Microwave Journal
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IMS2020

IMS2020 Exhibition Overview

Some of the top products you would have seen in the exhibition

May 24, 2020

Although IMS2020 is going to a virtual show, we collected product information from many of the top companies in the industry and have listed them here so you can review some of the products that were going to be shown in the exhibition. Catch the virtual conference and exhibition in August.

AgileAgile Microwave’s is featuring a broadband low noise with 4 W RF limiter, medium power amplifier operating from 0.1 to 20 GHz is offered in a compact module configuration. AMT-A0254 provides P1db of +24 dBm typical with   3 dB typical NF, Flat small signal gain of 32 dB typical, ± 1.2 dB typical Gain Flatness with VSWR of 1.8:1 typical. Family of these PA’s are competitively priced and ship from stock or short lead time. AgileMwT offers great value with most innovative designs in the industry.

AnritsuAnritsu’s VectorStar™ ME7838G 70 kHz to 220 GHz broadband VNA provides the industry’s best, single-sweep coverage addressing the need for on-wafer device characterization. It delivers 102 dB dynamic range and excellent noise floor performance for high-sensitivity measurements across the entire sweep range. The compact, high-performance mmWave module enables direct connection to the probe for accurate, stable results. The ShockLine™ MS46131A 1-port VNA provides unprecedented coverage to 43.5 GHz by leveraging NLTL technology to enhance accuracy and measurement repeatability. Its small size allows direct connection to the DUT, improving measurement stability and simplifying test configurations. Ideally suited for 1-port RF and microwave applications in engineering, manufacturing, and education, its fast sweep speed and excellent corrected directivity make the ShockLine MS46131A suitable for a variety of device test applications including measuring passive 5G mmWave components.

CadenceCadence was going to showcase a variety of its tools and solutions that enable Intelligent System Design™, including the latest release of AWR Design Environment® Version 15 (V15). This release features new and enhanced technologies that deliver greater design efficiency and first-pass success to engineering teams developing or integrating III-V ICs, multi-technology modules and PCB assemblies for RF to mmWave front-end electronics.

In addition, virtual attendees can learn how Cadence solutions, including those from recently acquired AWR and Integrand Software, can help better address their RF to mmWave and multi-fabric design challenges, including system, circuit and electromagnetic (EM) analysis, verification and cross-fabric implementation. The Cadence RF solutions maximize advanced-process-node benefits and streamline advanced IC package and module design implementation, verification, and analysis to speed the development of wireless SoC, SiP, and PCB designs. With the addition of AWR’s technologies and talent, Cadence further enables the development of 5G NR (new radio) communications and supports system innovation for the aerospace and defense, automotive and wireless market segments.

CMTCopper Mountain Technologies was going to showcase two solutions for measuring component parameters.  The SMD Component Test Solution allows for measurement of SMD components over a wide frequency range from 100 kHz to 20 GHz. The solution unites hardware (VNA, fixtures, tools) and software in a coherent and understandable way to make an intricate RF measurement with metrological quality and precision. SMD Component Test uses fixtures with established topology to measure discreet resistors, capacitors, or inductors.

The other component measurement solution is the Automatic Fixture Removal plugin. It addresses the task of de-embedding with comprehensive methods tailored to specific fixture properties. This plugin can be used with any 2- or 4-port CMT VNA.  CMT was also going to showcase the NEW 2-port 43.5 GHz VNA. The newest addition is perfect for 5G test applications. The demonstration will be testing a filter to highlight the high dynamic range and fast measurement speed.

EmpowerEmpower RF has a new cutting edge liquid cooled and scalable architecture that brings breakthrough capabilities to applications where tens and hundreds of kilowatts of CW and Pulse power are required. Unprecedented pulse and CW waveform flexibility is the result of fully digital Peak and RMS detectors allowing asymmetrical and random pulse width and duty cycle operation. Short and Long Pulse Capabilities are 100 ns to 500+ usec and up to 500 kHz PRF’s and 20% Duty Cycles. Very high speed embedded computing with real time signal processing provides multi-use flexibility to operate in any application and this multimode operation can by dynamically configured. No single point of RF failure is a critical feature and in the event of component failure only a fractional reduction of output power occurs with the amplifier remaining on air. The amplifier drawers are also hot swappable. This scalable design creates an affordable upgrade path for adding hardware to existing systems.

