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.
WIN Semiconductors, the world’s largest pure-play compound semiconductor foundry, announced the commercial release of its next-generation integrated millimeter-wave (mm-wave) gallium arsenide (GaAs) platform, PQG3-0C. Targeting mm-wave front ends, the PQG3-0C technology combines individually optimized E-mode low-noise and D-mode power pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs) to enable best-in-class power amplifier (PA) and low-noise amplifier (LNA) performance on the same chip. The E-mode/D-mode pHEMTs have an ƒ t of 110 and 90 GHz, respectively, and both employ 0.15-µm t-shaped gates fabricated by deep ultraviolet (UV) stepper technology. Deep UV photolithography is a proven high-volume manufacturing technique for short-gate-length devices and eliminates the throughput constraints of traditional electron beam patterning. Offering two application-specific mm-wave transistors with RF switches and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection diodes, PQG3-0C supports a wide range of front-end functions with increased on-chip functionality.
Both E-mode and D-mode transistors can be used for mm-wave amplification and operate at 4 V. The D-mode pHEMT targets PAs and provides over 0.6 W/mm, with an 11-dB linear gain and close to 50% power-added efficiency when measured at 29 GHz. The E-mode pHEMT operates best as a single-supply LNA and delivers a minimum noise figure below 0.7 dB at 30 GHz, with 8 dB of associated gain, and a third-order output intercept of 26 dBm.
The PQG3-0C platform is manufactured on 150-mm GaAs substrates and provides two interconnect metal layers with low-k dielectric crossovers, p–n-junction diodes for compact ESD protection circuits, and RF switch transistors. With a final chip thickness of 100 µm, a backside ground plane with through-wafer vias is standard and can be configured as through-chip RF transitions to eliminate the adverse impact of bond wires at mm-wave frequencies. PQG3-0C also supports flip-chip packaging and can be delivered with copper pillar bumps fabricated on WIN’s internal bumping line. For more information, visit WIN Semiconductors at https://www.winfoundry.com/en-US/.
BroadWave model series 251-015-XXX* has 50-Ω 10- and 20-dB directional couplers that operate in the 12.4 and 18 GHz frequency ranges. The directivity is 20 dB minimum, the frequency sensitivity is ±0.5 dB maximum, and the insertion loss is 1.2 dB maximum for the 10-dB unit and 0.6 dB maximum for the 20-dB unit. The maximum voltage standing-wave ratio is 1.30:1, the RF input power is 50 W average/1,000 W peak, and the RF connectors are subminiature version A (SMA) female. Directional couplers designed by BroadWave provide an accurate method for sampling a signal. The company offers couplers for most applications, including power measurements, signal leveling, and frequency measurements from 500 MHz to 18 GHz, with N or SMA connectors. To learn more, visit www.broadwavetechnologies.com.
Highlighted solutions include the Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) FSPN and FSWP, two exceptionally powerful phase noise analyzers for characterizing laser systems. The phase noise analyzers and oscilloscopes from R&S and lock-in amplifiers from Zurich Instruments complement each other perfectly for comprehensive characterization of optical signals.
Phase noise analyzers are essential for many photonics applications, such as laser and optical source analysis, optical frequency synthesis, optical coherence tomography, and quantum optics. The phase noise sensitivity of the FSPN requires a hundred times fewer correlations relative to comparative solutions. The result is a high measurement speed, ideal for efficient phase noise analysis both in R&D and production. The FSWP—a signal and spectrum analyzer and phase noise analyzer in a single box—is another powerful instrument for characterizing laser systems. With a frequency range of up to 50 GHz and a signal analysis bandwidth of up to 8 GHz, the FSWP is ideal for testing radar applications and when developing and manufacturing synthesizers, oven-controlled crystal oscillators, doubly resonant oscillators, and voltage-controlled oscillators.
The R&S RTO6 oscilloscope is presented with the Quantum Computing Control System (QCCS) from Zurich Instruments. The QCCS is the first commercial device designed to control more than 100 superconducting and spin qubits. LabOne Q, the QCCS control software, provides a full measurement framework for quantum computing and facilitates integration into higher-level software. The RTO6 is a sophisticated test solution for frequency, protocol, and logic analysis. It features a large 15.6-in touchscreen, excellent signal fidelity, and deep responsive memory.
Zurich Instruments can demonstrate a dc lock-in detection for up to 8.5 GHz with its lock-in amplifiers. Lock-in amplifiers are essential to research laboratories for optics, photonics, scanning probe microscopy, and quantum technologies. The instruments can extract very small signals buried in noise, extending the reach of experimental setups. To learn more visit www.rohde-schwarz.com/contact.
RLC Electronics has introduced higher-power band-reject (notch) filters designed to operate over the frequency range of 0.01–40 GHz. The filters are available in compact sizes and constructed to operate in the most severe military environmental conditions. They are centered at 1,300 MHz, with a 200-MHz wide notch having 50-dB minimum attenuation. The units are phase matched in pairs and can handle a 250-W continuous wave. For inquiries, contact jborck@rlcelectronics.com or visit www.rlcelectronics.com.
Spectrum Control, a global leader in RF and microwave solutions, introduced the high-value 4801-8-127 solid-state eight-channel programmable attenuator, which delivers high performance in a compact package to enable Wi-Fi and 5G test systems.
The Spectrum Control 4801-8-127 meets the needs of automated high-channel-count RF systems operating in challenging environments. The eight-channel programmable attenuator covers a frequency range of DC-8 GHz, has a dynamic range of 127 dB, and offers high linearity to limit signal amplitude while maintaining signal integrity. Its combination of cost efficiency and repeatability is unmatched in the market.
Measuring only 244 × 100 × 15 mm (9.6 × 4 × 0.6 in), the 4801-8-127 occupies less rack space and can be placed within an isolated chamber. It is well suited for a variety of applications requiring compact components to precisely control signal levels, including automated test systems; Wi-Fi chipset tests; multiple-input, multiple-output device verification; and 5G base station verification. To learn more visit, www.spectrumcontrol.com.
Pasternack, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of RF, microwave, and mm-wave products, has announced the release of a new series of ac-powered LNAs. The 10 new models complement the existing series of benchtop amplifiers through an expanded frequency range and capabilities, making them ideal for use in a wide range of applications.
Pasternack’s new ac-powered LNAs use GaAs semiconductor technology for optimum low-noise performance and high efficiency. The designs cover broad octave bandwidths ranging from 10 MHz up to 50 GHz, with a 3-dB typical noise figure and gain levels ranging from 25 to 60 dB. Broadband performance covers popular market bands including ultrahigh frequency, very high frequency, L, C, S, X, Ku, Ka, and up to V band.
These ac-powered RF amplifiers use a 110–220-Vac power supply for worldwide operation and are Restriction of Hazardous Substances and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals compliant.
The amplifiers are available in rugged military-grade coaxial packages with integrated heatsinks. They support SMA, 2.92-mm, or 2.4-mm RF connectors. The models operate over –40 °F to +185 °F (–40 °C to +85 °C) and withstand exposure to environmental conditions that include altitude, vibration, humidity, and shock. These ac-powered LNAs can be used on the bench in a laboratory setting or in more rugged external environmental applications.
Pasternack’s new ac-powered LNAs are in stock and available for same-day shipping. For inquiries, contact +1 (949) 261-1920.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MMM.2023.3303686