Ken Mays
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Welcome to a further installment of the “New Products” column in IEEE Microwave Magazine. In this issue, we present six new items that may be of interest to the RF/microwave and wireless communities.
Times Microwave Systems, the preeminent brand in innovative RF and microwave interconnect assemblies, cables, and connectors, introduces its new InstaBend 141 (IB-141) high-performance microwave assembly. IB-141 provides a larger-diameter, lower-loss addition to Times Microwave Systems’ InstaBend family of microwave assemblies, which feature a flexible preassembled design for interconnects between RF circuit cards, modules, and enclosure panels.
IB-141 is ideal for both inside-the-box and between-box connections in applications including space flight, thermal vacuum, microwave tests, and many other commercial and military applications. IB-141’s diameter (0.163 in/4.14 mm) enables lower loss for applications with stringent requirements in a form that is lighter in weight than traditional semirigid cables. Its small bend radius and flexibility enable low-profile installation, easier routing, and tool-free bending compared with semirigid cables, with a maximum frequency of 27 GHz.
The new IB-141 is designed with focus on a robust cable-connector junction that can withstand tight bends without performance degradation. Like all InstaBend assemblies, the cable can be bent very closely behind the connector, minimizing the footprint, saving space, and simplifying cable routing.
“The new IB-141 expands on the unique low-profile bendability of our InstaBend product family, which enables very tight turns in limited space, with a larger but lower-loss cable option. The ability to bend the cable close to the connector back-end without compromising mechanical integrity and electrical performance adds flexibility to high-density system design,” said Kai Loh, product solutions manager.
The newest InstaBend is available now with a short lead time in standard configurations or can be customized to meet an application’s specific needs. For more information, please visit https://timesmicrowave.com/cables.
Fairview Microwave, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of on-demand RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) components, has just introduced an innovative series of in-stock, negative-slope equalizers. They were designed for broadband applications including electronic countermeasures, electronic warfare, microwave radio, and more.
Fairview’s new negative-slope equalizers feature superior performance with excellent linearity, high reliability, and low VSWR. They offer reliability in hazardous conditions with military-grade, compact, coaxial package designs and boast operating temperatures ranging from 0 °C (32 °F) to +90 °C (194 °F). They provide wide coverage over octave bandwidths ranging from 1 GHz to 26.5 GHz and low insertion loss from 0.5 dB to 1.2 dB.
With a maximum input power handling of 150 mW, users can securely transmit greater amounts of power without worrying about damaging antenna ports from overloading. “Our new negative-slope equalizers relieve performance issues in our customers’ signal processing channels. The devices are ideal when compensating for an amplifier’s broadband gain response that characteristically rolls off at the upper end of the frequency band,” said Tim Galla, product line manager.
Fairview’s new negative-slope equalizers are in stock and available for same-day shipping. For inquiries, call +1 949 261 1920.
Anritsu Company introduces frequency extender modules for its Rubidium line of signal generators, in partnership with Virginia Diodes, Inc. (VDI). Covering 50 GHz to 1,100 GHz, the modules complement Rubidium’s best-in-class performance by providing the industry’s broadest frequency coverage and best output power to create a sub-THz signal generator solution for emerging scientific, wireless communications systems, and body and material scanner applications.
The integrated solution brings significant signal purity and output power benefits to sub-THz design environments. Rubidium outperforms all other signal generators in its class in phase noise and harmonic/spurious by a substantial margin. The performance advantages are preserved at sub-THz frequencies.
When the VDI frequency extender modules are used with Rubidium signal generators, engineers realize the industry’s highest output power at THz frequencies. The VDI modules offer high test port power, voltage-controlled RF attenuation, and TTL controlled ON/OFF modulation rates to a few kHz as standard.
Each frequency extender module has two multipliers, which can be configured to allow input signals in two frequency bands. One multiplier has low-frequency input for <20 GHz and a 10 dBm input level, and the other has high-frequency input for <50 GHz and a 0 dBm input level.
The Rubidium–VDI signal generation solution meets the growing demand for emerging sub-THz radio spectrum designs. It can be used during the development of satellite services, radio astronomy, earth exploration, and meteorology applications. Wireless communication systems focusing on the W band (90 GHz to 120 GHz) and D band (130 GHz to 170 GHz), as well as intersatellite links operating at 220 GHz to 330 GHz, are also applications for which the solution is designed.
