- Buyers Guide
Aeroflex/Inmet’s improved 100 W fixed attenuators are ideal solutions for high power PA testing, load simulation and many other test environments. Inmet’s 6N100W-XX operates from DC to 6 GHz, has excellent attenuation accuracy (30 dB ±1.5 dB) and a VSWR of less than 1.45:1. They are available in standard values of 3, 6, 10, 20, 30 and 40 dB and with Type N, SMA, 7/16 DIN or TNC connectors. Other dB values and custom connector configurations are available as options.
The Coaxicom 3993 series of phase adjusters from Coaxial Components Corp. are designed to deliver a means of phase adjustment over frequency ranges up to 18 GHz. The 3993-1 SMA RF phase adjustable adapter has an adjustment range of 180° minimum and a maximum VSWR, with insertion loss of 1.30:1 and 0.42 dB, respectively. The 3993-2 and the 3993-3 are phase adjustable connectors with SMA plugs for direct solder to 0.141" and 0.086" semi-rigid cable or COAXICOM ULTRA-FLEX, respectively.
Coaxial Components Corp.,
Lark Engineering offers a full line of low cost frequency agile filters (hopping filters) from 1.5 MHz to 1 GHz available in three surface mount housings (leadless). Tuning is voltage controlled or using an 8 bit parallel interface, allowing 254 tune words for frequency control. Lark’s hopping filters are available with bandwidths from 4 to 20 percent with a 3 to 30 dB shape factor of 7:1. Applications include ground, shipboard and airborne environments.
Linear Technology introduced the LTC2996 high accuracy temperature sensor for 2.25 to 5.5 V systems. The LTC2996 measures a remote diode’s temperature with ±1°C accuracy and its own die temperature with ±2°C accuracy while rejecting errors due to noise and series resistance. The device provides a voltage-proportional-to-absolute-temperature (VPTAT) output, as well as individual under temperature and over temperature alert outputs, defined by user-adjustable thresholds. No code is required to configure the device. With a 200 µA quiescent current, the LTC2996 provides a precise, space-saving, micropower temperature monitoring solution.
Linear Technology Corp.,
Unequal Power Splitters
MECA launched a line of unequal power splitters or tappers, developed to unevenly split high power signals for in-building DAS applications and designs. The line consists of six models offering a 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10:1 signal-split ratio, over 698 to 2700 MHz (cellular, PCS, AWS, and BRS/EBS frequencies) and feature low PIM ratings (better than -150 dBc), with ultra-low VSWR and minimal coupling variation over the entire frequency band. They handle high power levels of 300 W (CW) and have an operational temperature range of -55° to +85°C.
Microwave Electronic Components of America (MECA),
Florida RF Labs has expanded its line of stranded center conductor cables Lab-Flex® S, a modified version of the Lab-Flex® high performance flexible cable assemblies. Lab-Flex S cables offer higher flexure rates and durability than solid center conductor designs. They have stainless steel connectors and employ a unique solder sleeve which provides the strongest cable to connector termination in the industry. With cable designs up to 65 GHz, there is a large selection of connector interfaces and configurations including: 1.85mm, 2.4mm, 2.92mm, SMA, TNC and Type N.
Florida RF Labs,
Mini-Circuits introduced its high IP3 Level 23 (LO power +23 dBm) 3220 to 4500 MHz frequency mixer. The LAVI-452VH+ features very high IP3 (33 dBm typical), excellent L-R isolation (45 dB typical) and L-I isolation (40 dB typical), and high 1 dB compression (20 dBm typical). It has a shielded metal cover, is aqueous washable and is protected by U.S. Patent 6,807,407. It has an operating temperature of -45° to 85°C and a storage temperature of -55° to 100°C.
Narda Microwave-East introduced a high-power, two-way power divider that operates from 500 MHz to 2.5 GHz and handles up to 250 W CW input power (2 kW peak power). Model 2372A-2 has insertion loss of less than 0.6 dB, amplitude balance of ±0.25 dB or less, phase balance of ±5 deg., isolation of at least 13 dB from 500 to 700 MHz and 18 dB from 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz, and VSWR of less than 1.5:1. It measures 3.5" × 2.5" × 1".
PMI model P2T-14D415D4-15-SMT-20W is a driverless, 20 W, SP2T solid-state switch that is supplied in a compact package designed for surface mount applications. This switch operates from 14.4 to 15.4 GHz and has an insertion loss of 1.2 dB maximum at +25°C. The Tx/Rx isolation is better than 10 dB and this switch can handle input power levels up to 20 W. The switch measures only 0.35" × 0.5" × 0.21". Other frequency ranges are available.
