3.3V mixer downconverts RF with good linearity 10/28/2009

Linear Technology Corp’s new LTC5541 downconverting mixer operates at frequencies of 1.3 to 2.3 GHz, and the company plans to later introduce pin-compatible parts that will operate at 0.6 to 4 GHz.

Device enables remote computer control and management 10/16/2009

IT support for computers in remote locations, which include areas as diverse as test equipment, desktop applications, and shopping-center kiosks, often requires the ability to take control of the application’s computer over the Internet while maintaining a secure environment.

Cyborg crickets could create cooperative community networks 8/6/2009

Crickets, cicadas, katydids, and some other insects make noise by beating their wings. More significantly, they can change the pitch of their wing beats and, hence, the frequency of the noise in response to changes in pitch of other nearby insects.

Cascade Microtech addresses power semiconductors and RFICs 7/8/2009

Cascade Microtech is addressing the emerging energy-efficiency standards that are driving the need for accurate power-device characterization in automotive, mobile-device, transportation, and other applications.

Agilent, ETS-Lindgren address A-GPS test 6/11/2009

Agilent Technologies Inc has introduced GS-9000 A-GPS (assisted-global-positioning-system) test systems employing the company's 8960 wireless-communications-test set's new A-GPS-assistance-data-messaging-test capabilities.

“Dog” PLL chases its own tail 7/23/2009

Tales From The Cube: What to do when an LC oscillator insists on wild phase gyrations around a desired phase-lock point? One engineer is able to tame the beast.

USB 3.0: A simple idea full of challenges 6/11/2009

Combining 5 Gbps with the convenience of USB sounds like a sure win, but many issues are hiding behind the premise.

Getting to 4G through design and test 4/9/2009

4G telecommunication technology carries explicit requirements for minimum network speed. Designers must find a way to reliably and cost-effectively reach those targets.

Noisy radio link puts brakes on racing-crew communication 1/22/2009

Tales From The Cube: Interference is hampering driver-to-pit-crew communication via a 460-MHz FM system. Even disconnecting the driver's mic doesn't help. So where is the noise coming from?

Hardware and software approaches implement multiple radios 12/15/2008

Miniaturization and emerging flexible software architectures will enable compact, low-power wireless devices to support communications standards ranging from Bluetooth to WiMax.

Museum contends with multimedia rights 3/19/2009

Wherever technology goes, legal issues regarding copyright ownership seem to follow.

White spaces and black hearts 10/16/2008

Those pushing white-space proposals, including Google's Larry Page, need some lessons in real-world RF interference, and the industry should put white-spaces plans on hold until we see how badly the digital-TV rollout hurts broadcast television.

Voices: GreenPeak Technologies’ Cees Links: wireless-networking visionary 2/21/2008

Cees (pronounced case) Links is an engineer and the chief executive officer at GreenPeak Technologies, an international supplier of low-power wireless-system modules compatible with IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee. Based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Links has been a pioneer in the wireless industry and was involved in the establishment of the IEEE 802.

Open-cellular-network boasts lack substance 1/10/2008

There are dozens if not hundreds of products that might be more compelling if they integrated a cellular radio.

Holiday wishes target technological harmony 12/5/2007

From an accord among the high-definition DVD camps to signs of progress for UWB and Wireless USB, my list highlights technological developments that I believe would be good for the high-tech segment.

Achieve simple IR-data transmission from a PC’s serial port 10/11/2007

By transmitting appropriate hex values from a PC's serial port to a pair of IR LEDs, a remote-control IR receiver can enable 38.4-kHz data transmission.