Richardson RFPD, an Arrow Electronics company, is a global leader in the RF, wireless, IoT and power technologies markets. It brings relationships with many of the industry’s top radio frequency and power component suppliers. Whether it’s designing components or engineering complete solutions, Richardson RFPD’s worldwide design centers and technical sales team provide comprehensive support for customers’ go-to-market strategy, from prototype to production.
A generation ago, easy-to-use GaAs HBT based RF Gain Blocks changed the way RF engineers designed small signal amplifiers. That same evolution is now arriving in GaN technology with simple broadband solutions to medium power requirements in the 5 to 25 Watt range. This power range appears in a wide array of customer requirements, from output stages in broadband land-mobile and military handheld radios, small cell linear finals, to drivers in larger military, EW, and infrastructure power amplifiers. Entering the realm of power amplifiers though obviously brings new requirements and challenges, among them cost, size, power efficiency, and difficult thermal limitations that drive their electrical and package design. This paper will review conventional solutions, explore the tradeoffs between discrete and monolithic MMICs, and highlight the unique benefits of this new hybrid SMT solution.
DownloadIn May 2014, Microsemi entered the RF monolithic microwave integrated circuit market space with a new line of MMICs spanning the DC to 38 GHz frequency range and including wideband amplifier, low noise amplifier and switch devices designed for a broad range of applications. This paper will cover the new line of Microsemi MMICs, including how the highly-differentiated MMIC product attributes lead to faster design cycle times and smaller overall solutions sizes in electronic warfare, signal intelligence, military communications and aerospace applications.
DownloadThis paper offers an overview of Freescale's methodology for thermal measurement of high power RF power amplifiers (RFPAs), including the use of infrared microscopy to accurately determine die temperature at high frequency under RF test conditions, and thermocouple measurements to accurately determine case temperature. It also covers the use of maximum die temperature to calculate a reliable junction-to-case thermal resistance value. A wide range of Freescale's high power RFPAs are available from Richardson RFPD / Arrow RF & Power at www.richardsonrfpd.com.
DownloadA direct conversion architecture for a receiver is presented in this paper. Direct conversion radios perform just one frequency translation, compared to a superheterodyne receiver that can perform several frequency translations. One frequency translation is advantageous because it reduces receiver complexity and power consumption, it avoids image rejection issues and unwanted mixing products, and it offers high selectivity (ACRR).
DownloadThis paper addresses the use of Wavelex wideband products in test setups for multi-octave and multi-system testing, as well as the advantages of using these wideband products for the testing of narrowband systems. Specific products are presented, along with an example test setup that allows for multi-system testing of ISM 868 MHz, ISM 915 MHz, and avionics transponders at 978 MHz, 1030 MHz, and 1090 MHz, without the need to change components.
DownloadThis paper addresses TriQuint's integrated approach to thermal design that leverages modeling, empirical measurements (including micro-Raman thermography), and finite element analysis (FEA) for high performance microwave GaN HEMT devices and MMICs. This methodology is highly effective and has been empirically validated. By properly addressing FEA boundary condition assumptions and the limitations of infrared microscopy, resulting model calculations are more accurate at both the product and end application level than traditional methods based on lower power density technology.
DownloadThe fast pace, ever changing evolution of the wireless industry puts an enormous time-to-market pressure on the engineering of every new mobile device. Being in the heart of every mobile product, the design of the RF front-end and in particular, the antenna, becomes specially cumbersome as every product currently requires a fully customized antenna. Fractus' new Virtual AntennaTM technology has been conceived to address this particular issue, proposing a new standard antenna element, the miniature mXTENDTM Antenna Booster, to virtually replace every customized antenna in virtually every mobile product.
DownloadThe volume of broadband data transmitted in cable systems has increased tremendously over the last decade. Since 2003, the number of subscribers to broadband data cable services has increased at a compound annual growth rate approaching 14% [1]. The annual growth rate has since slowed, but recent trend information shows double digit growth in premium, so called "wideband" broadband services.
DownloadTo amplify weak signals received by the antenna in communication systems, low noise amplifiers (LNAs) are deployed. LNAs are used in various applications such as GPS receivers, wireless data systems, satellite communications, cellular handsets, radio systems, etc.
DownloadThis paper explains the pulsed RF operation of Microsemi pulsed GaN HEMT RF power transistors using as an example the 1011GN-700ELM 1030 MHz Mode-S Enhanced Message Length (ELM) avionics device. General descriptions are presented detailing both the pulsed gate bias operation and the bias sequencing operation of the “pulser” circuit used on the Microsemi evaluation test fixtures.
DownloadDoherty combiner product line covers major communication bands ranging from 700 MHz to 2700 MHz. Each model is optimized for the center frequency of targeted frequency band. However, as new spectrum is being released, the preâdesigned standard models can be tuned in customer applications to meet performance. This document provides guidelines to tune these standard models for offâband applications.
DownloadIn RF systems, switches are as common as amplifiers, mixers, and PLLs. While many technologies yield good active RF devices, few yield good RF switches. Superior switches are available in Peregrine's UltraCMOS process technology.
DownloadWith today's advancements in wireless technology, greater emphasis is being placed on component performance. This article will provide a discussion of ceramic and porcelain chip capacitors and understanding their behavior in RF product designs. They are an excellent choice for wireless applications where volumetric efficiency, reliability and RF performance are an absolute must.
DownloadEver-increasing demands for faster product launch times, higher performance, lower part counts and reduced costs create RF system design challenges. This paper focuses on how the latest gallium nitride (GaN) products, specifically discrete transistors, amplifiers and switches, offer design engineers enhanced flexibility and performance options by reducing RF board space and system prime power requirements.
DownloadThere are several options for the architecture of the transmit signal path. The factors that impact transmit signal elements are introduced, followed by a discussion of the different architectures. Figure 1 shows a direct conversion architecture for an initial point of reference only. Section 6 of 3GPP TS 25.105 describes the transmit signal requirements used throughout this discussion.
DownloadRadar markets continue to forecast positive growth, and Skyworks Solutions offers a range of products designed specifically for these expanding markets, including materials for phase shifter applications and ferrite circulators.
DownloadAs GaN power device technology matures and gains acceptance suppliers must prove its reliability. This paper will provide an overview of the testing approaches used to establish failure rates and will provide a comparison of DC and RF based HTOL methods. The primary focus of this paper will be the high power RF HTOL test method used by M/A-COM Technology Solutions to qualify its new MAGX line of discrete GaN on SiC RF Power Transistors.
DownloadThis application note presented by Richardson RFPD discusses the major causes of nonideal sideband suppression and discusses design considerations for component selection and PCB design/layout.
DownloadRichardson RFPD's interactive Online Product Selector provides quick, easy access to our extensive selection of RF Test and Measurement components, cable assemblies, and accessories from the industry's top brands.
DownloadRichardson RFPD has been providing products and engineering support to the radio and television broadcast industries for over 60 years. Our RF engineering team can provide design assistance for discrete transmitter designs, integrated (modular) designs,or a combination of both.
DownloadRichardson RFPD offers the broadest portfolio of RF & Microwave components and solutions for HF to mmWave applications. As a leading RF/Microwave specialist, we also provide design assistance and the engineering expertise necessary to help you select the best Military QPL and COTS components for Aerospace & Defense from the industry's leading manufacturers.
DownloadThe published specifications for leakage current in RF power devices are often a source of concern and confusion for engineers and technicians. This paper examines the real meaning behind the leakage current specifications and offers guidance on properly testing a device for leakage current.
Download