AOC 2024 addressed some of the biggest issues in the EMSO community. The keynotes kicked off with Maj Gen AnnMarie K. Anthony, Director of the Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center (JEC) at US Strategic Command, who gave her perspective on EMSO in Great Power competition will help to shape the week's discussion, followed by Gen Thomas A. Bussiere, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic - Air, US Strategic Command, and from VADM Craig A. “Clap” Clapperton, Commander, US Fleet Cyber Command / US TENTH Fleet / Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Navy) giving their perspectives and ending with Major General Elisabeth G. Michelsen, Norwegian Armed Forces, who is serving as Deputy Chief of Staff Operations at NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk, who discussed EMSO from an Alliance perspective.

The exhibition was quite busy and seems to have grown over the last few years. We stopped in a many of the RF and microwave companies to see what they were showing in their booths:

3D Glass Solutions fabricates electronic packages and devices using photo-definable glass-ceramics. The company manufactures a wide variety of glass-based SiP devices and components using its patented low-loss photosensitive APEX® glass ceramic technology for applications in RF electronics and photonics used in automotive radar, IC electronics, medical, aerospace, defense, wireless infrastructure, mobile handset and IoT industries. The company has created foundational patent positions related to all photosensitive glass-ceramic materials and devices and owns the fundamental IP for materials, design, systems and manufacturing related to glass-ceramic devices for the electronics packaging industry.

Aaronia was featuring their AARTOS™ Drone Detection System features the highest drone detection range on the market (40 km consumer UAV / 80 km military UAV) using real-time drone protocol decoding and RF signal detection. The integrated drone detection system is optimized for vehicles, buildings, or 24/7 remote outdoor use. Designed for self-sustainability, our system operates seamlessly and effortlessly integrates into your security setup, delivering peace of mind by efficiently detecting and addressing potential drone threats. The AARTOS™ has proven itself in the protection of borders, sports events or concerts, residential areas, government facilities, as well as commercial or industrial sites such as nuclear plants. Available as a single-site or multiple-site solution, the system can be adjusted to the characteristics of the respective terrain to be monitored. Aaronia offers a broad range of counter-UAV jammers with coverage of up to 10 km, up to 800 W output power, and a programmable frequency range of up to 6 GHz These jammers can eliminate any drone threat and are available in portable, stationary or fully integrated & automatic versions.

Analog Devices recently introduced the AD9081 mixed-signal front end (MxFE®) is a highly integrated device with four 16-bit, 12 GSPS maximum sample rate, RF digital-to-analog converter (DAC) cores, and four 12-bit, 4 GSPS rate, RF analog-to-digital converter (ADC) cores. The AD9081 is well suited for applications requiring both wideband ADCs and DACs to process signal(s) that have wide instantaneous bandwidth. The device features eight transmit and eight receive lanes that support 24.75 Gbps/lane JESD204C or 15.5 Gbps/lane JESD204B standards. The device also has an on-chip clock multiplier, and a digital signal processing (DSP) capability targeted at either wideband or multiband direct to RF applications. The DSP data paths can be bypassed to allow a direct connection between the converter cores and the JESD204 data transceiver port. The device also features low latency loopback and frequency hopping modes targeted at phased array radar systems and electronic warfare applications. Two models for the AD9081 are offered. The 4D4AC model supports the full instantaneous channel bandwidth, whereas the 4D4AB model supports a maximum instantaneous bandwidth of 600 MHz per channel by automatically configuring the DSP to limit the instantaneous bandwidth at startup. There is also the AD9082 MxFE®, which is a highly integrated device with four 16-bit, 12 GSPS maximum sample rate, RF DAC cores, and two 12-bit, 6 GSPS maximum sample rate, RF ADC cores.

