Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (29 July

Skyworks Unveils High Reliability LNA's for Military and Space Applications

Skyworks has unveiled its latest high-reliability low noise amplifiers for demanding military and space applications that have stringent operating requirements. The SKYH22001 and SKYH22002 are hermetically sealed, broadband low-noise and impedance-matched amplifiers that can function in harsh environments and be leveraged in a multitude of communication platforms. With all peripheral components integrated into an optimized ceramic QFN package, these devices simplify the design process and reduce board space while delivering robust performance for next generation aerospace and defense applications such as satellites and avionics systems.

According to an estimate from BCC Research, the global satellite communications market, one segment of the aerospace and defense industry, is estimated to reach nearly $7.5 billion by 2022, up from nearly $4.6 billion in 2017, or a compounded annual growth rate of 11 percent. Click here to read more.

New Budget-Friendly RF Vector Signal Generator for IoT Applications

Keysight Technologies has unveiled a new high performance, low cost RF signal generator for engineers designing IoT and general-purpose devices. The new CXG X-Series RF Vector Signal Generator (CXG) operates from 9 kHz to 3/6 GHz with up to 120 MHz of RF modulation bandwidth covering most consumer wireless application testing requirements.

IoT and general-purpose R&D and design validation (DVT) engineers need to keep up with today’s expanding consumer electronics market. They want an economic and versatile test and measurement system that can handle a diverse set of consumer electronic devices and deliver the performance required to generate receiver tests across different wireless standards. Click here to read more.

US Private Equity Firm Acquires Cobham for $5 Billion

US-based private equity firm, Advent International has acquired UK’s leading aerospace and defense company, Cobham plc for a total sum of USD $5 billion. Advent has agreed on offering 165 pounds in cash for each Cobham share representing a 50% premium to the three-month average price. In lieu of the acquisition deal, shares in Cobham jumped 35% to just above the offer price, the highest since March 2016. The deal will be part funded by about 2.5 billion pounds of debt.

Cobham, a leading provider of electronic warfare systems and communications for military vehicles, had a string of profit warnings in 2016 and 2017, forcing it to raise cash from shareholders. The company had then embarked on a turnaround strategy two and half years ago, focusing on improving the company’s financial and operating performance. According to company CEO, David Lockwood, the offer now reflects the potential for future growth and improving performance and is an endorsement of the company’s turnaround strategy and hard working staff. Click here to read more.

Akoustis Starts Pre-Production of 5.6 GHz WiFi BAW Filter

Akoustis Technologies has locked the design for its new 5.6 GHz WiFi BAW filter and is currently manufacturing pre-production units. The AKF-1256 is a high performance, high-frequency coexistence filter that operates at 5.6 GHz in the unlicensed spectrum for high-speed WiFi.

When paired with the Company’s existing 5.2 GHz WiFi filter product (AKF-1252), Akoustis now offers the first commercially available tandem BAW coexistence micro-filter solution covering both the 5.2 GHz and 5.6 GHz frequency bands for tri-band WiFi routers and other devices. The 5.6 GHz filter shares the same XBAW wafer process, backend package and supply chain as the 5.2 GHz WiFi filter. Click here to read more.

Marki Microwave Now Provides Downloadable 3D CAD Models for all Recommended Products

Based on popular demand, Marki Microwave, is now providing free-to-download 3D CAD models for all of its recommended products.

Available in STP, DXF, and DWG formats these files are compatible with AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS and other 3D CAD software and include accurate package dimensions and connector locations. For all other products, including Marki’s legacy components, the company is having 2D models in DXF and DWG file formats available upon request. Click here to read more.

Russia & China to Cooperate on GLONASS and BeiDou Usage

The Russian Federation Council, at a recent plenary session, has officially validated the agreement with China under which the countries will co-operate on using their respective satellite navigation systems, i.e. Russia’s GLONASS and China’s BeiDou, for peaceful purposes. The intergovernmental agreement was previously signed in Beijing on November 7, 2018 during the 23rd regular meeting between the Head of the Government of Russia and the Head of the Government of China.

The agreement creates the organizational and legal basis for the cooperation in developing and manufacturing civil navigation equipment using GLONASS and BeiDou systems, as well as developing Russo-Chinese standards on implementing navigation technologies using both systems including standards on controlling and managing transport flows crossing the Russo-Chinese border. For instance, the agreement stipulates placing GLONASS and BeiDou measurement stations in Russia and in China on a reciprocal basis. Click here to read more.