GowandaGowanda Electronics’ newest broadband conical inductors – surface mount series C102SM & C182SM and flying lead series C102FL & C182FL – offer performance ranges for inductance from 0.47 µH to 10.7 µH, DCR ohms from 0.19 to 7.10 and current rating mA DC from 150 to 815. These series have been outgassing tested per ASTM E595 and meet TML of 1.0% max. Their design assures predictable frequency response and repeatable RF performance. These conicals are designed for use in broadband communication applications for bias T’s (filter signals, remove noise), broadband chip manufacturing, communication platforms, high frequency, microwave circuitry, RF test set-ups, test & measurement, test gear, test instrumentation and transmission amplifiers. This expansion of Gowanda’s conical product line leverages the company’s proprietary production processes, extensive design experience, and custom capability expertise to deliver high performance, cost-effective, standard and custom broadband solutions to address the needs of the global electronic design community.

Keysight“Connect the World Through mmWave” is Keysight’s theme for the event, acknowledging mmWave technology as the key enabler for the next wireless revolution, envisioning even more performance and connected devices. Hardware and software solutions covering key markets and applications such as 5G, Aerospace and Defense, component characterization and validation, and design software and services will be presented enabling our customers to achieve accurate, repeatable results at ever-higher frequencies and wider bandwidths.Here are links to some of their featured products:

  • Keysight Infiniium UXR-Series Real-Time Oscilloscopes
  • Keysight N9021B MXA Signal Analyzer, Multi-touch, 10 Hz to 50 GHz
  • Keysight 5G Solutions
  • Keysight PathWave System Design
  • Keysight SystemVue Array Architect

LogusThe LOGUS WR10 Ultra-Light Waveguide Switch operates across the 75.0 to 110.0 GHz Band and boasts a maximum VSWR of 1.20:1, Insertion Loss of 0.40 dB maximum and a minimum Isolation of 50 dB. The switching time is 50 ms maximum and it is available with indicators, TTL interface control and 3 or 4 Port configurations. The Ultra-Light Series from Logus can be Airborne Application constructed and is also available from WR10 thru WR112 and Double-Ridge WRD180 thru WRD750.

MetropoleMetropole Products has expanded the boundaries of microwave and radio frequency communications, consistently introducing new solutions to markets that enable military, government and commercial clients to achieve success.  Their expert engineers offer decades of proven experience in design, development, manufacturing and testing of microwave and RF components.  Our state-of-the-art technologies are critical components to the satellite, radar, communications and electronic warfare systems of our military.  Contact Metropole Products today to discuss our newly designed MUOS/UHF Products.

MicableMIcable was going to show a series of products which will cover WiFi 6E, 5G and various test application.  The typical products include 2.4-7.25 GHz 4x4, and 8x8 butler matrices for WiFi 6E test, 1.7-2.2, 2.3-2.7, 3.3-3.8 GHz 16x16 and 32x16 butler matrices for 5G BS test and 26.5-29.5 GHz 4x4 butler matrix for 5G millimeter wave test.  These butler matrices have super high unbelievable performance, like 4 °phase accuracy, 8 or 15 dB lower insertion loss than products in the market, ±0.5 dB amplitude balance and 5-20 W power handling.  MIcable programmable 18-40 GHz phase shifters, attenuators, phase & amplitude control module and matrix have typical super high 0.1 dB and 1° control accuracy.   1X64 0.5-6 GHz solid switch matrix has 4.6 dB insertion loss and typical 100 dB isolation.  Other products include DC-67 GHz super-bend cable assembly, multi-pin connector cable assemblies, various phase stable test cables, 1-18 GHz 400 W CW couplers.

ModelithicsModelithics® offers the Modelithics COMPLETE Library™, now containing over 750 models for both passive and active components from nearly 70 vendors. The part-value scalability feature of many models allows the Modelithics COMPLETE Library to account for over 18,000 components, including capacitors, inductors, resistors, attenuators, amplifiers, diodes, transistors, and more. Modelithics models are available for use with six different popular electronic-design-automation (EDA) software tools. Each model comes with its own detailed datasheet that provides information such as validated frequency ranges, printed-circuit-board (PCB) footprints, data plots, etc. Modelithics’ measurement-based models are developed using precision measurements and are extensively validated. The models accurately predict how devices behave over broad frequency ranges by incorporating real-world aspects like parasitics, higher-order resonances, etc. Many models scale with respect to underlying substrate details and solder pad geometries, providing designers with flexibility and helping to ensure accurate simulations.

