March - April 08
Standard and custom board level shielding is now available from Tech-Etch. For more information, see story in Product News.
EMC Week Extends Call for Papers
Potential authors now have an additional opportunity to submit papers for 2008 EMC Week. The submission portal is open for post-deadline papers and the deadline is March 30 with the notice of acceptance scheduled for April 15. Submit a one-page abstract including the paper title, author affiliations, contact details, and a novelty statement. Post-deadline papers will be presented during the poster sessions and will not be included in the proceedings.
2008 EMC Week in Singapore, Asia-Pacific EMC Week, and technical session will be held May 19-23. Visit www.emc-zurich or www.apemc2008.org for more information.
Agilent, ETS-Lindgren Selected By AT4 Wireless
Agilent Technologies and ETS-Lindgren were selected by AT4 wireless labs to provide WiMAX test equipment for use in radiated performance tests (RPT).
As the WiMAX Forum Lead Lab and first worldwide WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Laboratory, AT4 wireless is developing RPT test capability in its U.S.-based branch by adding the ETS-Lindgren RPT test system. This system includes the ETS AMS-8500 antenna measurement system, the Agilent EXA Signal Analyzer and Agilent’s E6651A Mobile WiMAX test set. This RPT solution will augment AT4’s other test systems, which include its wireless Mobile WiMAX test set.
“Given that RPT will be introduced as part of certification testing for Mobile WiMAX in 2008, AT4 wireless has been working hard with our partners to provide the WiMAX industry with the test facilities and test sets they need,” said Fernando E. Hardasmal, CEO of AT4 Wireless Inc. in Herndon, Virginia.
Keithley Receives Best in Test Award
Keithley Instruments, Inc., a leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, has received an honorable mention in Test & Measurement World magazine’s Best in Test Awards program for its 4X4 Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) RF Test System. The awards honor companies that introduced new products between November 1, 2006 and October 31, 2007. Winners were announced in the December/January issue.
The 4X4 MIMO RF Test System helps designers of new wireless devices design and manufacture products that use the MIMO radio architecture, such as WLAN and WiMAX Wave 2. Keithley’s new system supports MIMO testing in a way that’s more advanced than any other system on the market. The 4X4 MIMO RF Test System consists of Keithley’s new Model 2920 Vector Signal Generator (VSG), Model 2820 Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA), Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization Unit, and powerful MIMO Signal Analysis Software.
Electromagnetic Testing Agreement Signed
RFI Global Services U.K. has agreed to provide testing and other services relating to electromagnetic compatibility to UL U.K. The objective of this partnership is to streamline the product compliance process of UL customers by combining RFI’s EMC testing facilities with UL’s product safety testing and certification services.
RFI is a UKAS-accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025) that focuses on specialist testing, approvals and product development services across the wireless, cellular and smartcard technologies. RFI services include EMC testing in compliance with national and international standards such as the European EMC (2004/108/EC), the FCC regulations for the North American market and other worldwide product approval requirements.
Through the new partnership, UL will extend the scope of its testing capacities to better serve the U.K. market within the information technology, consumer electronics and telecommunications industries.
Military Hospital Opens Unique Operating Theater
A unique multi-purpose operating theater with magnetic resonance for neurosurgical operations has been inaugurated in the Central Military Hospital in Prague’s district of Stresovice, reports Radio Prague. The construction cost of the operating theater was $17 million. Such equipment only exists in two other places in the world – Belgium and Arizona.
Automotive Bermuda Triangle
Cars are mysteriously dying in a few block radius around New York City’s Empire State Building. Many people think the phenomena could be caused by more than 30 transmission antennas on the 102-story building.
According to The New York Daily News, “We get about 10 to 15 cars stuck near there every day,” said Isaac Leviev, manager of Citywide Towing, the AAA’s exclusive roadside assistance provider from 42nd Street to the Battery. “You pull the car four or five blocks to the west or east and the car starts right up.”
Automotive experts and engineers believe the problem may stem from radio frequency interference that’s jamming the remote keyless entry systems of cars. The remote keyless entry systems operate on specific wavelengths assigned by the FCC. The FCC said it has not received any complaints regarding interference affecting autos in midtown, and Empire State Building officials don’t believe the claims.
