Industry News

Developing Sophisticated Models for Capacitors, Inductors and Other Passive Components

It is useful to model the non-ideal characteristics of capacitors, inductors and other passive components by using multi-element "schematics," where each element represents some portion of the device's behavior. Traditional models for these devices suf...
Traditional capacitor and inductor models have consisted of two or three elements (capacitor examples are shown in Figure 1 ). The two-element models provide a simple way to define the device. From a circuit designer's viewpoint, the two-element models may suffice for applications where the component is being used...
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Gold Stud Bumps in Flip-chip Applications

As power requirements and operating frequencies increase, more and more designs will look toward ball bumps as an interconnect solution. While solder has traditionally been the incumbent material for these bumps, its limitations have become manufacturi...
As this article is written, it is estimated that 90 to 98 percent of first-level IC interconnects are made using wire bonding technologies. The remaining connections are primarily bump, or flip-chip connections. This ratio is expected to remain the same for the foreseeable future. In general, it will be...
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AMS Radar Project Takes to the Air

In a contract worth approximately US$3 M, AMS, an equal shares joint venture between Finmeccanica of Italy and BAE Systems of the UK, has signed a contract with the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) to supply two mono-pulse versions of SIR-S, the AMS Mode-S Secondary Radar, to be...
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RF Coplanar Probe Basics

Explanation of the construction, characteristics and usage of coplanar waveguide probes
Coplanar waveguide probes, also referred to as coplanar probes, are the method of choice for launching RF signals on and off a wafer. This article explains their construction, RF characteristics and proper usage. Before the advent of coplanar probes, finding the RF behavior of a die on a wafer...
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New Literature

Analyzer Data sheet This four-page data sheet provides complete detail on the Personal Spectrum Analyzer™, model 401A. Product photographs, descriptions, performance graphs, specifications and ordering information are also provided. Bantam Instruments, Sunnyvale, CA (408) 736-3030. Circle No. 200 Components Catalog The 192-page catalog features hard-to-find programmable devices, memory, microprocessors,...
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Workshops & Courses

Workshops & Courses RF Power Amps, Classes A-S Topics : Provides a detailed explanation of the various classes of RF power amplifiers, and where each class is used in today's wireless designs. Amplifier classes A through S are defined and clearly explained, including the advantages, disadvantages, applications and circuit...
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News From Washington

News From Washington Rockwell Collins Receives Order for Multi-mode Receiver Rockwell Collins is the first to receive Federal Aviation Administration Technical Standard Order approval for a Multi-mode Receiver (MMR) equipped with Microwave Landing System (MLS) functionality that can be implemented in both commercial and military aircraft. Collins MMR is...
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International Report

International Report Galileo Moves Forward The European Galileo satellite navigation system moved a step nearer to reality with a January 2003 industry day designed to cover applications to join and invest in the Galileo joint undertaking that will develop and manage the capability. Designed to provide Europe with an...
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The Commercial Market

The Commercial Market MEMS in Consumer Electronics As far as the consumer electronic market is concerned, MEMS is slowly heading in the right direction, according to In-Stat/MDR. The high tech market research firm reports that the technology is moving forwards in terms of device development, increasing unit shipments, and...
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The Book End

High-Power Microwave Sources and Technologies Robert J. Barker and Edl Schamiloglu, Editors IEEE Press 483 pages; $125 ISBN: 0-7803-6006-0 This book is meant to serve as a definitive reference book for all individuals interested in high power microwave (HPM) sources for possible military applications. It does not discuss full...
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