Microwave Journal
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EuMW 2007: The Perfect 10

Richard Mumford, Microwave Journal European Editor

December 5, 2007

The largest European Microwave Exhibition to date boasted more than 300 exhibiting companies, taking up over 7,000 m2 of gross exhibition space. Not only has the exhibition grown in size but also in status. Manufacturers are now building the show into their product development schedules and specifically targeting it as a launch pad for new products. Leading international companies target the exhibition as a shop window for their latest introductions and innovations.


It is patronised by companies large and small, established and developing from Europe, North America and Asia. The common link is that all of them are actively developing and producing products and services for the RF and microwave industry. To give Microwave Journal readers feedback from the exhibition floor here is a selection of new and innovative products showcased at the exhibition. Apologies to those companies that have not been mentioned due to space constraints.

Aeroflex announced the European commercial availability of two new products. First, the new scalable modular RF test platform for wireless applications up to 6 GHz has the flexibility to easily perform at any stage of wireless development from research to manufacturing, and can integrate seamlessly into any wireless market including cellular, wireless data, RFIC test and military/aerospace. The configurable RF measurement system encompasses three powerful new additions: the PXI 3000 Series hardware modules, PXI Studio software with new measurement plug-ins, and a new PXI instrument chassis to tie it all together.

Second, the new Synthetic Multifunction Adaptable Reconfigurable Test Environment (SMART*E™) is a truly synthetic test environment that includes the hardware, software, test practices and support required by customers for a complete test solution. In this fifth generation, the proprietary synthetic chassis has evolved to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) LXI modules and now supports multiple vendors and multiple industry standard platforms--LXI, PXI, cPCI, GPIB, etc.

A company that always targets EuMW for product launches is Agilent Technologies. This year it announced the new One Box Wireless Networking Test Set for Mobile WiMAX devices and its support for MIMO, Wave 2 system profiles. The new N8300A wireless networking test set and N6301A OFDMA measurement application software provide a complete one-box transmitter and receiver test solution for Mobile WiMAX devices, while the company’s Vector Signal Analyzer, Signal Studio and Mobile WiMAX Test Set measurement solutions have been enhanced to facilitate testing of the WiMAX Forum’s Wave 2 system profiles, including MIMO. Measurement solutions include a range of new test capabilities that support physical layer signal generation and analysis for Wave 2 system profiles. The company also introduced its newest test and measurement solutions for 3GPP Long Term Evolution, which feature industry-leading performance and functionality and help R&D engineers speed development of their evolving LTE designs for next generation mobile communications products.

The latest update of the Agilent EEsof Advanced Design System (ADS) was on display together with enhancements to the company’s Genesys software. The new ADS software includes serializer/deserializer (SERDES)/Verilog analogue mixed signal co-simulation, and other signal integrity capabilities. Genesys 2007.08 includes enhanced statistical and electromagnetic analyses.

AMCAD Engineering launched its new generation pulsed IV/RF measurement system. Developed over a 15-year period at the XLIM laboratory (formerly IRCOM), this system has continuously been tested and improved by the research team to satisfy the most demanding of test requirements. Now brought to the state of a reliable product by the AMCAD development team, this system offers state-of-the-art features and functionalities, combined with robustness and accuracy.

Analog Devices exhibited the ADF4157, a new high frequency, fractional-N PLL synthesizer for applications that require low phase noise and ultra-fine-tuning resolution, such as satellite communications, private mobile radios, instrumentation and wireless base station equipment, including those that support GSM, PCS, DCS, WiMAX, CDMA and W-CDMA networks. The 25 bit fixed modulus divider provides for ultra-fine frequency resolution. Design and simulation software, which greatly simplifies and streamlines loop filter design, is available free of charge as a download from the company’s web site.

The MG37020A fast-switching microwave signal generator from Anritsu utilizes an advanced VCO-based hardware architecture to achieve best in class frequency switching speed of 100 μs per point. The fast switching speed, and a number of other high performance specifications and design advantages, make the MG37020A well suited to integration into automated test systems used in defence signal simulation and manufacturing ATE, where minimum test time and maximum throughput is critical.

The company also introduced the S311D/S312D Site Master cable and antenna analyzers that combine a wide frequency of 2 to 1600 MHz, ease of use and high accuracy in a portable, rugged design that weighs less than five pounds. Also new is what the company claims to be the first Mobile WiMAX handheld test solution specifically designed for deploying, installing and maintaining Mobile WiMAX networks.

