Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (15 - 19 June, 2020)

National Instruments is now NI

National Instruments has unveiled an updated brand identity including a new logo, visual identity, enhanced digital experiences and a brand campaign recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the engineers and enterprises who “Engineer Ambitiously™” every day.

Now known simply as NI, the company is recommitting itself to connecting the bold people, ideas and technologies required to push the world forward. And to share the stories of those who aim higher and go bigger, NI has launched Perspectives, a new experience starting with a message from NI CEO Eric Starkloff. Click here to read more.

DARPA Enabling Long-Range Communications without Large, Power-Hungry Antennas

The U.S. Military currently uses giant parabolic dishes, tall pole-mounted antennas, large antenna domes and high-power amplifiers to establish long-range tactical communication for its troops in remote locations. Although this method successfully establishes a connection, it has its own drawbacks, specifically in terms of weight, power and cost (SWAP-C). These antennas present large visual and radio frequency (RF) signatures and are vulnerable to jamming, and constitute a single point of failure.

To break this dependence on big antennas and amplifiers, DARPA recently announced the Resilient Networked Distributed Mosaic Communications (RN DMC) program. RN DMC aims to provide long-range communications through “mosaic” antennas composed of spatially distributed low SWaP-C transceiver elements or “tiles.” This approach replaces high-powered amplifiers and large directional antennas with mosaics of dispersed tile transceivers. Transmit power is distributed among the tiles, and gain is achieved through signal processing rather than by a physical antenna aperture to concentrate energy. Click here to read more.

Bloomberg Finds 5G Networks Across Asian Cities to be Patchy

The 5G networking hype has been in full force since Qualcomm declared “5G is here, and it’s time to celebrate” in February of last year. The reality, however, has required patience from consumers due to the time needed to roll out the new networks and the dearth of applications to put additional speed to compelling use.

A year after South Korea launched the world’s first full commercial 5G network and months after China opened the world’s biggest commercial 5G network, Bloomberg News reporters tested the leading carriers in both countries to see how far 5G has really gotten. Tests in Hong Kong and Tokyo also showed similar results -- gaps in coverage that could leave most early adopters waiting for networks to reach full speed. Click here to read more.

Reconfigurable mm-Wave Antenna Test Chambers for 5G and Radar Applications

mmWave Test Solutions, a leading provider of cost-effective test and measurement equipment to the mmWave market, has recently announced the AC1224M – a modular mmWave antenna test chamber for 5G and automotive radar applications. This device features built-in-class mm-Wave 100 mm or 300 mm pyramidal thick absorbers with excellent reflection properties across the 5G mmWave and automotive radar bands.

The user can reconfigure the chamber size (can make it 3, 5, 10 m long) as their needs evolve and make it bigger or split it into smaller chambers. Unlike a permanently installed test range or Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR), customers will not need to spend money to get a professional team of moving people to disassemble and relocate it.  Click here to read more.

GaN Based Micro-LED Achieves 7.7 GBPS Data Transmission Using LiFi Technology

CEA-Leti, a research institute for electronics and information technology has announced that its researchers have broken the throughput world record of 5.1 Gbps in visible light communications (VLC) using a single GaN blue micro-light-emitting diode (LED). Their data transmission rate of 7.7 Gbps achieved with a 10 µm microLED marks a big step toward commercialization and widespread use of LiFi communications.

• VLC, commonly called LiFi (short for "light fidelity"), is an emerging wireless communication system that offers an alternative or a complementary technology to radiofrequency (RF) systems such as WiFi and 5G. It is considered to be a promising technology for security-related applications because light propagation can be confined to a room with no information leakage, as opposed to WiFi communication, which penetrates walls. LiFi also holds promise for ultra-highspeed data transmission in environments where RF emissions are controlled, like hospitals, schools, and airplanes. 
• Single microLED communications offer an ultra-high data-transmission rate for a variety of opportunities for new applications. These include industrial wireless high-speed links in demanding environments such as assembly lines and data centers, and contact-less connectors, or chip-to-chip communication. But their weak optical power limits their applications to short-range communications. In contrast, matrices of thousands of micro LEDs contain higher optical powers than open mid- and long-range applications. However, preserving the bandwidth of each microLED within a matrix requires that each signal has to be brought as close as possible to the micro-optical source.
 Click here to read more.