Anduril was featuring their Counter UAS and Pulsar systems. Pulsar is a family of software-defined Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems that leverages AI at the edge to rapidly adapt to emerging threats. Pulsar’s modular form factor can be adapted and integrated onto ground vehicles (Pulsar-V) or aircraft (Pulsar-A) to support multiple mission sets. Pulsar is a family of software-defined Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems that leverages AI at the edge to rapidly adapt to emerging threats in hours to days, not months to years. Pulsar’s modular form factor can be adapted and integrated onto ground vehicles (Pulsar-V) or aircraft (Pulsar-A) to support multiple EW mission sets. They also have a family of autonomous systems powered by Lattice that provides integrated, persistent awareness and security across land, sea and air -- all at the tactical edge for counter UAS. Anduril’s goal is to provide human operators with a comprehensive picture enabling them to make critical decisions quickly. Sentry Towers connect to Lattice to detect and track rogue drones threatening perimeters of military bases, large public event venues or privately managed critical infrastructure.

Anritsu was featuring their Field Master Pro™ MS2090A Handheld Spectrum Analyzer that delivers high continuous frequency coverage up to 54 GHz and real-time spectrum analysis bandwidth up to 110 MHz to address current and emerging applications and their MS2830A multifunctional Signal Analyzer that offers excellent cost-performance with a full line of test applications. The MS2830A-040/041/043 has an upper-frequency limit of 3.6 GHz/6 GHz/13.5 GHz, and they are ideal for evaluating various digital wireless equipment, including cellular and WLAN, as well as for developing, manufacturing, and maintaining analog and digital PMR/LMR. Moreover, built-in functions such as the analog/vector signal generator supporting Rx evaluation and the noise figure (NF) test function, cover a wide application range. The MS2830A-044/045 has an upper-frequency limit of 26.5 GHz/43 GHz, and they are ideal for Tx evaluation when manufacturing and maintaining µwave and mmWave wireless equipment using various built-in test applications required for testing digital wireless equipment.

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs technologies that provide the national security community with situational awareness, threat detection and communications capabilities. In support of the show theme, ARA was showcasing and discussing their wide range of EW solutions. These solutions include SIGINT, EA, RADAR and signature management, supporting multiple domains and the most challenging environments. While their product showcased supported the EMSO theme of AOC, the company also has offerings for the milcom, radar and satcom segments. From ideation to installation, ARA brings passion and commitment to turn imagination into reality.

Empower RF Systems designs and manufactures solid-state high-power RF and microwave amplifier technology. Their solutions target radar, EW, threat simulation and communication applications with pulsed and CW solutions. These amplifiers range from tens of watts to hundreds of kilowatts. These offerings include modular designs, air-cooled rack mount configurations and scalable liquid-cooled systems for high-power requirements. They had products, ranging from modules to rack-mounted systems on display and experts prepared to discuss how they were using digital control, GaN and software-defined capabilities to design products for future radar, communication and electronic attack applications.

Fisica Randtron was formed from the acquisition of ATI, Randtron and Datron. The company manufactures products in airborne and ground-based antennas, electromagnetic systems and simulators for defense products. They were touting that the new company still retained the capabilities of the acquired companies: Flash X-ray systems and E-Beam sterilization systems, high pulse power systems and an understanding of susceptibility to and hardening against high power X-ray, Gamma and EMP threats from the ATI business unit. The Randtron business unit brings radar, communications and electronic warfare antennas to the ISR markets and the Datron business unit supplies full-motion antenna solutions to the scientific industry, service providers and governments.

G-Way Solutions manufactures high-power solid-state RF amplifiers (HPA/LNA/driver amps) and signal conditioning products for radar, EW, communication, navigation and instrumentation, range telemetry and datalinks and test and measurement applications. Covering DC to 18 GHz, with power levels in the kW range, products are supplied as modules or combined in rack mount assemblies. All products are manufactured in the U.S.

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is a non-profit organization working in applied research and development and they are positioned with  Georgia Tech. GTRI has over 2900 employees, with core research areas including test & evaluation, system development, engineering & prototyping, applied EM and materials research, secure information and communication systems, threat systems R&D and client-inspired engineering.

 iNRCORE provides power and signal magnetic components. The iNRCORE family of brands includes Gowanda Electronics, iNRCORE, RCD Component, TTE Filters, Vanguard Electronics, Bicron Electronics, DYCO Electronics, HiSonic, Sentran Corp, COAST Magnetics and Passive Plus. They were showcasing their full range of products that include inductors, transformers, baluns, delay lines, data isolation transformers and data bus couplers for a broad range of space, military, commercial aerospace and high-reliability applications.

