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MICROWAVE PRODUCT DIGEST

& Technologies

Featured Article:

The Speed You’ll Never See

Every new generation of Wi-Fi arrives carrying higher data rates than the last. Wi-Fi 5 hit 1 Gb/s, Wi-Fi 6 pushed into the high single digits, and Wi-Fi 7 now advertises a peak near 46 Gb/s. That’s more than an order of magnitude in a decade. But a data rate is only as useful as the devices that can act on it, and most of them never will. Few people replace their phones, laptops, and routers in step with each release of the standard, so the installed base trails the specification by years. Set that aside, and a more basic question remains, one the rising numbers rarely invite: how much throughput does anyone actually need?

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IN THIS ISSUE

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Featured Products

K-band Upconverter Mixer

The QPC4510 is a K-band image-reject upconverter mixer with an integrated x2 LO buffer amplifier and output variable-gain amplifier. It outputs an RF frequency from 17.7 to 26.5 GHz using IF inputs from DC to 4 GHz and a corresponding LO frequency. The QPC4510 provides 32 dBm of output at -10 dBm input power per tone and has a conversion gain of 13 dB. Optional nulling of the LO can improve LO Isolation by 30 dB.

QORVO

1-mm Connector

This 1-mm coaxial connector series complies with the IEEE Std 287 and supports frequencies up to 110 GHz. Featuring a compression-mount center contact, the connector accommodates a range of PC board thicknesses. They also have a threaded mount to reduce complexity and have a VSWR of 1.8:1 to 67 GHz and 1.9:1 from 67 to 110 GHz.

HIROSE ELECTRIC

 

Millimeter-wave Voltage-Variable Attenuator

The WR-8 VVA voltage-variable attenuator uses Faraday rotation technology and is optimized for systems operating from 90 to 140 GHz. It has less than 1 dB of insertion loss and is available in WR-6.5, WR-8, and WR-10 waveguide configurations. The attenuator can handle RF input power of 2.4 W, and each unit is characterized using a vector network analyzer, with data provided to the customer.

MICRO-HARMONICS

 

Coaxial Cavity Filter

The ZVBP-8100-S+ is a coaxial cavity filter that uses high-Q resonant structures to support narrowband applications. It is manufactured with a protective mechanical assembly that limits accidental detuning and reduces the need for field retuning or factory service. Typical insertion loss is 0.75 dB with return loss of 19 dB and rejection of 96 dB. Its stopband extends to 17 GHz, and the filter supports input power levels up to 5 W.

MINI-CIRCUITS

 

Barry Manz

Editor / barry@mpdigest.com

FROM THE EDITOR

The Age of Connected EVERYTHING

The Internet of Things spent its early years proving that devices could be connected to networks. That work is largely done. Today, the harder questions involve scale, reliability, and responsibility. IoT systems are no longer isolated experiments or pilot programs; they are embedded in facilities, vehicles, infrastructure, and industrial processes where failure carries operational and financial consequences.

 

ON THE MARKET

Thermal Power Sensor

The NRP150T thermal power sensor measures average power where signal modulation and waveform independence are required. It operates from 50 MHz to 6 GHz and supports average power measurements from 1 W to 150 W. The NRP150T can be used with compatible power meters or connected directly to a PC via USB.

ROHDE & SCHWARZ

Portable Microwave Analyzer

The N9918B 26.5 GHz hand-held FieldFox microwave analyzer is an integrated RF and microwave test instrument for spectrum monitoring, signal analysis, interference location, and cable and antenna testing from 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz. It combines a spectrum analyzer, a cable and antenna tester, a pulse generator, power measurement, and optional vector network analysis functions.

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES

Type-N Crimp Plug

The 0401-292-AJ is a Type-N male crimp plug intended for termination to LMR-240 coaxial cable and supports operation from DC to 6 GHz. It uses a crimp attachment that secures the connector to the cable braid and center conductor, and the interface mates with Type-N female connectors.

SAN-TRON

RF Surge Protector

The MDGXZ+06NFNF-A is a coaxial RF surge protector for systems with Type-N female-to-Type-N female interfaces. It passes DC up to 6 VDC and operates from 800 MHz to 2.5 GHz. The unit uses hybrid protection technology with a continuous power rating of 300 W and a surge current capacity of 20 kA. It meets IP67 ingress protection requirements and includes a hole-mount bracket for line-side installation in antenna and communication systems.