NardaWhen connected to Narda Safety Test Solutions’ powerful real time receiver SignalShark, the ADFA 2 can precisely and reliably localize signals between 10 MHz and 8 GHz. This newly developed automatic DF antenna delivers extraordinarily stable measurement results in milliseconds. Additionally it is insensitive to reflections. Its wide frequency range means that direction finding at low and high frequencies is covered equally. This makes the ADFA 2 particularly interesting for use by mobile network providers and regulatory authorities, as well as for military applications.

PMIPlanar Monolithics Industries Model No. PTRAN-100M18G-SDLVA-SFB-3UVPX-10HP-MAH-MX is a transceiver covers the frequency range of 100 MHz to 18.0 GHz and fits into a 3U open VPX form factor utilizing the high-speed VITA 67 RF connector. This unit up-converts a 100 MHz to 4.0 GHz transmit signal to the 2.0 to 18.0 GHz range and down-converts a 100 MHz to 18.0 GHz received signal to the 100 MHz to 4.0 GHz intermediate frequency range for analog to digital conversion. A receive filter bank incorporates a 2-way absorptive switch to select an input, along with two 6-way switches allowing one of six filter paths to be chosen. A filter bank is used also on the transmit path, with two 6-way switches allowing one of six filter paths to be chosen. The unit is designed to attach to an FPGA controller card allowing for a total solution in a 10 HP (2”) form factor.

RemcomRemcom was going to demonstrate its EM simulation software suite for complete end-to-end design of complex devices and wireless communication systems.  Together, the products provide a comprehensive 5G solution, from system and antenna design through performance assessment in realistic, simulated environments, and planning for deployment in 5G networks.

  • MIMO and Array Design
  • 5G Urban Small Cells
  • Fixed Wireless Access
  • Indoor Wireless Applications

New features in XFdtd enable highly sophisticated array analysis.  Performance metrics for 5G beam steering applications and superposition simulations enable engineers to confidently prepare their devices for the challenging demands of 5G networks. Wireless InSite's unique ray-tracing capabilities determine multipath propagation through a 3D environment, including diffuse scattering at millimeter waves.  MIMO techniques including antenna diversity, spatial multiplexing, and beamforming make Wireless InSite a powerful tool for determining whether a device will meet 5G performance requirements in a realistic operating environment.

RFHIC Corporation was going to showcase its latest innovations of GaN transistors, hybrid power amplifiers, and high-power GaN solid-state sub-systems designed for 5G, Radar, and RF Energy applications.

  • RFHIC’s latest 7 W, 3400-3600 MHz, GaN Hybrid Power Amplifier, RSM35007-30, is designed to meet the demands of the latest 5G Massive MIMO and Small cell applications. Providing an average power of 7W, at 50% efficiency in a compact SMD package 10-mm (L) X 8-mm (W) X 29-mm [H].
  • RFHIC’s latest 200 W, S-band, GaN Transmit/Receive Module, RFMR29-SFEM-200-400A, is designed for next-generation AESA radar systems. Built with RFHIC’s cutting edge GaN SiC technology resulting in higher breakdown voltage, wider bandwidth, and higher efficiency. 
  • RFHIC’s latest 4 kW, C-band, GaN Solid-State Transmitter, RRT54594K0-66 offers flexible duty cycle ranges from 1 to 10%, and a pulse width ranging from 1 to 100 microseconds. The fault-tolerant system is equipped with our state of the art 1.2 kW GaN SSPAs in a single rack mount system. Fabricated with RFHIC’s cutting edge GaN SiC transistor providing high power, efficiency, and reliability.
  • RFHIC will be showcasing our 20 kW, 2400-2500 MHz, GaN Solid-State Microwave Generator, RIK2520K-40T designed for industrial heating/drying, and scientific research applications. The system provides full controllability of frequency, power, phase, and power enabling optimized performance.

RFMWRFMW was going to feature the Qorvo (Custom MMIC) CMD319C3 is an ultra low noise broadband MMIC Amplifier ideally suited for X-band EW and communications systems where small size and low power consumption are needed. Housed in a leadless 3x3 mm QFN surface mount package, the CMD319C3 is optimized for broadband performance delivering 20 dB of gain with a corresponding noise figure of 0.92 dB at 10 GHz. Internally matched to 50 ohms, the design eliminates the need for external DC blocks and RF port matching components. Typical current draw is only 30 mA from a 3-volt supply. The device is designed and specified for operation from 8-12 GHz.

