Trending RF & Microwave News Stories of the Week (6 - 10 Jan, 2020)

Drones Being Used to Create Mobile Networks for Disaster Sites During Emergencies

Innovative technology solutions expert, Blue innovation, has announced a partnership with leading electronics manufacturer, Kyocera, to develop drone-based high speed mobile networks for disaster sites and other areas. The new drone communications technology is being displayed at the Blue innovation booth during CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

By flying multiple drones with mobile relay station functions in areas where mobile phone signals do not reach, such as disaster sites, the “moving communication relay station system” enables reliable mobile phone communication as if under normal circumstances. By combining Blue innovation’s system platform technology such as Blue Earth Platform, which enables remote control of several drones, with Kyocera’s wireless communication technology developed through its communication equipment business, the companies will develop a moving drone-enabled communication relay station. Click here to read more.

Qorvo Expands its Cellular IoT Portfolio to Support NB-IoT and LTE-M

Qorvo has expanded its IoT portfolio with two RF front-end (RFFE) modules that support the NB-IoT and LTE-M cellular standards (QM55003 and QM55001). Featuring the industry's smallest integrated dual-band module, Qorvo's expanded portfolio accelerates global connectivity by helping manufacturers add cellular IoT capability to a range of new devices.

Qorvo has partnered with Nordic Semiconductor to develop cellular IoT solutions using Qorvo's RFFE modules. With their high integration level, extensive band coverage, and support for both NB-IoT and LTE-M, the Qorvo RF front-end modules provide industry-leading power consumption and robust design margins.  Click here to read more.

Skyworks Front-End Modules Now Powering Major Smart Home Security Systems

Skyworks Solutions’ proprietary solutions are now powering essential connectivity in platforms across the growing smart home security segment. According to the company, leading brands including Amazon, Arlo, Google, Honeywell and Ring have adopted Skyworks’ highly integrated architectures in their newest surveillance systems and video doorbells, several of which are noted in a recent CNET article highlighting the best security cameras of 2020.

Skyworks’ wireless engines deliver extended range as well as maximum power and efficiency in a compact form-factor, enabling breakthrough features such as live HD video feeds, remote siren activation and two-way communication from a mobile device. In addition, Skyworks’ technology facilitates cloud connectivity for data and video storage features in these emerging IoT applications. Click here to read more.

SIMCom Showcases 5G & IoT Modules at CES 2020

SIMCom, a leading provider of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) wireless solutions, is showcasing its entire range of products and technologies, at the CES 2020 event. The event is being hosted by the CTA from January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

On display at the event, are SIMCom’s latest LTE CAT1 module SIM7600NA and the LTE CAT4 module SIM7600NA-H, both 4G multi-band modules designed for North America. With LCC+LGA packages, these two modules support special frequency bands such as B14 (AT&T FirstNet), B71 (T-Mobile), B41 (Sprint) and B13 (Verizon), and several LTE bands covering four operators in North America, with support of mPCIe. Major applications for these modules include ridesharing, smart homes, trace & track, fleet management and other IoT industries. At the same time, the AT commands of the modules are compatible with SIM7500/SIM7600 modules. Click here to read more.

R&S GNSS Stimulation Solution Added to Vehicle Testing Environment

Two of the world’s leading providers of measuring and automotive testing systems, AVL and Rohde & Schwarz (R&S), have collaborated to develop realistic GNSS reception conditions for testbed vehicle testing. As a result, users can reliably test all aspects of GNSS-based vehicle positioning – a core functionality of autonomous vehicles. GNSS signals (for example GPS signals) are of major importance for positioning and tracking, orientation and safety-related information, such as congestion, in road traffic.

The AVL DRIVINGCUBE platform enables the reproducible testing of driver assistance systems and driving features for self-driving vehicles using a real vehicle within a virtual environment in a variety of different traffic situations. For that purpose, test drives are performed with a real, ready-to-drive vehicle on a chassis dynamometer or power-train testbed. With the help of realistic virtual driving scenarios it is possible to test peripheral sensors, control systems and actuators inside the vehicle in a fully reproducible and reliable manner. Automated vehicle functions are thus sufficiently validated during development and even before testing on the proving ground. Click here to read more.

Bluetooth SIG Announces the Next Generation of Bluetooth Audio

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced the upcoming release of LE Audio, the next generation of Bluetooth audio. LE Audio is expected to not only enhance Bluetooth audio performance, but also add support for hearing aids and enable Audio Sharing, an entirely new use case that is poised to once again transform the way we experience audio and connect with the world around us.

