entire suite of new products to provide a full range of solutions for all wireless in-building commercial and mission-critical communications requirements. The new products complement their comprehensive line of low loss RF feeder cables and jumpers for DAS and include passive DAS components such as couplers, power splitters, tappers and hybrid combiners.

RFS’ comprehensive, passive DAS product portfolio enables RF wideband, multi-band, multi-technology, and multi-operator support. It provides the ability for future systemic shifts between operators or frequency bands to support any changes in macro network providers and/or technologies, including re-banding/re-farming of spectrum. Read more

Genesys Software Enables Industry’s Fastest Realization of RF Systems and Circuits

Keysight Technologies has announced the latest release of its affordable RF simulation and synthesis software, Genesys 2015. Designed for circuit and system designers, the software features breakthrough Keysight Sys-Parameters that enables RF system simulation with off-the-shelf component datasheets; and comprehensive RF circuit synthesis to enable the industry’s fastest realization of RF systems and circuits.

Keysight Sys-Parameters define RF system component parameters such as amplifier P1dB, IP3, gain and noise-figure over frequency, temperature and bias in a convenient spreadsheet format that designers can use directly in RF system simulation. Read more

TeliaSonera and Ericsson Announce 5G Collaboaration

Based on common understanding of market and customer needs, TeliaSonera and Ericsson will together develop 5G use-cases and service scenarios, including both communication and Internet of Things (IoT) services with the purpose to address new business opportunities. The partnership will bring 5G services to customers in 2018 by combining the TeliaSonera network with Ericsson technology.

Stockholm and Tallinn - two of the most connected cities in the world will experience 5G services by 2018. 5G will amplify the value of digitalization and connectivity as it is designed to be the industrial internet. Read more

WiFi HaLow is the New Standard for Low-Power, Long-Range Wi-Fi

With industry momentum mounting around a low power Wi-Fi® solution, the Wi-Fi Alliance® has introduced Wi-Fi HaLow™ as the designation for products incorporating IEEE 802.11ah technology. Wi-Fi HaLow operates in frequency bands below 1 GHz, offering longer range, lower power connectivity to Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ products. Wi-Fi HaLow will enable a variety of new power-efficient use cases in the Smart Home, connected car, and digital healthcare, as well as industrial, retail, agriculture, and Smart City environments. This is the ideal solution for the Internet of Things.

Wi-Fi HaLow extends Wi-Fi into the 900 MHz band, enabling the low power connectivity necessary for applications including sensor and wearables. Read more

Sony Acquires Altair Semiconductor for $212 Million

Sony announced that they have reached an agreement with Altair Semiconductor and its major shareholders to acquire the company. The purchase price is 212 million U.S. dollars (approximately 25 billion yen). Sony expects to complete the acquisition in early February, 2016. Altair, is an Israel-based company, that owns modem chip technology and related software for LTE (Long Term Evolution), a 4G cellular standard for mobile devices. Altair develops and sells products focused on LTE technology, and its modem chips stand out for their low power consumption, high performance and competitive cost.

LTE is already widely used in data communication for mobile phones, and is also expected to play a pivotal role in the interconnection of the Internet of Things ("IoT"). Read more

NSI and MI Technologies Merge to Create a Leader in Microwave Measurements

Quadrant Management’s Ted Deinard announced that they have acquired MI Technologies, LLC (MI) and will merge MI with its portfolio company NSI. Merging these two premier microwave measurement companies into a single entity will allow them to combine their resources to bring quality, cost effective products and systems to their customers.

The name of the new company is NSI-MI Technologies, LLC doing business as NSI-MI Technologies and their website is www.nsi-mi.com.

Going forward, their customers will benefit from product and cost improvements that will result from this merger of these two microwave companies. Read more

Ku-Band Block Upconverters Designed for Performance and Economy

Norsat International has launched the MEDIAN series of Ku-band Block Upconverters (BUCs) that are ideal for VSAT, broadcast, maritime, and portable terminal applications. Designed with both performance and economy in mind, the Median series of Ku-band BUCs are available in 16W and 25W options with standard and extended Ku-band frequencies. Thjese BUCs are the perfect addition to Norsat’s line of BUCs and is positioned between our leading size, weight, and power efficient ATOM series of block upconverters and the ELEMENT series. Read more