|
Travel Bug Planters
 I
have purchased a few geocaching Travel Bugs and would like to get some of them planted
outside the U.S. Each one consists of a Travel Bug strung together with a dog tag
having RF Cafe stamped on it. If you are a Geocacher and would volunteer to plant
one of my tags, I will be glad to mail one to you. One Travel Bug would like to
go to each of the following regions, so please contact me if you are interested...
NuWaves Engineering, an
international Radio Frequency (RF) and Embedded Systems solutions provider, announced
today that the company has added E.G. Holmes & Associates, Inc. as an authorized representative
of its commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and design services for the Southeast
region of the United States. With the signing, E.G. Holmes brings NuWaves over 50
years of proven results to NuWaves' expanding sales representative network.
 An automated simulation-based design cycle has
become a fundamental part of the success of one of today's leading designers of
travelling wave tube (TWT) microwave amplifiers. TMD Technologies produces a large
range of TWTs, a core component of many radar and missile seeker systems, electronic
counter measure (ECM) and electronic warfare (EW) systems. By using scripting tools
built into Cobham Technical Services'
Opera electromagnetic design software, the company has created
a custom tool that automatically builds a three-dimensional (3D) model of a new
TWT, simulates it and analyzes the results, all within the space of around five
minutes.
 Pasternack Enterprises expands their line of high
and medium output
RF noise sources. This new line of noise sources is perfect
for applications requiring reliable frequency levels up to 18 GHz. Pasternack
Enterprises' coaxial RF noise sources are diode-based microwave components that
produce white noise for system performance evaluation such as noise figure. This
expanded line of RF noise sources have operating frequencies ranging from 1-18 GHz
and have a maximum noise output between 15-35 dB ENR.
 An article with instructions relating to subjects
like overthrow, balance, friction, and cleaning could very well be about a country's
revolutionary struggles. In this case, it is an article about how to rejuvenate
a persnickety or inaccurate mechanical (aka analog)
meter
movement. W.R. Triplett, relative (I assume) of
meter manufacturer Ray L. Triplett, is the author (Triplett
is now owned by Jewel Instruments). There are a lot of analog meters around
in labs, workshops, and garages. Unless they have been burnt out, most probably
still work like new. Occasionally, however, the movements get sticky because of
accumulations of dirt and dust, bug filth, or even from corrosion. This article
offers some great tips for making them serviceable again. I have a Micronta
(Radio Shack) model 22-208 FET-VOM that I bought back
in the late 1970s. I put a new 9V battery in it every 5 years or so and it keeps
going like the Energizer bunny (in fact it now uses an Energizer
battery). Analog meters are more useful than digital meters, IMHO, when...
for Continued Support!
Noisecom has been a leading provider of RF & Microwave
noise generating equipment used
in commercial & military applications since 1985. We provide noise diodes, calibrated
noise sources, jitter sources, cryogenic noise standards, and computer controlled
instruments for either Precision C/N, or broad band white Gaussian noise. Noise
Com provides off the shelf as well as custom designed noise testing solutions.
Electronics Poetry
 If
subjects pertaining to electronics - particularly vacuum tubes - are like music
to your ears, then this poem titled "What Is It?," from
the February 1943 edition of QST, should suit you just fine. The rhyming words are
supplied by author Frank Judd; you just need to supply the harmony. Poems like this
one were actually quite common back in the day. In fact if you look through the
list of articles that I have posted from vintage QSTs, you will find half a dozen
or more.
Appreciation of Support
Boonton Electronics is a provider of RF & microwave test equipment including
Peak and Average power meters, Modulation & Audio Analyzers, RF millivolt &
Capacitance meters, and PIM Test Sets. Peak Power meters have up to 70 MHz
of video BW, and 40 GHz of carrier BW. Modulation & Audio Analyzers provide
analog measurements required for radio sets. RF Millivoltmeters use an RF probe
system that automatically loads calibration coefficients for measurements to 1.2 GHz.
on everything RF
 everything RF –
everythingrf.com has now
added RF calculators to the website including RF Attenuation Calculator, VSWR Calculator,
Microstrip Calculator, Coax Calculator, Wavelength Calculator, Cascaded Noise Figure
and Gain Calculator, Skin Depth Calculator, Inductive Reactance and Admittance Calculator.
 The
TXM119 is a 1.7
– 2.5 GHz, 5 W (P1dB) PA module designed for COFDM Video link applications
and general purpose use. The unit has 11 dB gain with 0.3 dB flatness
across the band. Current draw is 750 mA at 1 W COFDM output. High speed
switching and over / under / reverse voltage protection are standard, and the units
dimensions are 3.75 x 1.9 x 0.49 in.
