ROHM Develops Automotive Wireless Charging Solution with NFC Communication

ROHM has recently developed an automotive wireless charging solution with integrated NFC communication. This solution combines ROHM’s automotive-grade (AEC-Q100 qualified) wireless power transmission control IC (BD57121MUF-M) with STMicroelectronics' NFC Reader IC (ST25R3914) and 8-bit microcontroller (STM8A series). In addition to being compliant to WPC’s Qi standard supporting EPP (Extend Power Profile) that enables the charger to supply up to 15W of power, the multi-coil design enables a wide charging area that provides some spatial freedom in vehicle applications (2.7x greater charging range vs single coil configurations). This means that consumers do not need to worry much about exactly aligning their smartphones to the provided charging area in order to be able to charge wirelessly. Click here to read more.

Next-Gen Laminates for Automotive Radar Sensors

Rogers Corporation has announced the RO3003G2, the latest addition to its RO3000 Series of PTFE high-frequency laminates. The RO3003G2 laminates are built on their industry leading RO3003 platform to provide radar sensor designers with improved insertion loss and reduced dielectric constant (Dk) variation.

The combination of Roger's optimized resin and filler content along with the introduction of Very Low Profile ED copper translates to Dk of 3.00 @ 10 GHz (clamped stripline method) & 3.07 @ 77 GHz (microstrip differential phase length method). RO3003G2 laminates also show very low insertion loss of 1.3dB/inch for 5 mil laminates as measured by the microstrip differential phase length method. Click here to read more.

Single Antenna to Handle Communications and Charging In NFC-Enabled Devices

The NFC Forum has announced a Technical Specification that makes it possible to wirelessly charge NFC-enabled devices at a power transfer rate of up to one watt.

The Wireless Charging Candidate Technical Specification (WLC) enables a single antenna in an NFC-enabled device to manage both communication and charging. This solution makes it easier and more convenient to charge low-power IoT devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, headsets and other consumer devices. Click here to read more.

ETL Systems Acquires Atlantic Microwave to Strengthen its Global RF Product Range

ETL Systems has acquired Atlantic Microwave, a leading provider of microwave components and satellite communication test equipment.

ETL Systems operates globally with manufacturing and R&D sites based in the UK. The UK facilities combined with offices in Washington DC and Dubai support the firm in serving customers in 112 countries. ETL’s key international clients include CNN, BBC, Airbus, Thales, General Dynamics, ESPN, DirectTV, Associated Press, Inmarsat, BAE Systems and SES Astra. Click here to read more.

New Vector Network Analyzer Combines Excellent RF Performance with a Unique Operating Concept

Rohde & Schwarz has introduced the R&S ZNA, a new generation of high-end vector network analyzers offering outstanding RF performance and a unique hardware concept that simplifies measurement configuration. Its excellent measurement stability and trace noise enable users to perform demanding measurements on active and passive components and modules. Thanks to its innovative, DUT-centric approach, this touch-operated vector network analyzer reduces configuration times to a minimum. Click here to read more.

Researchers Develop New Metamaterials-based Satellite Antenna

Lockheed Martin and Penn State University have developed an innovative antenna technology that is now under consideration for use in next-gen GPS satellite payloads. They worked together to dramatically improve the design of the conventional short backfire antenna by significantly increasing its aperture efficiency (gain), without affecting its rugged and compact design, nor increasing its weight.

This type of antenna was originally developed in the 1960s at the Air Force Research Lab. Since then, it has been used in many ground, sea and space applications, perhaps most notably in the communication between NASA and the Apollo spacecraft, and it is still in use on terrestrial communication antenna towers today. However, few significant advances have been made to this decades-old design. Click here to read more.

World's First 5G Data Call Using 2.5 GHz and Massive MIMO on a Commercial Network

Sprint, along with Nokia and Qualcomm, has completed the world's first over-the-air 5G data transmission using 2.5 GHz and Massive MIMO on its live commercial network. It is a significant milestone for the company on its path towards launching mobile 5G service beginning in the first half of this year.

The field test, conducted on Sprint's commercial network in San Diego, used global 5G standards on a commercial 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) network with Sprint's 2.5 GHz spectrum, Nokia's dual-mode AirScale Massive MIMO radio, and a mobile smartphone form-factor test device powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem and antenna modules with integrated RF transceiver, RF front-end and antenna elements. The test demonstrated a seamless transition of connectivity between Sprint's 4G LTE Advanced and 5G network, while streaming YouTube videos, conducting Skype audio and video calls, and sending and receiving Instant Messages. Click here to read more.

