Top News Stories of the Week : 5th Feb, 2016

Millimeter-Band CMOS IC Communicates at 56 Gbps

Tokyo Institute of Technology and Fujitsu Laboratories have developed a CMOS wireless transceiver chip that can process signals at high speeds with little loss across a broad range of frequencies, from 72 to 100 gigahertz (GHz). They also developed technology to modularize it. With these developments, they succeeded in achieving wireless transmission speeds of 56 Gigabits per second (Gbps), the world's fastest.

In recent years, to cope with the large increase in data traffic resulting from the widespread use of smartphones and other devices, networks that link base stations use optical fiber. One issue with this approach, however, is that it is difficult to expand service in areas where it is difficult to install a network of optical fiber cables, such as in urban areas or areas surrounded by rivers or mountains. Read more

Keysight Technologies Releases ADS 2016

Keysight Technologies has released the latest release of its powerful Advanced Design System (ADS) software - ADS 2016. The software improves design productivity and speeds circuit and electromagnetic simulation performance. ADS 2016 provides new RF printed circuit board, laminate, module, and silicon RFIC products, as well as technologies, capabilities and other enhancements.

ADS is the industry’s leading electronic design automation software for RF, microwave and signal-integrity applications. Read more

Breakthrough May Pave the Way for GaN to Supplant Silicon in Circuits

Researchers at HRL Laboratories, have achieved the first demonstration of gallium nitride (GaN) complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) field-effect-transistor (FET) technology, and in doing so have established that the semiconductor’s superior transistor performance can be harnessed in an integrated circuit. This breakthrough paves the way for GaN to become the technology of choice for power conversion circuits that are made in silicon today.

According to HRL Senior Staff Research Engineer and Principal Investigator Dr. Rongming Chu, GaN transistors have long excelled in both power switching and microwave/millimeter wave applications, but their potential for integrated power conversion has been unrealized. Read more

Ultra-Low Noise Oscillators Now Available in C and S Bands

Rakon has released three new products to its ultra low noise Oven Controlled SAW Oscillator (OCSO) range. LNO3200B3, LNO4800B3 and LNO5000B3 generate frequencies of 3.2GHz, 4.8GHz and 5 GHz respectively. The extended frequencies offer advanced performance and application flexibility. The OCSOs are ideal when low phase noise is required while operating at very high frequencies, such as required in ground based military equipment, radar and instrumentation applications. They are also highly compatible for use in the latest generation of high speed ADC/DACs, which require high frequency clocks with ultra-low jitter. Read more

Single SMD Antenna Caters to both LF and NFC Applications

PREMO, a developer of RFID automotive antennas, has launched a new 3D-coil with double functionality in both Low Frequency (125 kHz) and High Frequency applications (13.56 MHz). This innovative and extremely compact antenna has a high surface resistance NiZn ferrite core material (>10Mohm/mm) and medium initial permeability to work at high and low frequency. This provide a very stable performance in a wide range of temperature (-40ºC to +85ºC). The 2D1D15 Series, has the same format as 3DC15 (125kHz) transponder family and they can be provide with same mechanical performance: label, cap and/or foam.

The new 2D1D15 Series, provides 2D orthogonal coils designed for working at low frequency (standard 125 kHz) and a third orthogonal coil with this low frequency 2D which works at high frequency (standard 13.56 MHz).  Read more

Global LTE Subscriptions Cross 1 Billion

LTE subscriptions passed the 1 billion subscription mark during the final quarter of 2015 and are set to continue strong double-digit growth for the next five years, according to global analyst firm Ovum.

Ovum’s latest research reveals that the overall count is top heavy, with five countries accounting for nearly three-quarters of all subscriptions. China is by far the biggest driver for growth, accounting for half of net additions during the last quarter and 35% of the total. Read more

New u-blox multi-GNSS Platform Achieves Higher Level of Performance

u‑blox has announced the release of a new firmware, FW 3.01, for its u‑blox M8 concurrent multi‑GNSS platform. The M8 FW 3.01 now also supports Galileo, in addition to GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and SBAS.  It can track up to three constellations concurrently and makes use of all SBAS and QZSS augmentation systems at the same time. With Galileo fully deployed, the European positioning system will provide access to 24 additional satellites, thereby significantly increasing availability of GNSS signals and further improving position accuracy in challenging urban environments. u‑blox M8 supports Galileo‑based eCall, the European emergency call system, which will be required in new vehicles starting 2018. u‑blox M8 is also compliant with ERA‑GLONASS, eCall’s Russian equivalent. Read more

New Signal Analyzers Deliver Better User Experience with Enhanced Interface and Performance

Keysight Technologies has announced a new X-Series signal analyzers that provide significantly enhanced capabilities for developers creating next-generation devices. Most notable is a multi-touch user interface (UI) that streamlines measurement setup and creates a solid foundation for new solutions. The UI enables optimization of measurement parameters in no more than two touches. Support for gesture-driven controls, such as pinching, dragging and swiping, makes analysis more immediate and intuitive. With consistent operation across the UXA, PXA, MXA, EXA and CXA, learning one means knowing them all. In addition to the UI, performance improvements and feature enhancements address emerging needs in aerospace, defense and wireless communications. Read more

GaN Based AESA Radar Detects Drones, Planes & Missiles

Raytheon has recently completed a series of company-funded milestones to upgrade the combat-proven Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. The projected upgrade delivers 360-degree capability and keeps Patriot ahead of increasingly more sophisticated threats, such as aircraft, drones, and cruise and ballistic missiles.

The Patriot radar main array was enhanced with gallium nitride- (GaN) based, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. The same Raytheon engineers who completed those milestones are currently constructing a GaN-based AESA, full-size, main panel radar array. Read more

3G/2G Cellular Module Ideal for Tracking and IoT Applications

u‑blox has announced a new ultra compact SARA‑U201 3G/2G cellular module equipped with the latest 3G chipset for IoT applications. It measures just 16 x 26 x 3 mm, the 96‑pin LGA‑packaged SARA‑U201 is the smallest cellular module supporting both 2G and 3G connectivity.

Providing 5‑band UMTS, quad‑band GSM, and having global radio regulatory approvals, the voice and data capable SARA‑U201 is the ideal solution for a wide range of industrial, automotive telematics, and consumer applications  that must be able to operate on any 2G or 3G network in the world. Read more

Carbon Nanotubes Make Coaxial Cables Lighter

Common coaxial cables could be made 50 percent lighter with a new nanotube-based outer conductor developed by Rice University scientists. The Rice lab of Professor Matteo Pasquali has developed a coating that could replace the tin-coated copper braid that transmits the signal and shields the cable from electromagnetic interference. The metal braid is the heaviest component in modern coaxial data cables.

Replacing the outer conductor with Rice’s flexible, high-performance coating would benefit airplanes and spacecraft, in which the weight and strength of data-carrying cables are significant factors in performance.  Read more

Innovative Antenna System Transmits Radio Waves using Sea Water

Mitsubishi Electric has announced that it has developed an innovative antenna system, called SeaAerial, that shoots a column of seawater into the air to create a conductive plume for the transmission and reception of radio-frequency waves. The system can be easily implemented offshore or along shorelines. SeaAerial is thought to be the world's first seawater antenna capable of receiving digital terrestrial broadcasts for normal viewing.

A plume of seawater can be used as an antenna if it is insulated, so Mitsubishi Electric developed an insulated nozzle that transmits radio waves to the antenna even when the plume is physically connected to the sea surface. Read More