Design Software

Signal integrity

Ansoft has announced DesignerSI, a design environment that combines with Nexxim, HFSS and Q3D Extractor, to deliver system-level signal-integrity (SI) solution for IC/package/board co-design and verification. DesignerSI accurately predicts the performance of high-speed systems commonly found in optical networks, gigabit computers and communications backplanes.

DesignerSI allows signal-integrity engineers to evaluate and optimize design performance and reduce overall design cycle time and costs. By combining Ansoft's circuit simulation product, Nexxim, with dynamic links to HFSS and Q3D Extractor, DesignerSI provides an environment for performing system-level analyses while making simulation details transparent at the component level. DesignerSI includes a design capture interface (via schematic or netlist), optimization and tuning, post-processing and system-level simulation for key signal-integrity metrics including TDR (time-domain reflectometry), BER (bit-error rate) and eye diagrams.
Ansoft Corporation
(412) 261-3200
www.ansoft.com

Microwave design

Eagleware Corporation has announced the shipment of the latest version of its suite of design software for RF and microwave engineers, GENESYS 2004. This release further updates the design environment for workgroup and enterprise-level teams and includes many additional features for professional and personal users as well. This includes synthesis topologies for filters and oscillators, LDMOS models, RF architecture simulation enhancements and integrated component libraries.
Eagleware
(678) 291-0259
www.eagleware.com

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Integrated Subassemblies

Custom subassemblies

RLC Electronics supplies integrated assemblies for both military and commercial applications. These devices can combine filters, multiplexers, switches (both pin diode and mechanical), couplers, hybrids, power dividers, attenuators, detectors and cables in a single package.

The M-3655 integrated device combines two inputs of 9.5 GHz to 17 GHz and divides the sum to two diplexers, which divides the frequency band into four approximately equal bands. Each diplexer output is further split through a power divider, providing eight output ports. VSWR achieved at all ports was less than 2:1, with VSWR typically below 1.5:1. Flatness of <1 dB and phase linearity of <10° within each band were also achieved. Maximum loss within passbands was less than 17 dB.
RLC Electronics
(914) 241-1334
www.rlcelectronics.com

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Interconnect

Woven coaxial assemblies

Times Microwave Systems has introduced its woven coaxial cable assembly capability for mobile cell sites and other applications requiring an organized cabling system. Cables are woven together using a variety of materials to maintain a low profile and organized cable configuration.

Woven cable assemblies may use any of the Times cables including LMR and TCOM and can be supplied pre-terminated with Times connectors. Other cable components such as power cords for towertop lighting can also be incorporated into the woven assembly.
Times Microwave Systems
(800) 867-2629
www.timesmicrowave.com

D-Sub connectors/interconnect

Phoenix Contact's solder- and crimp-free SUBCON D-Sub connector is available in 37 and 15 position versions. The SUBCON product family provides a means to make D-Sub cable assemblies, which are intended for use in field installations that have uncontrolled environments. The cabling is connected to easy-to-wire screw clamp terminal blocks.

The SUBCON 37 and 15-HD come in EMI/RFI shielded housing. The strain relief is integral to the connector. Each SUBCON 37 and 15-HD features the option of one or two cable entries, a useful feature for wiring two cables to one connection point. Male and female versions are available with integral jack screws to prevent accidental cable unplugging.
Phoenix Contact Inc.
(800) 322-3225
www.phoenixcon.com

SOIC adapters

Aries Electronics has introduced SOIC adapters that provide an upgrade from older Aromat HB2E relays to surface-mount TXSS relays while keeping the same PBC layout. Available on 0.300 inch (7.62 mm) DIP centers, the new adapter can be mounted on PCBs with a PCB hole diameter of 0.028 inch +/-0.003 inch (0.71 mm +/-0.08 mm). The adapters are available with eight leads.

The adapters are constructed of 0.062 inch (1.57 mm) thick FR-4 with 1 oz. of copper traces on both sides. The pins are 360 ½ hard brass alloy, per UNS C36000 ASTM-B16085, and pin plating is 200 μ (5.08 μm) minimum tin/lead 93/7, per MIL-P-81728 over 100 μ (2.54 μm) minimum nickel, per QQ-N-290. Operating temperature is 221°F (105°C).

