Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (5 - 9 Oct, 2020)

RIGOL Adds Vector Network Analysis Capability to their Realtime Spectrum Analyzers

RIGOL Technologies has announced the new RSA3000N and RSA5000N Spectrum Analyzers which extend the flexibility and capability of the UltraReal platform with a new Vector Network Analyzer measurement mode. The RSA5000N and the RSA3000N deliver the same performance specifications and feature set as the current RSA models buts add the VNA capability as a standard feature. With integrated Smith charts, polar charts, reflection coefficient, impedance, insertion loss, frequency response, and a host of other measurements the RIGOL UltraReal Spectrum Analyzer becomes a fully functional Vector Network Analyzer.

Supporting S11, S21, and Distance to Fault Analysis the RSA5000N and RSA3000N will become an invaluable resource to engineers needing to tune antenna sets, search for communication and cable faults, or fully characterize their active or passive RF components. Click here to read more.

Qorvo Ultra-Wideband Technology is Helping the World Get Back to Work

Qorvo has announced that more than a dozen device manufacturers are using their Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology in proximity awareness applications. They are using this technology is being used for precise real-time location and distance sensing for social distancing and contact tracing applications. UWB Technology, developed for real-time, highly reliable location sensing, is uniquely capable of measuring the distance to an accuracy of a few centimeters, both indoors and outdoors.

Industries including healthcare, logistics, electronics, construction, and education are exploring proximity awareness applications to help employees safely return to the workplace. These applications use wearable UWB devices to continuously monitor the distance between employees and track guidelines for social distancing and contact tracing in some cases. Leading device manufacturers in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region are utilizing Qorvo’s UWB technology. Click here to read more.

Murata Confirms Resonant XBAR RF Filters for 5G Meet Target Performance Specs

Resonant Inc., a company transforming the way RF, front-ends are being designed and delivered for mobile handsets and wireless devices have achieved the second and most critical milestone under an agreement for the development of 5G mobile XBAR filters with Murata. This milestone allows Resonant to move to the next phase of the Agreement, which focuses on building a commercial platform & high-volume manufacturing of XBAR-based RF filters for 5G.

Resonant’s achievement of the second milestone, a prerequisite that enables commercialization, required Resonant’s XBAR RF filters to achieve previously determined target performance, packaging and initial reliability. With the second milestone achieved, Resonant will now begin working on the balance of the mobile 5G XBAR RF filter designs under the final two phases of the initial agreement.  Click here to read more.

Holzworth Extends its Phase Noise Analyzer Portfolio to 50 GHz for 5G and Radar Applications

The Wireless Telecom Group has announced the introduction of the Holzworth HA7063A Downconverter, which extends the capabilities of the Phase Noise Analyzer product portfolio to 50 GHz. The new downconverter solution was specifically designed to address measurement needs of high frequency, wide bandwidth 5G, and radar applications as well as seamlessly integrate with the Holzworth HA7000 Series Real-Time Phase Noise Analyzers, enabling both new and existing customers to unlock this extended performance and capability. The HA7063A delivers phase noise and RMS jitter measurements in real-time while providing ultra-low-noise measurement floors all within a compact form factor and an optimized price point.

The HA7063A Downconverter utilizes a unique heterodyne architecture that optimizes measurement noise floors across its entire frequency range, providing both absolute and additive (residual) phase noise measurement capability. The frequency extension enables the expansion of Holzworth Real-Time Phase Noise Analyzers with the distinctive ability to actually measure and quantify the noise floor of the instrument itself. Competitive products merely offer approximated noise floor information that can only be derived while measuring a device under test. The HA7000 Series utilizes high-speed digital processors and unparalleled front-end analog performance to provide a high level of accuracy and acquisition speed, as well as uncompromised performance and data repeatability. The HA7063A’s integration with the HA7000 Real-Time Phase Noise Analyzers is controlled through a single, highly intuitive user interface for simple operation. Click here to read more.

Quik-Pak Introduces RF-Capable Air-cavity QFN Packages for Millimeter-Wave Applications

Quik-Pak, together with Agile Microwave Technology (AgileMwT) and OMMIC SA, announced its line of JEDEC-compliant Air-cavity QFN packages. The Quik-Pak open-molded plastic packages (OmPP) are RF-capable to data rates of 43 GHz, which will help speed availability of semiconductor devices for 5G and internet of things (IoT) millimeter-wave applications. The packages are available now from Quik-Pak as both off-the-shelf and custom offerings.

Each company contributed core technology to the project: Quik-Pak’s OmPP air-cavity open-molded QFN packages, AgileMwT’s interconnect design and test capabilities, and OMMIC’s millimeter-wave monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) gallium nitride (GaN)-based design and manufacturing processes. The team completed the electrical RF characterization of the OMMIC die and Quik-Pak OmPP package and confirmed 5G-capable frequencies. Click here to read more.

StratEdge Introduces Hermetic QFN packages for Ka-Band 5G Applications

StratEdge Corporation, leader in the design, production, and assembly of high-frequency and high-power semiconductor packages for microwave, millimeter-wave, and high-speed digital devices, announced that StratEdge technical experts will be available to discuss the best types of packaging and assembly services for devices at the virtual International Symposium for Microelectronics (IMAPS) 2020.

