eNewsletter

January 2010

Submissions sought for, but not limited to:

All confirmed speakers will receive a complimentary conference registration.

Abstracts must be submitted to Heather Krier by no later than March 12th for consideration. Early submissions are encouraged.
For details click here.

For program questions or to host a pre-conference workshop, contact Heather Krier at 800-803-9488 x129.

For sponsor/exhibitor questions, contact Laura Mayo at 800-803-9488 x130.
See current exhibitors here.

Antenna Systems 2010 will take place October 19-20 in Dallas, Texas and will focus on the most recent advancements in antenna design, applications and technology. Get involved as a speaker, attendee, workshop instructor, exhibitor or sponsor and discover how this unique conference experience will immediately impact your business operations.

Mobile Device Shipments Will Nearly Double Before 2015
In 2009 a total of 1.2 billion mobile devices shipped, according to the latest data from ABI Research. That includes all categories of wireless devices including cellular handsets, MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices), netbooks, mobile consumer electronics products and cellular modems.

Shipments of these devices will have nearly doubled in 2014 to a total of 2.25 billion, according to the firm’s new forecasts.

“The next five years will see a shift in the breakdown between types of mobile devices shipped,” said industry analyst Michael Morgan. “Today, wireless handsets rule the roost, with other mobile devices accounting for only 40 million shipments and cellular modems only 60 million. While handset shipments did actually decrease between 2008 and 2009 due to the global recession, the other two segments in fact grew very aggressively.

“Handset sales are growing at only 4 percent, while cellular modem shipments are expected to grow by 40 percent annually and ultra mobile devices by 67 percent. These newer categories represent very attractive market opportunities and new revenue streams for operators.”

These developments put smartphones in direct competition with a variety of other device segments for consumer’s dollars. As Morgan said, “The convergence period for cellular communications is coming to an end, and now we’re entering a period of divergence. For many devices the technology is already in place, it’s just the business and billing models that need to be built.”

This means that some handset vendors may need to seek a greater part of their business in the low cost and ultra-low cost segments, while MIDs and netbooks will have to better define their unique use cases and value propositions. The same will apply to cellular modems, and operator subsidies will also have an important influence on the sale of these devices.

ABI Research’s Mobile Devices Annual Market Overview highlights key device segment trends and market considerations across many mobile device categories including mobile handsets and handset accessories, Ultra Mobile PCs, netbooks, MIDs, cellular modems, WiMAX devices and consumer electronics. Since wireless connectivity continues to be incorporated into new device segments, the impact of emerging services and technologies is explored in relation to their market potential in mobile devices.

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Updates Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in standards development for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, has updated TIA-222-G Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas with Addendum 2. The new standard, TIA-222-G-2 was published in December.

The Addendum 2 changes to TIA-222-G were made to address comments from users and to implement changes in engineering theory since the initial publication.

TIA-222-G-2 was formulated under the cognizance of TIA Engineering Committee TR-14 Point-to-Point Communications System's TR-14.7 Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures Subcommittee.

According to John Erichsen of EET, LLC, Vice-Chairman of TR-14.7, "As part of our effort to keep the TIA-222-G a relevant reflection of the needs of its users, the main committee has elected to issue addendums to the standard at non-specific durations. These revisions are intended to refresh the content more frequently than the time consuming process associated with a major revision."

Demonstration Network Planned for Public Safety 700 MHz Broadband
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have announced plans to create a demonstration broadband communications network for the nation’s emergency services agencies using a portion of the radiofrequency spectrum freed up by the recent transition of US broadcast television from analog to digital technologies. The new system will provide a common demonstration site for manufacturers, carriers and public safety agencies to test and evaluate advanced broadband communications equipment and software tailored specifically to the needs of emergency first responders.

Public safety agencies are looking to make use of the 700 MHz broadband spectrum cleared by the switch to digital TV. A unified broadband system would allow public safety agencies to communicate with nationwide roaming and enhanced interoperability. However, there are currently no government or independent laboratory facilities in the US to test and demonstrate the public safety specific behaviors of this yet-to-be-deployed 700 MHz network and the applications that could run on top of it.

To address this critical gap, NIST and NTIA, through their Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) program, will begin building a Public Safety Broadband Demonstration Network to provide manufacturers with a site for early deployment of their systems, an opportunity to evaluate them in a multi-vendor environment and create integration opportunities for commercial service providers. A national broadband network could offer public safety groups around the country access to advanced communications technologies including video, mapping and GPS applications and more. Emergency responders, vendors, carriers, academia and other pertinent stakeholders also will be able to access the demonstration network.

“This is an excellent opportunity for NIST and the PSCR to leverage our skills and assets to ensure the successful adoption and deployment of a new, nationwide communications system for public safety,” said Dereck Orr, PSCR program manager. “The demonstration of these new technologies, implementations and services is a critical step in successfully deploying the next generation of mission-critical systems.”

This demonstration network is currently in the preliminary planning stages and is expected to go live in mid-2010.

