Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (16

Menlo Micro Introduces the Industry’s Highest Power Density RF Switch

Menlo Micro has started production of the first high performance RF switch (MM5130) manufactured with their proprietary Ideal Switch™ technology. The Ideal Switch™ technology eliminates compromises and trade-offs by combining the benefits of electromechanical and solid-state switches into the best of both worlds.

The MM5130 is designed to handle 25W with ultra-low losses, in a miniaturized wafer-level chip-scale-package (WL-CSP). Historically, this level of performance has been reserved for large RF mechanical relays, which have major drawbacks. With its Ideal Switch™ technology, Menlo Micro has eliminated the compromises that engineers have had to make when selecting between RF mechanical relays and solid-state switches. The MM5130 offers the power handling and RF performance of an electromechanical relay (compared below), with the size, reliability, and speed of a solid-state switch. Click here to read more.

Teledyne e2v Introduces 12-bit ADC that Can Directly Sample 26 GHz Signals

Teledyne e2v has successfully demonstrated next-generation data converter technology that its engineering team is currently in the process of testing. Representing a new milestone in the progression of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), the 12-bit EV12PS640 complements Teledyne e2v’s recently announced microwave digital-to-analog converter (DAC) devices, the EV12DD700. This pioneering ADC proof of concept can deliver performance parameters that are beyond the scope of anything currently on the market. Supporting 11 GSamples/s operation, it can achieve super-high frequency (SHF) direct sampling – reaching into the Ka frequency band (26 GHz and above).

Direct microwave sampling has numerous benefits. Firstly, it eliminates the need for frequency translation, which means that the risk of signal distortion occurring is reduced considerably. Next, it offers software-defined versatility across multiple frequency bands up to Ka. This means that systems are much easier to optimize for different application scenarios, as well as providing a platform for them to be reconfigured on the fly. Through a direct microwave sampling approach, it is possible to streamline data conversion hardware significantly. Teledyne e2v is introducing, for the first time, 50 Ohm single-ended inputs (for both clock and analog inputs). This thereby suppresses the need for a balun, resulting in a lower bill-of-materials and associated real estate savings. It is thus easier to interface with the RF system (which is classically working under 50 Ohms characteristic impedance). Click here to read more.

Xilinx and Texas Instruments Collaborate to Develop Energy Efficient 5G Radio Solutions

Xilinx has announced a collaboration with Texas Instruments (TI) to develop scalable and adaptable digital front-end (DFE) solutions to increase the energy efficiency of lower antenna count radios. The solutions leverage Xilinx's adaptable IP to enhance the RF performance and improve the power efficiency of indoor and outdoor radio applications. By combining Xilinx's industry-leading Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC family and adaptable RF IP with the AFE7769 quad-channel RF transceiver from TI, developers can better address the OPEX and CAPEX concerns of large operators and private networks.

The next generation of LTE and 5G small cells will need to address many new and evolving requirements. This is driving the need for new functionality in the radio due to the need to support wider bandwidths and new use cases including enhanced Mobile Broadband, Massive Machine Type Communication, and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication. Having a radio platform that can adapt and scale to support these new use cases is critical for developers. Click here to read more.

Movandi Introduces 5G Solutions for All Major mmWave Bands

Movandi, a leader in new 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) networks, has introduced a new family of mmWave production ready solutions and is accelerating global 5G market trials. Based on the second generation of Movandi’s innovative BeamX mmWave technology, these comprehensive 5G solutions now cover all major licensed mmWave bands in the global market including 24/26/28/39 GHz frequencies for repeaters, ORAN, small cells, CPE and mobile.

A major challenge for 5G deployments today is that the available sub-6-GHz spectrum does not support the latency and throughput required to deliver the optimal performance and services required by advanced applications and simultaneous users. Current sub-6-GHz 5G networks provide minimal improvement over existing 4G LTE networks and fail to deliver on the promise of 5G coverage, performance and latency in dense urban environments and crowded event venues. To realize the full value and benefits of 5G, operators must deploy mmWave solutions at scale. Movandi has responded to the challenge by delivering the first mmWave RF front-end solutions and smart active repeaters that enable the high performance, broad coverage and high availability end users expect from 5G networks. Click here to read more.

Xiaomi Using Qorvo Front End Solutions for its Wi-Fi 6 Router

As a leader in RF technologies, Qorvo offers unique insights on Wi-Fi 6 router solutions. Xiaomi recently launched the AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 router for which they partnered with Qorvo to leverage their RF technology and Wi-Fi 6 expertise to overcome some key challenges. Wi-Fi 6 technology and the products it powers are gaining traction in the market. This is especially true of the router market, which is poised to reach USD $14.4 billion by 2025, according to Market Insight Reports. Major providers see Wi-Fi 6 as a significant way to boost router performance, and they're making considerable efforts to get them to market quickly. The competition among them is fierce.

Signal coverage and stability, along with price, are the primary factors that end-users consider when choosing a router. Much of this relies on the router's RF front-end performance, and therefore selecting the right RF front-end solution is key to outperforming the competition. Click here to read more.

R&S and Rosenberger Verify Automotive Ethernet Speed as per the OPEN Alliance TC9 Specification

Test and measurement specialist Rohde & Schwarz, and connector / cable assembly manufacturer Rosenberger have successfully demonstrated compliance testing for MultiGBASE-T1 supporting 2.5/5/10GBASE-T1 automotive Ethernet speeds, based on the OPEN Alliance TC9 working group test specification. This development enables vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers to have confidence in the performance of future, high-speed in-vehicle networks.

