Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (18 - 22 Nov, 2019)

High-Precision Testing Chamber for Development of Next Gen Automotive Radar Chips

At productronica 2019, Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) introduced an automotive radar test chamber for far-field testing. The R&S ATS1500C was showcased in combination with the latest R&S AREG100A automotive radar echo generator for precise radar target simulation at various distances. Together, they form a unique and innovative indirect far-field testing solution for reliable and reproducible verification of radar sensors throughout the R&D and validation phase in a user-friendly and extremely compact lab setup.

Automotive radar is one of the key technologies that drives progress in the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) needed for future generations of driverless vehicles. The R&S ATS1500C features a high accurate compact antenna test range (CATR) reflector, generating a 30 cm diameter quiet zone for testing in the frequency range from 77 - 81 GHz. Its high-precision 3D tilt-tilt positioner permits testing of premium automotive radars. A carefully designed absorber layout eliminates ghost targets during simulation. Click here to read more.

FCC Looking to Allocate the 5.9 GHz Band for Wi-Fi and Automotive C-V2X Applications

The US FCC (Federal Communications Commission), in a recent meeting, has proposed the allocation of specific portions of the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed device use and automotive communications technologies. As announced by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, while the lower 45 MHz of the band will be allocated for unlicensed uses like Wi-Fi, the upper 20 MHz will be kept for new automotive communications technology, Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X).

Back in 1999, the FCC had allocated 75 MHz of spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band for a service called Dedicated Short-Range Communications. Commonly known as DSRC, this technology was intended to enable ubiquitous transportation and vehicle-related communications, but, the results haven’t matched that intent. The technology has evolved slowly, has not been widely deployed and now also faces stiff competition from a wave of new transportation communication technologies that have emerged in the recent years. Click here to read more.

Keysight Achieves 3GPP Validation for C-V2X RF Conformance Test Cases

Keysight Technologies has achieved 3GPP validation for the industry’s first cellular vehicle-to-everything communications (C-V2X) RF conformance test case. With this test, Keysight will be able to help the automotive industry accelerate commercialization of connected cars and autonomous vehicles.

Performance validation of C-V2X is crucial for C-V2X certification and commercialization. 3GPP validation of Keysight’s conformance test case enables the C-V2X connected ecosystem to achieve performance compliance with the specifications of the 3GPP standards, both for Release 14 and 5G-NR Release 16. The test case validation was achieved using Keysight’s 5G RF and Radio Resource Management (RRM) DVT & Conformance Toolset and the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset platform, which is designed to deliver precise positioning, efficient processing and security capabilities. Click here to read more.

5G Infrastructure Investments to Boost the 5G Small Cell Market to $6.8 Billion

According to a recent report by Allied Market Research, the global 5G small cell network market is expected to reach $6.87 billion in revenue by 2026, rising from $344 million in 2018 at a CAGR of 45.3% from 2019 to 2026. According to the report, rise in network densification, growing mobile data traffic, emergence of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band, and surge in investment in 5G infrastructure by several economies have boosted the growth of the global small cell 5G network market.

However, small cell deployment challenges and concerns related to fiber backhaul are the factors that hamper the market growth. On the contrary, emergence of Internet of Things (IoT), and rise in demand for ultra-reliable low latency communications are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the near future. Click here to read more.

Plextek Defense Integrates Miniature Radar in Drones to Detect Hostile Drones

Defense technology experts, Plextek-DTS (Defence Technology Solutions) have been awarded two contracts as part of the £2 million Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition to develop new capabilities that can detect, disrupt, and defeat the hostile and malicious use of drones.

The first project focuses on the development of innovative signal detection and jamming capabilities to detect and defeat hostile drones while ensuring that non-hostile systems in the vicinity are not affected. The second project focuses on the development of a miniature radar that can be integrated into airborne drones in order to detect, track and accurately target hostile drones. Click here to read more.

Resonant Partners with Teledyne to Develop Wide-Bandwidth RF Filter Solutions

RF Front-End solutions expert, Resonant Inc, has announced a partnership agreement with Teledyne Scientific & Imaging to develop manufacturing processes for high frequency, wide bandwidth RF filter solutions. Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, is a technology leader in high performance compound semiconductor devices and integrated circuits, ceramic and functional materials, efficient real-time information processing algorithms, and optical sensors and assemblies.

Teledyne's advanced capabilities in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and micromachining technologies make it the perfect foundry to partner with on the development of manufacturing processes of our high frequency, wide bandwidth RF filter solutions. Click here to read more.