Pricing for 1000 pieces is $5.40 each with delivery from stock to three weeks.
Aries Electronics Inc.
(908) 996-6841
www.arieselec.com

Unibody RF/fiber-optic packages

Thunderline-Z has announced a line of unibody RF/fiber-optic packages that feature connections for harsh environments. Unlike other packaging techniques where solder is used to adhere fiber-optic connecting tubes, these unibody packages are manufactured with a choice of either fully machined tubes and packages or packages with brazed tubes using Thunderline-Z's Z-Bond process.

For varying cost and application issues, Thunderline-Z has developed the technology to offer the connecting tubes in a choice of copper, stainless steel or Kovar. Package material can be either stainless or Kovar. The packages are designed to achieve the following tensile strengths: brazed copper tubes to Kovbar bodies-28 ksi, Unibody Kovar-70 ksi, and Unibody stainless-100 ksi. In comparison, the average soldered connector tube has a tensile strength of just 8 ksi. In addition to achieving higher tensile strength, all Thunderline-Z brazed and unibody package designs achieve a temperature rating of 850°C.
Thunderline-Z
(603) 329-4050
www.thunderlinez.com

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Semiconductors/ICs

RF power LDMOS transistors

Infineon Technologies has announced the addition of thermally enhanced LDMOS RF power transistors to its high-power RF transistor product line. These new thermally enhanced devices show a 15% to 30% lower thermal resistance, junction to case. The new thermally enhanced devices, denoted by an E or F suffix in the part number, will be integrated into Infineon's existing GOLDMOS product lines for broadcast, cellular, DCS, PCS and UMTS throughout 2004.
Infineon Technologies
(408) 776-6000
www.infineon.com/rfpower

High-speed backplane ICs

Analogix Semiconductor has introduced physical-layer transceivers that incorporate digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to eliminate the signal integrity (“noise”) problems associated with 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps data transmission over backplanes and copper media.

The D-PHY family of SerDes ICs is based on a new architecture that combines Analogix's WideEye technology, a set of adaptive DSP-based noise-cancellation techniques, with analog signal conditioning. Unlike analog-only solutions, which simply mask detrimental signal effects such as crosstalk and reflections, the D-PHY family removes these effects, ensuring maximum signal integrity.

The D-PHY 5G backplane transceivers offer 1.25- to 6.25-Gbps serial transmission across up to 60 inches of standard FR-4 backplane material and two connectors. Two versions are available. The D-PHY 4×5G quad transceiver, with four high-speed links, provides up to 25 Gbps full-duplex transmission. The D-PHY 2×5G dual transceiver, with two links, performs at up to 12.5 Gbps. NRZ binary encoding on both devices ensures backward-compatibility with lower-speed SerDes transceivers.

The D-PHY 5G backplane transceiver is sampling now and will be available in production volumes in June. High-volume prices are $49 each for D-PHY 4×5G devices and $28 each for D-PHY 2×5G devices. The devices come in JEDEC-standard 260-pin HSBGA (heat slug ball grid array) packages.
Analogix
(408) 988-8848
www.analogix.com

CMOS SPDT switch

Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. has introduced a general-use RF CMOS SPDT switch. The new PE4259 has a bandwidth of up to 3 GHz.

The PE4259 RF switch is designed to cover a broad range of applications from DC through 3.0 GHz. This reflective switch integrates onboard CMOS control logic with a low-voltage CMOS-compatible control interface and can be controlled using either single-pin or complementary control inputs. An insertion loss of 0.3 dB at 1 GHz and 0.45 at 2 GHz are typical. Using a nominal +2.3-3.0 V power supply, a typical input 1 dB compression point of +34 dBm can be achieved.

Products samples, unit pricing and volume production are available through Peregrine and its worldwide distribution partner, Richardson Electronics.
Peregrine Semiconductor
(800) 737-6937
www.peregrinesemi.com

Bridge rectifier

Central Semiconductor Corp. has released the CMFBR-6F bridge rectifier. This new device consists of a monolithic chip packaged in a SOT-143 surface-mount case. With a capacitance of 5 pF, leakage of 10 nA (maximum) and a switching speed of 1.0 μs (typical), the CMFBR-6F is intended for computer and peripheral equipment circuits requiring efficient uniform response characteristics for critical design applications. This device uses 69% less board space than four individual SOD-123 devices and has a maximum profile height of 1.14 mm.

