Top Stories of the Week - 4 Dec, 2015

First 5G, 2 Gbps Communication Link Spans 100 to 200 Meter Range

Keysight Technologies, in collaboration with The University of California, San Diego (UCSD), has demonstrated the world’s first 64 (8 x 8) and 256-element (16 x 16), 60-GHz silicon wafer-scale phased-array transmitter with integrated high-efficiency antennas for Gbps communications at 100 to 200 meters. With this demonstration, Keysight and UCSD have now proven that a 5G communication link is not only possible, but can deliver record performance.read more

Modelithics Launches RLC Library for ANSYS HFSS

Modelithics and ANSYS have collaborated under the Modelithics Vendor Partner (MVP) Program to make the advanced, substrate scalable, high accuracy parasitic models from Modelithics compatible with the latest version of ANSYS Electronics Desktop and ANSYS® HFSS™ electromagnetic (EM) simulation software.

The Modelithics® CLR Library for ANSYS HFSS has just been released and contains over 270 resistor, inductor and capacitor (RLC) component families as Microwave Global Models™.  These models represent nearly 9,000 RLC components from the leading vendors. Modelithics models are measurement-based equivalent circuit models that accurately predict substrate and pad parasitic effects on surface mount components over frequency. They offer part-value scalability, substrate scalability, pad scalability, orientation selectability, statistical analysis capability, EM co-simulation compatibility and thorough documentation.read more

Millimeter Wave Technology Market to Grow 10 Times over the Next 6 Years

The Global Millimeter Wave Technology market was valued at $0.19 billion in 2014 with CAGR of 40.07% it is expected to reach $7.14 billion by 2022. Increasing usage of Millimeter wave in small cell backhaul networks, demand for innovative applications in the radar and security applications, increasing demand for bandwidth intensive applications and consumer electronics applications are the major drivers for the market growth. However, environmental issues and limited range are limiting the market growth. North America has the largest market for MM wave technology and is expected to show a high growth rate during the forecast period. U.S. is expected to grow at a faster rate due to growing applications in the mobile & telecom sector.read more

Surface Mount Antenna Targets All LTE Bands

Antenova has launched a new SMD antenna for all LTE applications, including MIMO systems called Lucida. This antenna is the latest in the family of lamiiANT antennas which are manufactured from high grade dielectric constant laminate substrates.

While most LTE user devices in the United States operate in the 700 MHz band. LTE Technology in other regions operate at frequencies up to 2.7 GHz. The Lucida antenna has been designed to operate in all of the LTE and mobile bands: LTE 700, GSM 850, GSM 900, DCS 1800, PCS 1900, WCDMA 2100, LTE B7 (2500 – 2690 MHz, LTE B40 (2300-2400 MHz). This makes it suitable for use in 4G MiFi routers, Femto/Pico base stations, portable devices, remote monitoring, network devices, and wearable devices.

PMC-Sierra Finally Acquired by Microsemi for $2.5 Billion

Microsemi Corporation has entered a definitive agreement to acquire PMC-Sierra, Inc. for $2.5 Billion - $9.22 in cash and 0.0771 of a share of Microsemi common stock for each share of PMC common stock through an exchange offer. This represents a 77.4 percent percent premium to the closing price of PMC's stock as of Sept. 30, 2015.

PMC was originally offered $2 Billion from Skyworks solutions, which was followed by the offer from Microsemi for $2.5 Billion. After much debate and consideration, PMC decided to go with the offer from Microsemi. The termination of the initial agreement with Skyworks cost PMC $88.5 Million in termination fee.read more

IZT Introduces Over-the-Air Communication Test System

The largest European research organization for application-oriented research - Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, presented an Over-The-Air (OTA) wave field synthesis system for test and certification of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers at its Fraunhofer IIS Facility for Over the Air Research and Testing (FORTE) in Ilmenau. The innovative and complex OTA test system is mainly based on Hardware and Software solutions from IZT GmbH, like powerful RF receivers and high performance signal generators. The demonstrated setup to test GNSS receivers represents a new approach that in contrast to conventional conducted and open-field tests, realistically emulates real world scenarios under controllable and repeatable conditions. This enables the realistic comparison of receivers and algorithms. The OTA test system is cost-effective, flexible and scalable.read more

79 GHz Frequency Band Approved for Automotive Radar Applications Globally

Radio-frequency spectrum needed for the operation of short-range high-resolution automotive radar has been allocated in the 79 GHz frequency band. This decision was reached at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) meeting in Geneva which tool place from 2 to 27 November. The allocation of the 79 GHz frequency band provides a globally harmonized regulatory framework for automotive radar to prevent collisions, which will improve vehicular safety and reduce traffic accidents.read more

Harris Awarded $113 Million Contract for US Navy Radar Upgrade

Harris Corporation has received a four-year, $113 million contract from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to upgrade the Navy’s primary long-range, 3D defense radar. The SPS-48 radar provides an essential surveillance capability for the U.S. Navy, which faces growing and increasingly more complex threats.

The contract includes an initial $39 million order and three one-year options. The contract was received in the first quarter of Harris’ fiscal 2016. The radar is expected to remain in operation through the year 2050.read more

SeeWave Interference Hunting System Now Supports TD-LTE Networks

PCTEL has announced that its SeeWave® interference locating system now supports TD-LTE networks. SeeWave users can now hunt interference on any major cellular network in the world. SeeWave is a cost-effective solution for detecting external interference problems. With the latest version of SeeWave, TD-LTE operators in China, North America, and throughout the world can clear spectrum, locate interference sources, and improve data throughput on their networks.read more

Giga-tronics to Develop and License Threat Simulation Software with Lockheed Martin

Giga-tronics announced that they have entered into a strategic software licensing arrangement with Lockheed Martin to develop and license threat simulation software as a commercial product that brings advanced threat environment simulation capability to its new Advanced Signal Generator Hardware Platform. The Company expects to be shipping the Advanced Signal Generator with the new software package within 6 months. The Software and Hardware will be sold together as a Real-Time Threat Emulation System (Real-Time TEmS), for distribution to US customers only.read more