Author: Colin Field

The Nuvotronics PSF19B03S is a compact PolyStrata® K-band filter offering low loss and strong rejection for satellite systems.

A Word from Our Experts Introduction on The Ground Plane Mirror by Colin Field, Supplier Business Manager at RFMWIt seems like every day I have new request from another customer who needs a compact antenna for their latest “smaller, better” IoT solution. These next-gen designs demand the same gain as current models but with a significantly reduced PCB footprint. However, to fully ensure maintained performance in more compact designs, engineers must not only focus on the antennas themselves but also possess a thorough understanding of the critical role of the ground plane in designs.    Understanding why the ground plane…

Modern RF designs are moving beyond traditional quartz crystal oscillator solutions. The industry is shifting towards digital compensation techniques, and now developers are presented with a new range of considerations when selecting ideal timing solutions. From material properties to integration capabilities, high-performance timing systems are increasingly being characterized more by performance parameters than legacy terminology. To maintain a competitive edge, standards organizations and manufacturers must address the evolution head-on to leverage the advantages of modern architectures.  What is an Oscillator? At its core, an oscillator is a closed-loop system designed to convert DC power into a periodic AC signal of…

Antennas are ubiquitous in every communication network. Whether it’s a smartphone, wearable, electronic warfare system, or smart agriculture innovation, every connected device needs an antenna. As technology advances, devices are becoming smaller and more complex, making antenna integration increasingly challenging. With the global RF antennas market projected to reach $6.4 billion by 2034, the demand for reliable communication solutions has never been higher. Ensuring your device is engineered with an ideal antenna solution is more critical than ever. Why Expert Design Matters Modern Challenges of Optimizing Antenna Performance Antenna performance directly influences the efficiency and reach of RF communication. A…

The Rise of Heterogeneous Integration as an Industry Standard Every market, from defense to commercial wireless applications, has two overarching goals: to reduce the size of components and subsystem packaging while integrating as many functions as possible. This is a tall order, as the two requirements inherently conflict, creating entirely new packaging methods while enhancing existing ones is necessary. As a result, these applications demand unprecedented levels of integration, minimal signal loss, and superior thermal management, all while keeping costs competitive. Traditional packaging approaches, which often rely on wire bonding and conventional printed circuit board materials, simply cannot meet these…

What made you choose ED2’s ED2-0023 StingArray™ Phased Array Antenna Module? How does this product differ from others on the market? I selected the ED2-0023 StingArray™ Phased Array Antenna Module because its innovative design offers significant advantages for designers of beamforming networks. This module simplifies the RF front-end layout and implementation while delivering enhanced performance compared to more traditional methods. What challenges is the ED2-0023 StingArray™ designed to address? Beamforming ICs are a widely used approach in RF front-end design for phased array solutions, especially at frequencies above 6 GHz. One major challenge in phased array antenna design is fitting…

What made you select the Nuvotronics high-performance mmWave packaging? How are these products different from others on the market? My June Expert Product Pick is a family of ten products which I believe are going to prove invaluable to those designing high performance mmWave front ends using MMIC devices. Cubic Nuvotronics has recently released a family of game changing, high-performance air cavity packages for MMIC die sizes ranging from 1mm to 5mm square. These packages deliver best-in-class RF and thermal performance and have been optimized from the ground up, for mmWave applications. What are the key features and specifications of…

Forward on the importance of quality PDK Tools for RF BAW Filter Design by Colin Field, Supplier Business Manager at RFMW Hardware designers face a perpetual challenge in the RF industry: to create solutions that are smaller, more powerful, and more capable than previous generations of equipment. While high-performance integrated radio front ends and high-speed digital technologies have historically borne the burden of industry demands, the electromagnetic spectrum in which such radios operate is becoming increasingly congested, heightening the need for high-performance, small-form-factor RF filtering. Significant progress has been made, particularly in sub-3GHz bands where SAW technology offers standard solutions…

The Ultimate RF Filter Guide: How to Maximize Signal Integrity, by Colin Field Navigating the complex realm of electronic design requires a thorough understanding of RF filter technology. Designed to eliminate unwanted interference, improve signal integrity, and prevent signal distortion, RF filters are a key consideration in the development of wireless communication systems. Spectrum usage is closely controlled by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and achieving the emissions limits of most communications protocols will require some form of filtering technology. As filter technology rapidly evolves and spectrum usage expands towards higher frequencies, system engineers are faced with an ever more…

What made you select the Nuvotronics wideband 90-degree hybrid coupler family? How are these products different from others on the market? My August Expert Product Pick is a family of three products which I believe are going to prove invaluable to those designing next generation electromagnetic warfare (EW) and electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems. Cubic Nuvotronics has recently released three wideband 90-degree hybrid couplers: the PSC18H17S 2–18 GHz, PSC18H07S 6–18 GHz, and the PSC50H08S 18–50 GHz devices. All exhibit excellent electrical characteristics in small form factor packages utilizing Nuvotronics’ Polystrata® additive manufacturing technology. Polystrata devices are fabricated in copper and utilize…