DEFENSE ELECTRONICS REQUIRES special components and techniques that can survive some of the harshest environmental conditions. Each year, thousands of engineers working in this particular branch of electronics convene at the annual Association of Old Crows (AOC) meeting to renew acquaintances with key suppliers and to absorb short courses on system-level technology updates. This year's major AOC event is the 48th Annual AOC Symposium and Convention, scheduled for November 13-16 at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel (Washington, DC).
This year's AOC event promises to be one of the largest and most memorable, with more than 40 educational presentations scheduled. More than 1300 attendees are expected to attend a well-stocked exhibition floor: Companies will be displaying a range of products that extends from the smallest electronic components to the most sophisticated electronic-warfare (EW) and radar systems. For example, CAP Wireless will be on hand to explain its Spatium solid-state power amplifier (PA) technology. Representative of that technology is the model CHPA0220-2 broadband amplifier with 12-W output power from 2 to 20 GHz. It features 18 dB gain and 1-dB gain flatness across that frequency range with 8-dB noise figure.
Empower RF plans to bring a collection of its power amplifiers and modules, including its model 1189 building-block amplifier based on gallium-nitride (GaN) device technology. With a frequency range of 500 to 2500 MHz, it delivers at least 100 W output power and 125 W saturated output power with typical efficiency of 45%.
Elcom Technologies offers extensive lines of frequency synthesizers and receiver systemsincluding its model SIR-4000 Microwave Receiver, which is available in frequency ranges of 0.5 to 18.0 GHz, 0.5 to 26.5 GHz, and 0.5 to 40.0 GHz. The receiver can sweep as many as 512 channels/s with 10- Hz tuning resolution and typical phase noise of -90 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier.
Teledyne Cougar will show a new line of compact 1- and 2-W amplifiers for applications (in bands) from 2 to 18 GHz, such as coverage from 2 to 6 GHz, 12 to 18 GHz, and 6 to 18 GHz. Model AKT18601, for example, boasts +30 dBm output power at 1-dB compression from 6 to 18 GHz. It features 33-dB typical gain with 3.5-dB typical gain flatness and 6-dB typical noise figure.
MITEQ and its MCL, Inc. division will display many of its power and low-noise amplifiers for airborne and ground-based systems, including the MT2100 line of outdoor traveling-wave-tube amplifiers (TWTAs). These compact high-power amplifiers weigh less than 25 lbs., yet can deliver 125 W output power from 6 to 18 GHz.
Microsemi will highlight its various high-power semiconductor devices and solid-state modules at AOC, including its model 0405SC-2200M UHF device with 2.2 kW of pulsed output power from 406 to 450 MHz. Based on silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductor material, the Class AB device features drain efficiency of about 55% at 450 MHz (minimum of 50%) at a supply voltage of +125 VDC.
EM Research will be at AOC booth 416 to review its high-reliability PN/UPN frequency synthesizers and high-vibration-tolerance LT series synthesizers. The PN/ UPN sources are available with bandwidths as wide as a full octave from 50 MHz to 10 GHz, and with phase noise of -95 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier. The LT series synthesizers are available with bandwidths as wide as 30% from 50 MHz to 12 GHz with phase noise of -100 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier.
Wide Band Systems will step visitors through the design and construction of its instantaneous-frequency-measurement (IFM) receivers from 0.5 to 18.0 GHz, its frequency synthesizers from 0.5 to 18.0 GHz, and its digital frequency discriminators (DFDs) from 0.5 to 18.0 GHz.
On the conference side, AOC will offer not one but two keynote speakers: General Peter W. Chiarelli, who became 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army in 2008, and Brigadier General Giovanni Fantuzzi, Chief Aerospace Planning Division, Italian Air Force. The AOC offers many opportunities for continuing education, including several multiple-day courses. Topics for these include modeling and simulation, intelligence support for spectrum operations, and a survey of EM battle control applications. For more information on the 48th International AOC Conference and Exhibition, visit www.crows.org.
