by MATT VAN DAM, Laird Telematics & M2M Business Unit Dedicated short-range communication techniques could usher in connected cars and safer driving. Cars are getting more “intelligent” technology every year. Soon, that technology will let vehicles communicate interactively and share critical information. One result: fewer fender-benders. When the traffic in front of you slows dramatically, […]
Wireless
Low-power wireless links let the IoT proliferate
by JASON TOLLEFSON, Microchip Technology Through beacon technology, smartphones will passively pick up information about activities nearby, extending the IoT to a whole new range of applications. Analysts project there will be tens of billions of “things” making up the IoT, and each of these things will require power. The IoT will necessitate innovation in […]
Low Power Wireless Sensor Networks for IoT
With the wide acceptance of Internet Protocol (IP), it is becoming easier to process data and make meaningful use of information. Fortune 500 companies provide enterpriselevel database solutions for data storage and software tools to streamline business processes, such as asset tracking, process control systems, and building management systems (see Figure 1). Smart phones and […]
High frequency VCXO for small-cell systems
CTS Corporation, through its subsidiary, CTS Electronic Components, Inc. announces the development of a high frequency VCXO for small-cell applications available in two package sizes and output types. It is well suited for small-cell applications, such as Femto-cells, which have limited board space and demand high performance frequency control products. Available in a 7.0 x 5.0 […]
Wide-band instruments in the 5G Era
by David Hall, Principal Product Manager, RF and Wireless Communications, National Instruments, Corp. Just a decade ago, signal analyzers with 20 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth were considered state-of-the-art. Within a decade, signal analyzers with no less than 2 GHz of bandwidth will likely be entry-level devices. Clearly there’s a trend toward signal analyzers supporting wider […]
Basics of RF switches
by Tim Galla, Product Manager, Active RF/Microwave Components, Pasternack Enterprises RF and microwave switches route signals through transmission paths with a high degree of efficiency. Four fundamental electrical parameters characterize how these switch designs perform. Several electrical parameters are associated with the performance of RF and microwave switch designs, but four are considered to be […]
Testing wireless devices for electromagnetic compatibility
by Nicholas Abbondante, Chief Engineer for EMC, Intertek Group Wireless devices must function in an increasingly hostile RF environment. Here are a few tips on setting up a test regime that can uncover problems. It is increasingly critical to test and evaluate wireless devices for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and to ensure they comply with electromagnetic […]
Better materials for better antennas
by Kathleen Fasenfest, Senior Electrical Engineer, Antenna Products, TE Connectivity (TE) Aerospace Defense & Marine Thanks to improved materials and novel processing, antennas today can be lighter, smaller and easier to make than their predecessors. Antennas often don’t look the way they used to. The expanding consumer wireless industry has fueled rapid advances in injection […]
Cellular amps boost mobile and M2M applications
by Dermot O’shea, President, Taoglas Antenna Solutions Cellular signal amplifiers help bring reliable communications to remote locales, but there are subtleties to their deployment that can trip up the uninitiated. As we all know, cellular radio networks use base stations to cover a specific area. Rural areas have fewer base stations. So cellular coverage in […]
Analyzing millimeter frequencies with external harmonic mixing
by Cherisa Kmetovicz, Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent Technologies electronic measurement business) External mixers can help extend the capabilities of signal analyzers so these instruments can handle frequencies ranging into several hundred gigahertz. Short-range connections are increasingly making use of millimeter-wave signals. Application examples include satellite-to-satellite links, point-to-point radios, secure communications, and wireless audio and video […]