FitBit and Other Bluetooth Devices Can Make Us Vulnerable to Tracking

In 2018, nearly 3.7 billion new Bluetooth-enabled devices shipped worldwide to consumers. From phones and speakers to thermostats and fridges, home appliances and personal devices including “wearables” are rapidly becoming more connected by Wi-Fi than ever before, creating what’s called the Internet of Things (IoT). In theory, connecting devices through the IoT allows users to seamlessly automate or control digital tasks, but new research from Boston University suggests that these Bluetooth-enabled devices might be broadcasting your location and habits to third-party observers.

Boston University engineers have discovered a vulnerability in several high-profile Bluetooth devices - including the popular workout-tracking Fitbit watch - that could allow third parties to obtain sensitive information from the devices, such as your exact location. Click here to read more.

Global Macrocell Base Band Unit Shipments Down 23% in 2018

According to a new report from EJL Wireless Research, the number of digital baseband units (BBU) shipped globally experienced a decline for the first time in six years, in 2018. The last downturn, according to EJL, happened in 2011. However the decline in 2018 was 23% compared to a 12% drop back then. The report states that the anticipation or anxiety of 5G spectrum auctions in Europe and software upgrades to LTE-Advanced and NB-IoT contributed to the overall weakness in shipments.

EJL Wireless has forecasted a modest growth of 6% for LTE BBU shipments compared with a more than 10x increase for 5G NR BBU shipments, resulting in total BBU shipment growth of 11% for 2019. Their current view for 2020 BBU shipments is for zero growth, with declining LTE BBU shipments being offset by increased 5G NR BBU shipments. Click here to read more.

GaN-Based WattUp Wireless Charging Transmitter Gets FCC Certification

Energous Corporation has received FCC certification for its GaN-based WattUp Near Field wireless charging transmitter. The NF330 transmitter underwent rigorous testing by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and was determined to be fully compliant with all regulatory requirements including RF, EMC, and RF safety. The advanced transmitter is designed to deliver higher power with improved efficiency, enabling fast charging for hearables, wearables, medical sensors and more.

FCC Approval Details: Click here to read more.

HENSOLDT’s Passive Radars Monitor Air Traffic over South Germany

The sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has demonstrated the capability of its ‘Twinvis’ passive radar system for air traffic control during a comprehensive measurement campaign.

A passive radar sensor cluster was installed at four sites in South Germany for the tests, from which air traffic above this region could be monitored and tracked in real-time. This showed that passive radar systems can track aircraft with sufficient precision in order to be used for air traffic control. The sensors were positioned in Nuremberg, Roth, Erding and Ulm, while the data was processed centrally at HENSOLDT’s Ulm site. Click here to read more.

Qorvo Releases Fiscal 2020 First Quarter Results

Qorvo has released results for its fiscal 2020 first quarter that ended June 29, 2019. According to Bob Bruggeworth, the President and CEO of Qorvo, the company delivered a strong June quarter, highlighting its technology portfolio and operational excellence. It effectively managed its business and capitalized on underlying growth drivers in markets despite global trade and economic headwinds. Looking forward, Qorvo’s products and technologies position it to lead as 5G ramps and IoT proliferates.

Strategic Highlights of the report: Click here to read more.

5G Fixed Wireless Access Market to be Worth $46 Billion by 2026

According to the new market research report from MarketsandMarkets, the 5G fixed wireless access market is expected to grow from USD 369 million in 2019 to USD 46,366 million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 97.47% from 2019 to 2026.

This report titled "5G Fixed Wireless Access Market- Global Forecast to 2026" has been formulated based on Offering (Hardware: Access Units & CPE, Services), Demography (Urban, Semi-Urban, Rural), Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Government), and Region. The key factors driving the growth of this market include growing demand for high-speed internet connectivity and broad network coverage with reduced latency and power consumption, increasing adoption of advanced technologies such as machine-to-machine (M2M)/Internet of Things (IoT) and millimeter-wave in 5G FWA. Click here to read more.

Bandpass Filter

Lowpass Filter

Highpass Filter

Band Reject Filter

Diplexer

Triplexer

Flexible

Attenuators

Bends

Circulators

Directional Couplers

Isolators

Phase Shifter

Rotary Joints

Straights

Termination

Transitions

Waveguide to Coax Adapters

Rigid PCB Quotes

Flexible PCB Quotes

PCB Assembly Quotes

PCB Design Quotes

PCB Repair Quotes

PCB Stencil Quotes

Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (29 July - 2 Aug, 2019)