Trending RF & Microwave News Stories this Week(5-9 Nov, 2018)

New GNSS Timing Receiver Module Meets Stringent Accuracy Requirements for 5G Networks

u-blox has released a new high accuracy timing module (ZED-F9T) that meets even the most stringent timing synchronization requirements in 5G mobile networks on a global scale.

Although the previous generation of cellular networks have already been using GNSS time as the primary source of synchronization, better synchronization throughout the network will be a key enabler for 5G. The 5G cellular network will require tighter coordination to offer much greater bandwidth and a broader range of services to the user than 4G, supporting sophisticated features such as beam-forming, carrier aggregation, and massive MIMO. The ZED-F9T’s nanosecond-level timing accuracy meets the most stringent requirements for 5G networks on a global scale. By significantly reducing the time error of the primary source of cellular network synchronization, it will help operators maximize the performance of their networks and so optimize the return on their investment in 5G. Click here to read more.

New Ultra Low Power BLE 5.0 RF IP Based on GLOBALFOUNDRIES 22FDX FD-SOI Process

VeriSilicon has introduced a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 RF IP based on GLOBALFOUNDRIES 22FDX FD-SOI process. On the strength of VeriSilicon’s innovative RF architecture and by leveraging GF’s 22FDX technology, the new product achieves significant improvements in power, area, and cost compared to current offerings, it will better serve the emerging and increasing wearable devices and IoT applications.

The VeriSilicon BLE 5.0 RF IP includes a transceiver which is compliant with the BLE 5.0 specification and supports GFSK modulation and demodulation. The silicon measurement shows that the sensitivity can be tested up to -98 dBm with less than 7 mW power dissipation in typical conditions. It largely improves battery life for low power IoT applications. In addition, the RF transceiver saves 40% area compared to a similar implementation on 55nm bulk CMOS. Besides the RF transceiver, this IP integrates on-chip balun, TX/RX switch and 32K RC OSC driver to save the BOM. Moreover, high efficiency DC/DC and LDOs are also available for power management. Click here to read more.

Mobile Communication Antennas Market to Grow 10% every year from 2017-2021

According to a report published by Technavio, the global mobile communication antenna market is expected to show a CAGR of over 10% during the 2017-2021 period. The report forecasts, the increasing demand for network capacity to access connected services is one of the key factors triggering this growth of the market. Click here to read more.

HRL Labs Develops New RF Switch Technology for High-Speed 5G Data Streaming

HRL Laboratories has announced a major advancement in RF switches over existing technology that will vastly accelerate data streaming in devices on 5G networks. Besides faster audio and video, the new switch enables a more reliable signal and wider bandwidth for simultaneous data streams. Click here to read more.

Game-changing MEMS Timing Solution for 5G Infrastructure

SiTime Corporation, a leading provider of MEMS timing, has announced the Emerald Platform™, a revolutionary precision timing solution that solves critical timing challenges for 5G infrastructure equipment. With the Emerald Platform, operators can deploy 5G equipment in harsh environments and reliably offer mission-critical services.

SiTime’s Emerald Platform is the first MEMS oven controlled oscillator (OCXO) in the industry. OCXOs offer the pinnacle of performance in timing and are critical to the reliable operation of all communications networks. However, quartz-based OCXOs are extremely sensitive to environmental stressors such as vibration, temperature changes and shock, which can degrade network performance, reduce uptime, and impact mission-critical services such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). SiTime’s Emerald OCXOs solve these problems. Click here to read more.

L3 Technologies to Develop Next Generation Jammer for US Navy

L3 Technologies has received a $36 million demonstration of existing technologies (DET) contract award for U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) program. The DET program encompasses a period of performance of 20 months, culminating in a demonstration at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The Next Generation Jammer will augment, and eventually replace, the ALQ-99 tactical jamming system currently integrated on the EA-18G Growler aircraft. Click here to read more.

Global Li-Fi Market Expected to Grow Exponentially, to Be Worth USD 35.82 Billion by 2028

The global Li-Fi technology market, by 2028, is expected be worth USD 35.82 billion, rising exponentially from USD 88 million in 2017. The market, according to a recent BIS Research report, will show an exceptional CAGR of 71.20 % during the forecast period of 2017-2028. Click here to read more.

Multi-Path GNSS Receiver Dramatically Improves Accuracy in Complex Environments

NTT and FURUNO ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. have developed a receiver for GPS and other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that dramatically improves time-synchronization accuracy in areas with severe reception conditions such as among buildings and in mountainous areas.

By integrating a new satellite signal selection algorithm developed by NTT into a time synchronization GNSS receiver (GF-88) from FURUNO, in addition to signals from satellites in line-of-sight locations, it has become possible to use multi-path signals (reflected or diffracted from buildings and other structures), which previously inhibited accuracy of time synchronization. In a real multi-path reception test environment, time error was reduced to approximately 1/5 of earlier values. This is a remarkable result in that it promises to enable time synchronization accuracy close to that obtained in open-sky reception environments with no obstructions, even in environments previously considered poor and unsuitable for accurate time synchronization, such as among buildings or in mountainous areas. Click here to read more.

Skyworks Q4 2018 Revenue Exceeds Expectations

Skyworks Solutions has announced its fourth fiscal quarter and year-end results for the period ended September 28, 2018. Revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter was a record $1.008 billion, up 13 percent sequentially and exceeding consensus estimates.

The company delivered a record fourth quarter and fiscal 2018, marking its ninth consecutive year of revenue and non-GAAP earnings growth ─ demonstrably outperforming the broader semiconductor industry. From industrial IoT to frictionless commerce, autonomous vehicle, ubiquitous streaming and virtual reality, the company is revolutionizing the way the world communicates. As 5G rapidly approaches, Skyworks is pushing the performance envelope with its comprehensive Sky5 platform and positioning to extend reach across a wide array of high growth applications. Click here to read more.

Qorvo to Accelerate GaN Design, Performance and Reliability under New US Air Force Contract

Qorvo has received a four-year contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop and implement a physics-based, unified GaN modeling framework to accelerate the design of GaN devices. GaN’s superior power density and ability to deliver higher output power and efficiency – including at millimeter wave frequencies – make it the semiconductor technology of choice for radar, electronic warfare and communication systems for defense and commercial applications. Click here to read more.

Researchers Develop a Way to Reduce Electromagnetic Pollution

A group of researchers from Anhui University of Science and Technology in China have developed a solution to reduce electromagnetic pollution. According to the paper published in NANO, the researchers have synthesized PANI/Zn ferrite composites which have shown excellent microwave absorption performance. Click here to read more.

Harris Delivers Sixth Advanced Navigation Payload for GPS III Satellite

Harris has announced the delivery of the sixth advanced navigation payload, to Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force’s GPS III satellite program. The GPS III navigation payload features a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with a unique 70-percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened processors and powerful transmitters – enabling signals three times more accurate than those on current GPS satellites. The payload also boosts signal power, which increases jamming resistance by eight times and helps extend the satellite’s lifespan. Click here to read more.