Interesting Products at IMS2011

After crusing around the inner harbor (aka the exhibition floor) for three days, here is a quick rundown of some interesting products we came across:

- Agilent's integrated vector signal generator up to 44 GHz and analog signal generator up to 67 GHz (operational to 70 GHz), and the first microwave analog signal generator to break the 1 W output power barrier.

- Anritsu introduced a new broadband VNA system that provides single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 110 GHz with operation from 40 kHz to 125 GHz, and utilizes an advanced design that eliminates the need for large, heavy mmWave modules and coax combiners.

- R&S introduced a network analyzer with dynamic range up to 140 dB, sweept time of 4 ms with 401 pts

- Hittite's 33 news products (too many to cover here) which is unique for a company of this size

- M/A-COM's new family of GaN products covering L- and S-bands with much better efficiency and power than their BiPolar products

- Avago introduced the first front end module designed specifically for coexistence operation of WiMAX with other cellular and WiFi radios in the same device

- NXP's 1200 W ISM LDMOS transistor that can widthstand a VSWR of 125:1 and still operate



- Peregrine's digitally controlled variable capacitors targeting 100 MHz to 3 GHz applications

- Crane's Multi-Mix technology that creates multilayer integrated microwave circuits and modules using direct bonding of low cost composite substrates reducing cost, weight and size

- Skyworks ceramic based high power filters offering size and weight improvements over metal cavity based filters

- RFMD's upcoming Si SOI and GaN switches should be exciting to see

- ADI's new PLL synthesizer operating from 35 to 4400 MHz with rms jitter of .3 ps and typ EVM of .4% at 2.1 GHz

A couple of new finds were:

- Daisy RS wireless portable power meters using 2.4 GHz wireless links up to 100 meters

- Octane Wearable antennas using flexible antenna technology that allows them to be woven into many shapes and sizes for applications for soldiers, first responders, security/intelligence and more

Let me know what new things you saw at the IMS2011.

IMS2011 First Impressions

The Baltimore inner harbor area is a beautiful setting for the IMS2011 and certainly convenient for us on the east coast. The sessions are in full swing with some very interesting topics being presented. I see trends in very high efficiency amplifiers with better modeling/measurement techniques, new packaging techniques from LCP to fusion bonded laminates, very wideband active devices to cover multiple frequency bands, highly integrated modules that solve co-existence problems, new signal generators that provide real life signal replication and storage and more.

The exhibition is very lively and positive - attendance looks very good this year. The MicroApps sessions seem to get better each year with more companies participating. Our Nonlinear Expert Forum is today at noon in the MicroApps featuring experts sponsored by Agilent, R&S, Anritsu and Tektronix. Some products that caught my eye so far are Agilent's new signal generator that eliminates expensive flight testing, Avago's highly integrated co-existence WiFi/WiMAX module (only 5 x 7 mm), Crane's new MultiMix laminate process to realize highly integrated circuits and modules, Freescale's ever improving LDMOS products with 65:1 VSWR on a low frequency device and improved video bandwidth on their cellular band products, IHP's (Germany) 500 GHz fmax SiGe process and Peregrine's digitally tunable capcitors.

Yesterday we attended the Women in Microwaves reception at the Hilton which is growing each year and then made our way down to the inner harbor for the MWJ customer appreciation party at the Tir Na Nog. It has a nice deck overlooking the harbor with great beers and a nice buffet. I hope everyone who attended had a good time.

Let us know what you have seen around the show and in the technical sessions.

Heading Off to IMS2011 in Baltimore

The "dance card" is full (actually overflowing) and the pre-show coverage, articles, May show issue and Online Show Daily are ready. Our Online Show Daily page will be updated each day (or even more often) with the latest news items and features a real-time Twitter Feed, blog updates, exclusive show articles and chair message plus will have pictures and videos just following the show.

The biggest surprise leading up the show for me was all the acquisitions (Skyworks acquired SiGe and Advanced Analogic Tech plus NI acquired AWR and Phase Matrix). In addition, the abundance of news items and new product releases has already been at the highest level that I can remember which should make for an interesting show.

Microwave Journal will host the MicroApps Nonlinear Characterization Forum on Wed at noon which will be webcast live from the event. After the experts from Agilent, Anritsu, R&S (NMDG) and Tektronix (Cardiff Univ) speak, there will be a Q&A session with both the live and virtual audiences, a first for IMS.

The Plenary Session will be given by Dr. Rhodes, "Migration of WCDMA and 4G LTE Into Existing Cellular Bands". Our May Cover Story was about the history of filter companies in the Maryland area and mentions Dr. Rhodes' accomplishments in this area. The closing keynote session is given by Dr. Guerci who is an expert on Cognitive Radar and was the author of our Cover Story in Jan this year.

It should be an exciting show this year and it is a nice short flight for us from the Boston area. Let us know how you are making out at the show and if you have any exciting news.

Advice for IMS2011?

There's only 12 days left until IMS2011 in Baltimore. I've been looking forward to this event since I was hired as MWJ's staff editor in April. But as the event draws near, I am starting to think about what I need to do to prepare and what my strategy should be for getting the most out of the show. Publisher Car Sheffres has already given me some good advice -- don't buy a new pair of shoes the day before the trip. Carl told me he did just that before his first trade show (in 1988 in NYC) and ended up spending every night in his hotel room with his shoes off and his aching feet up. If anyone has any more advice about getting ready for the show, please comment.