Welch Joins OSA Board
Infinera’s chief mar-keting and strategy officer Dr. Dave Welch has received two industry honors, recognizing his role as a leader and key participant in Infinera’s development of the world’s first commercial large-scale photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Welch has been elected to the board of directors of the Optical Society of America (OSA), the nonprofit association that promotes the study of optics and photonics. OSA is dedicated to promoting optics and photonics and the advanced technologies made possible by research and development in the field.
Welch also was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). This award cited Dr. Welch’s “contributions to semiconductor lasers and photonic integrated circuits.”
As a co-founder of Infinera, Welch played a leading role in innovation in optical systems for telecom. The company pioneered the first large-scale PICs ever deployed in commercial telecom networks with the introduction of the Infinera DTN in 2004.
“I’m honored by both of these distinctions from colleagues in the optics and engineering professions,” said Welch.
All American Semiconductor® Has New Owner
All American Semiconductor®, a leading distributor of electronic components, is under new ownership. They are led by a team of industry experts who are committed to rebuilding the company through significant investment in inventory, design and technical assistance supported by field application engineers and by a steadfast commitment to outstanding customer service.
The company’s premier line card includes active, passive, interconnect and electromechanical manufacturers, allowing customers to purchase products for all their needs at one time. Additionally, All American Semiconductor has re-engaged with several key suppliers, including Atmel, BI Technologies, ebmpapst, Fairchild Semiconductor, IXYS, NJR, Ramtron, Renesas Technology, Seiko Instruments, Semtech, SL Power, Supertex, Taiyo Yuden, TDK and Tyco Electronics.
All American Semiconductor’s broad customer base includes OEMs in a diverse range of industries.
Army Awards Amplifier Contract to AR Modular RF
AR Modular RF of Bothell, Washington, has been awarded a contract to supply its new model KMW1040 multi-band amplifier to the U.S. Special Operations Command. The KMW1040 is a vehicle-mounted 50W, 30 – 512MHz self-tuning amplifier. It will be used as a booster amplifier in conjunction with hand-held and vehicle-mounted multi-band tactical radios such as the Harris AN/PRC-117F, the Harris AN/PRC-152, the Raytheon AN/PSC-5D, and the Thales AN/PRC-148 MBITR.
The KMW1040 can be used for Line of Sight (LOS), Satellite SATCOM and SINCGARS frequency hopping modes of operation, and is compatible with all current tactical waveforms.
The KMW1040 has passed a series of demanding operational field tests in real-world conditions and will now go into full production. It is the latest in a line of battle-tested tactical radio amplifiers that have proven they can stand up to the toughest military condition.
Reverse Combustion
Using concentrated solar energy, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are building a prototype device that can chemically re-energize carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, reports NASA Tech Briefs Insider. The carbon monoxide can then be used to produce hydrogen or help synthesize a liquid combustible fuel such as methanol, gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel.
The prototype device is called a Counter Rotating Receiver Reactor Recuperator, or CR5. It breaks a carbon-oxygen bond in the carbon dioxide, converting it into carbon monoxide and oxygen in two steps. It is a key element in an approach to convert carbon dioxide into fuel from sunlight. The ability to synthesize liquid fuel from carbon dioxide is considered significant because it fits in with the current gasoline and oil infrastructure.
“What’s exciting about this invention is that it will result in fossil fuels being used at least twice, meaning less carbon dioxide being put into the atmosphere and a reduction of the rate that fossil fuels are pulled out of the ground,” says Rich Diver, a Sandia scientist who created the CR5 prototype. He was expecting to complete the prototype device early this year, and then use it to synthesize carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen.
Pepperl+Fuchs’ Receives FCC Approval
Pepperl+Fuchs of Twinsburg, Ohio has received FCC approval on 10 new RFID read heads. Al l of Pepperl+Fuchs IDENT RFID products that operate at frequencies of 125kHz, 250kHz and 13.56MHz and that intentionally radiate an electromagnetic field are FCC approved to satisfy the radiated emissions limits per FCC CFR 47: 2004, Part 15, Subpart B, Class A.