Applied Wave Research announced the completion and release of a Microwave Office® 2007 design software simulation library that features NXP Semiconductor’s sixth generation laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) devices. It provides power amplifier and base station design engineers, as well as designers of WiMAX and wireless broadcasting equipment with AWR and NXP proven large signal circuit simulation models. Staying with the LDMOS theme, AR Modular RF introduced model KMS2250, a 2.45 GHz, 200 W, solid-state LDMOS power amplifier module. Designed for a medical ablation system, the module has various industrial/scientific/medical applications. The 53 dBm linear power amplifier has built-in output power control adjustable externally from 10 to 200 W (a 100 W unit is also available). It incorporates built-in gating/RF blanking and an RF monitoring port. The amplifier is protected from thermal overload, over-power, over-voltage and wrong voltage polarity, as well as having an internal isolator with excellent VSWR.

In related news, AR/RF Microwave Instrumentation released its newly engineered 5S10G20A and 20S10G20A solid-state amplifiers, which are suitable for EMC testing and wireless testing and cover the 10 to 20 GHz frequency range.

Arlon’s CLTE-XT represents the eXtended Technology of the existing CLTE product line for multi-layer, phase sensitive microwave circuits for radar, antennas and other circuits requiring high reliability. It is a micro dispersed ceramic PTFE composite utilizing a woven fibreglass reinforcement to provide a high degree of dimensional stability. It comes into its own when utilizing thin substrates or when it is combined with thin film resistor conductor materials such as Ohmega-Ply® and TCR® foils utilized for embedded resistors. The company also announced new low loss, low PIM antenna materials for base station antennas, in addition to new thermally conductive low loss PTFE laminates for power amplifiers and circuits that require higher dielectric constant stability versus temperature.

ATC announced its new 800 series multilayer capacitor (MLC) products, which utilize a rugged NPO ceramic construction built in the company's traditional case A and B configuration (0.55 inch by 0.55 inch and 0.11 inch by 0.11 inch). The 800 series is designed to provide superior performance, especially at wireless frequencies and throughout the RF and microwave spectrum. Capacitance values and voltage ratings are equivalent to ATC's 100 series MLCs.

Based on AVX Proprietary RFAP thin film technology, the LP0402N series harmonic low pass filters from AVX Corp. are suited to applications in wireless communications, WLANs, GPS and WiMAX. A key benefit of these filters is their small 0402 package size, coupled with good RF performance. Also delivering good RF performance in high frequency wireless systems, the DB0603N 3 dB 90° coupler features a miniature 0603 package size and low insertion loss of typically 0.2 dB. The couplers suit applications in balanced amplifiers and signal distribution in wireless communications for frequency bands at 3.5, 3.0, 2.4 and 2.14 GHz.

Computer Simulation Technology (CST) demonstrated the upcoming release of CST STUDIO SUITE™ version 2008, including the 3D EM time domain tool, CST MICROWAVE STUDIO® Version 2008 promises significant enhancements, particularly in the critical areas of workflow integration and performance. Major improvements include: new interfaces to streamline the design workflow, performance optimization through hardware acceleration, improved parallelization of transient and frequency domain solvers, and ongoing code optimization projects with Intel, transient far-fields that is especially important for engineers working on UWB antennas and an Integral Equation Solver for electrically large structures, which is particularly relevant for engineers working on RCS or antenna placement.

Taiwanese company, Daa Sheen Technology showed its RF microwave coaxial connectors that include SMA/SMB/SMC/MMCX/MCX/N/BNC/TNC/FME/7/16/1.6/5.6/SMZ/SMP/MIMI UHF/UHF, CATV/satellite and cable assemblies.

Endwave Corp. introduced new millimetre-wave amplifiers that exhibit good performance characteristics over broad bandwidths. The Endwave LA series comprises 10 models covering 33 to 75 GHz in up to 20 GHz bandwidths. They feature P1dB input powers as high as +11 dBm, noise figures as low as 7 dB and gain options from 10 to 40 dB. Additional performance characteristics include input/output VSWR of 2.2, and gain flatness of ±3.0 dB.

The release of the FMA3025SOT89E high linearity broadband MMIC amplifier by Filtronic Compound Semiconductors is significant. Operating over the 250 to 4000 MHz frequency band, the amplifier is said to provide a best in class combination of noise figure and linearity. Fabricated using high reliability GaAs PHEMT technology, this new broadband MMIC is suitable for applications where high linearity is required. Features include: a high dynamic range, lead free industry standard SOT-89 package, RoHS compliance, single 5 V supply, 14 dB gain (at 0.9 GHz), input and output return losses <-5 dB, 24 dBm P1dB output power at 5 V, output IP3 greater than 40 dBm in any condition and 2.2 dB NF. The company also introduced a new family of broadband MMIC amplifiers--the FMA3007, FMA3008, FMA3009 and FMA3058.