First Battery-Free Bluetooth Sticker Sensor Tag with ARM Processor

Wiliot, the semiconductor pioneer and innovator, has demonstrated the first-ever sticker-sized Bluetooth sensor tag incorporating an ARM processor powered solely by scavenging energy from ambient radio frequencies.

They showcased this at the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2019: Retail's Big Show in New York City. The company also raised a $30 million series B for a total of $50 million in funding after the demonstration. Click here to read more.

Microwave Tube Market Size Still Over US$1 Billion for 2018

While microwave and millimeter wave high-power vacuum electron devices (VEDs) remain “below the radar” of many industry observers, the total available market (TAM) for this segment is still over US$1 billion for 2018.

These findings are from ABI Research’s Microwave and Millimeter Wave High-Power Vacuum Electron Devices market data report. Click here to read more.

Raytheon AESA Radar Selected for F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jets

The US Marine Corps have selected Raytheon’s APG-79(v)4 AESA radar for the F/A-18C/D classic Hornet Fleet of supersonic fighter jets. Raytheon will begin delivering radars in 2020 and complete all deliveries by 2022.

The APG-79(v)4 is a scaled version of the APG-79 AESA radar integrated on the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force's Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. Along with improved targeting capabilities, crews gain an edge in crucial operations across the spectrum – including air dominance, maritime strike and air-to-surface missions. Click here to read more.

Antennas Integrated into Manhole Covers to Improve 4G Mobile Coverage

In an innovative new concept, Vodafone UK is lifting the manhole covers of the Victorian era in Britain to help build the 5G cities of tomorrow. The telecom giant is set to fit these lids, old and new, with small antennas to help improve 4G mobile coverage for customers in busy urban areas.

Building on its heritage of innovation, Vodafone is using innovative ways to expand and strengthen its network. This includes housing mobile equipment within street furniture such as manhole covers, lamp-posts and phone boxes to increase the speed and extend the coverage of a mobile signal along busy roads, town squares and in shopping and entertainment areas. Click here to read more.

Deutsche Telekom & Ericsson Demonstrate Wireless Backhaul with Fiber-like Performance

Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom have successfully demonstrated a mmWave link with a data transmission rate of 40Gbps at the Deutsche Telekom Service Center in Athens. An important milestone in the evolution from today’s 10Gbps reality heading towards the 100Gbps future. The companies achieved four times greater data throughput compared to current commercial mmWave (millimeter wave) solutions to prove the commercial viability of future wireless backhaul technology.

The test also focused on the stringent latency requirements in 5G network architecture to support low latency or ultra-low latency use cases. The round-trip latency performance of the link tested was less than 100 microseconds, confirming the positive contribution of wireless backhaul technologies to satisfy network-specific latency targets. Click here to read more.

Next-Generation Wireless Power Product Innovations at CES 2019

AirFuel Alliance Members, at the CES 2019, were showcasing Wireless Power 2.0 products, enabling real-world benefits and showing a clear evolution path from first to next-generation technology.

As more consumers and businesses are introduced to the benefits of wireless power this year, more of them will also experience the limitations created by first-generation inductive technology. AirFuel Alliance, the authority on next-generation wireless power technology and standards (Wireless Power 2.0), and its members are removing those limitations with solutions built on magnetic resonance and RF technologies. Click here to read more.

Rugged In-Vehicle Antenna for Public Safety, Gigabit LTE and 5G Ready Applications

Parsec Technologies has released a rugged antenna that meets the LTE LAA specifications for Public Safety, Gigabit LTE, and 5G Ready applications. 

Parsec's Doberman antenna series are omnidirectional, ruggedized, high-performance antennas covering cellular frequencies from 600 MHz to 6 GHz that support 256 QAM. This is one of the first antenna series that meets the LTE LAA (Licensed Assisted Access) specifications as well as all common North American LTE bands with high gain and high efficiency. The Doberman antenna series works across Bands 12, 14, 66, and 71 in addition to the CBRS Bands 42, 43 and 48 as well as the unlicensed bands in the 5 GHz spectrum allowing for the fastest speeds possible today while also providing a path to easily upgrade to 5G in the future. Click here to read more.