Admiral Microwaves, has just announced the availability of the DBS6950 desktop antenna. It is aimed specifically at LTE (Long Term Evolution) applications in the cellular mobile communication systems marketplace. Undergoing rapid deployment in international markets, LTE is described as the last step toward the 4th generation (4G) mobile phone technology, designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile telephone networks.

Manufactured by Laird Technologies, the DBS6950 external wireless dipole antenna provides a high quality, high performance air interface for LTE installations. This unit features a wide bandwidth, covering both the 700 to 960MHz and 1.7GHz to 5GHz frequency bands, making it ideal for systems required to provide multiple bandwidths, and therefore suitable for use in various regional and global applications.

In fact, the antenna operates simultaneously in more than 11 frequency bands supporting not only LTE, but also cellular, Quadband, GSM+UTMS, WCDMA/3G, AWS, IEEE802.11b/g/n WLAN, WISP, WiMAX MMDS/3.5GHz and Public Safety Radio applications.

The desktop antenna features omnidirectional gain patterns, and is designed with a minimal detuning effect when placed on a ground plane. Gain figures are quoted as 3.0dBi (698 to 960MHz) and 4.9dBi (1.7 to 5GHz) and VSWR at

The unit is supplied with coaxial cable pigtail providing a variety of connector choices, and conforms to the RoHS directive.

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Avnet Memec has partnered with Adeunis-RF, to launch a new range of compact, reliable, modular and affordable Near Field Communications (NFC) solutions to address the growing need for eCommerce applications.

The new NFC “Reader-Writer” module will streamline the design and development of devices dedicated to contactless payment, ticketing, couponing and access control. Operating as an NFC gateway, the module provides a secure carrier field through ID and protocol recognition. The modular concept allows for multiple designs with the module mounted inside or outside the antenna.

“In the booming market of contactless devices, designers who need to integrate NFC functionalities into their application often need quick market access. By providing a robust, reliable, multi-format modular solution we are able to reduce their time to market as well as their cost of design,” said Hervé Vincent, CEO of Adeunis-RF. “Our partnership with Avnet Memec enables us to combine technical support with commercial coverage for customers across Europe.”

Based on a dedicated Renesas MCU, the Adeunis-RF module operates at 13.56MHz. The “Reader-Writer” module incorporates Type A, B, F and RFID modes at rates ranging from 1.65 to 26.48 kbits/s (RFID) and 106 to 847 kbits/s (type A, B, F tags).

www.avnet-memec.eu

LPRS has been appointed by Arronna Antennas as the exclusive distributor in Europe for their comprehensive range of antennas.

Established in 2007 Arronna manufactures a wide variety of OEM and ODM antennas including; LTE, WIMAX, WiFi, 3G, DECT, WLAN, CDMA, GPRS, CMMB, DMB, GSM and DVB-T types.
Signing the agreement at CeBit 2012 John Sharples, Managing Director of LPRS comments; “We are very pleased to have been chosen by Arronna to sell their antennas exclusively across Europe. Our long experience of selling our own easyRadio wireless modules internationally gives Arronna access to a well-established and highly motivated European sales channel. Arronna have recently introduced a number of new products for high growth applications, such as WIMAX, which will be of great interest to our customers.

In addition to the Arronna antenna range and its own easyRadio Advanced (eRA) wireless modules the LPRS product range now includes, narrow band long range wireless modules from CDP, the IQRF range of wireless networking components, the IQVC range of visual control panels together with antenna, wireless key fobs and a wide range of sensor products.

Contact LPRS

Suppliers of bespoke industrial solutions, Motion29 Ltd, is now stocking JAY Electronique’s new XD Series – a line of radio remote controls designed for use in Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 explosive atmospheres.

Explosions in the workplace cause on average 6 deaths per year and leave 387 workers with permanent disabilities. Operating machinery remotely in hazardous industrial areas enhances safety, allowing for precise manoeuvres, increased productivity and freedom of movement.

Typical applications for the radio remote control range include operating industrial equipment (boiler plants, mixers, conveyor belts, silos, dryers, etc), industrial vehicles (e.g. the transportation of bulk products and hazardous substances) and industrial lifting such as travelling cranes, hoists and monorails.

To further enhance safety when using the radio remote controls, access is enabled by electronic key to an authorised operator only and the buttons are protected mechanically against unintentional actions. Additional safety features include a permanent radio link – the control’s non-directional design and insensitivity to obstacles ensures the operator is protected against taking risks during precision manoeuvres – and the automatic start-up wizard which is presented to a new operator to ensure they are trained in its handling. The XD series is compliant with ATEX rules in accordance with marking indicated.

