Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (30 Nov

NXP Introduces RF LDMOS Multi-Chip Power Modules for 5G mMIMO Active Antenna Systems

NXP Semiconductors has announced the availability of its 2nd generation of comprehensive Airfast RF power Multi-Chip Modules (MCMs) designed to support the evolution of 5G mMIMO active antenna system requirements for cellular base stations. Focused on accelerating the coverage of 5G, the new all-in-one power amplifier module family is based on NXP’s latest LDMOS technology that offers higher output power, extended frequency coverage, and higher efficiency, all within the same footprint as NXP’s previous generation of MCMs.

The new AFSC5G26E38 Airfast module is a prime example of the increased performance delivered in the 2nd generation MCM family. The device delivers 20% more output power compared to the previous generation, addressing the need for broader 5G coverage per base station tower, without increasing the radio unit size. It also features a power-added efficiency of 45%, 4 points higher than the previous generation for an overall reduction in the 5G network electricity consumption. Highlighting the performance of NXP’s latest LDMOS generation in high frequencies, the new AFSC5G40E38 addresses the 5G C-band from 3.7 to 4.0 GHz and has recently been selected by NEC Rakuten Mobile in Japan. Click here to read more.

Remcom Announces Radar Simulation Enhancements in the Latest Release of WaveFarer

Remcom has announced diffuse scattering from rough surfaces and transmission through materials in the latest release of WaveFarer®, its high fidelity radar simulation software for drive scenario modeling and indoor detection applications. New features reveal backscatter from road surfaces and vehicle interiors, elevating realism of simulations by providing a more accurate representation of conditions in the real world.

In addition, several new tools increase accuracy for target detection, including scripts for setting up simulations with chirp waveforms and post-processing utilities for predicting Doppler velocity and generating range-Doppler plots. Click here to read more.

HUBER+SUHNER Unveils 90 GHz Multicoax Test Solution

HUBER+SUHNER has introduced a multicoax test solution for frequencies up to 90 GHz. The MXPM90 test solution has been developed for the automotive, semiconductor and mobile communication sectors that are increasingly using E-band spectrum. Created in response to the industry’s demands, this product will allow manufacturers to test their components with even greater accuracy.

As testing of PAM4/400G ethernet, 5G mobile communication systems and automotive radar sensors becomes more of a standard requirement, the technological demand for test solutions that are optimized for higher frequencies will also be required. The MXPM90 is the latest expansion to the already established MXPM70 multicoax product, offering an extended bandwidth from DC up to 90 GHz. This provides HUBER+SUHNER customers with a solution that allows for extremely accurate results through high speed digital, bench-top and system testing, as well as internal wiring in automated test systems. Click here to read more.

EuMW 2021 Will Take Place in London in October 2021

The 24^th edition of Europe’s premier microwave, RF, wireless and radar event - EuMW (European Microwave Week) 2021, will be held in London, UK from 10-15 October 2021. Bringing industry and academia together, EuMW 2021 will be a 6-day event, including 3 cutting edge conferences, 3 Forums and 1 exciting trade and technology exhibition featuring leading players from across the globe. EuMW provides access to the very latest products, research and initiatives in the microwave sector. It will also offers the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with those driving the future of microwave technology.

The 2020 event was postponed to January and then moved to a virtual format that will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the vaccine close to being released it looks like the 2021 event will take place in London. Click here to read more.

Elbit Systems Awarded Contract to Supply SDR Solutions to the Spanish Army

Elbit Systems announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply the E-LynX™ Software Defined Radio (SDR) solution for the combat battalion of the Spanish Army. The new radio network for the battalion is a first step in the Spanish combat radio network modernization program.

The solution to be supplied comprises of hundreds of handheld E-LynX SDR systems for dismounted soldiers and vehicular systems that will be installed onboard a range of combat platforms. The contract, which is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems, will be performed in cooperation with Telefonica within a period of six-months. Click here to read more.