“VDI strives to produce the highest-quality test and measurement solutions for the mm-wave, sub-THz, and THz frequency ranges through frequency extension of existing microwave test infrastructure. Achieving this requires continual innovation and development to integrate leading-edge active devices with our in-house Schottky diode technology to meet tomorrow’s measurement challenges,” said Cliff Rowland, vice president of business development, VDI. “VDI is exited to work with Anritsu to combine our high-frequency SGX extension modules with its new signal generation capability to bring high-performance solutions to the market.”
The Rubidium signal generator family delivers outstanding signal purity and frequency stability, even at high output power levels, across a broad frequency range of 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz. Coupled with built-in, easy-to-use, at-location frequency and power calibration capability, Rubidium offers exceptional overall utility and long-term value in a broad range of commercial, scientific, and military/aerospace measurement applications.
Rubidium offers an order of magnitude with better frequency stability compared with other signal generators that use an oven-controlled crystal oscillator-based reference. The signal generators offer groundbreaking low single-sideband phase noise of −136 dBc/Hz (typical) and −140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz and 10 kHz offset that is unmatched in the industry. Coupled with best-in-class harmonic and spurious performance, Rubidium signal generators enable customers to make highly accurate measurements.
To learn more, visit https://www.anritsu.com.
Modelithics is the industry leader in providing accurate passive and active RF and microwave circuit simulation models. They enable designers to go from concept to product faster and easier. Meeting the evolving needs of design engineers, Modelithics offers full-wave 3D electromagnetic (EM) analysis services to create encrypted 3D models based on detailed physical dimensions and material properties. These models are integrated into powerful 3D simulators, including Ansys HFSS.
Modelithics 3D geometry models
Supported simulation types include
Measurement validation includes
Product delivery includes
For more information on Modelithics’ 3D modeling services, e-mail sales@modelithics.com.
Mouser Electronics, Inc., the new product introduction leader empowering innovation, provides a wealth of services and tools to help engineers and purchasing professionals find the right products for their designs, including a resource site for development kits and a page devoted to the latest engineering tools. The development kits resource site includes many articles, videos, and how-to guides, connecting engineers directly with the products and know-how necessary for developing new products. The engineering tools page offers an up-to-the-minute collection of new evaluation kits, reference designs, and more, allowing engineers to discover the latest products from leading manufacturers.
Mouser’s development kit resource site offers a diverse collection of resources to inform the development of applications ranging from Internet of Things devices to Bluetooth mesh networks to wearable medical devices. The robust site also includes articles addressing challenges and use cases for specific components, such as home automation using the Microchip Technology SAM E51 Integrated Graphics and Touch Curiosity evaluation kit or device monitoring using the Arduino Portenta H7 development board. The resource site also includes convenient product information for a variety of evaluation boards and development kits, allowing engineers to find components for their new designs easily.
The engineering tools page features a constantly updating list of new tools for evaluating semiconductors and other electronic components. With tools for embedded processors, RF wireless, sensors, and more, the rolling catalog makes it possible for engineers to find the newest solution to their complex design challenges.
To begin reading content from Mouser’s development kit resource site, visit https://resources.mouser.com/development-kits/.
Pasternack, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of RF, microwave, and mm-wave products, has just introduced an innovative series of bias tees. They address a variety of applications, including test and measurement, research and development, optical communications, satellite communications, and more.
Pasternack’s expanded bias tee offering includes various design configurations that cover a broad range of frequencies from 12 KHz to 40 GHz, high dc current and voltage handling up to 7 A and 100 V, and high port isolation of 30 dB typical.
A variety of coaxial packaged configurations are available, featuring SMA, 2.92 mm, and N-type RF ports as well as dc Pin, SMA, and BNC dc ports.
These new bias tees feature compact and rugged aluminum packaged designs that utilize a chemical conversion coating for added protection from oxidation. In addition, they support greater operational temperature ranges from −55 °C to +105 °C, providing resiliency in harsh environments.
“Our new bias tees are ideal for reliably setting dc bias points for your electronic components without disturbing other components in your network. Other manufacturers do not stock finished-goods inventory and require production lead times of up to 10 weeks ARO for build-to-order. But our customers can enjoy access to one of the largest portfolios of in-stock bias tees with best-in-class lead times,” said Tim Galla, product line manager.
Pasternack’s new bias tees are in stock and available for same-day shipping. For inquiries, contact Pasternack at +1 949 261 1920.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MMM.2023.3277405