Trending RF & Microwave News Stories this Week(15-19 Oct, 2018)

Fujitsu Introduces Super-Slim Washable RFID Tags

Fujitsu has developed a new line of washable UHF RFID tags which are only 7 millimeters wide, 30% smaller than their current version of washable tags. The tags can be easily inserted into the seams of washable items. Fujitsu will debut the “super-slim” tags, as well as their WT-A533 Linen tags and WT-A533L Fashion tags at the EXPOdetergo 18th International Exhibition.

In addition to the new antenna design, the new super-slim Linen tag has a new, state-of-the-art mechanical design which allows for greater durability in industrial laundry environments. Customers will have the ability to read hundreds or even thousands, of articles simultaneously with a very high bulk read density. Bulk reading enables high-speed, streamlined automated processes, significant reductions in labor costs, and improved overall return on investment. Click here to read more.

RF GaAs Market to be Worth USD 9 billion by 2022

According to recent Strategy Analytics report, the RF GaAs device market, has grown by more than 7 percent in 2017 (after showing show growth in 2016). According to the report, RF GaAs Device Industry Forecast: 2017 - 2022, the market is expected to push past the $9 billion milestone by the end of the forecast timeframe.

While a wide variety of commercial and defense applications use GaAs devices, the wireless market continues to be the dominant user of this technology. Mobile handsets will continue to define the revenue trajectory, but emerging 5G network deployments will contribute to future growth. Click here to read more.

TowerJazz Introduces ITAR Compliant 65nm Technology for Military & Space Applications

Global specialty foundry, TowerJazz, will be increasing its technology portfolio that is compliant with ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). The company is set to add 65nm technology access for next-generation ROICs (Readout Integrated Circuits), enabling essential military and space applications critical to national defense.

ROICs are used for reading infrared and ultraviolet detectors in military surveillance and other applications ranging from x-ray astronomy to security and industrial inspection. Initial products serving the US aerospace and defense community have taped-out in this new 65nm offering and additional products are in design. Through proper licensing TowerJazz can provide access for aerospace and defense customers to an increasing technology portfolio including high dynamic range image sensors (CIS and CCD), integrated power devices (BCD, SOI, and LDMOS) and high frequency silicon RFCMOS. Click here to read more.

PHAZR Receives FCC/CE Certifications of 5G Millimeter-wave Products

PHAZR, a US-based virtualized radio network (vRAN) provider, has received FCC/CE certification for commercial deployment of its 5G millimeter wave base stations in the US and Europe.

PHAZR's 5G vRAN boasts Cliff Computing, where massive antenna arrays, RF and baseband functions are integrated into a single physical unit reducing latency and eliminating the need for expensive fronthaul. This unique approach of pushing compute into the antenna units enables advanced capabilities such as fully digital Hyperdense beamforming that packs dozens of beams across a 120-degree sector. The RF front-end is highly programmable and capable of supporting frequency bands in the 24 GHz to 40 GHz range with dual polarized multi-antenna arrays. Click here to read more.

Qualcomm Introduces 60 GHz 802.11ay Wi-Fi Chipsets for High Speed Applications

Qualcomm has released a new family of 60 GHz Wi-Fi chipsets, the QCA64x8 and QCA64x1. The new products deliver 10+ gigabit-per-second (Gbps) network speeds and wire-equivalent latency, while setting the industry low-power benchmark for extended device battery life.

As a new connectivity era dawns, reliance on high-bandwidth mm-Wave spectrum will increase, bringing powerful new wireless experiences like ultra-high-definition video streaming, Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), mobile screen casting and fixed wireless mesh backhaul. Qualcomm’s 60 GHz Wi-Fi portfolio has the flexibility to meet those challenging demands while harnessing unique capabilities that support new 60 GHz Wi-Fi Sensing applications like proximity and presence detection, gesture recognitions, room mapping with precise location and improved facial feature detection. Qualcomm is the first-to-market with a 60 GHz Wi-Fi solution with optimizations based on the 802.11ay specification, enabling best-in-class 60GHz Wi-Fi speeds and unmatched coverage performance. Click here to read more.

Imec Spin-off Unveils 60 GHz Phased Array System with 256 Antenna Elements

Pharrowtech, a spin-off initiative from imec, demonstrated a prototype of a 60 GHz active phased array at the Telecom Infra Project Summit in London (October 16-17, 2018). This solution paves the way for telecom OEMs to dramatically increase range and field of view of backhaul nodes, access points and home units. It is built using low-cost, high-volume chip and antenna technologies. This marks an important step towards accelerated deployment of cost-effective high-speed internet solutions for rural, urban and suburban environments. Click here to read more.

