Antennas, antennas, and more antennas are one of the keys to successfully developing 5G new radio (NR) devices employing millimeter wave (mmWave) bandwidths. 5G NR handsets are highly complex devices. They have to handle the new 5G mmWave bands, including 4×4 multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) antennas, 3GPP specified Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access […]
RF Equipment
What is the 5G RF/mmWave signal chain?
The 5G RF/mmWave signal chain is expected to be the same as, and different from, the RF signal chain for today’s LTE Advanced devices. 5G consists of two separate frequency bands, FR1 is mostly repurposed LTE bands, and FR2 bands are in the mmWave region. As a result, 5G in the FR1 frequencies can use […]
Basics of mmWave and its applications
The millimeter band spans from 30 to 300 gigahertz (GHz) and lies between the super high-frequency and far infrared bands, the lower part of which is the terahertz band. Radio waves in this band have wavelengths from ten to one millimeter; thus, radiation in this band is called millimeter waves, sometimes abbreviated MMW or mmWave. […]
What are RF inductors?
Radio frequency (RF) inductors have several uses and are available in various construction types to suit the performance needs of specific applications. Matching, resonators, and chokes are common uses for inductors in RF circuits. Matching involves eliminating impedance mismatches and minimizing reflection and losses in the lines between circuit blocks such as the antenna and […]
WL-CSP 25-W RF switch replaces mechanical relays
Menlo Microsystems, Inc. announced the production release of the MM5130, the first high-performance RF switch manufactured with their proprietary Ideal Switch technology. The MM5130 is designed to handle 25W with ultra-low losses, in a miniaturized wafer-level chip-scale-package (WL-CSP). Historically, this level of performance has been reserved for large RF mechanical relays, which have major drawbacks. […]
Radio Frequency SoC offered in 3U VPX form factor
Abaco Systems announces the VP431, the next generation of our industry-leading VP430 3U VPX commercial off-the-shelf direct RF processing system, now featuring the all-new 3rd-generation Xilinx Radio Frequency System-on-Chip (RFSoC) Technology. The VP431 maximizes I/O channel density, reduces the radio frequency signal chain complexity, and was developed in alignment with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture […]
Multilayer-ceramic RF coils come in 1 nH to 470 nH range
Cost-effective RF coils integrated in a multilayer ceramic structure—with WE-MK, Würth Elektronik offers a wide range of SMT inductors with high self resonant frequency (up to fRES > 10 GHz). WE-MK is available in three different sizes—0201, 0402 and 0603—as well as various inductance values from 1 nH up to 470 nH. The WE-MK inductors have […]
Distribution partnership adds antenna, RF combiner, and RF filter products
Digi-Key Electronics announced that it has expanded its product portfolio by signing a U.S. distribution partnership with Amphenol Procom, providing Digi-Key customers with an extensive offering of antenna, RF combiner, and RF filter products. This partnership further rounds out Digi-Key’s offering of the entire Amphenol product line. This expansion is part of Digi-Key’s Marketplace initiative […]
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 […]
Ultra-miniature GPS saw filter boasts tiny PCB footprint
Sunstu has released their Ultra-Miniature GPS Saw Filter with a PCB footprint of only 1.1mm x 0.9mm. The use of RF Filters in Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) is a necessity but it can be a challenge to find the smaller package sizes with low insertion loss. With the release of this Ultra-Miniature GPS Saw Filter, Suntsu […]