With close to one billion Bluetooth audio products shipped last year, wireless audio, according to Mark Powell, CEO of the Bluetooth SIG, is the largest Bluetooth market. The launch of LE Audio is a prime example of how the Bluetooth community is driving technology and product innovation and enabling delivery of even better and more capable Bluetooth audio products. Click here to read more.

Perspecta Labs Completes Ground-To-Aircraft Data Communications Via 4G LTE Network

Perspecta has announced that its innovative applied research arm, Perspecta Labs, has successfully demonstrated long-distance, high-bandwidth data streaming between a test aircraft and a fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) ground network. The test was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base as part of the Department of Defense (DOD) Cellular Range Telemetry Network (CeRTN) program in collaboration with the DOD Test Resource Management Center.

Perspecta Labs, then Vencore Labs, was awarded the CeRTN contract in October 2016. Under the program, Perspecta Labs was tasked with developing a system that leverages commercial cellular technology for aeronautical mobile telemetry (AMT) applications at DOD Major Range and Test Facility Bases. Click here to read more.

L3Harris to Upgrade VSAT Terminals for the US Special Operations Command

Global defense solutions provider, L3Harris Technologies, has received a five-year $100 million contract from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to upgrade and extend the service life of 550 L3Harris Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT). 

Under the contract, L3Harris will provide software, hardware and warranty upgrades that will extend the life of existing Hawkeye III Lite VSAT terminals and deliver significant cost savings. The VSATs originally were secured through the Satellite Deployable Node – Family of Terminals or Satellite Deployable Node – Medium contracts for the program. Click here to read more.

GSMA Outlines New Developments for MWC Barcelona 2020

GSMA has released some more information about MWC Barcelona 2020, including additional keynote speakers, participating companies, programs and events. MWC Barcelona will take place from 24 to 27 February 2020, with events across Fira Gran Via, Fira Montjuïc and La Farga L’Hospitalet.

The event continues to lead as the world’s ‘must-attend’ industry event where over 100,000 participants explore and experience how the mobile industry will continue to transform everyday lives. This year the theme of the event is ‘Limitless Intelligent Connectivity’. Click here to read more.

Keysight Showcasing Innovative Automotive Solutions at CES 2020

At CES 2020 event, Keysight, along with its automotive industry partners, is showcasing its innovative solutions that are transforming the way the world drives. Keysight’s customers are transforming transportation with innovations such as Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications, Internet-of-Things (IoT) and 5G. Constant connectivity, dozens of IoT sensors, complex communications on and off the vehicle, and ultra-precision timing are all needed to maintain automotive safety in the era of autonomous driving.

At the Keysight Booth (CES Tech East – Smart Cities – #1409) attendees can experience the following: Click here to read more.

Airgain Launches 5G mm-Wave Beamforming Antenna Array for Small Cells

Airgain has announced the launch of its 5G mmWave beamforming antenna. The beamforming antenna supports 5G FR2 bands from 24 GHz to 40 GHz and is scalable for rays in up to 64 elements.

The combination of the high propagation loss of the millimeter wavelengths (mmWaves) and high bandwidth demands in 5G NR systems makes beamforming critical for increasing spectral efficiencies and providing cost-effective, reliable 5G coverage. Airgain’s 5G mmWave beamforming antenna utilizes a flexible reference design supporting both passive and active beamforming architectures. The antenna enables the rapid development of customizable integrated antenna solutions for 5G devices that utilize mmWave frequency bands, including small cells and fixed wireless access gateways, amongst others. Click here to read more.

Abracon Acquires Frequency Control Devices Expert, ILSI America

Global manufacturer of frequency control, RF, and connectivity solutions, Abracon, has announced the successful acquisition of ILSI America, a privately held market leader of frequency control devices, and its subsidiaries. Abracon will continue supporting ILSI America and its ILSI, MMD, Ecliptek and Oscilent brands for new and existing customers. The ILSI America product portfolio complements Abracon's existing product offerings and provides Abracon's global customer base with a broader range of solutions.

ILSI America was founded in 1987 with a mission to become a world class supplier of frequency control products. Through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, it is now a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and supply of a broad range of components, across four brands –ILSI, MMD, Ecliptek, and Oscilent. ILSI America fulfills a wide scope of requirements that meet the strict standard of both OEM and CEM customers across many vertical markets via the following products: quartz crystals, crystal oscillators, MEMS oscillators, TCXOs, VCXOs, OCXO, filters, and resonators.  Click here to read more.