Nordic Semiconductor Acquires Imagination Technologies’ Wi-Fi Development Team & Assets

In a bid to strengthen its Wi-Fi portfolio, Nordic Semiconductor, has announced the acquisition of the entire Imagination Technologies Ensigma Wi-Fi development team and associated Ensigma Wi-Fi IP tech assets from world-leading graphics, vision, and AI processing company, Imagination Technologies. The acquisition includes a sizeable number of Imagination Technologies employees located in the U.K, Sweden, India, and Taiwan. Of these, around 15 percent are Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) specialists who will now further strengthen Nordic’s existing Bluetooth LE teams as well.

“This is a dream come true for Nordic Semiconductor and its customers, particularly in the smart home market,” comments Nordic CTO, Svein-Egil Nielsen. “As the global leader in short range Bluetooth wireless technology and the emerging leader in long-range cellular wireless IoT, there has long been a gap in between which our customers have been asking us to fill. And although it won’t happen overnight as this is an IP acquisition rather than one that comes with Wi-Fi devices ready to sell, we will now be able to add Wi-Fi functionality to future generations of Nordic products. Click here to read more.

Marki Microwave Appoints Duncan Pilgrim as Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Marki Microwave has announced the appointment of Duncan Pilgrim as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Duncan, who formerly served as the Vice President of Integrated Device Technology’s (IDT) RF division has over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor space. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Duncan Pilgrim will be responsible for growing the business, branding, and developing thought leadership.

"Duncan has a proven track record of defining and executing long term strategies that have resulted in sustainable revenue growth," says Christopher Marki, CEO and CTO of Marki Microwave. "As we continue to create innovative technology that disrupts the radio frequency and microwave industry, I am confident Duncan's insight and contributions will be an invaluable asset to our team." Click here to read more.

Nokia Study Shows 5G to be 90% More Efficient than Legacy 4G Networks

A new study by Nokia and Telefónica has found that 5G networks are up to 90 percent more energy efficient per traffic unit than legacy 4G networks. The research, which was conducted over a three-month period, focused on the power consumption of the Radio Access Network (RAN) in Telefónica’s network. The rollout of 5G networks is set to increase traffic dramatically making it critical that the energy consumed does not rise at the same rate. The findings highlight both companies’ commitment to climate change.

Extensive testing examined eleven different pre-defined traffic load scenarios that measured the energy consumed per Mbps based on the traffic load distribution. The results highlighted that 5G RAN technology is significantly more efficient than legacy technologies when it comes to energy consumption per data traffic capacity with several hardware and software features that help to save energy. The study, which utilized Nokia’s AirScale portfolio, including AirScale Base Stations and AirScale Massive MIMO Active Antenna solutions, combined actual on-site base station energy consumption readings in different traffic load scenarios, ranging from 0 percent to 100 percent, as well as remote monitoring of actual power consumption through the network management systems. Click here to read more.

Kymeta Introduces Ku-Band Antenna Solutions to Provide Satellite-Cellular Connectivity on the Move

The Kymeta u8 and Kymeta Connect are now available for government and commercial purchase (from November 30, 2020), unlocking the potential of broadband satellite connectivity and cellular networks to satisfy the overwhelming demand for communications on the move. The Kymeta u8 is a comprehensive connectivity solution that enables trusted, secure communications on the go with a host of new innovative features. It is the world’s only commercially available flat-panel electronically steered antenna with no moving parts built specifically for mobility. Kymeta Connect provides satellite and cellular services through the Kymeta u8 terminals.

Kymeta’s next-generation solutions are built for mobility and designed to meet the needs of global defense agencies, government, first responders, and commercial customers. Kymeta’s products and services have been field deployed for three years and the demand for the Kymeta u8 presales has already exceeded expectations. With the introduction of the Kymeta u8, the company has meaningfully increased antenna throughput and significantly reduced the total cost of ownership. Kymeta’s new products and services offer a breakthrough in performance, ease of use, and affordability, and it anticipates that these solutions will further enhance its position in both commercial and government markets, further increasing its lead over competitive offerings. Click here to read more.