G.T. Microwave introduced model R8N-39-2BU, a SP8T phase and amplitude matched absorptive PIN diode switch that operates from 0.5 to 3 GHz. Across the entire band, VSWR is less than 1.6, insertion loss is less than 1.75 dB and the isolation is greater than 60 dB. This unit is amplitude matched within 0.25 dB port-to-port and phase matched within 3.0° port-to-port. With three-bit binary differential logic it is RS-485 compatible with a switching speed less than 100 ns. The unit has a 2 inch from flat to flat decagon shape with a thickness of 0.75 inches. The company also showcased model S4N-69-1AB, a medium power low harmonic SP4T absorptive PIN diode switch that operates from 2 to 18 GHz. Across the entire band, VSWR is less than 2.1, insertion loss is less than 4.5 dB and the isolation is greater than 60 dB.

Reflecting the company’s prolific product introduction, Hittite Microwave showcased 24 new products that had debuted in Q3 2007. The company has introduced 75 new products between Q1 and Q3 2007 and now offers more than 550 standard products. The manufacturer’s standard and custom IC, module and subsystem products address broadband, cellular, microwave and millimetre-wave, military and space market applications.

Huber + Suhner launched its QMA attenuator series, which offers attenuation values with 3, 6 and 10 dB (other values are available on request), 2 W attenuation and is applicable for frequencies up to 18 GHz. The QMA coaxial connectors are designed to replace SMA connectors and its applications include radio base stations and other radio equipment, especially where high density connector population is required. The QMA interface features a snap-lock mechanism that makes it fast and easy to mate and de-mate, while requiring a very low mating force. In addition, the company introduced ruggedized, 18 GHz test cables that provide durability and stability versus bending and torsion, while remaining flexible. Their performances makes them suitable for applications such as the outdoor and on-site testing of wireless communication systems, the location and identification of cable and antenna system faults, the measurement of isolation and gain, and the design, deployment and optimization of wireless devices and networks.

Providing design engineers with a range of discrete and network resistive devices for applications requiring a high degree of stability and reliability, TT electronics IRC Advanced Film Division offers a comprehensive range of high temperature resistive products, including the PFC-HT Series chip resistor, PFC-HT divider series voltage divider, 1900 Series DIP resistor network and 4700 Series SIP resistor network. The devices are constructed using IRC’s patented TaNFilm® self passivating resistive technology.

Jazz Semiconductor announced the availability of its 0.18 micron silicon radio platform for complete radio integration. The platform enables complete integration of the radio in a wireless device on a single piece of silicon, integrating the transceiver, antenna switch, power amplifier and controllers, eliminating the need for expensive discrete GaAs devices. The company’s 0.18 micron RF CMOS process (CA18) and its 0.18 micron SiGe BiCMOS process (SBC18) include an SOI option that enables the integration of the antenna switch, while also enabling the integration of the power amplifier. This new technology promises to deliver higher levels of integration for future mobile phones, wireless LANs and WiMAX systems.

The company’s complete line of 6 GHz RF components was showcased by JFW Industries. These high performance products include DC to 6 GHz fixed attenuators with N or SMA connectors, DC to 6 GHz rotary attenuators, 0.2 to 6 GHz digitally programmable attenuators (TTL, Ethernet and RS-232 compatible) and 2 to 6 GHz broadband power divider/combiners, with custom designs available on request.

Specializing in ceramic passive components for RF and microwave, Johanson Technology announced the 3500FB39A0050 WiMAX filter balun for the mobile WiMAX market (802.16e). This 50:50 balun and bandpass filter integrated passive component covers the 3.4 to 3.6 GHz band. The part is pin compatible with the 2345FB39A0050 (covering the 2.30 to 2.39 GHz band), which was introduced earlier in 2007. Both units offer outstanding performance in cost-effective LTCC technology and come in a 2.5 mm by 2.0 mm by 1.1 mm package.

