The microstrip antenna is a convenient, planar, easy-to-fabricate antenna with some attractive attributes and features, as well as some distinct limitations. The passive antenna is a critical part of any wireless communications link, for both transmit and receive sides. Depending on the application, the same antenna may be used for both roles, or radically different […]
Analog IC Tips
End-to-end automation is the next leap forward for DFT
by Jay Jahangiri, Product Manager for Mentor, a Siemens Business, Tessent product family The increase in IC design size and complexity adds a number of new challenges to the design flow, including design-for-test (DFT). One of the most successful changes in design-for-test (DFT) flows in recent years has been the deployment of hierarchical DFT. For […]
Online PCB tool allows for sharing, visualization, and mark-up of PCB designs
Altium, LLC, a leader in PCB design software, today announced the availability of Altium 365, the world’s first cloud platform for PCB design and realization. The platform is poised to transform the electronics industry by bridging the gap between PCB designers, part suppliers, and manufacturers through seamless collaboration as the design evolves. Altium 365 works […]
Spring-pin sockets for 1-mm-pitch BGA and LGA packages
A new socket addresses high-performance requirements for burn-in and test applications. The SBT-BGA-6048 has a contactor that is a stamped spring pin with a 19-gm actuation force per ball and has a cycle life of 125,000 insertions. The self-inductance of the contactor is 0.93 nH, the insertion loss is < 1 dB at 14.1 GHz, […]
What is signal attenuation?
Many use the term “attenuation” without completely understanding it. The term is used in several areas, including medical, audio, and even attenuation terminology associated with brewing beer. Generally speaking, attenuation means “lessening” the thing that’s being attenuated. For example, sunglasses attenuate the sunlight reaching your eyes. Attenuating an electrical signal can mean that the act […]
SAW oscillators feature rad-hardness for spacecraft use
Q-Tech Corporation introduces the QT625S/QT725S Series of space-qualified hybrid surface acoustic wave (SAW) crystal oscillators, offering satellite and spacecraft designers exceptional performance for geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and other deeper space applications requiring the utmost in tolerance to radiation. The 300kRad(Si) radiation-tolerant, sine-wave output QT625S (SAW) and QT725S (VCSO) oscillators are available with user-specified frequencies from […]
Shorts and shims span waveguide sizes from WR-430 to WR-10
Fairview Microwave Inc. has launched a new series of waveguide shorts and shims that are ideal for use in test and instrumentation, wireless communication, satellite communication, and radar applications. Fairview’s new line of waveguide shorts and shims includes 36 models offered in waveguide sizes ranging from WR-430 to WR-10. This new line is ideal for use in RF […]
MIM/MOM capacitor extraction boosts analog and RF designs
Metal-insulator-metal and metal-oxide-metal capacitors popular in analog/RF designs because of their desirable characteristics. By extracting parasitics from your models that are important in your design, you’ll get a robust circuit.
HDMI 2.1 active switch optimizes function integration into single package
Diodes Incorporated announced the PI3HDX12221, an HDMI 2.1 active switch with linear ReDriver that enables manufacturers of TVs, PCs, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes to adopt the latest 12Gbps HDMI standard. The device supports dual inputs with a signal cleaning function that enables extending channel lengths. Optimizing function integration into a single package reduces system BOM […]
Electromechanical relay switches cover 6.5 GHz to 40 GHz in SPDT, DPDT options
Pasternack has just launched a new series of Double Ridge Waveguide Electromechanical Relay Switches which perform over broader frequency bands, making them ideal for applications involved with electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, microwave radio, VSAT, radar, test instrumentation, and research and development. This comprehensive selection of 12 new double ridge waveguide electromechanical switch models are now available featuring […]