A Multi-Probe Spherical Near-Field Antenna Measurement System for High Accuracy Applications

Microwave Vision Group (MVG), a leading provider of EMC and antenna measurement solutions, has released a new multi-probe spherical near-field antenna measurement system for heavy DUTs and high accuracy applications. The SG Evo solution is an Evolution of MVG’s legacy SG systems, with the goal to help customers gain speed and accuracy in their antenna and connectivity testing processes. It is designed to measure large and heavy antennas such as 5G massive mimo BTS, satellite and ground terminal antennas. It provides fast and accurate antenna performance test results in record time.

The SG Evo is a multi-probe system for spherical near-field measurement and OTA testing, particularly suited for large DUTs and high accuracy applications. It incorporates oversampling positioning within the arch, eliminating the need to tilt the device under test (DUT) when oversampling, and consequently avoiding gravitational deflections of the DUT and azimuth positioner, even when testing heavy DUTs. The SG Evo can be configured with multiple parallel receivers, to reduce measurement time especially when testing multiple frequencies or devices with many potential antenna beam states. Click here to read more.

QuadSAT Using Drones to Test and Validate Radar System Performance

QuadSAT, an innovative company that uses drones to test wireless networks has demonstrated their RF-testing drone’s ability to test and validate radar system performance at the site where the radar is deployed. The test course was supported by Terma. The actual project aimed to determine whether the QuadSAT solution, originally made for testing satellite antennas, could be used for on-site validation of radar systems.

For the demonstration, two radar systems were used. One deployed on land and one at the coast. QuadSAT measured the radar systems to validate the simulations done by Terma showing how the radar systems are affected by multipath lobbing, such as reflections from ground and water. Click here to read more.

Sequans Introduces Integrated Cellular IoT Module Based on its 5G-Ready Monarch 2 Platform

Sequans Communications has announced the release of its first module based on the Second Generation, 5G-ready, Monarch 2 platform, the industry’s most advanced LTE-M/NB-IoT chip. The new Monarch 2 GM02S module features 23 dBm transmit power and a very high level of integration, stripping out complexity and cost. It also delivers ultra-low power consumption with a 60 percent improvement over the already industry-leading low level of first-generation Monarch.

The Monarch 2 GM02S is the world’s only cellular IoT module supporting a certifiable EAL5+ secure enclave for integrated SIM (ieUICC) capability that is compliant with GSMA standards. It also supports a single rail power supply starting at 2.2 V, the lowest level in the industry, allowing for better efficiency of the internal power management unit, further reducing power consumption and lowering battery and BOM cost. Click here to read more.

Intelligent Beam Management System Helps Operators Maximize Spectral Efficiency and Coverage

Pivotal Commware, a leading provider of beamforming technology solutions and creators of Holographic Beam Forming, have announced their latest Intelligent Beam Management System (IBMS), a software solution to manage and optimize the smart repeaters using Holographic Beam Forming (HBF) technology. The vision of their Intelligent Beam Management System (IBMS) is to help network operators maximize spectral efficiency, capacity and coverage by using software to proactively place radio power where and when subscriber demand requires. This way, mobile operators can respond to and anticipate the challenge of extreme non-uniformity in subscriber demand, e.g., location, time, subscriber and application.

Pivotal’s IBMS technology enhances traditional RAN optimization processes like SON by leveraging the real-time capabilities of software defined antennas (SDA); in particular, Pivotal’s holographic beamformer. IBMS gives network operators an unprecedented opportunity to optimize a physical layer element, the antenna, at electronic speed. This results in greater control in the service of higher speed, capacity and spectral efficiency. Click here to read more.

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Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (30 Nov - 4 Dec, 2020)