The Weekly Buzz (March 4th, 2015)

announced that its Canadian subsidiary will be providing tactical integrated communications systems to the New Zealand Ministry of Defense for the Royal New Zealand Navy's ANZAC-class frigates. This subcontract was awarded to DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. in support of a communications modernization contract from Lockheed Martin Canada in September 2014.  DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. is the primary subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Canada.

SGS selected Rohde & Schwarz to strengthen its industry conformance and carrier acceptance testing capabilities for key LTE/4G technologies. Expanding on its existing R&S TS8980FTA-2 and R&S CMW500 wireless test platforms, SGS has increased its test capabilities areas including: LTE LBS (AGNSS/OTDOA) minimum performance, VoLTE E-911 protocol; LTE eMBMS RF, performance and protocol; and LTE carrier aggregation data throughput, RF performance and protocol.

7Layers upgraded its Rohde & Schwarz TS8980FTA, R&S CMW-PQA wireless test platforms to increase test capabilities including LTE location-based services (LBS) performance; VoLTE E-911 protocol; eMBMS RF performance, video performance, and protocol; LTE carrier aggregation RF performance, data throughput performance, and protocol; IMS / VoLTE protocol; Rich Communications Services (RCS) protocol; ePDG / WiFi calling over IMS; and WiFi offloading. 

Fresh Starts

API Technologies Corp.  was awarded a new patent for its aiming device for a bomb-disarming disrupter.  The Hawk-I Video Aiming Device uses a camera and a rangefinder to automatically assess range to target, then generates crosshairs on a video monitor. Bomb technicians then use this targeting guidance to fire a precise shot, which disarms the explosive. Use of the Hawk-i speeds aiming time and decreases chances of misfire due to human error. 

(TCS) has been awarded approval by the U.S General Services Administration (GSA) to add O3b Networks satellite products and services to TCS's IT Schedule 70 contract. The GSA IT Schedule 70 is the largest, most widely used acquisition vehicle in the federal government, providing direct access to products, services, and solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies.

Anite will be expanding its device application testing capability by entering into an agreement to acquire the trade and assets of Setcom Wireless Products GmbH, a supplier of wireless device application test solutions, based in Munich, Germany. The transaction is expected to complete by April 1, 2015, and will be integrated into AT4 wireless has appointed Swift Labs, an expert company in wireless R&D, functional testing, pre-testing and consultancy services, as its Canadian agency. These companies have entered into agreement to provide added-value services to the Canadian telecommunications industry through local pretesting, functional testing, R&D support, and Carrier Lab Entry Services. Swift Labs will provide direct access to AT4 wireless’ complete service offering, bringing global reach to the wireless & cellular testing market in Canada.

In-Phase Technologies redesigned its website, revising the look and feel of the site to ease user access. The site navigation is changed to a much easier-to-navigate design with product categories that can be accessed from the home page. The home page also features highlights of the markets served by In-Phase Technologies: Defense Electronics, Satellite, Medical Electronics, and Microwave and Fiber Optic Components. A series of case studies are also available, including a Fast Switch Matrix Test System, a Medical Device Test System, a Microwave Vector Test System, and a Power Supply Test System. 

IEEE Compound Semiconductor IC Symposium (CSICS) announced a call for papers for its meeting being held in New Orleans Oct. 11-14, 2015. First-time papers addressing the utilization and application of InP, GaAs, GaN, Silicon, Germanium, SiGe, and other compound semiconductors in military and commercial products are invited. For more information, click here. The deadline for submission is April 17, 2015.

Qorvo announced that its board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of the company's outstanding common stock. The primary objective of the share repurchase program is to reduce dilution from issuances relating to employee equity awards and the Company's employee stock purchase program.

East Coast Microwave is now distributing MECA’s full line of components, including power dividers up to 16 way and 18 GHz; attenuators up to 60 db and 500W; and terminations up to 500W.

Amphenol RF launched a new corporate website.  The new website is home to thousands of standard products and boasts an advanced feature set that allows buyers and engineers to quickly find the ideal RF connector, coaxial adapter or cable assembly for use in their application.

Huber+Suhner introduced the latest version of its online RF Assembly Calculator, which is designed to offer easy access to technical specifications such as insertion loss and power rating. Among the many additional features is the easy comparison of up to three Huber+Suhner radio frequency cables and assemblies in different configurations and environments (temperature and altitude) allowing instant extended calculations of cable constructions. The RF Assembly Calculator features a database of more than 270 cables and connectors including Huber+Suhner Astrolab products.

Lark Engineering has expanded its manufacturing capacity for wire, cable, and harness assemblies. The expansion is targeted at: aircraft wire systems; military communication systems wire assemblies; soldier-worn military cable assemblies; and defense vehicles.