Luxul Wireless Teams with D-LINK to Deliver FCC Certified Wi-Fi Systems that Increase Wireless Coverage Area
Luxul Wireless and D-LINK have released a series of FCC certified high performance Wi-Fi systems. This new series of FCC certified systems and kits will bundle the D-LINK AirPlus Xtreme G access point, which delivers speeds of up to 108 Mbps and includes SNMP management software. The bundled solutions will be marketed under the Luxul Wireless Pro-WAV brand. Pro-WAV solutions combine patented signal boosting technology with highly efficient antennas to expand the wireless coverage area and improve overall performance of a wireless access point (WAP) by as much as 400 percent.

"The AirPlus Xtreme G is one of our most popular and reliable access points for home and small office environments," said AJ Wang, chief technology officer for D-LINK. "The addition of Luxul Wireless technologies further extends its use and capabilities to meet the maximum allowable FCC limits. Being pre-certified is a significant advantage for integrators and installers of Wi-Fi networks that would otherwise need to self-certify."

Pre-certified Luxul/D-LINK solutions will initially be offered for the Pro-WAV 100, Pro-WAV 200, and select Pro-WAV Range Extender Kits. Pro-WAV pre-certified products are available now through Control4 dealers. Expanded availability through other Luxul sales channels is anticipated to be announced in Q1 2010.

Antenova Develops Nine-Band SMD Antenna for Global LTE Mobile Device Applications
Antenova Ltd has developed its nine-band SMD antenna targeting global long term evolution (LTE) mobile device applications. Antenova’s Agilis A10346 is a small switchable magnetic dipole antenna (MDA) providing global dual-mode GSM/LTE capability plus Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and WiMAX in a single structure.

“With mobile operators starting to roll out LTE networks, there has been an increasing demand from device manufacturers for small embedded LTE antennas for mobile devices such as smart phones, portable navigation devices (PNDs) and portable media players (PMPs),” said Greg McCray, CEO of Antenova. “Agilis is a high performing nine-band antenna capable of dual-mode GSM and LTE, which is an ideal solution for device manufacturers as networks migrate from 3G to 4G. Antenova’s MDA technology enables Agilis to be resistant to de-tuning and offers predictable performance for a superior mobile broadband user experience.”

“Agilis A10346 is a small 40 by 10 by 3 mm³ switchable magnetic dipole antenna offering design flexibility for global mobile device manufacturers,” said Dr. Devis Iellici, R&D director of Antenova. “A10346 is a single capacitive feed antenna which is implemented with a three-pin diode switch that enables operation in three sets of frequency bands; 1) 700 to 750 MHz (LTE low), DCS, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE at 2.7 GHz, 2) 750 to 800 MHz (LTE high), DCS, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE at 2.7 GHz, and 3) GSM850, GSM900, DCS, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE at 2.7 GHz. A dual-feed version is currently under development and will be available soon.”

Agilis is well suited for an extensive range of embedded cellular and mobile broadband applications such as mobile handsets, PNDs, PMPs, laptops, netbooks and femto base stations. Agilis A10346 is intended for surface mounting, requires minimal ground plane and supplied in tape on reel. It is provided with the switch specifications and design guidelines for easy implementation and will be available for volume purchase through Antenova’s global network of leading distributors and agents.

Mil-Con Releases New Active and Passive GPS Antennas
Mil-Con, Inc. has introduced a new series of active and passive GPS antennas to its product line.

Mil-Con’s rugged, sealed, field-replaceable, shock-mounted GPS antennas use a commercial quadrifilar helix antenna element in spin-on SMA and TNC versions, as well as, slide-on SMB version. The antennas are designed using compliant RF connection that combines mechanically isolated ceramic antenna elements with integrated weather seals for use in hostile and military environments. Mil-Con offers design and manufacturing capabilities to provide unique solutions for integrating customer selected antenna elements into connector electrical and mechanical packages to meet demanding environmental and mechanical requirements.

The GPS antennas are sealed to 1 meter of water depth, and have advanced assembly tuning to maintain antenna element match and minimize losses. The PkZ technology allows a compliant connection to the element; avoiding stress to solder joints and mechanical shock to ceramic element. The antennas are compatible with end-user mating interfaces, such as: SMA, TNC, and slide-on SMB. Other interfaces could be made available at customer’s request. Mil-Con’s GPS antennas are adaptable to a wide range of COTS or proprietary antenna elements.

Mil-Con’s active and passive GPS antennas are well suited for hand-held communication devices and two-way radios, GPS tracking communication devices, satellite up-links, stationary or portable platforms, and buoy and deployable telecommunications equipment.

ITT Develops Miniature Data Bus Connector for Satellite Communications Applications
ITT Interconnect Solutions, a manufacturer and supplier of connectors, interconnects and cable assemblies, has developed a Micro Bus Floating (MBF) connector for computer data bus applications in satellite communications. The 40-position, 1.27 mm-pitch MBF connector has a mated height of 8 mm, and the double contact design increases contact reliability while the floating metal spring on the housing provides a cushioning effect, ensuring contact accuracy between the connector and the PCB frame.

“Designed for a specific space project, the challenge was to produce a miniature connector with high contact reliability that is also easily-mateable and capable of holding two or more PC board frames stacked together,” said Keith Teichmann, director of marketing for ITT Interconnect Solutions. “Not only does the MBF connector incorporate these features, but it is also guaranteed for up to 1,000 mating cycles, whereas standard elastomeric connectors can typically only be used once.”