Higher Frequency Options for New Handheld Spectrum Analyzer Can be Unlocked Using Key Codes

Rohde & Schwarz has added three new base models to its R&S Spectrum Rider FPH family of handheld spectrum analyzers. These new models cover additional frequency ranges from 5 kHz to 6 GHz, 13.6 GHz and 26.5 GHz.

The R&S Spectrum Rider FPH was the industry's first handheld spectrum analyzer to offer a capacitive touchscreen and a unique frequency upgrade concept via key codes (on the same device). Since upgrades require neither downtime nor recalibration, users can effortlessly upgrade their base models, e.g. from 26.5 GHz to 31 GHz. Click here to view specs.

LightPointe Introduces the World’s Highest Capacity 60 GHz Radio

LightPointe has launched the world’s highest capacity full-duplex 60 GHz backhaul radio - that offers up to 10 times higher data throughput than any competing radio. The AireLink 60 10 Gig sets a new benchmark in unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum solutions, providing an affordable alternative to 70 GHz and 80 GHz E-band licensed radios and the “lowest cost per bit” of any competing Gigabit capacity link in the industry in the 57 to 64 GHz V-band. The announcement was made during the GITEX Technology Week tradeshow in Dubai. Click here to read more.

NewEdge Introduces High-Power Multi-band LTE Platform Based on OpenCellular Project

High-tech RF solutions company, NewEdge Signal Solutions has developed a new high-power multi-band LTE platform based on TIP's OpenCellular project. The new platform will enhance outdoor LTE coverage for rural communities.

As part of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), OpenCellular is an open source wireless access platform designed to improve connectivity in rural communities. OpenCellular technologies can be deployed to support a range of communication options, from a network in a box to an access point supporting a range of mobile standards from 2G to LTE. Facebook open-sourced the OpenCellular files including schematic, layout, CAD files and software as part of the project group to help accelerate the creation of a new, more interoperable ecosystem. Click here to read more.

Global Enterprise VSAT SATCOM Market to be Worth USD 7.55 Billion by 2025

According to a report published by Reportbuyer, the global enterprise VSAT satcom market is expected to reach USD 7.55 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.4%. The rising number of enterprises coupled with rapid digitalization are expected to drive the demand for Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) over the projected period. The forecasts were made in Reportbuyer’s latest market report, Enterprise VSAT Satellite Communication System Market Size and Forecast, By Solution (Service, Product), By Vertical (Banking, Retail, Energy, Government) And Trend Analysis, 2014 – 2025.

Over the past few years, freight trade has grown on account of increasing volume of goods being exported and imported. Emergence of China and India as some of the prominent global manufacturing hubs has resulted in establishment of trade routes from Asia Pacific to other parts of the world. In addition, low price of finished goods from these countries has provided an impetus to expansion of trade routes from Asia Pacific to Europe and North America. Usage of VSAT for communication on a moving ship will add to the growth of the market in the forthcoming years. Click here to read more.

Telit Unveils New Miniature IoT Modules for Small Devices

Telit has unveiled the new xE310 family of miniature IoT modules. This family will consist of modules for LTE-M, NB-IoT and European 2G. The new form factor will enable Telit to meet growing demand for ultra-small, high-performance modules for wearable medical devices, fitness trackers, industrial sensors, smart metering, and other mass-production, massive deployment applications. Telit will start shipping xE310 modules in Q4 this year.

The xE310 family is one of the smallest LGA form factors available in the market with a flexible perimeter footprint supporting various sizes from compact to smaller than 200 mm2. The xE310’s 94 pads include spares to provide Telit the flexibility to quickly deliver support for additional features as technologies, applications and markets evolve. Spares can be used for modules supporting Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or enhanced location technologies – in addition to cellular – while maintaining compatibility with cellular only models. They can also be used for additional connections that may be required for new 5G-enabled features. Click here to read more.

Harris and L3 Technologies Merge to Create a Global Defense Technology Leader

Harris Corporation and L3 Technologies have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal of equals to create a global defense technology leader, focused on developing differentiated and mission-critical solutions for customers around the world. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, L3 shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 1.30 shares of Harris common stock for each share of L3 common stock, consistent with the 60-trading day average exchange ratio of the two companies. Upon completion of the merger, Harris shareholders will own approximately 54 percent and L3 shareholders will own approximately 46 percent of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Click here to read more.