POLYPHASER

Quad Low-IF Receiver

The CMX992Q3 is an RF quadrature/low-IF receiver IC intended for use in analog and digital radio systems operating from 100 MHz to 1 GHz. It uses a supply voltage of 3 VDC to 3.6 VDC and is packaged in a surface-mount 48-VFQFN package. The device supports GMSK modulation at data rates up to 9.6 kb/s and operates over a temperature range from -40° C to +85° C.

CML MICROCIRCUITS

12 GHz SPDT Switch

The FW2002 SPDT switch operates from 30 MHz to 12 GHz and supports CW power handling of 15 W and pulsed power up to 30 W at 1 GHz. Its input third-order intercept point is 68 dBm, and insertion loss ranges from 0.4 dB at low frequencies to 1.9 dB at 12 GHz. The device uses differential control voltages with switching times of 150 to 250 ns and is packaged in a 3 mm × 3 mm QFN for board-level RF signal routing applications.

POLYFET RF DEVICES

50 GHz Cable Assemblies

 

The PinPoint™ 50 GHz P1DB50- 24M24M-36 36-in. cable assemblies offer high phase stability under flexure and temperature, low insertion loss, and low VSWR. They use armored low-loss coax with a 0.24-in. outer diameter, support more than 50,000 flex cycles, and operate up to 125° C without shrink-sleeve boots. Each assembly is terminated with stainless steel 2.4 mm male connectors.

P1DB

S-band Circulator

The C2AG23 S-band circulator operates from 2.7 GHz to 3.1 GHz with insertion loss of 0.2 dB, isolation of 20 dB, and a VSWR of 1.2:1 It routes energy between ports while directing reflected power to an adjacent port. It is rated for average forward power handling of 75 W and peak power handling near 750 W, with a drop-in configuration for integration into assemblies.

SONOMA SCIENTIFIC

1.85-mm Adapter

 

The PE91603 is a 1.85-mm male-to1.85-mm female RF and microwave adapter that supports operation up to 65 GHz. It is used to connect compatible 1.85 mm interfaces while ensuring both signal continuity and mechanical alignment. This adapter is well-suited for test and measurement, laboratory, and system integration applications requiring consistent electrical performance across repeated connections in millimeter-wave environments.

PASTERNACK

MILITARY PRODUCTS

S-band 150-W Power Amplifier

The CMPA2935150S-AMP1 GaN MMIC S-band power amplifier is designed for use in defense and aerospace systems. It covers a frequency range of 2.9 to 3.5 GHz and delivers saturated output power of 150 W with a large-signal gain of 18 dB for pulsed and CW operation. The amplifier is fabricated using GaN-on-SiC technology to support high power density, efficiency, and thermal performance, and is internally matched to 50 ohms at the RF input and output. It operates from a nominal 50 V drain supply and includes integrated bias circuitry to simplify system implementation. The amplifier is well-suited for radar transmitters, electronic warfare systems, and RF subsystems where bandwidth and repeatable performance are required.

MACOM

C-band 2.4-kW SSPA

he RRP56572K4-24 solid-state power amplifier module for C-band radar and defense systems operates from 5.6 GHz to 5.7 GHz and delivers 2.4 kW of output power with a gain of 24 dB when driven from a 50 VDC supply. It supports CW and high-duty-cycle operation typical in surveillance and weather radar systems and uses GaN-on-SiC transistor technology to combine high power density with thermal performance. It is supplied as a packaged amplifier assembly that includes internal RF matching and bias circuitry, allowing system designers to integrate it into radar transmit chains with defined performance parameters for output power, gain, and efficiency. The amplifier is intended for use in ground, maritime, and fixed radar installations.

RFHIC

DC to 26 GHz SP

The MM5130 is a broadband SP4T RF switch intended for signal routing and front-end protection in radar front ends, wideband communications, EW receivers, and other defense systems where a wide frequency coverage and fast switching are required.. It supports operation from DC to 26 GHz with typical insertion loss below 3 dB across much of its range and isolation values exceeding 30 dB in key bands. The device is specified for high-power standoff and handling pulse signals of hundreds of watts, with switching times in nanoseconds between states. Control is accomplished with differential logic-level voltages compatible with standard digital interfaces, and the device is supplied in a surface-mount package for board-level assembly.