RichardsonRFPDRichardson RFPD, an Arrow Electronics company, is an electronic component distributor focused on the RF and wireless communications, industrial IoT, power conversion and renewable energy markets. With our global reach and extensive technical capability, we serve our customers through component development and selection, technical support, and world-class logistics and supply chain capabilities. At this year’s IMS show, Richardson RFPD was going to feature several live and static demos.  Static demos include over 100 new products from leading suppliers covering 5G/Telecommunications, Aerospace & Defense, Industrial, Scientific & Medical, Internet of Things (IoT), Broadband/CATV infrastructure, Test & Measurement and Software Defined Radio (SDR).  Live demonstrations were going to include a radar system based on high speed data converters, multiple wideband and narrowband transceiver systems, and a Sub-6 GHz mMIMO system from baseband processor to RF Front End. Richardson RFPD’s worldwide design centers and technical sales team provide comprehensive support to bring your product ideas to market.

RosenbergerRosenberger introduces low-PIM components as well as PIM test solutions for all applications – new rack and portable desktop analyzers, and band filter units for 600 and 3500 MHz measurements. The portable desktop analyzer offers high flexibility for measurements in production lines, R&D and test labs. Rosenberger rack analyzers are designed to make PIM tests in production or test lab environments as modular, precise, and efficient as possible. Due to the cost-effective broadband design up to 11 different band filters can be added to the broadband base unit. A fast band selection is possible via an optional switch matrix.

SignalCoreSignalCore was going to feature the SC5520A and SC5521A that are part of the ultra-high frequency synthesizer series (UHFS) of signal sources. It has a frequency tuning range of 160 MHz to 40 GHz stepping at 1 Hz resolution with an amplitude range of -10 to +15 dBm typical with phase noise among the lowest in the market. The modules are both compact and rugged, making them ideal for system integration into frequency converters, test equipment, or as clocks in modern day digital data converters. It has been proven that, in digital communications, this device's superb phase noise does not degrade the EVM of digital data. The excellent phase noise of this signal source and its cost effectiveness will make system design a smooth process. Available in serial interfaces (USB/ SPI/ RS-232) or PXI Express. Full implementation instructions, GUI, driver software, and example code are provided with each module.

SignalHoundSignal Hound’s new SM200C is a high-performance spectrum analyzer and monitoring receiver with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ port, enabling the SM200C to communicate with a PC over long distances using a fiber optic cable – no USB required! Designed for remotely-located accurate RF data analysis at the lowest cost possible, the SM200C also features 160 MHz of continuously streaming I/Q over 10GbE, 100 kHz to 20 GHz tuning range, 110 dB of dynamic range, 1 THz/s sweep speed, and a phase noise performance that is low enough to contribute less than 0.1% error to EVM measurements. The SM200C includes Spike™ software which provides all controls, signal visualization display, and data export tools. Spike offers a variety of analysis modes and provides specific tools for EMC precompliance testing, interference hunting, and digital demodulation, among others.

SmithsSmiths Interconnect’s Planar X Series offers best-in-class board level ceramic based thick film RF filter solutions designed and tested to support various applications markets. The new capability leverages Smiths Interconnect’s existing thick film process technology on various dielectric substrates which are designed for use in harsh environments. The small footprint, light weight and surface mountable configuration allow for high volume pick and place applications and make Planar X ideal for SATCOM, Radar and Broadcasting industries.

WolfspeedWolfspeed’s new CMPA2738060F GaN MMIC power amplifier covers both traditional and extended S-Band frequencies from 2.7–3.8 GHz. It offers 60 W, 50 V, and a 0.5” square flange package for use in AESA radar systems. This MMIC contains a two-stage reactively matched amplifier design approach enabling very wide bandwidths to be achieved. It also serves as a 50V driver stage for 4x CGHV35400 or 4x CGHV37400 to deliver a 1.5 kW solution.

Z-CommZ-Communications standard and custom VCOs and PLOs provide a quick path to new product development with significant performance to cost ratios, better phase noise and lower power consumption than competing technologies.  When high performance and time to market is a must, a modular VCO / PLO is the best choice.  Products such as Z-COMM’s SFS14000H-LF provide exceptional phase noise and low power consumption. Modifications to standard and custom devices can be turned within a few days to weeks when needed.  Engineers can choose from over 1000 standard product offerings such as the Z-COMM USSP1400-LF.  The USSP1400-LF provides a small footprint at just 0.2 x 0.2 inches, low power consumption and exceptional phase noise. Consider a modular VCO / PLO for your next design.