The CMFBR-6F is available bulk packed or 3000 pieces on 7-inch tape & reel. Prices for the CMFBR-6F start at $0.36 each for 3000 pieces on a 7-inch reel. Sample devices are available on request.
Central Semiconductor
(631) 435-1110
www.centralsemi.com

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Signal Sources

STALO synthesizer/signal trak

TRAK Microwave has introduced a synthesizer design used in ground and airborne defense applications. The stabilized oscillator (STALO) synthesizer has multiple RF outputs, fast switching speed and low phase noise.

The model SYN110 typical electrical specifications include step size at 36 MHz, switching speed at 10 microseconds, spurious at -60 dBc maximum and accuracy at +/-50 ppm in all outputs.

Additional specifications include operating temperature of -54 to +85° centigrade, dimensions at 4.3 inches × 7.1 inches × 1.5 inches or 109 mm × 181 mm × 39 mm and weight at 5 lbs. or 2.3 kg nominal.
TRAK Microwave
(888) 283-8444
www.trak.com

LVPECL clocks and VCXOs

Crystek Crystals Corporation has introduced an LVPECL product line. Offered in both XO (CCPD-033/034) and VCXO (CVPD-034) configurations, the line generates frequencies from 77˜330 Mhz. Crystek's LVPECL clocks and VCXOs use HFF Mesa crystals to produce a jitter of <0.5 pS RMS from 12 kHz to 20 MHz and phase noise of -145 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz with no PLL multiplication. The clock version features ±25 to ±100 ppm stability.

The CCPD-033/034 and CVPD-034 products are provided in a standard 5×7 mm SMD package and are available on 16 mm tape-and-reel in quantities of 100, 500 and 1000 pieces. An extended temperature operating range of -40°C to +85°C and other custom specifications are also available.

The LVPECL clocks and voltage-controlled oscillators are priced starting at $4.33 each in production volumes, depending on specification.
Crystek Crystals Corp.
(800) 237-3061
www.crystek.com

SMT frequency synthesizers

LX-series surface-mount frequency synthesizers from EM Research feature fixed-frequency or serially programmable outputs in bands from 50 MHz to 5 GHz. Bandwidths are available from octave at fc < 600 MHz to 20% bandwidths at 4.5 GHz. Customer-specified step sizes range from 10 kHz to 1 MHz. At 1 GHz frequency output, typical phase noise characteristics are -98 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz and -120 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offsets. At 5 GHz frequency output, the phase noise is -80 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz and -100 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offsets. Typical supply is +5 VDC at <100 mA. The LX series is packaged in a 0.75 inch square surface-mount housing.

SST-series phase-locked frequency synthesizers from EM Research feature multiple frequency outputs for SONET/SDH applications. Measuring 3.5 inches × 1.1 inches × 0.3 inches, SST is one-third the volume of a standard PLDRO. Four fixed-frequency outputs of 155.52, 622.08, 2488.32 and 9953.28 MHz are available simultaneously or can be individually switched off/on. At “the output frequency of 9953 MHz, the SST features phase noise of less than -95 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. At +5 VDC, current is 180 mA maximum and total power consumption is less than 1 W. Supplied with internal regulators and buffer amplifiers, the synthesizers are supplied in shielded aluminum housings with removable SMA connectors and are designed to be surface-mounted onto printed circuit boards.
EM Research
(916) 339-0170
www.emresearch.com

Hermetically sealed oscillator

Greenray Industries Inc. has announced the availability of the model YH1391 OCXO. The YH1391, offered in a hermetically sealed case, is designed to provide frequency stability under severe vibration. Available from 10 to 100MHz, the YH1391 features g-sensitivity of 5 × 10-10/g. In addition, the YH1391 offers a phase noise with a floor of -170 dBc/Hz.
Greenray Industries
(717) 766-0223
www.greenrayindustries.com

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Tx/Rx

Mixer

Mini-Circuits has introduced MCA1, a series of broadband, low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) frequency mixers. With level 7, 10 and 13 (LO) models available for your 300 MHz-6 GHz designs, these double balanced mixers have insertion loss down to 6 dB (typ), isolation up to 40 dB (typ), and are built with all circuitry hermetically embedded inside the ceramic to realize excellent temperature stability, repeatability and 0.07 inch profile.

Price is from $5.95 each (qty.10).
Mini-Circuits
(718) 934-4500
www.minicircuits.com