Automotive applications such as ADAS are driving in-vehicle network speeds higher, bringing a challenge to car manufacturers and component suppliers to ensure correct performance of the communication channel and avoid EMI issues. The TC9 group of the OPEN Alliance recently released the first version of a specification for testing components, link segments, and the entire Ethernet channel for fully-shielded 1000BASE-T1 and 2.5/5/10GBASE-T1. The specification defines various RF performance parameters to be tested, for example, insertion loss, return loss, and cross-talk. This also includes requirements on the measurement fixtures, where Rosenberger offers a complete portfolio for a large variety of connector types – all designed and fully verified according to TC9. Click here to read more.

Ranatec Introduces 8×8 Butler Matrix with Support for Multichannel MIMO Testing up To 8 GHz

Ranatec, a part of the Qamcom Group and a leading supplier of unique Test and Measurement equipment for niche RF and Microwave applications, announced that it has added the Ranatec RI 3101 8×8 Butler Matrix to its product portfolio. The enhanced RF design represents the Ranatec benchmark for innovation that enables wireless tech companies to perform enhanced testing and qualify their most progressive products.

The Ranatec Butler Matrix delivers a wide operational bandwidth for frequencies from 2.4 to 8.0 GHz. Based on cutting-edge Scandinavian technology, the RI 3101 is designed to perform over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi bands of operation. In addition, the product is also a valuable tool for testing of wireless products operating on the Wi-Fi extended frequency band up to 7.125 GHz. Click here to read more.

Orolia Introduces M-Code Enabled Mobile Timing & Sync Solutions

Orolia, through its Orolia Defense & Security business, has announced the availability of M-Code Military GPS receivers in its Resilient PNT products and solutions, including M-Code enabled mobile mission timing and synchronization platforms.

M-Code capabilities further enhance Orolia’s Versa mobile PNT platform for rugged, small SWaP-C requirements and Orolia’s flagship SecureSync® resilient time and frequency reference solution - the first Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) approved time server. Click here to read more.

VIAVI Introduces 5G-NR and 4G LTE Enhancements to its Cell Site Installation and Maintenance Tool

Viavi Solutions has made enhancements to the VIAVI OneAdvisor-800 all-in-one tool to streamline cell site maintenance of 5G and 4G technologies. The OneAdvisor-800 is an All-in-one cell site installation and maintenance test tool for fiber, coax, and RF. With the addition of 5G NR and 4G LTE signal analyzer functionality to the award-winning OneAdvisor-800, field technicians can efficiently deploy, integrate, and troubleshoot today's multi-technology networks with a single instrument.

Even as communications service providers (CSPs) face mounting pressure to deliver on the promise of 5G, demand still exists to maintain and deploy essential LTE services. The VIAVI OneAdvisor-800 consolidates all key 5G and 4G cell site installation and integration tests, with support for fiber, coaxial cable, PIM detection, fronthaul, and spectrum/signal analysis. In addition to the efficiency of an all-in-one device, built-in automated workflows guide technicians through each test process and automatically store test results, further streamlining cell site certification and optimization. Click here to read more.

Keysight Introduces Performance Test Solution for Benchmarking 5G Devices and Base Stations

Keysight Technologies has introduced a new performance test solution that enables mobile operators to automatically benchmark and evaluate performance of 5G new radio (NR) devices and base stations in a laboratory environment.

Keysight's Performance Benchmarking Solution for Lab Networks enables mobile operators to flexibly, confidently, and cost-effectively evaluate how 5G devices and 5G base stations will perform in a live 5G NR network environment as new models, features and versions become available. The versatile test solution combines Keysight's Nemo Outdoor 5G NR Drive Test Solution, Nemo 5G Device Analytics software, and PathWave Test Automation, a test sequencer built on OpenTAP, an open source test automation engine, and complemented with a wide range of test cases to create an automated test environment. Click here to read more.

Imec Launches Research Program for Development of Scalable and Energy-Efficient 6G Technologies

Imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, launched a research program that aims to lay the groundwork for next-gen mobile communications at the Japan installment of the ITF 2020 technology Forum. Dubbed ‘Advanced RF’, imec’s pre-competitive research initiative focuses on creating a roadmap beyond 5G device technology.

One of the paths that the imec researchers plan to explore includes the use of a hybrid III-V/CMOS approach to energy-efficiently and cost-effectively accommodate the very high bandwidths enabled by radio frequencies above 100 GHz. Focusing on concrete proof points, imec and its partners will present prototypes that show this approach’s potential. Imec will tap into its broad expertise in the connectivity space to realize the program’s targets – combining its system, circuit, and network knowledge with its semiconductor know-how, both in the digital and analog domains. Click here to read more.

Nokia, Elisa and Qualcomm Achieve 5G Speeds of 8 Gbps in Finland

Nokia, Elisa and Qualcomm Technologies have achieved the world’s fastest 5G speeds on a commercial network in Finland by delivering speeds of 8 Gbps while serving two 5G mmWave devices connected to the network simultaneously. The fast speed, which was showcased at Elisa’s flagship store in Helsinki, Finland, will support a range of new low-latency, high-bandwidth services, such as high-speed video downloads, mission-critical or virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications. The 5G service is expected to be implemented in 2021.

The milestone was achieved by utilizing Nokia’s 5G mmWave technology and Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G smartphone form factor test devices over Elisa’s commercial 5G network. The high speed enables more high-bandwidth and latency-sensitive enterprise services, such as remotely controlled devices for industrial needs or mission-critical applications. The solution will also allow subscribers to enjoy unparalleled VR/AR experiences offered to audiences in massive stadium concerts, downloading 4K video content or triple-A games in a matter of seconds, as well as enabling enhanced capacity fixed wireless access connectivity as a fiber broadband alternative. The move supports Elisa’s pioneering efforts to digitize Finnish society as a global leader in 5G services. Click here to read more.

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Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (16 - 20 Nov, 2020)