iRF Solutions provides high-performance microwave RF solutions for SIGINT and EW applications in a wide array of ground, sub-surface, shipboard and airborne platforms. Previously M/A-COM SIGINT Products, the company is now part of Narda-MITEQ. They were showcasing their IDC-7900 family of full-band RF down-converter products. These products build on the iDC-6800 family of 2 to 18 GHz down-converters. The iDC-7900 series offers a 3U VPX size, improved spurious performance, high dynamic range and “digitizer-ready” IF outputs placed in the second Nyquist ready for integration with a suitable digitizer card. Combined with a suitable digitizer, the iDC-7902 converter facilitates monitoring, detection, and processing of the full 2 to 18GHz spectrum simultaneously. Low SWaP allows the iDC-7902 down-converter to support a broad range of applications including wideband stare, high probability of intercept (HPOI), wideband digitization and RFSoC processing solutions on even small platforms.

Ironwave Technologies was featuring Luff Research’s phase-locked oscillators and frequency synthesizers. They offer phase-locked DROs from 7-50 GHz, phased-locked oscillators to 7 GHz, frequency synthesizers to 50 GHz and customer sources.

Jariet Technologies is a fabless semiconductor company that specializes in designing high-speed data converters and RF transceivers in advanced geometry process nodes with very low power.  They offer catalog packaged ICs, known good die and custom ICs from U.S.-based wafer fabrication facilities. They will also license IP for custom ASICs. The ICs and IP developed by Jariet are often utilized in advanced receive and transmit hardware found in electronic warfare, RADAR, satellite payloads, satellite ground stations, 5G/6G communications, optical systems, quantum computing, wireless backhaul and test equipment. The company had a demonstration of its Electra series of multi-channel RF-sampling transceivers that provide up to 6.4 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth, up to 64 GSPS and can be used in direct sampling applications up to 36 GHz.

Keysight was featuring Digital Twin network modeling that delivers advanced design and analysis tools, including a Military Radio Library, Joint Network Emulator, Underwater Network Library, and Cyber Attack Library for developing testing and deploying resilient wired and wireless networks and communication equipment. Specializing in multi-domain network solutions, EXata excels in analyzing operational characteristics and components of proposed and deployed networks. It crafts the highest-fidelity simulation models, detailed test scenarios, and procedures that yield predictive results for target networks or network-enabled systems with rapid turnaround. EXata supports waveform and network testing, standards conformance testing, and network management— including large-scale DOD tests like the Network Integrated Evaluations (NIEs) and JTRS networking waveforms, such as SRW, WNW MOUS, and WINT, as well as legacy radio platforms like SINCGARS and EPLARS.

Knowles Precision Devices is a U.S.-based specialty components manufacturer. They develop high-reliability, high-temperature, high-performance and high-frequency RF and microwave components that meet the rigorous requirements of military, aerospace and commercial applications. Knowles Precision Devices has a complete range of capacitors, EMI, non-magnetic products, substrates, heatsinks, submounts, equalizers, power dividers, resonators and filtering solutions that support applications from VHF to Ka-Band. They now deliver ceramic, lumped element, and a wider range of cavity filters for lower frequency and/or high power applications. They were showcasing their 2 to 18 GHz highpass and bandpass filters in the booth. They also had tunable S- and C-Band filters on display.

Marki Microwave was founded with the goal of developing the best mixers in the industry, but they have expanded their product portfolio to include die, surface mount and connectorized solutions for the entire RF block diagram from DC to sub-THz frequencies. Marki was showcasing their broad range of passive and active products, tools and capabilities.

MathWorks was discussing its Satellite Communications Toolbox, which provides standard-based tools for designing, simulating, and verifying satellite communications systems and links. It enables orbit propagation and visualization for large satellite constellations. You can use the toolbox to support scenario modeling for time-varying visibility and link budget analyses with satellites, aircraft, and other mobile platforms in a single scenario. The toolbox enables no-code link budget analysis with visualization-based tools for sensitivity and availability analysis. You can generate standard-based DVB-S2/S2X/RCS2, GPS, and CCSDS waveforms, suitable as golden references for design verification. With the Satellite Communications Toolbox, you can use standard-based reference receiver designs as initial prototypes for more complex designs. You can also use standard-based satellite channel models to support link simulations for RF and optical links.