Keithley Instruments released a 4x4 MIMO RF test system for R&D and production testing of next generation RF communications equipment and devices. The system consists of the new Model 2920 vector signal generator and Model 2820 vector signal analyzer, Model 2895 MIMO synchronization unit and the powerful MIMO signal analysis software. The company claims that no other MIMO test system offers: support for 4x4 MIMO applications; support for a multitude of commercial standards, including cellular, WiMAX and WLAN; ±1 nanosecond signal sampler synchronization; less then 1 ns peak-to-peak signal sampler jitter; and less than 1° of peak to peak RF carrier phase jitter.

In response to growing demand Labtech launched two ranges of solid-state amplifiers. The LMA and LMB branded series are linear low noise broadband and narrow bandwidth limiting amplifier, respectively. LMA006 to 009 have been designed to include all parasitic elements to produce excellent gain flatness performance combined with good noise and output power. LMA009, for example, when operating over the frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz, incorporates gain slope correction for system integration applications. The gain slope is required to overcome losses in systems where there are varying lengths of RF cables. In addition, the LMA009 automatically compensates for heat fluctuations, ensuring the gain level is constant over a wide temperature range.

Link Microtek introduced a selection of wound delay lines that covering applications over a broad frequency range of 30 kHz to 2 GHz. They are manufactured from semi-rigid cable and have a tinned copper outer; a copper-silver plated steel inner and a PTFE dielectric. They are available in connectorised form or with ends prepared for PCB mounting. Featuring a 50 ohm impedance, the delay lines offer typical specifications of 11.64 ± 0.02 ns for a length of 2427 mm and 1.5 &plusemn; 0.01 ns for a length of 305 mm. Applications include test and measurement, mobile-phone base stations and radar systems.

Germany’s Mician took advantage of being on home soil to show off Version 6.5 of its &956;Wave Wizard™ EM software tool With this recent release the GUI has an improved modern and user friendly design. A key new feature is a fast frequency sweep based on adaptive rational function interpolation. This technique enables ‘smooth’ S-parameter plots to be obtained over a broad frequency range with only a few samples being calculated. Version 6.5 also features the inclusion of finite wall conductivity losses directly into the mode matching method and its derivatives (BCMM), as well as in the 2D FEM method. Furthermore, full 3D visualization of electromagnetic fields and a series of new, flexible elements comprising various types of dielectric resonators have been included.

Microwave Device Technology Corp. introduced the MSD7800 series of PIN diode microwave switch drivers specified to switch in less than 10 ns. The MSD7801 is a single PIN driver designed for SPST switches and the MSD7802 is designed as a complementary driver for SP2T switches. Other driver configurations are also available. The Microwave Innovation Group (MIG) demonstrated the latest version of WASP-NET®, the fast hybrid EM CAD and optimization engine that utilizes the advantages of all four common EM solvers (MM/FE/MoM/FD) in one tool. An important new feature is a new graphical user interface with all modern visualization features that makes this advanced CAD tool user friendly for even the inexperienced EM CAD engineer. Other features include a user friendly synthesis wizard for designing slot-arrays with prescribed performance, advanced MoM algorithms for handling large antenna arrays such as narrow-wall slot-arrays, microstrip antennas, reflect-arrays, microstrip components such as filters, transformers and spiral inductors, efficient inclusion of losses, prediction of power capability, dielectric loaded horns, arbitrarily shaped OMT structures, advanced coax and squarax elements, and true 64-bit capability with enhanced memory handling.

Microwave Marketing featured products from five different companies. Linwave Technology showcased miniature Ka + 28 GHz block upconverters, while BSC Filters introduced a handful of new items, including suspended substrate filters to 40 GHz, integrated switches and multiplexers. Santron announced the release of a new high performance SMA connector to address the problem of signal transmission and fragility of solder joints in hand-formable cable assemblies, while the company's new eSMA connector features a new extended ferrule and enhanced performance from an innovative internal design. This connector also features failure-proof coupling nuts, EZ style, solder free, captivated centre contacts and a solder damming positive cable stop. EM Research highlighted its SLX Series of ultra-miniature synthesizers that feature a frequency range of 50 MHz to 6 GHz, a step size from 5 kHz to 10 MHz and a supply voltage of +3.3 or 5 VDC. And Gowanda showcased its products for the defence and aerospace, and medical applications markets.

The European arm of the Mitsubishi Electronic Corp. introduced the new GaAs HEMT MGF4941AL that is mainly intended for use in the Ku-band. Typical applications are the first stage LNAs for down converters in Direct Broadcast Satellite and Very Small Aperture Terminal receivers, operating in the 10 to 12 GHz range. The MGF4941AL is available in the new 4-pin plastic mould package.