The XD system’s modular design integrates a number of features in terms of type, position and number of function buttons. The ergonomic design ensures operator comfort which allows for one-hand control, button touch sensitivity, light-weight compact transmitters and easy identification of control functions. The 55 millisecond response time is compatible with the movement speeds of the equipment enabling quick and precise responses.

The device allows for easy maintenance with diagnostic aid indicator lights and the ability to customise the device with an electronic key according to application requirements.

The transmitter comes in two housing versions with either 6 or 10 function buttons, each with abutton and en emergency stop palm switch. The various button functions are identified by adhesive labels supplied with the device, which can be placed in the recesses on the transmitter unit according to your chosen configuration.

Accessories are available to complement the XD range such as battery packs, white blank labels for customised marking, wall bracket for stowing battery pack and antenna and antenna extensions.

http://www.motion29.com/

MSC now offers the VC40, a Voltage-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (VCXO) from Precision Devices (PDI). The VC40 is specifically designed for 4G wireless communication and other high-speed data applications.

The device covers the frequency range from 60 MHz to 800 MHz and can be adjusted by the user with up to +/-100 ppm, over a tuning range of 0 V to 3.3 V. Stability is +/-50 ppm over the entire operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

The VC40 uses High Frequency Fundamental (HFF) technology to generate frequencies up to 230 MHz with low phase noise. For higher frequencies, a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is avoided, and analog technology is used instead to provide outstanding phase noise and jitter performance.

The VC40 provides a four-pad LVCMOS (Low Voltage CMOS) output or a six-pad dual complementary output which can be configured to operate at LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) or LVPECL (Low Voltage PECL) levels.

The device operates from a 3.3 V supply voltage, and is provided in a compact 14 mm x 9 mm SMD package.

Contact MSC Vertriebs GmbH

Solid State Supplies has announced availability of a new direct conversion receiver (DCRx) integrated circuit (IC) from CML Microcircuits. The CMX994 targets the next generation of multi-mode software defined radios (SDR) for wireless data and two-way radio applications. Its design provides the optimum route for on-board integration, allowing a small RF receiver to be developed with a minimum of external components in both zero IF and low IF systems.

Until recently, most radios have used the superheterodyne (superhet) receiver, however enhancements in semiconductor technology have enabled the integration of DCRx, allowing it to become the technology of choice for radio receivers in many applications.

A DCRx mixes the required RF signal down to 0Hz in a single quadrature mixing process using a local oscillator (LO) tuned to the wanted RF channel frequency.
Selectivity filtering and gain can now take place at baseband with practical, low power, analogue and digital circuits. DCRx also eliminates the need for an image-reject filter.

Key features of the CMX994 include on-chip VCO for VHF applications, precision baseband filtering with selectable bandwidths and the smallest PCB area, typically less than 50% of a dual superhet. Another important feature is the single ended RF connections, which eliminate the need for baluns.

The CMX994 operates at 3.0 – 3.6 V, and comes in a Q4 40-pin VQFN package.

» Contact Details for Solid State Supplies

Showcasing for the very first time on the Alpha Micro (stand 19a) located in the new Wireless zone at NEW 2012, will be a wide range of ultra low power Wi-Fi modules from GainSpan, 2G and 3G small form factor modems from u-blox, energy harvesting devices from EnOcean and the new xPico chip-sized networking module for Ethernet connectivity from Lantronix.
A real alternative to Zigbee or Bluetooth, Alpha Micro’s GainSpan modules are designed for embedded devices which require 802.11b Wi-Fi connectivity services, such as energy monitoring, home automation and industrial control systems. 3 GainSpan evaluation kits will be given away at the show – come to the stand to register for your chance to be entered into the free prize draw.

Alongside the GainSpan product portfolio, Alpha Micro will be exhibiting the LEON-G100/G200 modules from u-blox, a cost efficient solution bringing full feature quad-band GSM/GPRS data and voice transmission technology in a compact form factor. Featuring low power consumption and GSM/GPRS class 10 data transmission with voice capability, the LEON-G100/G200 combine baseband, RF transceiver, power management unit, and power amplifier in a single, easy-to-integrate surface mount solution.

Also featured will be the LISA-U2 3.5G modules from u-blox ideal for consumer and industrial applications requiring high-speed data transmission rates, and machine-to machine applications. They are the perfect choice for mobile Internet terminals, PC tablets, in-car infotainment, connected navigation systems, security and surveillance systems, eCall, fleet management, metering, anti-theft systems and other automotive applications.

