Radio detection and ranging (radar) uses reflected radio waves to detect and determine the distance, angle, and velocity of objects relative to the radar system. A basic radar system consists of a transmitter producing electromagnetic waves in the radio or microwave spectrum (these can be pulsed or continuous), a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna (often […]
Wireless
Embedded digital-capacitor ICs enable antenna tuning
Femto/picofarad antenna-tuning ICs enable smartphones to work over several bands and scenarios, thus solving the challenging impedance-matching dilemma. One of the indicators of innovative engineering is to take an attribute that is normally considered to be a drawback and not only negate that characteristic but actually use it to advantage in another setting. Consider this…
Low-loss RF balun family covers 3 GHz to 100 GHz
Fabless mmWave semiconductor startup mmTron Inc. today announced the first four products in a family of broadband, low loss, 50 Ω baluns, covering 3–18, 11–65, and 27–100 GHz. (Baluns are components that transform balanced to unbalanced signals and vice versa.) “Several of our MMIC products use baluns, and we designed our own to get the…
Use TTL or analog signals to program voltage-controlled oscillators
Fairview Microwave has expanded its product line with 15 new analog and TTL programmable voltage-controlled phase shifters. These cutting-edge products cover broad frequency bands ranging from 0.5 GHz to 33 GHz, including the popular market bands VHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, K, and Ka. The new release includes eight models of voltage-controlled analog attenuators…
Metal helix antennas provide longer life in utility metering applications
Raltron is simplifying wireless antenna designs and providing longer operational life for utility metering applications with its RLX Series of metal helix antennas. The ruggedized omnidirectional RLX antennas for utility meters are constructed from either phosphor bronze or brass, for optimal outdoor performance in residential, and industrial applications. Able to withstand extreme heat and cold, […]
Single-chip PMIC combines circuity typically requiring five or more discrete
Nordic Semiconductor announces the launch of its nPM1300 Power Management IC (PMIC). With its two ultra-efficient buck converters, two load switches/Low Drop Out voltage converters (LDOs) and integrated battery charging, the nPM1300 is ideal for battery-operated applications. It reduces an end-products Bill-of-Materials (BoM) by combining circuitry that typically requires five or more discrete components into…
SoM now available in smart mobility architecture form factor
Laird Connectivity announces the Nitrogen93 in a smart mobility architecture (SMARC) form factor, expanding the SOM portfolio conforming to the SMARC industry standard and offering a solution that utilizes both processor and wireless silicon from NXP. The Nitrogen93 SMARC is powered by NXP’s innovative i.MX 93 applications processor, NXP PMIC PCA9450, and Laird Connectivity’s Sona NX611 Wi-Fi 6 […]
FAQ: Antenna-in-package answers the “last mile” RF challenge, Part 2
If you think antennas must live “outside” a circuit, think again: they can also be housed in a small package adjacent to the active components they serve. The previous part established the context and rationale for AiP; this part continues the exploration. Who are some of the AiP technology suppliers or OEMs? ASE, a leading…
SoC generates RF test signals and analyzes results
The Apollo MxFE software-defined signal processing SoC from Analog Devices digitizes and generates analog signals with DSP in between. Applications cover aerospace & defense, instrumentation, and wireless communications. Digitizing high-speed signals, processing them, and creating responses typically requires separate ADCs, DACs, and DSPs or FPGAs. The Apollo MxFE system-on-chip (SoC) combines signal capture, creation, and […]
5G mmWave test builds on RF best practices
The high level of integration in today’s mmWave phone means traditional test methods no longer apply.