MENLO MICRO

Broadband Tunnel Diode Detector

This tunnel diode RF detector is designed to convert high-frequency RF power into a proportional DC voltage for monitoring, sensing, and built-in test functions in radar, electronic warfare, and satellite communications front ends. It has fast response and stable operation over temperature extremes common in defense environments, with low video capacitance and controlled VSWR to preserve signal integrity. Tunnel diode detectors typically operate from hundreds of megahertz into the microwave range, exhibit high sensitivity suitable for detecting low-level RF signals, and provide wide dynamic range. These detectors are used in aerospace and defense systems for thier precise RF level measurement, thermal resilience, and rapid pulse response.

HONEYWELL AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES

High-power L-bandGaN Transistor

The CLL3H0914LS-700U is a GaN-on-SiC RF power transistor intended for high-power L-band systems. It operates from 900 MHz to 1.4 GHz and is internally pre-matched with a stability network for integration into external matching networks. Under pulsed conditions with a 50 VDC drain supply, it produces up to about 750 W of output power, with a gain of 17 dB and a drain efficiency of 65%, in reference designs covering 1.2 GHz to 1.4 GHz. Input return loss at rated power is on the order of -10 dB, and pulse droop at typical operating points is small. The transistor comes in a SOT502B package and is specified for both short-pulse and long-pulse duty cycles. Typical applications include EW, radar, and avionics systems where high reliability in harsh environments is critical.

AMPLEON

X-band LNA for Satcomand Telemetry

The LNA-X1000N X-Band LNA amplifier module is designed for use in receive systems operating from 7.25 GHz to 7.75 GHz that experience harsh environmental conditions. It provides a gain of 50 dB with a noise figure near 0.8 dB, and accepts a 12 VDC supply typical in ground and airborne receiver platforms. The module uses internal RF matching and bias circuitry to simplify integration at the antenna or front end. It is housed in a weatherproof enclosure with Type-N RF connectors for direct connection to 50 ohm systems. Intended for satellite communications receivers, telemetry links, and other defense and government receive chains, the LNA-X1000N improves signal sensitivity and link budget in systems where weak-signal recovery is critical.

MARKI MICROWAVE

SAW Voltage-controlledOscillators

The 101765 voltage-controlled SAW oscillator is a precision timing component designed for radar, test and measurement, and other mission-critical RF systems. It uses a surface-acoustic-wave resonator to support coherent frequency generation and timing in phaselocked loop (PLL) circuits and local oscillator applications. Models in this family include versions at 320 MHz and 400 MHz that achieve a phase noise of −166 dBc/Hz at a 10 kHz offset and a noise floor of −180 dBc/Hz. The typical supply voltage range is 4.75 VDC to 15.75 VDC, with a current consumption of 111 mA. The oscillator delivers single-ended sinewave output with power levels of +18 to +10 dBm. Devices are hermetically sealed in a 1 × 1 × 0.2 in. package with options for MIL-PRF-38534 screening.

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGIES

SAW Filter for GPS Systems

The QPQ1060 is an L1 GPS bandpass surface acoustic wave filter designed to pass signals around the GPS L1 frequency while rejecting out-of-band energy in navigation and communication front ends. It has a bandwidth of 31 MHz centered on 1575.42 MHz and a typical insertion loss of 1.3 dB, and presents a 50 ohm interface without external matching components. The filter is housed in a 1.4 × 1.2 × 0.84 mm surface-mount package and provides high isolation and rejection of unwanted signals, with typical out-of-band attenuation levels suitable for general-purpose GPS receive architectures. It supports power handling compatible with low-power transmitters and is intended for integration in GPS timing, navigation, and communications receivers.

QORVO

about us

Microwave Product Digest is published 12 times a year by Microwave Media LLC.

The publication is issued without charge, upon written request to qualified persons.

Editor and publisher

Barry Manz / barry@mpdigest.com

graphic designer

Derek Wood / wwooodd@gmail.com

Product submission

Barry Manz / barry@mpdigest.com