Dual-Channel A/D & D/A Data Converter for Wideband Communication & Radar Applications

Pentek has introduced a dual channel analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter with sample rates up to 6.4 GHz. The Model 54141A is part of the Jade family of data converter 3U VPX modules based on the Xilinx Kintex Ultrascale FPGA. Programmable DDCs (digital down-converters) and DUCs (digital up-converters) support connections to IF or RF signals.

The Model 54141A combines Pentek’s 71141 XMC module with a 3U VPX carrier, yielding a powerful, forward-looking package for very wideband communications or radar applications that require advanced I/O resources. Not only does it comply with the VITA 65.0 3U VPX specification, it also offers flexible analog and digital interface options for the VPX P2 backplane connector to meet system-specific requirements. In addition to its PCIe Gen.3x8 interface on the VPX P1 connector, it is possible to add up to 8 more gigabit serial lanes connected directly to the FPGA for supporting user-installed protocols. Click here to read more.

New Antenna Technology Enables Extremely Fast 5G and 6G Connections

5G Technology makes it possible to transmit extreamly high datarates and enable fast connections to make autonomous driving, smart cities and various other applications for connected devices a reality. But the fastest form of 5G requires very fast connections within the network, which only works at short distances and that is a problem. To address this problem, the researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have developed a new antenna technology, making long-distance communication possible for this fast form of 5G and its successor, 6G. The first practical test was recently carried out from the roof of two buildings on the TU/e campus and proved successful.

The next generation of wireless networks, 5G, is expected to be rolled out commercially in 2020. This first phase, using relatively low frequencies, is slightly faster than 4G. But when this technology moves to using mm-Wave frequencies, then the data rates supported will be much higher. This is why efforts are being made towards a form of 5G that works at much higher frequencies – 26 GHz, to be precise. The capacity then immediately increases by a factor of 100, which is required for self-driving cars (for example).

This increase in speed will require a similar increase in the capacity of the connections between the base stations of the network. Very high frequencies (80 GHz) will be used for these connections. The problem with sending signals at these high frequencies is that they are only strong enough at a very short distance.

For a number of years, work has been carried out at TU/e on antennas that enable signals at these high frequencies (and even higher, such as 6G) over longer distances. The technology uses a constellation of electronically-controlled antennas, which electronically steer the radio beams in the right direction, combined with a dish antenna to focus the energy and increase the distance. Through spin-off MaxWaves, the technology has been further developed into a demonstrator – the first step towards a prototype.

The antennas bundle multiple signals into a very narrow, strong beam of radio waves, similar to a laser beam. The result is a signal strength 100 times higher than current techniques, which means that a distance five times greater can be achieved on a sunny day.

The high-frequency signals require the transmitting and receiving antennas to be precisely aligned with each other under all weather conditions. This newly developed system aligns the signals electronically so that the antennas don’t have to move mechanically.

The system was recently tested for the first time in practice. A connection was successfully established with the antennas from the roof of two buildings on the TU Eindhoven campus. The next step is to now build a prototype.

 Click here to read more.

Sprint Using Keysight’s 5G Emulation Solutions

Keysight Technologies has announced that Sprint, the U.S. mobile operator, has selected their 5G network emulation solutions to validate the performance of 5G new radio (NR) mobile devices, accelerating the U.S. 5G commercial deployment of fixed wireless access (FWA) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) applications.

This collaboration leverages Keysight’s 5G Protocol and RF Carrier Acceptance Toolsets – part of the company’s suite of 5G network emulation solutions – to optimize the end-users’ experience while accessing 5G services on the mobile operator’s network. In addition, the collaboration has resulted in a carrier-specific test plan covering both protocol and radio frequency (RF) tests in frequency range 1 (FR1). The test plan supports a wide range of use cases and mobility scenarios, including voice calls, access to data-intensive applications and battery life to ensure new 5G NR devices deliver a superior subscriber experience. Click here to read more.

Compact, Light-Weight Antennas to Help Evaluate Living Conditions on Mars

To study extreme conditions related to Dust storms, ionizing cosmic radiation, and extreme cold at night on Mars, the research team of Christophe Craeye, a professor at the UCLouvain School of Engineering, developed antennas for the ‘LaRa’ measuring instrument (Lander Radioscience), which will go to Mars in 2020. The LaRa Measuring Instrument will help research life stability on Mars to help define the conditions that will make the red planet livable.

LaRa uses an X-band antenna to communicate with the Earth. The Doppler shifts are measured from the Doppler tracking observations called "Two-way" by comparing the frequency of the radio signal received from LaRa with the frequency of a ground-based reference signal. It is designed to obtain an optimal antenna gain centered on an elevation (angle of the line-of-sight from Lander to Earth) of about 35-45 degrees. Click here to read more.