Vaunix Releases 64x8 Digital Matrix Attenuator Handover Test System for 5G MIMO Testing

Vaunix Technology Corporation, a leading provider of portable and programmable RF/microwave test devices, has launched the Vaunix 64x8 Digital Matrix Attenuator Handover Test System. The VMA-Q64X8SE is a digital matrix attenuator system that is ideally suited for research labs conducting automated handover, and MIMO performance analysis, and product verification testing. It is available for a fraction of the cost of competitive rack mount matrix attenuators and handover test systems.

The VMA-Q64X8SE Digital Matrix Attenuator Handover Test System offers complete 64x8 matrix attenuator functionality in a single unit eliminating the need for users to struggle with integrating multiple 8x8, 16x8, or 32x8 matrix attenuators. The compact size of this unit also saves valuable rack and bench space compared to competitive units. Now handover and MIMO testing of complex 5G, WiFi, and Satcom antenna modules is easier and quicker than ever. Click here to read more.

AdauraTech's Multi-Channel Programmable Attenuators Now Support Wi-Fi 6E Bands and PoE

Adaura Technologies has announced that its programmable AD-USB R3 RF attenuators now fully support next-generation WiFi 6E. This new flagship model series is capable of covering frequencies from 50 MHz up to 8 GHz - well in excess of the recently FCC-approved unlicensed band extending to 7.125 GHz.

Along with USB and Ethernet connectivity, the 1, 2, 4 and 8-channel devices feature a step size of 0.25 dB, and a robust attenuation range up to 95 dB. Unique to its rich feature set is the addition of Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality. This means that the R3 series attenuators can be powered and controlled by a single Ethernet cable, adding flexibility and simplicity to networked test setups. Click here to read more.

Calian Introduces a New Spectrum Analyzer with Signal Analysis Capabilities

The Calian Group Ltd. has commercially released the Decimator D4, the fourth generation of its spectrum analyzer product line designed to monitor radio frequency (RF) communications and detect signal issues.

The Decimator D4 is a new hardware platform that includes all features of the Decimator D3 with several new capabilities. Its most significant new feature is the signal analysis capability which complements other functionality of the spectrum analyzer. Powered by a new signal processing engine, the Decimator D4 demodulates and decodes satellite signals, allowing a deeper inspection and analysis of the signals than a traditional spectrum display. The feature proactively identifies issues in the network before they manifest as a failure. Click here to read more.

Anritsu & Bluetest Introduce OTA Test Solution for 5G FR1/FR2 Mobile Terminals

Anritsu Corporation has enhanced its partnership with Bluetest AB of Sweden offering a new unified test solution for Over the Air (OTA) measurement of 5G mobile terminals. Anritsu and Bluetest have worked together previously on LTE/5G FR1 (Sub-6 GHz band) OTA measurements, but this enhanced partnership combines Bluetest's RTS65 OTA Reverberation Test System equipped with a new Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) option and Anritsu's MT8000A RF measurement test platform for 5G mobile terminals to implement new 5G FR2 (mmWave) OTA measurements.

Before this solution, a separate OTA chamber was required for each LTE/5G FR1 and 5G FR2 OTA measurement, but this unified solution facilitates both measurements using just one chamber, resulting in lower costs for LTE/5G terminal developers as well as for operator Communication Acceptance Tests (CAT) in an LTE/5G OTA test environment; the unified smaller system also saves valuable laboratory space. Click here to read more.