Mimix Broadband introduced surface-mount technology packaged, GaAs MMIC receiver and transmitter devices that cover the 10 to 18 GHz frequency bands. The XR1007-QD receiver has a noise figure of 2.7 dB and 20 dB image rejection across the band. It integrates an image-reject mixer, an LO buffer amplifier and a low noise amplifier. The XU1005-QD transmitter has a +11 dBm output P1dB, 8 dB conversion gain and 15 dB image rejection across the band. It integrates a balanced, image-reject mixer, an LO buffer amplifier and an output RF amplifier. The image-reject mixer eliminates the need for an image bandpass filter after the amplifier to remove thermal noise at the image frequency.

Also, the company introduced the XP1031-QK surface-mount packaged four stage GaAs MMIC linear power amplifier with +35 dBm OIP3 and 23 dB small-signal gain. This power amplifier covers 37 to 42 GHz and comes in a high performance, RoHS compliant, 7 x 7 mm SMT package, offering good RF and thermal properties.

NMDG launched the NM200 20 GHz harmonic phase reference comb generator that produces a precisely characterized repetitive output pulse when a sine wave between 600 MHz and 1.2 GHz is applied. This repetitive pulse consists of a fundamental tone and multiple harmonics up to 20 GHz and the phase relationship between these tones is stable and well known with a given uncertainty up to 20 GHz. It can be used as a unique calibration element to eliminate the phase distortion of any setup, such as a large-signal network analyzer, which is used to characterize active components in a nonlinear mode of operation.

The new A7-MX bb frequency and phase analyzer from Quartzlock features low noise level and high resolution. This analyzer offers phase noise with -135 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset noise floor and measurements from 100 MHz to 500 Hz. Phase/frequency data and Allan variance are displayed/plotted in real time with both absolute and relative frequency displayed on a large high resolution digital display over the 40 kHz to 65 MHz bandwidth. Measurement times from 1 ms to 2000s enable phase data for intermittent phase perturbation analysis and have the ability to solve for occasional phase disturbance and long-term drift measurements.

Remcom announced the release of XFDTD® 6.5, which is a full-wave 3D electromagnetic solver based on the Finite Difference Time Domain method. Applications include microwave, RF, antennas, scattering, biological EM, photonics, packaging, EMC and specialized materials. XFDTD 6.5 includes important features from previous versions such as the patent-pending Fast Meshing Algorithm and both distributed memory MPI cluster computing and GPU hardware acceleration.

Rogers Corp. showcased several advanced circuit materials, which are used in a wide range of high frequency applications, including the advanced packaging, antenna and power amplifier markets. The Advanced Packaging Materials highlighted included Thermoset Materials and products such as RO4350B™, RO4450B™, RO4450D™ laminates that offer low moisture absorption and low loss, as well as FR4 and lead free multi-layer processing capabilities. They are also available in 0.004 inch to 0.060 inch thicknesses. Thermoplastic Materials included the RO2800® and ULTRALAM® 3000 materials, which are available in thin dielectric layers (0.001 to 0.004 inch). They are lead-free and exhibit low loss and low moisture absorption. The Antenna Grade Materials showcased included a wide range of antenna grade materials that exhibit losses as low as 0.0013 and reduced PIM. A variety of options including thick dielectric grades and high Dk are also available.

Headquartered in Munich, Rohde & Schwarz took advantage of its ‘local’ event to launch a number of new products. The R&S FSU67 spectrum analyzer is claimed to be the first instrument that allows spectrum analysis up to 67 GHz in a single sweep. Extending the upper frequency limit in spectrum analysis from 50 to 67 GHz eliminates the need for external harmonic mixers. Featuring a continuous frequency range starting from 20 Hz, the R&S FSU67 also performs harmonics measurements in one go without requiring any modifications to the test setup. Other features include high measurement accuracy without unwanted products and good RF performance. In addition, the R&S ZVA-Z110 mm-wave converters expand the frequency range of the R&S ZVA high-end network analyzers from 75 to 110 GHz (W-band) without additional hardware. This covers important frequency bands such as for vehicle distance radar (77 GHz) or aerospace and defence applications (94 GHz). Also, the R&S NRP-Z81 broadband power sensor expands the company’ product range of USB capable power sensors. For the first time, RF detector, analogue and digital signal processing as well as the entire evaluation logic of a peak power meter are combined in a compact sensor that can be directly remote-controlled via USB. Another new addition is the R&S SMF100A signal generator, which generates highly pure signals up to 43.5 GHz.

