Microwaves and RF June 2012 Magazine: Issue Contents

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

SBIRS Stays The Course

One of the United States highest-priority space programsthe Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS)recently hit another milestone toward completion....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Radar System Tracks Test-Missile Stages

IN A RECENT DEMONSTRATION, the XSTAR instrumentation radar system successfully tracked both the launch and fl ight of a multi-stage test missile (see photo). This system, which is the brainchild of General Dynamics and STAR Dynamics, promises ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Teseq Announces IFI Acquisition

In a move intended to broaden its product line in the RF-amplifier market, Teseq has unveiled plans to acquire Ronkonkoma, NY-based Instruments for Industry (IFI). Established in 1953, IFI designs and manufactures RF and microwave, solid-state, and ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Latest Wi-Fi Certification Rolls Out

With more than 1 billion Wi-Fi devices shipped in 2011 alone, it's indisputable that wires are ceding ground to this technology in the so-called "digital home." Indeed, ABI Research predicts annual growth rate for Wi-Fi consumer devices over the next ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Test Titan Announces Acquisition

Adding to its already diversified portfolio of technology holdingsamong them, instrumentation, digital imaging products, and defense electronicsTeledyne Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire test and measurement house LeCroy ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

World IPv6 Launch Day Gets Backup

On June 6, numerous Internet service providers (ISPs), home-networking-equipment manufacturers, and Web companies all participated in World IPv6 Launch Day, transitioning their products and services over to the new IPv6 Internet protocol. Playing a ......More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

CRLH-TLs Help Miniaturize PCBs

These innovative circuit structures can help achieve lower resonant frequencies in microstrip circuits without having to increase the length or size of the circuits, and without having to added lumped circuit elements....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Reflector Connects 18.7-GHz Backhauls

This antenna design features a simple, low-cost construction, but yields high gain and reliable operation for microwave backhaul point-to-point communications links....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Novel LNA Cuts Noise, Not Gain

This two-stage amplifier design employs an LC network to eliminate the customary source-degrading inductor, achieving low noise figure with high gain at 5.8 GHz....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

SIR Cells Support UWB Lowpass Filter

This microstrip lowpass filter uses compact folded resonator cells to achieve an extremely broadband response with sharp rolloff characteristics in a small circuit size....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

SS Method Employs Novel Encryption

This spread-spectrum communications approach is based on true random sequence encryption for improved data-transfer efficiency and enhanced security compared to traditional systems....More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

SDR Technology Marches Forward

Software-programmable radio technology is steadily replacing fixed-performance conventional radios in a wide range of military and commercial applications....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Radar Systems Ride Device Advances

Efforts to make a wide array of military and commercial radar systems smalLer, lighter, and less expensive depend largely on increased digital processing and higher levels of analog integration....More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Making More With Less

Owing almost $16 trillion dollars can make even the most free-spending of governments more fiscally responsible. The Pentagon has been the beneficiary of 10 continuous years of military budget increases. But with planning for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 ......More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

The Final Round

After I presented my position based on facts and experiments ("Feedback," March 2012), Mr.Monzello attacks again, without any facts to support his erroneous position. GPS and satellite systems all utilize superheterodyne receivers with noise figures ......More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

VCO Frequency-Calibration Approach Delivers Speed And Accuracy

In multiband, multi-mode RF transceivers, engineers often opt to use a single, wideband phase-locked-loop (PLL) synthesizer. Before the PLL's closed-loop locking process begins, voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) frequency calibration is used to find ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Differential DCXO Boasts Sine-Wave Outputs

To alleviate issues like spurious noise and crystal resonator harmonics, a differential digitally controlled crystal oscillator (DCXO) with sine-wave outputs may present a suitable option for cellular applications. A signal-shaping technique was recently ......More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Know The Ins And Outs Of Testing IEEE 802.11ac

Currently, wireless-local-area-networking (WLAN) standards are evolving to satisfy an increasing number of usage models. These efforts have spawned two IEEE project groups. Working Group TGac wants to specify IEEE 802.11ac as an extension of 802.11n. ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Cut PIM In Cables And Connectors

Passive intermodulation (PIM) is evidence of nonlinear behavior in a communications system and some of its components. PIM is caused by the mixing of multiple tones, which results in unwanted signals. If the levels of these signals are high enough, the ......More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Analyzing Recent Advances in Antennas

Antenna technology is moving forward as a result of improved printed circuits and mechanical designs, and even through the use of arrays backed by advanced signal processing....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Quiet Synthesizers Span 2 To 20 GHz