Maury Microwave was featuring its best-in-class product lines, including device characterization that includes on-wafer and connectorized pass, active and hybrid-active load pull solution to 1.1 THz, noise parameter extraction solution to 330 GHz, compact and behavioral model extraction and refinement solutions, as well as nonlinear load pull and noise parameter extraction solutions. They have Holzworth low phase noise instrumentation, cables and connectors, Noisecom RF noise generation and precision calibration solutions.

Mercury Systems introduced a system-on-module (SOM) and 3U SOSA-aligned OpenVPX board powered by Altera’s™ most advanced Agilex 9 Direct RF FPGA chips. The DRF2270 SOM and DRF5270 3U board are the latest additions to Mercury’s portfolio of Direct RF digital signal processing products that use Altera FPGAs to detect and process information from a wide portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. These commercially available products directly digitize radio frequency signals at the antenna, eliminating the analog signal down conversion stages required by legacy hardware. This approach requires extremely fast converters, high-bandwidth digital data links, and powerful real-time digital signal processing. The results are reductions in size, weight, power, cost, and latency that can benefit a variety of radar, communications, electronic warfare, SIGINT, and industrial applications. Mercury’s DRF2270 is an 8-channel SOM that converts between analog and digital signals at 64 Gigasamples per second. It features Altera’s latest-generation Agilex 9 AGRW027 FPGA, which delivers enhanced performance with double the number of channel converters, 47% more logic elements, and 34% more memory than the previous generation chip. The DRF5270 board incorporates the DRF2270 SOM into a defense-ready 3U form factor with 10, 40, and 100 GigE optical interfaces. The flexible SOM design allows the DRF5270 to be easily customized to specific applications without requiring the board to be redesigned from scratch. The DRF2270 SOM can also be packaged into other small form factors and customized designs.

Microwave Products Group (MPG) specializes in RF and microwave technology. Their product portfolio includes filters, switches, sub-systems and systems, along with spectrum monitoring equipment for a broad range of military/defense, aerospace/avionics, space/satellite, communications, telecom, ATE and GPS applications. Experts in the booth were discussing this portfolio and recent product developments, along with the recent acquisition of Criteria Labs. With this acquisition, MPG has expanded its expertise in microelectronics, including high-reliability semiconductor packaging, qualification, up-screening and testing. 

Ophir RF designs and Manufactures high-power RF and microwave systems and solid-state PAs with a wide range of customizable options. They were showcasing the Model 4151 solid-state HPA that delivers 250 W in the 6 to 18 GHz frequency range and a range of 400W amplifier modules in the 960 to 1220 MHz range.

Optisys uses additive manufacturing to create advanced, high-performance RF components for all applications. Optisys can manufacture in various metals and composites and their vertically integrated framework allows them to design, build, assemble, test and deliver complex RF assemblies for the land, surface, air and space domains. Optisys is based in the U.S. and is ITAR-Registered, ISO9001/AS9100-certified and NIST 800-171-certified. Optisys products target  SIGINT, Electronic Attack and other high-demand use case scenarios. The Optisys engineering and manufacturing team offers the following in-house capabilities: RF design using Ansys HFSS, mechanical engineering using SolidWorks and/or NX and Ansys FEA tools, additive design with design teams of mechanical and additive engineers, additive manufacturing supporting hundreds of deliverables every month, post-processing including depowder (dry and wet), 5-axis CNC machining, heat treatment, chromate conversion, etc, RF Testing with RF engineers operating several in-house RF ranges and CMM inspection using both touch and optical formats.