The new Rosenberger HSD® symmetrical, impedance controlled 100 Ω interconnect system for transmitting data streams at high bit rates has been developed for good quality High Speed Data transmission. The high performance digital system prevents interference through crosstalk and external sources. Good performance is achieved by using an optimized shielding concept with complete braid connection to the outer contact of the connector. It facilitates applications up to 1.6 Gbit/s – 800 Mbit/s on two differential pairs each at 10 m long--for example, in automotive electronics (LVDS cameras, USB connections or IEEE 1394 applications).

Synergy Microwave Corp. announced the new DCO and DXO micro series of VCOs for C-band and X-band applications. These VCOs are based on the company’s proprietary patented technology and patents pending, which enhances bandwidth, reduces phase noise and improves immunity to phase hits. Several models are available with starting frequency at approximately 4 to 9 GHz, in tuning bandwidths of approximately 1000 MHz, and tuning voltages ranging from 0 to a maximum of 24 VDC. This new series of VCOs is offered as a surface-mount package measuring 0.3 inch x 0.3 inch x 0.1 inch, are RoHS-compliant, and can be delivered in tape and reel for automatic assembly processes.

The focus for Taconic was the TacLam PLUS, which is a cost-effective microwave laminate that can be used to create very low loss structures both with single dielectric layers and multiple layers. Exceptional copper-foil adhesion allows small-feature resolution and the composition of the dielectric facilitates clean laser ablation for micro-via and component-cavity formation. The use of metal backing, such as 1 mm copper, helps maintaining dimensional stability and provides both, a sound ground plane, and ideal heat-sinking properties. Also featured was TacPreg, a RF prepreg of low loss factor for multilayer printed circuit boards.

Also, the Advanced Dielectric Division of Taconic featured a variety of unique products that offer low loss and high reliability for conventional and multilayer RF and high speed digital board fabrication. Screening can and RFI shielding specialist Tecan offered free design assistance to electronics designers looking for solutions to EMI/RFI problems. The company also featured TECfin Connect, which is a versatile range of gold- and silver-based plating finishes designed to provide optimum performance. The finishes have been exclusively developed by the company to change surface properties for custom waveguides in the aerospace, defence, medical, security scanning and communications sectors. The company also featured a select range of standard cans on pick-and-place tape reels for the convenience of small, medium and high-volume OEMs and CEMs.

Tektronix introduced the ultra-wideband V2.1.0 software package for its high performance real-time oscilloscopes, which incorporate RSAVu software. Using this software, designers are able to analyze RF and microwave signals with up to 20 GHz modulation bandwidth using the company's RSAVu software on the DPO/DSA70000 series oscilloscopes. UWB V2.1.0 includes the instrument control and connectivity to enable RSAVu Analysis on the company’s oscilloscopes.

RSAVu Analysis adds pulse measurements, phase noise measurements and transient signal analysis. Analysis can be done across microwave, electrical and optical waveforms, up to 200 Mpts at 50 GS/s on four simultaneous channels. Time gating cursors within these waveforms along with a packet/pulse finder help designers analyze the intended signal that may be separated by time, power level or frequency from other traffic.

TriQuint Semiconductor celebrated the milestone of 100 million units for its family of GSM/GPRS and EDGE Transmit modules. Pioneered by the company’s engineering staff in Munich, these modules represent an industry first, achieving a 6 x 6 mm footprint and enable cellular handset vendors to replace several discrete parts with one integrated component. The company also announced the availability of a new high-voltage heterojunction bipolar transistor family of power amplifiers for 3G and 4G base stations. The new PAs offer exceptionally high efficiency when used in a Doherty configuration, the design most commonly employed by base transceiver station manufacturers. These devices can increase efficiency in 3G cellular base stations, which can lead to greater energy savings while reducing waste heat by nearly 50 percent.

Last (but only alphabetically) Tyco Electronics announced the M/A-COM MASW-008075, a SPDT 3 V switch fabricated for applications that require high linearity, low insertion loss and high isolation. This low cost switch is suitable for 802.11b/g applications with a bias of 3 V. The switch has a low typical insertion loss of 0.40 dB while achieving an isolation of 25 dB and P1dB of 28 dBm. The company also introduced a new line of M/A-COM radiating cable antennas designed to replace conventional antennas in applications that require wide frequency bandwidths (100 to 6000 MHz) and deployment in physical spaces that present extreme challenges to traditional antenna solutions. This series is suitable for cellular, Bluetooth and WLAN frequency band installations, as well as airborne, vehicular and ground-based applications.