These YIG-based frequency synthesizers provide wide tuning bandwidths and generous output levels across frequency and temperature, with minimum frequency tuning steps of 1 kHz....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Cable Assemblies Are Rock Steady

These precision cables provide repeatable and reliable performance with flexure at frequencies through 40 GHz, and they are also built to last a lifetime....More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Two-Way Divider Channels 2 To 18 GHz

This broadband coaxial power divider minimizes insertion loss while delivering high isolation between ports, with balanced output amplitude and phase characteristics....More

Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

GaN Amplifier Boosts 6 To 18 GHz

Model AML618P4015 is a gallium-nitride (GaN) power amplifier designed to provide 20 W output power from 6 to 18 GHz. The high-power-density amplifier achieves power-added efficiency (PAE) of typically 12% in a package measuring just 2.45 x 2.09 x 0.41 ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Mixers, Amplifiers Reach 46.5 GHz

Several components have been developed for microwave/millimeter-wave radios and other high-frequency applications from 24.0 to 46.5 GHz. The components include two amplifiers and three mixers. Model HMC1040LP3CE is a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with 2.2-dB ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Driver Amp Serves 30 To 4000 MHz

Suitable for military communications and commercial communications infrastructure applications, model MAAM-010617 is an RF driver amplifier with a frequency range of 30 to 4000 MHz. It offers 13-dB gain over that span, with 4.5-dB noise figure. The ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Tiny Amp Offers Flat Gain To 6 GHz

Based on heterojunction-bipolar-transistor (HBT) technology, model CMA-62+ is an extremely broadband amplifier, with flat gain of 15 dB (typically 15.4 dB at 2 GHz) across a frequency range of 10 MHz to 6 GHz. The gain remains flat within 0.7 dB from 50 ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

OCXO Cuts Noise To 40 MHz

Model OX-501 is a surface-mount oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) that is ideal for cellular base stations and military communications equipment, as well as in test equipment. It is supplied in a 6-pin surface-mount package and available in ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

High-Power Coupler Collects 2 To 8 GHz

Model RCPL-2-8-30d-Nf-600W is a high-power coaxial directional coupler designed for use from 2 to 8 GHz. It can handle continuous power inputs to 600 W and peak input power levels to 10 kW. The component provides 3-dB coupling with Type N female ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Simulator Handles Multiple Disciplines

Version 4.3 of the COMSOL Multiphysics modeling and simulation software is now available, with a number of improvements and increased functionality. COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3 includes three new discipline-specific add-on modules, fast and powerful meshing, ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

OMTs Operate Over K- and Ka-Bands

Models SAT-KB-39642-T1 and SAT-KA-25028-T1 are full-band K-band (18.0 to 26.5 GHz) and Ka-band (26.5 to 40.0 GHz) orthomode transducers (OMT), respectively. These components separate orthogonally polarized signals within the same band, allowing two ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Coupler Directs 1 To 18 GHz

Model 180120 is a stripline directional coupler with frequency range of 1 to 18 GHz. Ideal for military electronic-warfare (EW) systems, commercial wireless system applications, and broadband testing, the 20-dB coupler features coupling flatness within 1 ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

VCXOs Offer Low Jitter

The V8F/V8M family of voltage-controlled crystal oscillators (VCXOs) are available at frequencies suitable for Gigabit Ethernet, backhaul communications, and test and measurement applications (including 122.88 MHz, 153.6 MHz, 155.52 MHz, 245.76 MHz, and ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Amplifier Drives 400 W To 500 MHz

Model SSPA 01-05-400 is a high-power amplifier system that delivers 400 W output power from 100 to 500 MHz. Suitable for linear military communications systems, the amplifier is designed for harsh environments and operating conditions. It requires just ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Relay Switches Signals To 9 GHz

A new microstrip/coplanar-waveguide-mount relay from RelComm Technologies offers outstanding performance from DC to 9 GHz. Designed for high packaging density and a great deal of circuit layout flexibility, the rugged relay measures just 0.880 x 0.575 ......More
Jun. 13, 2012

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Microwaves and RF

Variable Attenuator Spans 7.2 to 8.4 GHz

Model 5-6813-30A is a continuously variable attenuator with a total attenuation range of 30 dB from 7.9 to 8.4 GHz. The attenuation remains within 1 dB across the full 500-MHz operating bandwidth, with maximum insertion loss of 0.5 dB and maximum VSWR of ......More

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