The Micro Bus Floating connectors are suitable for stacking two to 12 PCB frames. Along with space and satellite applications, ITT’s new MBF connectors are suitable for high-end computer and medical equipment.

Radiocrafts Releases 500 mW High Power RF Module at 868 MHz
Radiocrafts AS, a provider of compact RF modules, have expanded their RC232 product line family with a new high power module, the RC1180HP-RC232. The module is pin compatible with the existing RC11xx-series, and enables extended range using the same low-cost design philosophy applicable for the whole RC11xx product family.

The RC1180HP-RC232 (868 MHz) module is certified for operation up to 500 mW under the European radio regulations for license-free use. When used with quarter-wave antennas a line-of-sight range of more than 3 km can be achieved.

The compact RC1180HP-RC232 module, measuring 12.7 by 25.4 by 3.3 mm, sets a new standard of integrating high power technology into a complete RF modem in one single tiny package, replacing tens of components compared to a discrete design. No external components are required, except an antenna.

This miniaturization of a high power module without compromising the design goals of providing a low cost high performance module is unique in the industry. The backward compatible properties, both hardware pin-out and the embedded protocol, with the already existing RC11xx-RC232 series, makes the RC1180HP-RC232 a suitable building block for both new and existing customers when range extension is required.

The module is a complete RF system solution running on the RC232 protocol, with an easy-to-use UART interface for both configuration and communication. The embedded RC232 protocol provides a point-to-multipoint solution with individual addressing or broadcast and CRC check for signal integrity. The module can also be used as a wireless RS232 / RS485 cable replacement.

The module and Demo Kits are available now. The module is delivered on tape and reel for volume production.

1/19 - 1/21
IEEE PES Conference on Innovative Smart Grid Technologies
Washington, D.C.

Download the December 2009/January 2010 Issue

Features:
Case Study: Wireless Broadband Antenna Tracking System
Metamaterials - Materials for the Near-Future
Analyzing Advances in Antenna Materials

New Products & Services:
Antennas, Components, Connectors, Test & Measurement, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio and
Antennas in Action

JANUARY 2010

1/19 - 1/21
IEEE PES Conference on Innovative Smart Grid Technologies
Washington, D.C.

FEBRUARY 2010

2/22 - 2/23
2010 IEEE International Microwave Workshop Series on "RF Front-ends for Software Defined and Cognitive Radio Solutions" (IMWS)
Aveiro, Portugal

2/22 - 2/25
2010 2nd International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (META)
Cairo, Egypt

2/23 - 2/24
2010 International ITG Workshop on Smart Antennas (WSA)
Bremen, Germany

World Meter Design Congress
March 7-9, 2010
San Diego, CA

Be part of THE meter design event of 2010!  The World Meter Design Congress is the ONLY meeting place for the world’s meter design engineers, system architects, research engineers and production professionals.  Join them to discuss “Smart Choices in Smart Meter Design”.  March 7-9, 2010, San Diego, CA  www.metering.com/wmdc

Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010
March 7-10, 2010
San Diego, CA

Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010 conference and exhibition is North America’s premium forum where technology meets the customer.  Cutting through the hype of where the industry currently lies, Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010 will focus on the new customer paradigm. With 100 speakers covering four dedicated tracks, a clutch of senior level panel discussions, a choice selection of challenging workshops and interactive networking breakfast sessions, you and your team cannot afford to miss out on Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010. Anne Shen Smith, senior vice president of customer services with San Diego Gas & Electric will be delivering the keynote address. Her presentation will look at the utility perspective of where technology meets the customer, and what immediate impact smart meters will have on the road to full smart grid capabilities. This is a not to be missed event, register today at www.meteringamerica.com

IWCE 2010
March 8-12, 2010
Las Vegas, NV

IWCE is the pre-eminent integrated communications systems event for the working world. Having the ability to receive the right information has never been more important. If you are responsible for the dependability, reliability and interoperability of your organization’s communication system, then IWCE is your must attend event.  IWCE provides the applications and systems you need in order to communicate anytime, anywhere. Make connections with 360+ leading edge exhibitors and collaborate in an educational environment that delivers meaningful information that allows you to do a better job. 

From Land Mobile Radio…to Wireless Mobility…Voice…Video…Data…and everything in-between…Communications Technology is Changing…and so is IWCE.

Register by February 5, 2010 and SAVE!

RFID Journal Live 2010
April 14-16, 2010
Orlando, Florida

Learn how to put RFID to work at the world's largest RFID event!

Learn how leading early adopters are using RFID to cut costs and boost operational efficiencies at the world's most important RFID event. Hear real-world end-user case studies and find the right technology solutions for your business problems. Learn from a program tailored to meet your needs, featuring 8 industry-specific and how-to conference tracks, 8 in-depth preconference seminars, fast-track CompTIA RFID+ training and certification,

3 co-located events, the RFID Journal Awards and more. Register now for maximum savings! http://www.rfidjournalevents.com/live/

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