Planar Monolithics Industries Inc.,
RFMW announced design and sales support for Florida RF 0805 hybrid couplers. These miniature couplers handle RF power up to 5 W CW and have greater thermal conductivity than comparably sized options. Standard applications include LNA circuits where a balanced topology using a hybrid coupler provides a higher intercept point than a single stage, offering increased sensitivity and therefore range. The hybrids can also be used in final stage amplifier circuits for pico cells and indoor repeaters. Five models cover the major commercial spectrum from 700 to 3700 MHz.
Richardson RFPD announced immediate availability and full design support capabilities of a new 400 W SMT hybrid coupler and matching termination from Anaren. Part of the Xinger®-III line, the X3C06A4-03S is a low profile, high performance 400 W, 3 dB hybrid coupler for two-way power combining/dividing in a small, easy to use surface mount package that can easily replace bulky, drop-in couplers. The X3C06A4-03S covers 410 to 860 MHz and is well-suited for UHF broadcast and RF plasma lighting applications.
Richardson RFPD Inc.,
Single-Pole Double-Throw Switch
Skyworks introduced a very high isolation (>60 dB) yet low loss (0.8 dB) single-pole double-throw switch with integrated 50 Ω terminations and broadband operation to 6 GHz. The cost-effective SKY13372-467LF targets cellular infrastructure applications requiring feedback and filter-bank switching where low loss and high channel to channel isolation performance is required. The new switch is also ideal for military communication and various RF test and measurement applications. It is pin-to-pin compatible with Skyworks’ existing high isolation SPDT switch: SKY13286-359LF.
Skyworks Solutions Inc.,
TriQuint introduced two new high performance 12 V infrastructure power doublers: the TAT2801 and TAT8801A1H. Both are ideally suited for line extender output amplifier and distribution node amplifier designs. The TAT2801 provides exceptionally high output and linearity for DOCSIS 3.0 Edge QAM and cable modem termination system (CMTS) applications. It has the highest linearity of the two new doublers. The cost-effective TAT8801A1H is designed to meet most line extender output level requirements through its optimal performance and low power consumption.
TriQuint Semiconductor Inc.,
Vubiq announced new 60 GHz transmitter and receiver integrated waveguide modules. Features include small size, complete transmitter and receiver functions with connectorized interface for I/Q signal inputs and outputs, power and reference clock. RF connection is via WR15 waveguide flange. 57 to 64 GHz frequency coverage; Tx output of 10 dBm; and Rx noise figure of 6 dB. Fully integrated SiGe BiCMOS Tx and Rx in an easy to use waveguide module package. Also available: complete development system with GUI software.
Wright Technology introduced broadband frequency operation multipliers with improved harmonics and low input drive, with increased output power available. Model ASX20-220 has an input frequency of 8.75 to 9.75, output frequency of 17.5 of 19.5, 10 dBm minimum Pin, 20 dBm minimum Psat out, -20 dBc maximum harmonics, -60 dBc typical spurious, and 400 DC mA typical at +12 VDC.
Wright Technologies Inc.,
Model SSPA 2.9-3.1-300 is a high power, pulsed or CW GaN RF amplifier that can be employed throughout the S-Band frequency range. It is optimized for operation from 2.9 to 3.1 GHz. The devices in the amplifier are not matched, therefore it can operate from 2.7 to 2.9 GHz or 2.7 to 3.5 GHz with similar performance. This amplifier operates with a base plate temperature of -40° to +85°C. It is packaged in a modular housing that is approximately 5" (width) × 8" (long) × 1.94" (height).
Single Band Amplifiers
Model 15S1G6 and 50S1G6 are single band 15 and 50 W amplifiers that cover the 1 to 6 GHz frequency band. The ability to use one band instead of two means you use less power, and don’t require the amplifiers to be switched from one band to the other to perform the required tests. Along with excellent performance, it has a remote interface standard (a feature that is an extra with competitive amplifiers), a lower noise figure, and an exceptional output VSWR of 1.5:1.
AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation,
The MATA-038032A is a dual channel differential linear TIA with AGC for 100G DP-QPSK (32 Gbps ×4) receivers. Each channel has differential input and output. It offers both manual and automatic gain control modes. In manual mode the gain can be controlled from 200 Ω to 5 KΩ differential via an external pin. In automatic mode, the gain is automatically adjusted to provide a constant output voltage. The TIA provides a linear amplification for current levels from 0.1 to 2 mA differential and has adjustable bandwidth between 17 and 25 GHz.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc.,
Low Noise Amplifier
The AMFW-4F-12401800-25-18P-WR62F is a very low noise, high dynamic range weatherproof Ku-Band waveguide front end, operating 12.4 to 18 GHz. It includes a pressure sealed WR62 waveguide input and SMA (F) connector output. The LNA is lightweight with a small profile and footprint, the aluminum alloy housing is sealed against most severe environmental conditions. It includes reverse voltage, over current and over temperature protection in addition to full internal regulation. Total weight is approximately 270 g, and dimensions are 2.1" × 1.31" × 1.31".