Photonis Defense provides technologies and products pertaining to power tubes, microwave traveling wave tubes, night vision and digital vision solutions for electronic warfare, communications and radar systems. Given the theme of the show, the booth focused on the power and microwave product line. The company and its predecessors have been manufacturing TWTs since the 1940s. These CW, pulsed, narrow and wideband TWTs, both custom and standard, are used for electronic countermeasures, radar applications, airborne military platforms, rack mount amplifiers, communications and SatCom systems. Also of interest and on display in the booth were the company's range of microwave power modules that combine TWT and solid-state technology. These modules typically consist of a high-gain solid-state MMIC driver amplifier followed by a multi-collector traveling wave tube and associated power supplies.

Q Microwave specializes in RF filters, components and subsystems. The booth was displaying Q Microwave's line of lumped-element, combline and ceramic filters from 20 MHz to 26 GHz. Their sub-system capability encompasses integrated assemblies, up/down-converters, diplexers and multiplexers, also in the 20 MHz to 26 GHz frequency range. 

Quadsat has worked with NATO NCIA to perform a measurement campaign to verify the U.S. Space Force’s Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) compliance. Following on from Quadsat’s inclusion in the 2023 NATO DIANA program, this measurement campaign is intended to validate the applicability of Quadsat’s drone-based RF measurement system to undertake military standard testing. Quadsat was able to perform important measurements required for WGS compliance. This included a number of wide-angle Azimuth antenna pattern measurements, elevation patterns and 3D pattern measurements, as well as measuring G/T. The Quadsat system uses a UAV and customized RF payload to perform precise and adaptable antenna validation. It includes software that is able to provide standardized reporting, covering a range of different measurements.

Quantic Electronics was featuring the OpenVPX offering of SOSA-aligned solutions for mission-critical applications. Their products cover applications from 100 MHz to 50 GHz including Quantic PMI with a 100 MHz to 18 GHz transceiver, Quantic Wenzel with frequency sources from 100 MHz to 18 GHz, and Quantic X-Microwave with Tx/Rx/LO signal chains and custom X-MWblock signal chains from 100 MHz to 50 GHz.

RFHIC was represented by its U.S. division, founded in 2012. This division was established to meet the requirements of high-power, efficient and cost-effective power amplifiers catering to both commercial and defense sectors in the U.S.  The company was prominently featuring GaN solutions, along with a sampling of LNAs, active RF components and ICs in the booth, with the products targeting applications in wireless infrastructure, defense and aerospace and RF energy. RFHIC U.S. holds ITAR registration and is certified under ISO 9001:2015. This strategic positioning underscores our dedication to delivering innovative solutions while maintaining the highest standards of performance, reliability, and regulatory adherence.

RF Lambda was featuring several wideband amplifiers from DC-6 GHz, DC-20 and even DC-40 GHz for EW applications. Check out their parametric search page for amplifiers of any kind: https://www.rflambda.com/product/amplifiers.

Rohde & Schwarz introduced their R&S NRPxE power sensors that offer excellent performance and versatility. They feature an impressive dynamic range of 80 dB, a video bandwidth of 100 kHz and the ability to perform up to 1,000 measurements per second. With frequency ranges from 10 MHz to 8 or 18 GHz, the power sensors cater to various measurement needs. Their compact design and ruggedized housing ensure easy handling and reliable operation in demanding environments. The R&S NRPxE sensors feature a user-friendly design with IEEE-compliant label and connector color coding, ensuring safe and secure operation. The built-in trigger capability and RGB status LED provide additional convenience, allowing users to monitor sensor status and trigger measurements with ease.

Samtec delivers Sudden Service® solutions for standard and application-specific military and aerospace designs to meet the stringent quality, production and compliance requirements of our customers. The combined efforts of Samtec's ongoing Severe Environment Testing initiative with our extremely flexible high-speed interconnects provide a quick turn and cost-effective solution for military and aerospace applications that require reliable performance and durability.