 A decision was made by the United Kingdom
in 1994 to produce 2-pound (£2) coins for general circulation. Public input
was sought regarding a theme for the design of the reverse face (back) of the coins;
the obverse (front) would feature the standard bust of the Queen. Four year later,
the British Royal Mint issued its first coin. The bi-color coins all have a nickel-brass
(dark) inner component and a cupro-nickel (light) outer component. Designs would
tell the story, through symbolic devices, of technological development from the
Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution and from the Computer Age to the Internet.
An edge inscription was included to identify the object or event being commemorated.
Designed by Robert Evans, the third coin in the yearly series pays tribute to the
contributions of Guglielmo Marconi. Per the British Royal Mint's website: "100th Anniversary
of Marconi's 1st Wireless Transmission across the Atlantic. Radio waves decorating
centre and outer border while a spark of electricity linking the zeros of the date
represents the generation of the signal designed by Robert Evans." The chosen design
contains a rendition of Guglielmo...
 IEEE sends
out occasional e-mails with job hunting tips for technical types. Here are a few
from the most recent. I post only the useful ones to save you time.
•
What Not to Say During an Interview
•
Wearing Two Hats: The New Path to Promotion
•
U.S. House Votes to Expand Visas for High-Tech Workers
Modules
 RFMD's new RFFM8xxx series provide complete integrated
solutions in single front end modules (FEMs) for WiFi systems. The ultra-small form factor and integrated
matching minimizes the layout area in the customer's application and greatly reduces
the number of external components. This simplifies the total front end solution
by reducing the bill of materials, system footprint, and manufacturability cost.
Wireless and Defense
 Whether you're designing broadband defense systems,
HF, VHF, and UHF radios, or wireless systems that demand the lowest possible IMD,
Anatech has hundreds of standard power divider models to choose from. The two
models below are terrific examples of our design expertise at work and many more
are available at www.amcrf.com.
We can also design custom models up to 32 GHz with high power handling ability and
up to 32 ports.
in Appreciation of Support
Kete Microwave Electronics specializes in designing and manufacturing state of
the art RF/Microwave passive components solutions including isolators and circulators,
RF resistors, terminations, attenuators, multilayer chip ceramic capacitors, feed-through
capacitors, directional couplers, power dividers and combiners, 3dB Hybrid coupler
etc. Connectorized, surface mount, drop-in, and waveguide versions available.
in 2012 Global IC Market
It is no secret that 2012 has been a rather crappy year for the IC markets. Nevertheless,
according to research by the
IHS iSuppli folks, communications IC maker Qualcomm ranks #3
this year, up from #6 last year after a 27% increase in revenue.
| 1 |
Intel |
47.5 |
| 2 |
Samsung Electronics |
30.5 |
| 3 |
Qualcomm |
13.0 |
| 4 |
Texas Instruments |
12.0 |
| 5 |
Toshiba |
11.0 |
| 6 |
Renesas Electronics |
9.4 |
| 7 |
SK Hynix |
8.5 |
| 8 |
STMicroelectronics |
8.5 |
| 9 |
Broadcom |
7.8 |
| 10 |
Micron Technology |
7.0 |
 "You could put in this room, de Forest, all
the radiotelephone apparatus that the country will ever need." -- W.W. Dean, president
of Dean Phone Company, when de Forest pitched his audion tube.
People Were Still Around"
 Every week while sitting in the studio where
Melanie takes her cello and piano lessons, I usually read technical and hobby magazines,
but lately I have been studying the ARRL General Class License Manual in
preparation for taking the written exam in a couple months. Last week a lady saw
the book title and remarked, "I didn't know
ham radio people were still around." Wow. It would be tempting to blame her
for being ignorant, or to blame the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) for not adequately
getting the word out, but the reality is that the mass media does not consider Ham
radio's contribution to be significant enough to cover in news stories. Amateur
radio operators perform a mighty service in times of trouble, but they do it so
efficiently and effectively- without actively seeking credit - that their efforts
are lost in the noise. Ham radio operators have been on the front lines of national
and civil defense since World War II and even a bit before...
802.11n Certification
 RivieraWaves announced IEEE Wi-Fi 11n certification of its new
scalable Wi-Fi 802.11ac silicon IP. The IP is available in a broad range of configurations,
supports 802.11n and 802.11ac specifications, single or multiple MIMO (Multiple-Input
and Multiple-Output) streams, and up to four transmit and receive antennas. In its
simplest 1x1 configuration, the IP is optimized for wireless sensors and many Internet
of Things (IoT) applications requiring low power consumption. For more complex MIMO
configurations, the IP can achieve optimized throughput close to the maximum theoretical
values, and is ideal for applications such as smart phones, tablets, computers,
digital TVs and set-top boxes.