Airbus Introduces SATCOM On-The-Move Solution for Military Applications

Communications are important for all military operations. However, when operating in areas where there is no line-of-sight link available, SATCOM becomes vital. SATCOM-on-the-move solutions enable the military to communicate while they are on the move in vehicles. Airbus Secure Communications, a division of Airbus Defence & Space, has announced the release of a land-based SATCOM On The Move solution (OTM-T) that offers constant communication link through a secure connection for operational units in field. The solution offers engaged units in operation a secure broadband connection with high availability to exchange videos, voice and operational flows in fast moving circumstances.

The Airbus solution is a dual-band system, which is compact, measuring around 800 mm in diameter and 400 mm in height, and lightweight less than 60 kg, which can easily be integrated into an armored vehicle. It uses two antennas with radiant panels assembled on top of one another. One antenna uses X-Band, while the other uses the Mil-Ka band and is sheltered by a ballistic radome to protect it from small gauge weapons. The X-Band Antenna operates from 7.25 GHz to 7.75 GHz (Space to Earth) and 7.9 GHz to 8.4 GHz (Earth to Space), while the Mil-Ka band antenna uses operates at 20/30 GHz.  Click here to read more.

Altum RF Introduces LNA Demo Boards for 5G mm-Wave and 24 GHz ISM Applications

Altum RF, a supplier of high-performance millimeter-wave to digital semiconductor solutions, is now offering four different demo boards for the evaluation of four low noise amplifiers/driver amplifiers for 5G millimeter-wave (24-30 GHz and 37-40 GHz) and 24 GHz applications. These GaAs amplifiers are designed for high efficiency and RF performance.

All parts are internally matched to 50 Ω with ESD protection. They are easy to use, has a single-positive bias of 3.3 V, and packaged in a standard 2.5×2.5mm plastic QFN package. ARF1200Q2 and ARF1201Q2 are also suitable for other 24 GHz ISM applications. Click here to read more.

New Narda STS Personal Monitor Detects Electromagnetic Fields up to 60 GHz

Narda STS has introduced a new Personal Monitor to monitor electromagnetic field levels. Narda RadMan 2, the successor to Narda STS’ two decades old all-time best selling Personal Monitor, continues to be an essential part of the personal safety equipment (PSE) of everyone who needs to work in or around electromagnetic fields (EMF). Developed and manufactured in Germany.

Narda STS, has equipped this new device with intelligent features while retaining the old qualities and has made it considerably less expensive to buy. The frequency range of the device has been extended to 60 GHz. As a result, some well-known cellphone network providers have equipped large numbers of their workforce with the RadMan 2. Click here to read more.

Ericsson Mobility Report Shows Mobile Networks’ Crucial Role During COVID-19 Pandemic

The spread of COVID-19 has prompted people all over the world to change their daily routines and, in many cases, work or study from home. This has led to a rapid shift in network traffic from business to residential areas. The latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that mobile and fixed networks are increasingly playing an even bigger part of critical national infrastructure.

Ericsson expects the global number of 5G subscriptions to top 190 million by the end of 2020 and 2.8 billion by the end of 2025. 5G will account for 18 percent of all mobile subscriptions by 2025.These forecasts are included in the June 2020 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, along with projections for data traffic growth, and regional subscriptions. Click here to read more.

MIPI Alliance Updates the RF Front End Interface Standard to Aid Successful 5G Rollouts

The MIPI Alliance, the international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has released the new MIPI RF Front End Control Interface (MIPI REFE) v3.0. The latest version of the world’s de facto standard interface for control of radio frequency (RF) front-end (FE) subsystems, MIPI RFFE v3.0 is designed to deliver the tighter timing precision and reduced latencies that manufacturers need today to advance the rollout of 5G around the world.

Features in v3.0 bring significant new capabilities to the well-established MIPI specification. Since its initial release a decade ago, RFFE has been deployed in billions of devices, in virtually every device with cellular connectivity including handsets, smartwatches and automobiles, to name a few. Click here to read more.