Here’s my weekly compilation of interesting news, reflecting the vectors that are driving the RF/microwave industry:

Companies and Products

AceAxis released a 28 GHz test system to characterize 5G base stations, mobile terminals and chipsets. Based on a modular design, the system can be configured for future standards and frequency bands.

BAW filter start-up Akoustis Technologies demonstrated 5.8 GHz single crystal AlN resonators, key elements of high frequency BAW filters. The technical results will be presented at the upcoming 2017 International Microwave Symposium (IMS).

Analog Devices is expanding and relocating their innovation lab, from Cambridge (Massachusetts) to a 25,000 square foot space near Boston’s South Station. The move will occur in September.

Targeting 5G phased array development at 39 GHz, Anokiwave announced quad-channel Tx/Rx ICs with 5-bit amplitude and phase control. The ICs are packaged to fit the 3.8 mm lattice spacing of a 39 GHz array.

Harris received a $90 million order from an undisclosed European country for AN/PRC-150C (Falcon II) and AN/PRC-152A (Falcon III) tactical radios. The Falcon II radio provides assured, beyond line-of-sight communications when satellite links are denied. The Falcon III provides wideband voice and data capability for enhanced situational awareness.

MaxLinear completed the acquisition of Exar, adding power management and interface products that complement MaxLinear’s existing products.

Mitsubishi, Nokia Bell Labs and the University of California San Diego (UCSD) demonstrated a high efficiency, broadband power amplifier (PA) using envelope tracking (ET). The PA covers 900 MHz to 2.15 GHz and achieved more than 30 dBm output power with 36 to 42 percent efficiency using an 80 MHz LTE signal. More information about the design will be presented at the upcoming International Microwave Symposium (IMS).

National Instruments (NI) released v1.3 of their Wireless Test System. The update improves or adds the capability for testing 8 x 8 multichannel configurations, custom 802.11ax (draft 1.1) test steps, parallel test of Bluetooth 5 and low power IoT standards such as ZigBee and Z-Wave.

Nokia and China Huaxin signed a joint venture agreement to create Nokia Shanghai Bell (NSB). NSB, which legally integrates Nokia's China organization with Alcatel-Lucent’s previous joint venture with China Huaxin, is expected to complete the necessary administrative, legal, regulatory and other conditions by July.

Raytheon won a $52.7 million EMD contract to develop the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR). 3DELRR will be used for surveillance and tracking and will replace the aging and tube-based AN/TPS-75. 3DELRR will replace the tubes with GaN.

Texas Instruments (TI) announced five, single chip, CMOS radar sensors covering 76 to 81 GHz. Three of the devices are tailored for automotive radar, two for industrial sensors. Samples are available now. TI joins Analog Devices, Infineon and NXP in chasing the automotive radar market.

Markets and Technology

5G — At a recent investor conference, Bill Hogg, president of AT&T’s technology operations, discussed the company’s plans to “evolve” to 5G. Listen to his comments:

Broadband — As expected, the FCC approved a proposal to undo the Obama administrations’s net neutrality rules and return to what FCC chairman Ajit Pai calls “light touch” regulation. The vote begins a 90-day period during which the FCC will accept “public” comments.

AT&T began deploying fixed wireless internet access to rural/underserved locations in Georgia. The wireless link uses LTE, which AT&T says will provide download speeds of at least 10 Mbps.

Looking to the future, AT&T is developing a higher data rate capability, named Project AirGig, that uses power lines as a waveguide for millimeter wave propagation. Bill Hogg, the president of AT&T’s technology operations, spoke about AirGig at a recent analyst conference. Listen to his comments:

IoT — Blogger Zahid Ghadialy wrote an informative overview of the many standards vying for the IoT. 2G is not dead yet, as GSM nicely addresses wide area, low power applications.

Automotive — The players developing self-driving car technology are debating — with their investments — whether LiDAR sensors are required or less expensive, normal cameras will suffice. This article explores both arguments.

Technology and Society — NYU WIRELESS and NYU’s radiology department have teamed to study the heating effects of millimeter wave radiation and whether the radiation adversely affects people.

While not an RF story, this tale of thwarting the recent ransomware attack is a fascinating account, with insight into the logic of the programmers.

Sheryl Sandberg, the COO at Facebook, gave this year’s commencement address at Virginia Tech and spoke to the graduating class about resilience, hope and gratitude. Read her speech here.

Why we do what we do: Read this inspiring story about mobile technology helping a family build an independent — yet still connected — life.

Thoughts? Leave a comment below.