Signal Hound previewed a new high-performance four-channel phase coherent receiver that can stream I/Q data over a VITA 49 interface that operates from 100 kHz - 20 GHz. Each channel on the PCR4200 can be configured as a phase coherent channel using the high-performance shared local oscillator (LO), or independently tuned using that channel's dedicated LO. Additionally, any single channel can be configured to provide swept spectrum data at up to 200 GHz/s. Other features include a built-in 30 MHz - 20 GHz vector signal generator to simplify system alignment and calibration, and an internal GPS to provide precise time, frequency, and location. The PCR4200 Four Channel Phase Coherent Receiver is currently under development and should be available sometime in 2024. They also showcased the PN400 Phase Noise & VCO Tester recently introduced. This powerful, all-in-one, phase noise test solution unlocks enterprise-grade accuracy and cutting-edge features in your test and measurement environment. Utilizing cross-correlation methodology and feature-rich software, the system provides a level of performance and sensitivity beyond the capabilities of a single spectrum analyzer.

Spectrum Control introduced a new standard product to its RF+ System in Package (SiP) platform. The SCRS-00-1001 RF+ SiP down converts wideband mmWave signals between 18 GHz - 40 GHz into standard 2 GHz - 18 GHz bands for direct sampling and processing. The SCRS-00-1001 mmWave block converter was designed, tuned, and tested inside the company's new RF+Digital development pipeline, which reduces the typical IMA productization timeline by 75%. The mmWave block converter SiP includes 10 RF amplifiers, two digital attenuators, an RF detector, and 11 RF filters. It is tuned, monitored and managed using an Altera FPGA through an open standard software interface for easy integration into a system and for in-mission adaptation. It also includes integrated power management using a single 9 VDC input. The company also expanded its RF+ SiP platform with the introduction of the SCRS-00-1003 RF+ SiP high-speed signal source. The new standard product provides stable, low jitter and low noise floor clock signals to improve the signal-to-noise ratio in high-speed direct-sampling systems. The new clock device is part of Spectrum Control’s RF+ SiP platform that delivers unrivaled miniaturization of integrated microwave assemblies. The clock signal source, which provides low phase noise signals at frequencies up to 32 GHz, is ideally suited for next-generation 64 Gsps devices such as Altera’s Agilex9 device. It also incorporates a complete system of clocks by utilizing the functions of the Texas Instruments LMX1204 Low Noise JESD Buffer/Multiplier/Divider. The result is up to four buffered (or divided) high frequency (up to 4 GHz) clocks paired with synchronous system reference signals (SYSREF) for JESD interfaces, as well as one FPGA (LOGICLK) signal. These additional clock outputs are provided as 100 Ohm differential signals with selectable output types (e.g., CML, LVDS, or LVPECL) and programmable output levels.

Stellant Systems is formerly L3Harris EDD and Comtech PST. They manufacture spectrum and RF power amplification products for the space, defense, medical, science and industrial markets for both domestic and international customers. Stellant has five domestic manufacturing facilities and approximately 1100 employees. They were showcasing their very broad product portfolio that includes TWTs, MPMs, SSPAs, RF & control components, both passive and active.

Swissto12  manufactures advanced satellite payloads and RF systems, including the HummingSat, a GEO telecommunications satellite developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through its public-private partnership program. SWISSto12’s RF products and satellites benefit from the company’s patented 3D-printing technologies and internal RF product design capability. SWISSto12 claims the largest IP portfolio worldwide around the use of 3D printing for RF product applications and the 3D printed products were featured prominently in the booth.

Trans-Tech was featuring the TTFR-002321, a 9 to 10.5 GHz single-junction robust lead circulator. Maximum average power is 40 W in both directions and peak power is the same. Operating temperature is from 140 to +85 deg C. Insertion loss is .4 dB max. with isolation of a min of 20 dB and return loss of 20 dB min.

Viavi Solutions has annual revenues in excess of $1 billion and they just marked their 100-year milestone. VIAVI Solutions has a broad portfolio of products and systems aimed at communications test and measurement and optical technologies. Viavi participates in industries ranging from communication networks, hyperscale and enterprise data centers to consumer electronics and mission-critical avionics, transportation, aerospace and anti-counterfeiting systems. Experts in the booth were discussing their range of products, services and solutions.

Werlatone was featuring their DC to X-Band integrated assemblies, beamformers, waveguide and e-plane combiners with power levels from 10 W to 20 kW CW. The products are high-power, mismatch-tolerant solutions designed to operate in extreme load mismatch conditions. They address fixed, airborne, ground mobile and shipboard applications.