Completing the portfolio is the chip-sized xPico from Lantronix, designed for quick integration with minimal engineering effort. Boasting a chip-sized footprint of 24mm x 16.5mm, the xPico is a compact and complete networking solution that enables Ethernet connectivity on virtually any device with a serial interface. With its embedded device server application, Web server, and full IP stack, xPico allows seamless remote access to device data – simplifying the design integration process and providing robust connectivity.

» Contact details for Alpha Micro

Avnet Memec today announced a new pan-European distribution agreement with Adeunis RF, specialists in design, manufacture and marketing of wireless transmission systems. The agreement enables the specialised semiconductor distributor to offer modules for Near Field Communications – an important new set of technologies for the rapidly growing RFID and contactless payment markets. It further expands Avnet Memec’s offering for unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical band designs.

“Appointing Avnet Memec as our distributor throughout Europe reflects a key element of our long-term industrial strategy,” explained Hervé Vincent, Adeunis RF’s president and managing director. “With their emphasis on strong technical support and focused technologies, Avnet is the spearhead of our goals to gain a commercial presence in strategic countries and diverse vertical markets.”

The company offers great technological and commercial potential, according to Steve Haynes, president of Avnet Memec. “Adeunis RF’s modules will complement a strong existing portfolio by offering a full range of ISM bands based modules for wireless M-bus, KNX and proprietary protocols. Being able to provide module level solutions that match key technologies already available at chip level will allow our customers to go to market quicker we can help them make technologies like NFC competitive at lower volumes while keeping the possibility to seamlessly migrate to a chip level solution when the conditions are right. ”

www.avnet-memec.eu

Now available from Solid State Supplies is a new Class 12 quad-band GSM/GPRS module from Quectel Wireless Solutions. The M80 module offers up to 85.6kbps uplink and downlink speeds, operating at 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz frequency bands. Supplied in a tiny surface-mount Land Grid Array (LGA) package, the module features powerful embedded Internet service protocols, making it ideal for use in a wide range of machine-to-machine (M2M) applications, including: vehicle tracking systems (VTS); personal tracking; security; wireless point of sale (POS); industrial personal digital assistants (PDA); and smart metering.

The M80 delivers robust construction and reliable GSM/GPRS performance for data, voice, SMS and multi-media applications, and features extremely low power consumption [data to be inserted], an extended temperature range from -45° C to +85° C, and an ultra compact profile of just 23 x 25 x 2.8mm. It is equipped with a host of function interfaces, including: USB device; analog; dual SIM; three UARTs; and optional interfaces for micro SD card and camera.

The module also offers fully integrated access to Quectel’s range of GPS receivers, which can be controlled through a single serial port to provide a fast, low-cost GSM or GPS solution, thus reducing time-to-market.

The M80 complies fully with the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations.

Solid State Supplies is now stocking the M80 development kit priced at £35.95. The M80 module is available to order priced at under £12.00 in quantities of 1K pieces or more. Both prices exclude VAT.

» Contact Details for Solid State Supplies

Mouser Electronics, Inc. today announced that it is stocking the SimpleLink™ Wi-Fi CC3000 FRAM Evaluation Module Kit (EMK) (CC3000FRAMEMK) from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI). The SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3000 FRAM EMK is a full turn-key TI Wi-Fi evaluation and demonstration tool for TI’s MSP430™ FRAM microcontrollers (MCU) and SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3000 solution, which allows developers to easily add Wi-Fi to low-cost embedded products. The SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3000 FRAM EMK comes with all the necessary hardware and software to get started quickly, and it includes an LS Research TiWi-SL Module and EM board, along with an MSP430 FRAM Experimenter Board.

TI’s SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3000 solution is a self-contained wireless offering that simplifies the process of implementing Internet connectivity on any microcontroller-based device. The SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3000 minimizes host MCU software requirements, making it the ideal solution for embedded applications using any low-cost/low-power MCU. TI’s SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3000 FRAM EMK allows users to take advantage of the latest-generation of MSP430 MCU devices with integrated FRAM.

With its broad product line and unsurpassed customer service, Mouser caters to design engineers and buyers by delivering “What’s Next” in advanced technologies. Mouser offers customers 19 global support locations and stocks the world’s widest selection of the latest semiconductors and electronic components for the newest design projects. Mouser Electronics’ website is updated daily and searches more than 8.7 million products to locate over 2.8 million orderable part numbers available for easy online purchase. Mouser.com also houses an industry-first interactive catalog, data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information and engineering tools.

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.