StratEdge will showcase its newly introduced line of hermetic, Ka-band, QFN packages for 5G and satellite applications at IMAPS. The thermally enhanced broadband packages have been designed for DC to 43 GHz. StratEdge offers post-fired ceramic, low-cost molded ceramic, and ceramic QFN packages, and specializes in packages for extremely demanding gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices. Click here to read more.

Northrop Grumman Advances Maritime Electronic Warfare Capability with a Contract from the US Navy

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a follow-on production contract for AN/SLQ-32(V)7 SEWIP Block 3 systems by the U.S. Navy on Sept. 30. The AN/SLQ-32(V) shipboard EW system provides proven electronic support and countermeasure protection for U.S. and international navies. The system is employed on Surface Combatants to defeat legacy and emerging anti-ship threats using non-kinetic/electronic attack methodologies.  

Northrop Grumman’s approach to this system is centered on a ‘software-defined, hardware-enabled’ open architecture that quickly integrates with other combat systems while adopting the latest electronic attack capabilities to ensure the system remains ahead of the threat and supports the U.S. Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) CONOPS. Click here to read more.

26.5 GHz Intelligent RF Spectrum Recorder with 765 MHz Real-Time Bandwidth

Novator Solutions, a leading developer of test and measurement systems has introduced an RF spectrum recorder which gives the operator a new level of freedom to configure sub-frequency bands within the real-time bandwidth of interest. The ODEN 3001 is the first intelligent RF spectrum recorder within Novator Solutions wideband record and playback offering with a 26.5 GHz frequency range and 765 MHz of real-time bandwidth. The ODEN 3001 automatically captures individual interfering signals or rare & unknown events of interest for later analysis and spectrum characterization.

Key Features of ODEN 3001: Click here to read more.

NXP Introduces 2x2 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth Solutions for Gaming, Audio, Industrial and IoT Markets

NXP Semiconductors has introduced a family of 2x2 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Dual-Band + Bluetooth/BLE solutions that are driving a new phase of connectivity innovation for advanced gaming, audio, industrial, and IoT markets. Enabling the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 enabled gaming console, NXP’s optimized IW62X family of products will provide increased capacity, efficiency, and performance for next-generation connectivity solutions including smart consumer IoT hubs, wireless speakers, video-enabled smart devices, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) devices and a universe of additional IoT applications.

Powering the latest gaming solutions in the market underscores the innovation and integration ingenuity of NXP’s wireless connectivity portfolio. The new 2x2 Wi-Fi 6 solutions are ideal for advanced gaming consoles that demand high-performance Wi-Fi with near-zero wireless controller lag time and low-latency multiplayer gaming experiences (via a single, in-room console) over wireless networks. The IW62X solutions also offer real-time interactions for cloud-based gaming devices, clients, and services by providing high-bandwidth and low-latency connectivity needed for full 4k / 60 fps gameplay. Click here to read more.

Amphenol RF Offering Tamper Resistant Connectors to Keep Sensitive Electronics Safe

Electronic systems installed in public places require special protection to ensure that no data is lost or stolen, and RF connectors are an integral part of this ecosystem. Amphenol RF is now offering tamper resistant connectors to keep sensitive electronics safe. Tamper resistant connectors are designed with the security of system in mind. These front mount, rear fastening bulkhead connectors offer the ideal solution for publicly accessible applications such as kiosks where sensitive electronics inside an enclosure could be damaged if accessed through everyday use or even by vandals.

Front mount bulkhead mounting connectors are typically terminated to a cable, then fed through the front of the panel or enclosure where it will be mounted. A hexagonal shaped jam nut is used to secure the connector in place. Since the jam nut is on the inside of the enclosure, the bulkhead mount connector cannot be easily removed without access. Click here to read more.

ZigBee Alliance Launches Europe Interest Group

The Zigbee Alliance, an organization that consists of hundreds of companies creating, maintaining, and delivering open, global standards for the Internet of Things (IoT), announced its newly launched Europe Interest Group. Comprised of volunteer members with a shared focus on topics relating to Alliance technologies and the European market including the Connected Home over IP project – the new Interest Group is designed to facilitate conversations and collaboration among members to strengthen Zigbee Alliance standards globally.

Membership is open to all Zigbee Alliance Participants and Promoters. The group is chaired by Alliance Board Member and IoT Architect Ulf Axelsson of IKEA Home smart, and the Europe Interest Group will bring a European voice more formally into the standards work within the Alliance. Click here to read more.

Isotropic Systems to Conduct Multi-Orbit Trials of Multi-Beam Antenna Technologies for U.S. Military

SES Government Solutions (SES GS), a fully-owned affiliate of SES, and Isotropic Systems, a leading developer of transformational broadband terminal technologies, have announced a two-phased antenna evaluation contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, working in close collaboration with the U.S. Army Research Engineering Team. The contract is aimed at testing Isotropic Systems' multi-beam terminal over SES's O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation to ultimately unleash next-gen connectivity across the battlefield.

It is the first customer contract between Isotropic Systems and SES Government Solutions and follows on from the significant developmental partnership currently ongoing between the two companies to produce scalable, cost-effective terminals capable of providing government, military, and commercial access to the existing O3b constellation and the ground-breaking O3b mPOWER system set to launch late next year. Click here to read more.