CTIA Wireless Opens with a Bang

Of course, the biggest news at CTIA is the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile. The keynote auditorium at CTIA Wireless was packed as everyone wanted to here what AT&T and T-Mobile executives had to say about their proposed $39 billion deal which would create the country’s largest wireless operator. AT&T understandably did not say much and T-Mobile was not there. But CEO Dan Hesse of Sprint expressed concern as he said there would be 79% market share in the top 2 providers so he has concerns it would stifle innovation if that much power was in the hands of two providers. That is a valid point and of course he message is that it is not a good idea.

The first day of the exhibition was busy but not overly packed and all the big players seem to be here. Lots of 4G phones and tablets but there seems to be significant activity with 3D devices which I did not expect but should have as CES was full of 3D electronics. The RF/Microwave Zone was our first priority as that is where many of the companies we cover are present. We are glad to welcome Infineon and NXP this year in addition to many other companies who have exhibited before. With Freescale also in the Zone, there is of course a major representation of high performance Doherty LDMOS amplifier technology. All are offering various configurations (symmetric, asymmetric and single package solutions). NXP and Freescale are offering a lower cost plastic package with up to 200 W of power which seemed unique. Also near the RF/Microwave Zone are the Backhaul Pavilion, M2M Zone and Test & Measurement Pavilion so we are in a perfect position. The test and measurement companies are featuring MIMO OTA and PIM testing solutions which are both very hot topics and areas of high interest. We are running the MIMO OTA Expert Forum on Thurs which will be simulcast online so anyone can attend. It will include a question and answer session after the presentations so you can even submit questions online if you are not here in Orlando.

We will have a complete show wrap up next week.

Tektronix Contest - "Scopes, Camera, Action”

To celebrate and highlight the beloved oscilloscope, Tektronix is introducing a “Scopes, Camera, Action” contest to showcase the many different uses for the instrument. Engineers, technicians, students and even electronic hobbyists will be invited to upload short 1-5 minute videos to MyTektronixScope.com about their most brilliant, novel, ingenious or fun use of a Tektronix oscilloscope.

Community members will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite “Scopes, Camera, Action” videos throughout the 8-week duration of the contest which started Feb 28. The person uploading the video that receives the most votes will receive a new Tektronix MSO2024 oscilloscope and each of two runners up will receive a TDS2024C oscilloscope. Each video entry qualifies the submitter for a chance to win an Apple iPad®.

Engineers by nature are a very creative group and Tektronix wants to give them the opportunity to showcase the cool uses they are applying to Tektronix equipment, whether that is in a work environment or in a garage shop or basement lab. Not only is this contest a nice way to win one of several great prizes but more importantly provides a mechanism to showcase great ideas and share best practices among the design engineering community.

To learn more about the “Scopes, Camera, Action” contest, or to upload, view or vote on videos, and review contest rules, visit www.mytektronixscope.com. Free registration to the site is required in order to participate.