Book Drawing Winner!
 Reid C., of Lawrence, Kansas, is the November
2012 book drawing winner!.
Reid chose Robotic Navigation and Mapping with Radar .
Graciously provided by
Artech House
 VCO Fundamentals,
by Mini-Circuits, Wednesday December 5, 11 AM ET. Outline: VCO Overview
Functional block concept, I/O relationships, basic performance metrics, center frequency
tuning, 'constant' types of VCOs, resonant (LC, SAW based, crystal) multivibrator,
ring oscillator, Methods of tuning varactor drive strength (e.g. charging current
in multivibrator), phase adjust, second order performance metrics, v-f linearity,
supply/load sensitivity, phase noise, comparison of VCOs.
 Hittite Microwave Corporation, a world class supplier
of complete MMIC based solutions for communication & military markets, has developed
the HMC832LP6GE,
a 3.3V Wideband Fractional-N PLL with Integrated VCO that generates continuous fractional
frequencies between 25 MHz and 3 GHz. The
HMC832LP6GE
offers low power consumption of 560 mW while featuring industry leading phase noise
and spurious performance. It also includes innovative programmable performance technology
that allows designers to further reduce current consumption if demands on the noise
floor can be relaxed.
Low Noise Amplifier
 PMI Model No.
PE2-25-7G10G-5R0-20-SFF is a low-noise amplifier that operates
over the frequency range of 7.0 to 10.0 GHz. This model provides gain of 22 dB
minimum with a maximum noise figure of 5.0 dB. The output power at 1dB gain
compression is +20 dBm minimum and the output OIP3 is +27 dBm minimum.
This amplifier is supplied in our standard PE2 housing that can be used with SMA
connectors or as surface mount.
Big Bucks
 All the online magazines seem to now have
columns where readers can tell of their personal experiences relating to science
and engineering. Design News has "Designed by Monkeys" for that
purpose. Sometimes a bit of humor is injected, other times you revel in the brilliance
of someone's troubleshooting skills, or roll you eyes at the gullibility of mankind.
"RMS Meter Saves Investor Big Bucks" is an example of the latter.
in Appreciation of Support
Vector Telecom has fully instrumented microwave, millimeterwave, & antenna
laboratories and production facilities. Our professional engineers have backgrounds
from telecommunications, electronics, space and aviation industries. Frequencies
up to 50 GHz, at globally competitive prices. Custom designs available.
RF PCB Design,
AWR, Tuesday, December 4, 11 AM ET. Abstract: One of the most in-demand
categories of consumer products on the market are wireless telecommunication products.
While many factors contribute to the success of a great product, a well designed
RF PCB can provide a significant boost, as the RF PCB can improve a product's performance,
stability and reliability. There is a strong demand for RF professionals who possess
the knowledge and experience to design top-performing RF PCBs quickly and efficiently.
This webinar offers insightful knowledge on practical RF PCB design to improve one's
competence level and meet this demand.
Crossword for 12/2/2012
For the sake of avid cruciverbalists, each week I create a new crossword puzzle
that has a theme related to engineering, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and other
technical words. You will never be asked the name of a movie star unless he/she
was involved in a technical endeavor (e.g., Hedy Lamar).
Needed - Please Contact
 RF Cafe visitor Barry Carlin is looking for
someone willing to sell a licensed copy of Eagleware's Superstar 6.5B. Says Barry,
"I have a reasonably large archive of linear circuit simulations created via Eagleware's
Superstar Version 6.5B. Unfortunately I no longer have access to the software. Do
you know how I might locate someone who might be looking to sell a copy of this
software along with the hardware key? My PC operates via Windows XP in 32 bit
mode, so I should not have any difficulty running Superstar." If you can help, please
contact Barry at
bcarlin@cinci.rr.com .
of Western Civilization?
 If you live in western Europe or the U.S.,
there is a good reason you probably feel like the future has moved on to other places.
This new interactive
Global MetroMonitor Map of World Economies by the
Brookings
Institution indicates the economic health of 300 cites based on how they are
affected by the recession and their growth rate over specified periods. Bluish indicates
strong health and reddish is in the loo. You don't need a larger version of the
map (but go ahead and click on it anyway) to see which
parts of the world are doing things right. Hint: It isn't the U.S and Europe. Asia
and Central America - the places that make nearly everything we buy - are winning.