Zigbee Alliance Augments its Green Power Program for Smart Home/Building Installations

The Zigbee Alliance has announced new branding and certification measures for its existing Green Power feature, which is based on energy-harvesting technology and part of the flagship Zigbee PRO standard. The new brand treatment – designed to easily identify reliable, cost-saving products utilizing Zigbee technology – denotes IoT devices featuring Green Power to save time, budget, and energy when it comes to wireless lighting for big installations.

New Logo, Updated Certification Process Click here to read more.

Anritsu Leads with Over 200 Approved 5G Carrier Acceptance Test Cases

Anritsu has announced that it has become the leader in both 5G protocol and RF carrier acceptance test coverage for a Tier 1 US Operator. Anritsu has achieved leading 5G protocol coverage with more than 200 test cases now available. Anritsu claims that its main competitor (Keysight) is validated for 81% of Anritsu’s total. Thus Anritsu is able to offer device manufacturers a significant advantage to use their carrier acceptance test solutions.

In addition, Anritsu leads test vendors in 5G protocol carrier acceptance tests across US operators. This makes them the first test vendor to exceed 300 cumulative test cases for US operators, with nearly a 10% advantage over the nearest competitor, and with more test cases than the top two competitors combined.

Anritsu has also achieved 100% coverage of FR1 and FR2 RF carrier acceptance tests (CAT) for Tier 1 US operators. As the only fully approved test equipment vendor for 5G RF CAT, Anritsu's leadership means it is the only supplier to cover all FR1 and FR2 RF test cases for devices entering the operator's ecosystem. Anritsu's 100% coverage across FR1 and FR2 offers a significant advantage over other approved vendor's offerings (77% coverage).

For both Protocol and RF, FR1/Sub-6GHz capability is provided by Anritsu's Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A which provides mobile-terminal vendors requiring efficient tests with good cost-performance covering a wide range of conditions. RF FR2/mmWave capability is supplied by the same MT8000A in Anritsu’s New Radio RF Conformance Test System ME7873NR which also includes Anritsu’s CATR Anechoic Chamber MA8172A. Protocol FR2/mmWave capability is supplied by the same MT800A in Anritsu’s 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR which also includes Anritsu’s RF Chamber MA8171A.

New Radio RF Conformance Test System ME7873NR

The ME7873NR is an automated system for 3GPP TS38.521/TS38.533-defined 5G NR RF/RRM tests. It supports both planned 5G NR Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) modes, while combination with Anritsu’s 5G over-the-air (OTA) CATR Anechoic Chamber MA8172A covers all 5G frequency bands, including not only Sub-6 GHz but also mmWave. The flexible system configuration can be customized easily for the measurement conditions while also supporting LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, and W-CDMA RF tests, as well as carrier acceptance tests (CAT). An upgrade from the LTE-Advanced RF Conformance Test System ME7873LA to add 5G support offers customers a cost-effective RF test system meeting required test conditions.

5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR

The ME7834NR is a test platform for 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies (RAT). It supports 5G NR in both Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) mode, in addition to LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, and W-CDMA. When combined with Anritsu’s new OTA RF Chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR covers the sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G frequency bands.

Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A

The MT8000A is an all-in-one test platform for RF, Protocol, and Beam tests, as well as for beam-forming evaluations. In addition to supporting functions for simulating base-station NSA and SA modes required for the development of 5G chipsets and terminals, it also supports the latest technologies, such as 4x4 MIMO for increasing data transmission speeds in the Sub-6 GHz band as well as 8CC for implementing wideband mmWave.

The MT8000A covers the key frequency bands used by the first 5G services, such as the Sub-6 GHz band (FR1) frequencies of 600 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 4.5 GHz, etc., and the mmWave band (FR2) frequencies of 28 GHz, 39 GHz, etc.

The easy-to-use interface coupled with comprehensive RF measurement, protocol test, and NR fading software makes it easy to configure a reasonably priced cost-effective test environment. For more information, click here.

Dual-Loop Coupler for Microwave Power Monitoring in Space Constraint Applications

Link Microtek has introduced a new miniature narrowband dual-loop coupler that enables designers to incorporate forward and reverse power monitoring in military or commercial microwave systems that are subject to tight space constraints. 

The AM90CD-LP dual loop coupler has flange dimensions of 41.5 x 41.5 mm and a waveguide length of just 33.6mm. The device is an ideal alternative to much larger conventional broadband couplers. It features rugged construction and is particularly suitable for airborne applications as it is fabricated from lightweight aluminum and can be pressurized up to 30psig if required. Click here to read more.