This week on WDD’s HotSpot, brought to you by Memory Protection Devices, at this year’s EMC2014 event in Raleigh, NC Wireless Design and Development saw a lot of cool and innovative new products, and we’re excited to provide you with our Top Ten list from the show:
Completely Solid-State
First up we have AR/RF Microwave Devices. Their model 350S1G4A is a portable, self-contained, air-cooled, broadband, completely solid-state amplifier designed for applications where instantaneous bandwidth, high gain and linearity are required.
The Model 350S1G4A, when used with a sweep generator, will provide a minimum of 350 watts of RF power. It is equipped with a Digital Control Panel (DCP) which provides both local and remote control of the amplifier.
For more information, go to www.arworld.us.
Discontinuous Disturbance
Next up is Keysight Technologies’ N9038A MXE EMI Receiver. For those who need to make discontinuous-disturbance, or click, measurements, the MXE was recently enhanced to simplify and automate data collection, analysis and report generation in accordance with CISPR standards 14-1 (emissions) and 16-1-1 (measurement apparatus and methods).
The MXE offers powerful EMI measurement capabilities for making compliance emissions measurements to CISPR and MIL standards. The MXE also includes a variety of built-in diagnostic tools to help users diagnose noncompliant EMI signals, such as diagnostic resolution bandwidths, a range of detectors, multi-trace displays, marker functions, trace zoom, zone span, spectrograms and Agilent-exclusive Strip Chart. To speed the evaluation of signal details, the MXE enables seamless transitions between its EMI receiver, monitor spectrum and spectrum analyzer modes. To enhance instrument longevity, upgradeable options include CPU, memory, disk drives and I/O ports.
For more information, go to www.keysight.com.
Low Noise Broadband Amplifier
US Microwave Laboratories showcased their USMC0125 desktop low noise broadband amplifier, the latest in the series of preamplifiers. It features 30 dB of very flat gain across the 1 MHz to 2.5 GHZ frequency range. It can operate from a 7 to 28 V dc power source, or from an optional internal battery that can provide more than 20 hours of operation. The USMC0125 comes with a built-in smart battery charger than provides fast and trickle charge to maintain the internal battery always at its optimum condition.
It has an IP65 rating, which means it can be operated in wet environments or under the rain. This is of great importance for those who may use it outdoors.
For more information, go to www.usmicrolabs.com.
Filter Connectors for Harsh Environments
Conec’s line of EMI filter connectors has been expanded with IP67 rated versions.
These D’subs include the proprietary capacitor arrays that provide EMI filtering performance. They are integrated with diecast frames with o-ring seals to make the connectors sealed against dust and liquids.
Available in all D’sub sizes from 9 thru 78 positions, these ruggedized filter connectors provide a linear insertion loss performance greater than 45 decibels at one gigahertz.
These connectors have proven to be ideal for harsh environment electronics, including test equipment, medical electronics, and outdoor communications and security systems.
For more information, go to www.conec.com.
Electronic Smart Test
AE Techron demonstrated their EST (Electronic Smart Test) that provides modular solutions for audio-bandwidth conducted and radiated EMC testing. EST products include the 3100 Controller with Windows 7- or 8-based EST software, EST Accessory modules, and EST-enabled 7000-Series amplifiers. New or existing AE Techron 7000-Series amplifiers can be equipped for EST use.
The EST system is able to automatically create the complex test waveforms required in automotive and aviation EMC standards, monitor the status of the amplifiers and accessories, and observe voltages and currents sent to the DUT. The EST system automatically adjusts the waveform so that the output voltage current and frequency exactly match the EMC standard.
For more information, go to www.aetechron.com.
Cloud-Based Software for Certification
OnRule is a cloud-based software specifically developed to help organizations increase control, visibility, confidence, and speed of their product certification process.
OnRule offers two key modules:
First, the Become Compliant module helps companies accelerate time-to-market with:
Standards Finder, which helps certify your unique products in different markets, and alerts you of any changes in standards; Workflows, to help you sail through compliance processes; and Labs and Agents Portals to help you discover and collaborate with the best labs and agents for your specific needs.
