Postims 2017 Guide Targets RF Microwave Mmwave Component Selection

Selection of RF and microwave components depends on frequency coverage, power handling, signal integrity and integration density. The technologies displayed at the symposium pointed to two broad priorities: improving signal-processing efficiency at high bands such as 5G and E-band, and using monolithic microwave integrated circuit technology to shrink system footprints.

Those priorities cut across the major product groups on the show floor, from solid-state amplifiers and frequency converters to passive couplers and laboratory-grade measurement systems.

Engineering teams evaluating components typically weigh four practical criteria: frequency and bandwidth coverage, power density, noise and signal purity, and packaging. Broadband couplers such as KRYTAR’s 0.5–20 GHz designs target multiband test environments. For radar and electronic-warfare use, high-power-density options include Integra Technologies’ 1 kW L-band device and Empower RF’s 1–2 GHz amplifiers.

• Frequency and bandwidth coverage: Components must match the operating bands and test requirements of the broader system.
• Power handling: Radar and electronic-warfare designs require careful attention to saturated output power and thermal limits.
• Signal purity and noise control: Low-phase-noise generators and analyzers are central to verifying system performance.
• Integration and packaging: Phased-array ICs and GaAs/GaN designs are driving higher-density system-in-package architectures.

Signal purity remains equally important. Low-phase-noise signal generators from Berkeley Nucleonics and phase-noise analyzers from Holzworth are used to assess system-level performance. Integration is another deciding factor: phased-array ICs from Anokiwave and GaAs/GaN designs from Custom MMIC reflect a broader move toward compact, high-density RF front ends.

Hardware alone does not determine component selection. Simulation and design environments also shape how engineers evaluate parts before integration. At the symposium, NI AWR Design Environment V13, Mician’s µWave Wizard 8.1 and Remcom’s Wireless InSite software were presented as tools for 5G MIMO simulation and complex microwave circuit design. Besser Associates also offered technical training covering topics from fundamental theory to advanced applications.

The combination of components, software and training shows that RF system design depends heavily on modeling and measurement discipline, not just individual device specifications.