It is that time of the year again when Swami Hindle makes his Microwave Industry Predictions. Last year, some of the hot industry topics included GaN PAs, focus on PA efficiency (envelope tracking, outphasing techniques, etc.), the start of CMOS PA adoption, software defined test instrumentation (and adoption of the PXI platform), tunable device technology for antennas, 4G technologies such as MIMO/carrier aggregation. Here are my predictions for 2014:

1. 5G systems will be proto-typed and tested (massive MIMO, millimeter/terahertz, etc.)
2. Heterogeneous networks will start to relieve the capacity crunch
3. Metamaterials will step out of the lab into mainstream applications
4. 60 GHz applications will take off as the cost of those modules plunges
5. Connected vehicles and homes will start to be realized in mass
6. CMOS (mostly SOI) will gain market significant RF market share
7. Modeling and simulation software will see major integration with test equipment
8. Low cost T&M instrument companies will thrive but many will be consolidated into the larger companies
9. 3D packaging will take off in commercial markets
10. New heat sinking technologies will be developed to greatly improve GaN amplifier efficiency/reliability
11. UAV technology will see huge growth in the commercial markets and software/sensors will be developed to let them make their own decisions without an operators intervention
12. The current T/R module approach to AESA radars will be replaced by another architecture that greatly reduces SWaP-C

What predictions do you have for 2014? Let us know by commenting here.