RFMD’s new RFPA2089 is a single-stage InGaP HBT power amplifier specifically designed for wireless infrastructure applications. It offers high-gain linear operation at a comparably low DC power making it ideal for next generation radios requiring high efficiency. Its external matching allows for use across various radio platforms. It features -60 dBc ACPR at 13 dBm WCDMA, 0.25 W OP1dB, 17.6 dB gain at 2.65 GHz, single-supply 5 V operation and class 2 (2000 V) HBM ESD.
RF Micro Devices,
The HMC1033LP6GE and the HMC1035LP6GE offer programmable frequency synthesis from 25 MHz to 2.5 GHz in both integer and fractional relationships to their reference clocks. The HMC1033LP6GE is ideal for clocking DSP, FPGA and high performance processors as well as physical layer devices, and operates from 25 to 550 MHz. The HMC1035LP6GE is designed to meet the stringent requirements of high speed data converters (ADC/DAC) with excellent phase noise floor performance of -162 dBc/Hz, and operates from 25 MHz to 2.5 GHz.
Hittite Microwave Corp.,
NEL Frequency Controls announced the release of the dual frequency reference module (DFRM). The new module consists of two ultra low phase noise OCXOs at 10 and 100 MHz that are phase locked together to provide a fully characterized “plug and play” solution. The DFRM provides customers both low frequency (10 MHz) and intermediary frequency (100 MHz) references in their applications to frequency lock with each other. This solution is integrated in a module with optimized phase noise performance.
NEL Frequency Controls,
Coaxial Noise Source
NoiseWave announced the NW2G-CS coaxial noise source. The unit is available in 6, 15 and 30 dB ENR and features a small profile housing of 0.75" by 0.5" by 1.25" excluding connectors. It has flatness better than ± 1 dB over the frequency range 10 kHz to 2 GHz and comes with calibrated cardinal ENR frequencies. The NW2G-CS is available with a variety of connectors. Standard operation is from +28 V DC with a 20 mA maximum current draw.
Compliance Testing Software
Agilent announced the industry’s only test suite for compliance testing of computer and embedded DDR/2/3/4 and LPDDR/2/3 memory applications. With this software suite and an Agilent logic analyzer, digital designers can monitor DDR/2/3/4 or LPDDR/2/3 systems in real time to identify elusive, intermittent violations in protocol or bus-level timing. The new software allows users to customize tests, either by adding to existing test groups or by defining unique test groups of valid logic analyzer triggers for protocol or bus-level timing violations.
Agilent Technologies Inc.,
Berkeley Nucleonics commercially released a full line of high performance, robust, and extremely cost effective RF/microwave signal generators. The line sets a new standard in performance to cost. Capable of producing in excess of 20 GHz, with very low phase noise, fast switching speeds and extensive modulation capabilities in a variety of packaging options, including benchtop, portable battery operation, 1U 19" rackmount and card-level for OEM integration. These instruments offer a wide array of options to meet almost any application requirement.
Berkeley Nucleonics Corp.,
Wireless Test Set
Anritsu introduced the MT8870A universal wireless test set with manufacturing test capability for up to eight UE devices in a single mainframe without the need for external switching. The tester’s basic module includes an integrated VSA, VSG and multi-core processor, and users can configure a mainframe with up to four modules with four VSAs and four VSGs, depending on test requirements. Combining this high-density test capability with the latest parallel TX/RX calibration and verification test modes enables high-speed production test throughput and highly flexible line layouts.
The FOTEMP1-OEM-MNT measures temperature in high electromagnetic interfered environments and other environments where measurement with common electric temperature sensors is not possible. The sensor is completely non-conductive, with an outer jacket made from PTFE and a GaAs-crystal sensor tip. It is designed to withstand harsh and corrosive environments. Since the position of the band gap is temperature dependent, it shifts about 0.4 nm/Kelvin. The measurement device contains a light source and a device for the spectral detection of the band gap.
Vector Signal Generator
Rohde & Schwarz has enhanced its fully integrated R&S SGS100A by adding a model for I/Q modulated signals from 80 MHz to 12.75 GHz. Combined with an I/Q baseband generator, the instrument can be used to generate test signals for all radio standards in this frequency range. The I/Q modulator’s wide RF bandwidth of 1 GHz makes it possible to generate pulses with high chirp bandwidths and steep pulse edges.
Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG,