Pickering Interfaces announced that it now offers all its RF & Microwave PXI products that operate at 3GHz or above in optional PXIe format. This includes the recently released 40/42-785C (PXI / PXIe) range of microwave multiplexers that offer a maximum frequency of 67GHz in both SP4T and SP6T form factors. Pickering has a continuous […]
Analog IC Tips
SAE ADCs boast sampling speeds of 10 to 125 MSPS
Texas Instruments expanded its portfolio of high-speed data converters with a broad new family of successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that enable high-precision data acquisition in industrial designs. Featuring best-in-class dynamic range at the lowest power consumption, the ADC3660 family includes eight SAR ADCs in 14-, 16- and 18-bit resolution at sampling speeds […]
Understanding the lock-in amplifier, Part 2: The homodyne solution
The lock-in amplifier allows tiny signals from sensors to be captured with precision despite unavoidable noise limitations and other test and measurement challenges of the signal chain. Part 1 of this article looked at the changes of capturing low-level signals such as from a photodetector despite unavoidable signal-path noise, drift, offsets, and other imperfections. This […]
Ultra-broadband capacitors span 16 kHz to 70+GHz
AVX Corporation has released new UBC 550 Series ultra-broadband capacitors designed to deliver reliable, repeatable performance from 16KHz to 70+GHz in the ultra-broadband microwave and millimeter-wave RF applications with stringent operating requirements. The new UBC 550Z, 550U, and 550L Series ultra-broadband capacitors have a rugged and compact single-piece, surface-mount, multilayer ceramic construction made of the highest […]
BGA BGA552 packages get 94-GHz sockets
A new BGA socket design uses a high-performance elastomer capable of 94 GHz, low inductance and wide temperature applications. The GT-BGA-2146 socket is designed for 20.6×19-mm package sizes and operates at bandwidths up to 94 GHz with less than 1 dB of insertion loss. The socket is designed to dissipate 4.5 W using a heat […]
Single-turn potentiometers, encoders excel at rugged industrial apps
TT Electronics announced the addition of three new product families and three series expansions to its variable resistor portfolio. Portfolio additions include one new encoder series and two new single turn potentiometer families, along with the broadening of three existing potentiometer families. These new products are ideal for rugged industrial applications such as welding equipment […]
Small-to-large I/O sockets handle BGA chip testing tasks
New Grypper test sockets handle any BGA devices including large array ASICs and the smallest I/O down to 0.35-mm pitch. The Grypper socket can be designed to any I/O count specific to custom BGA requirements. The Ironwood Grypper G80 LIF socket, part number GR1005-XXXX, allows the testing of an 896-I/O, 31.0×31.0-pitch BGA package. This design […]
Software tool helps designers place antennas in design
Antenova Ltd has created a new software tool to help designers place antennas in a wireless design. The tool displays the optimum position for embedded antennas on the PCB, depending upon the dimensions of the PCB and the specifications of the antennas. It places each individual antenna on the PCB in the best location for […]
Heilind Electronics offers extended series of rugged omnidirectional base station and marine antennas
Heilind Electronics has expanded its antenna portfolio to include CXL Series omnidirectional base station antennas. The antennas are offered in various models to include lightweight, medium-duty, heavy-duty, ATEX-certified, and marine applications. The antennas’ lightweight design and low wind load reduce the static strength demands required for the antenna mast, while their sturdy build allows optimal […]
Input bias current cancellation in bipolar op amps
Bipolar operational amplifiers have an essential input bias current requirement. This bias current has to come from somewhere and can be a nuisance in some types of high impedance circuits such as charge amplifiers and transimpedance amplifiers and can result in offset voltages where input resistances aren’t matched. The example shown below has an input […]