Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has several names, including micro-electro-mechanical systems, and micromechatronic systems. In Japan, MEMS is called micromachines, while in Europe, it’s referred to as microsystem technology (MST). Whatever name that’s used, MEMS devices are made using components measuring from 1 to 100 μm (0.001 to 0.1 mm), with MEMS devices ranging from 20 μm […]
5G
Oven-controlled Xtal oscillators sync to 1 pps input, output
IQD launched the IQCM-200, a disciplined OCXO, incorporating sync to a 1 PPS (pulse per second) input as well as a 1 PPS output. The IQCM-200 is part of a series of disciplined OCXOs available from IQD. This particular model is the smallest sized OCXO capable of achieving a holdover capability of 1.5µs over 24 […]
What’s a logarithmic resistor ladder good for?
A logarithmic resistor ladder consists of a resistor string and switches designed to attenuate a signal. The state of the switches can be considered to represent a digital code proportional to the logarithm of the attenuation ratio. Logarithmic attenuation is useful when a large dynamic range is needed. Audio volume control and fading/balancing audio signals […]
SP4T DC-6-GHz switch delivers high-power for RF applications
Menlo Micro has introduced a new single-pole/four-throw (SP4T) DC-to-6 GHz switch that provides best-in-class performance, reliability, and integration for 5G network infrastructure, test and measurement equipment, and other high-power RF switching applications. Built on Menlo Micro’s market-proven Ideal Switch technology, the MM5140 SP4T switch offers 25W power handling, ultra-low insertion loss, and the industry’s highest linearity, […]
What are reflectionless filters? Part 1: context
Standard filters reflect unwanted stopband energy, but reflectionless filters present a seamless impedance across both stopband and passband which greatly improves performance of the RF signal chain. Filters are an inherent, inescapable, necessary component in electrical and electronic circuits. Modern systems would be impractical and likely impossible without filters, whether at low frequencies down to […]
Notch filters boast built-in ESD protection function
TDK Corporation announces the release of its newly developed AVRF041A150MT242 and AVRF061D2R4ST532 notch filters with ESD protection function. Volume production of these devices will begin in March 2022. The new notch filters are compliant with the IEC61000-4-2 Level 4 immunity standard. They are well suited to ensuring EMC requirements are met in the audio circuits […]
Embedded antennas handle LTE 410/ 450 MHz bands
Antenova Ltd has revealed its latest antenna, Atta, part number SRFI079, for LTE and smart wireless deployments in the 410 MHz and 450 MHz bands. The Atta antenna is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) form and measures 101.0 x 20.0 x 0.15 mm. It is supplied with an I-PEX mating connector for direct integration to […]
3D printing for 5G systems
MIMO antennas, waveguides, traveling wave tubes, and RF substrates are fabricated using various 3D printing technologies. For example, 3D printing has been used to produce highly dense and integrated waveguide signal interconnects modules in a single monolithic unit. By printing the waveguide modules in one component, the part count was significantly reduced from tens or […]
What is passive intermodulation?
Passive intermodulation (PIM) is a pernicious and destructive phenomenon for cellular network operators. PIM shows up as a set of unwanted signals created by mixing two or more strong RF signals. Mixing generally produces the sum and difference frequencies of the two transmit signals F1 and F2. These signals are F1 + F2 and F1 […]
New standard simplifies electronic device thermal model data sharing
Siemens Digital Industries Software announced the establishment of JEP181—a neutral file, XML-based standard from the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, which is the global leader in standards development for the microelectronics industry. The JEP181 standard simplifies thermal model data sharing between suppliers and end-users in a single file format called ECXML (Electronics Cooling eXtensible Markup […]