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Testing 5G components and devices with over-the-air (OTA) methods instead of the cabled methods currently in use will be necessary to validate the performance of 5G technology. As engineering leaders, we need new test methods to ensure the viable commercialization of 5G products and solutions across many industries and applications.

With 5G mmWave technology already deploying in the US, I was glad to oversee the EDI CON USA 2018 5G Symposium in Oct that included a full afternoon of sessions including topics such as the best RF architectures for 5G, semiconductor tradeoffs for 5G mmWave devices, antenna modeling, simulation of fixed wireless access systems, design of a 28 GHz filter and silicon active antennas for mmWave applications.

The use cases and goals of the 5G initiative are well-known. What might not be as well-known is the role and potential use of satellites in the 5G ecosystem. Afterall, there has not been significant discussion on how satellites fit in. For Release 16, the 3GPP initiated a study item focused on the role of satellites in the 5G ecosystem.

Qualcomm and Ericsson first to complete 3GPP-compliant 5G NR Sub-6 GHz and mmWave OTA Call with a Mobile Device.

As explained in the previous ROG Blog, vehicular radars are already being designed and fabricated at millimeter-wave frequency bands such as 77 GHz. Specifiers of circuit materials for millimeter-wave frequencies (30 to 300 GHz) are faced with special requirements that are often different than those for circuits at microwave frequencies of 30 GHz and below. However, practice and experience of circuit designers working at millimeter-wave frequencies has shown that some circuit material parameters can be tightly linked to achieving high performance in millimeter-wave circuits, and that some circuit materials embody the material parameters as needed for excellent performance at 77 GHz and beyond.

At its annual conference, COMSOL announced the latest version of COMSOL Multiphysics Version 5.4, which in addition to two new products provides performance improvements and additional modeling tools.

This ROG BLOG is Part One of a two part series introducing the key criteria to consider when selecting a PCB substrate which will minimize circuit losses for 77 GHZ radar PCB antenna applications.  First we will discuss components of PCB circuit loss, and then introduce six key material properties critical to developing low loss millimeter wave circuits at 77 GHz.

SweGaN is a spin-off from Linköping University that recently announced a new GaN-on-SiC HEMT heterostructure, QuanFINE ™, built on the concept of a GaN−SiC hybrid material that combines the high-electron-velocity thin GaN with the high-breakdown bulk SiC. According to their web site, the structure is realized by the company’s unique hot-wall MOCVD process and shown good result in both high-frequency and power transistors. 

Many of us have seen exciting applications for radar to see through walls, detect cancer, or scan people for hidden weapons. But much of this technology has to date been too expensive for wide use and adoption in commercial markets. Vayyar is changing all of that with their low cost radar on chip.