While the winners concentrate on strong national policies for their citizens, we
funnel the resources of society's producers to whiny and militant special interest
groups. Demonizing everything that Western society built and worshiping everything
else is the cause du jour. It's taught in our schools and promoted by
wealthy government bureaucrats
who are deeply invested in foreign concerns. If you like it this way, do nothing.
of Precision Adapters
 Cross RF is a leading manufacture and supplier
of RF/Microwave
Interconnect Solutions. Headquartered in Orange County California, our components
have been successfully proven in a diverse range of applications including Telecommunications,
Automotive, Defense, and Test and Measurement industries. These adapters include
the In-Series K-K or 2.4mm-2.4mm and the Between-Series, 2.4mm-2.92mm-3.5mm adapters.
Low VSWR, durable stainless steel composition, and frequencies up to 50 GHz
(2.4mm) or 40 GHz (2.92 mm/K and 3.5 mm).
Added to Connectors Page
Storm Copper Components
800-394-4804 | Decatur, TN Fabricates custom copper connectors for the wireless,
telecommunications, power and alternative energy industries. Serving engineers and
OEM's worldwide for 20 years, Storm has consistently provided its customers with
the speed and efficiency of advanced computer-controlled fabrication combined with
expert craftsmanship and design execution.
to Laser Vendors Page
Pinpoint Laser Systems
800-757-5383 | Peabody, MA Manufacturer of precision laser measuring and alignment
products for industry. Broad line of easy-to-use products that incorporate lasers,
optics, electronics, and solidly built mechanical features. Manufacturing customers
in many industries as diverse as semiconductor equipment to pet food, use these
products which deliver measuring resolution of 0.0001 inch and work over distances
of 200 feet, for both routine and complex measuring and alignment tasks.
Wave Circuits and Systems
 Microwave and Millimeter Wave Circuits and Systems:
Emerging Design, Technologies and Applications, A. Georgiadis, H. Rogier , L.
Roselli, P. Arcion. The book provides a wide spectrum of current trends in the design
of microwave and millimeter circuits and systems, and identifies the state-of-the
art challenges in microwave and millimeter wave circuits systems design such as
behavioral modeling of circuit components, software radio and digitally enhanced
front-ends, new and promising technologies such as substrate-integrated-waveguide
(SIW) and wearable electronic systems, and emerging applications such as tracking
of moving targets using ultra-wideband radar, and new generation satellite navigation
systems. Each chapter treats a selected problem and challenge within the field of
Microwave and Millimeter wave circuits, and contains case studies and examples where
appropriate.
Products for Supporting Us
Innovative Power Products designs and manufacturers high power 90° Couplers,
Broadband Directional Couplers, Combiners, Resistors and Terminations for the RF
and microwave industries. Connectorized, surface mount formats are available. Call
for custom requirements or volume production information.
Lights with Your Phone?
 "Spark: Upgrade Your Lights with Wi-Fi and Apps" That
is the tag line for a Kickstarter™
crowdfunded project that seeks
to commercialize a device that screws into a standard light bulb socket and wirelessly
controls a bulb (up to 100 W) which is screwed
into it. Evidently the product is already designed and tested, so all the development
and marketing team needs now is enough cash to do FCC certification
(due to the switching power supply, controller, and WiFi signal)
and a production launch. As of this writing there are 1,162 Backers, and $92,189
has already been pledged toward the $250,000 goal. They have 13 days left to reach
the goal, or the entire effort has to begin all over. Spark needs a WiFi router
within about 200 feet, and will only work with dimmable bulbs, which includes Edison's
evil Earth-killing incandescents, LEDs, and dimmable (but
not standard) CFLs. I did not see a target retail price. The team has a very
well-done presentation for their effort.
Filter Offers High Rejection
 Anatech Electronics today introduced the Model
AS816N335 extremely high Q notch filter designed for 800 MHz GSM applications
that has extremely sharp transition characteristics from the stopband to the passbands,
and extremely high rejection of -70 dB making. It is an excellent choice for
use in base station applications, either indoors or outdoors. The Model AS816N335
has a notch center frequency of 816.5 MHz, notch of 816 to 817 MHz, low-side
passband beginning at 809 MHz and high side passband beginning at 821 MHz.
Passband return loss is at least 18 dB.
w/AWR's MWO Software
AWR announces the release of two new university success stories that reveal how
students use AWR software to design novel and award-winning microwave/RF products. Norbert Leder of the Vienna University of Technology led a team
in the design of a complex X-band transmission analyzer using Microwave Office.
Cem Korkmaz, a student at Istanbul Technical University, used
Microwave Office for his graduation design project. His award winning final Wi-Fi
low noise amplifier (LNA) design performed better than other commercially available
designs with lower noise figure and power consumption, to name a few key metrics.
|