Second, the Stay Compliant module helps minimize the risk of non-compliance with:
Document Management for a secure, organized and searchable repository for all of your legacy, existing and new product certification records; Dashboards & Reports for real-time visualization of your product portfolio certification status across all your markets; and Alerts & Notifications for automatic alerts for upcoming expirations of certificates.
For more information, go to www.onrule.com.
Photo Etching/Milling
Another company showcasing their products at EMC was Faspro Technologies, which began operations in 1995 as a contract provider for photo etching/milling thin gauge metal blanks. The blanks were used for prototyping EMI/RFI board level shields for Motorola’s development in the nascent mobile telephony space as well as to support Motorola’s needs in base station and public safety radio communications products.
Faspro has since expanded into other industries including aerospace, medical, industrial, computers, and peripherals where compressed cycle times for board level components were in demand. Faspro’s photo etching/milling and electroplating operations are provided from an ISO 9001:2008 certified facility centrally located in suburban Chicago that takes your project from concept to production within days.
For more information, go to fasprotech.com.
Broadband Solid-State Amplifiers
Empower RF Systems conducted live demonstrations of two popular models from their line-up of broadband solid-state power amplifiers. Highlighting unique size advantages and “ease of use”, Empower showcased a 1 kW, 20 to 1,000 MHz amplifier in a 5U chassis and a 500W version of the same unit in a 3U chassis.
The software architecture being demonstrated with these amplifiers allowed the user to initiate remote commands, system management, and diagnostics via an embedded web server. Connecting via the unit’s Ethernet port and using a web browser with the unit’s IP address (IPV6), users were introduced to features for controlling the unit and actively (continuously) monitoring critical performance parameters – i.e., temperature, current consumption, voltage levels, alarms, etc. The array of operational and power detection modes being demonstrated at the show was a major highlight as well.
The Empower line up of next generation amplifiers continues to expand, with upcoming market release of high power designs using the same hardware and software architecture that cover 1 to 3 GHz and 2 to 6 GHz.
For more information, go to www.empowerrf.com.
EMI Test Receiver
Get more speed, more insight, and more intelligence with the R&S ESR EMI Test Receiver from Rohde & Schwarz. A signal & spectrum analyzer in one instrument, this test receiver makes standard-compliant EMI measurements up to 6,000 times faster than other solutions. That’s because of its time domain scan mode and FFT-based receiver technology. Key features include:
- Realtime spectrum analysis for detailed investigation of disturbances.
- FFT-Based time domain scan for ultra-fast measurements.
- Compliant with the CISPR 16-1-1 standard.
- Frequency range from 10 Hz to 26.5 GHz.
- Preselection with integrated 20 dB preamplifier.
Email [email protected] for a free demo or to learn more.
Facility Visit & Radio Talk
And finally, during my time in Raleigh, I had the great pleasure of touring the Wireless Research center of North Carolina. The center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wireless research hub offering a safe and trusted environment for invention and development of wireless technologies. It offers:
A unique combination of specialized testing facilities, engineering expertise, business incubation and development guidance, and intellectual property guidance for commercial, government and academic audiences.
A hub facilitating wireless job creation, retention and expansion in the communications, medical and government fields.
Support for industry and university research initiatives.
For more information, go to wirelesscenter-nc.org.
After the tour, I did a quick interview with Business Radio X, discussing the upcoming editorial opportunities for WDD. You can hear the full interview by clicking on the link below, and visit the station website at www.raleigh.businessradiox.com.
http://www.wirelessdesignmag.com/videos/2014/08/wdd-metro-raleigh-business-radio-x
Well there you have it. The EMC2014 Top 10. Disagree with our choices, or think we may have missed something. Send your complaints and praise (we’d appreciate more praise than nays) to [email protected]. For more wireless news go to wirelessdesignmag.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook. If you like video, well, we have video, so go subscribe to our channel, and let us know what you think.
For WDD, I’m Meaghan Ziemba, and I’ll see you next time in the HotSpot.
Do you have story ideas? Comment below or email [email protected] we’ll cover them in an upcoming episode.
Filed Under: M2M (machine to machine), Filters (electrical) EMI • COTS • noise filters • shielding