“An increasing number of companies are requiring FCC approval for all products installed in their facility, as products such as Wi-Fi LAN connection equipment, industrial PCs, industrial monitors, and ID Systems must work together simultaneously, and without electromagnetic or radio frequency interference,” says Tim Cicerchi, RFID product manager for Pepperl+Fuchs.
Pepperl+Fuchs is a world leader in the design, manufacture and application of high quality factory and process automation products and services.
QinetiQ Does Testing at Chertsey Facility
QinetiQ’s Electromagnetic and Environmental Services (EMES) Group has retested the electromagnetic compatibility of a major foam vehicle to the appropriate defense standard (Defense Standard 59-41). The testing, performed at EMES’s whole chamber in Chertsey, Surrey, U.K was needed after updated electronic systems, transmission and engine were installed into the major foam vehicle from the Specialist Utility Vehicles IPT.
System susceptibility to external RF and RF emissions testing is critical for all vehicles and sub-systems to ensure they perform as expected at all times and don’t cause problems to other users. QinetiQ has been involved in developing procedures to determine the coupling between the external environment and the internal RF stresses on equipment for many years and its test facilities are widely used by military and civilian customers.
QinetiQ’s semi-anechoic screened EMC facility at Chertsey is UKAS accredited and equipped with a number of high power amplifiers and sensitive emissions measuring equipment. It measures 16m x 16m x 8m with 5m x 5m double access doors and has extensive exhaust and heat extraction capabilities. This facility has a 60-ton floor loading capacity to accommodate the heaviest of the MODs current main Challenger II battle tanks.
Design Perfection for All Electromagnetic Equipment
Vector Fields' tool being used to optimize the rotor flux characteristics of a switched reluctance motor design concept.
A new intelligent design optimization tool for Vector Fields’ electromagnetic modeling and simulation software will automatically find the best solution to a design problem, even if a user specifies several or even competing objectives. Optimizer automatically selects and manages multiple goal-seeking algorithms to eliminate the need for manual intervention, and to make optimization feasible in virtually all design cases.
“It’s always possible to make improvements, even for engineers who routinely create variations of a product and know their subject inside out,” says John Simkin, CTO of Vector Fields.
Optimizer works in conjunction with the Opera electromagnetic design package, which is available in general-purpose form, or with solvers dedicated to specific electromagnetic applications.
Vector Fields believes the new Optimizer tool will be applicable for well over 90% of current electromagnetic equipment design activity.
Triquint Broadcasts High Wi-Fi Hopes for GaAs
As its high-performance GaAs process grabs it a breakthrough deal for Wi-Fi, Triquint Semiconductor is talking up this market as the next big thing for GaAs.
According to Ralph Quinsey, CEO of the Hillsbro, Oregan, company, the increased data transmission rates promised by the emerging 802.11n standard will demand more GaAs per Wi-Fi-enabled device.
“Third generation handset architectures increased the amount of RF content in the solution,” he said. “The same type of impact is happening in the 802.11 wireless LAN market, so again GaAs content, in this case largely for computers or PDAs, is increasing.”
The deal with a major chip maker rests on module-size reduction that allows three of the company’s modules to fit in the final Wi-Fi front end assembly.
Triquint’s E/D PHEMT GaAs process means that the power amplifier, switch, low noise amplifier and bias network/controller can all be fabricated on the same die.
CTS To Acquire Tusonix For $12.25 Million
CTS Corp. has acquired Tusonix, Inc., a privately held company, for $12.25 million in cash. Tusonix specializes in the design and manufacture of ceramic EMI/RFIfilters, capacitor assemblies and related components, serving the military, industrial, instrumentation and telecom markets. The company operates from facilities in Tucson, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico.
First year sales are estimated at approximately $15 million to broadly distributed customers. The worldwide market for the acquired products is estimated to exceed $100 million.
Vinod M. Khilnani, CTS president and CEO said, “Tusonix has proprietary single-layer and multi-layer ceramic dielectric and material technology and is capable of producing thousands of product variations, which will allow us to broaden our product and technology offerings.”
