Microwaves & RF Online: September, 2026
Welcome to Microwaves & RF's monthly publication, where you can find the latest articles, videos, and podcasts. You can sign up for our newsletters to see the latest articles as they're posted. You can also catch up on archived versions of MWRF's Top Stories of the Month.
Signal Reflections: For 6G, Keep an Eye on AI-RAN Technology
It’s looking like commercial deployment of sixth-generation (6G) technology will land in the 2029-2030 timeframe. But, meanwhile, the telecom industry is beginning to broaden its focus from early R&D to technology definition and a pre-investment phase.
One influential global technology coordination body, the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has mapped out its vision for what 6G is expected to look like in 2030. For the ITU, 6G isn't simply a matter of “faster 5G.” Rather, the goal is to transform cellular networks into ubiquitous connectivity platforms that integrate communications, sensing, and artificial intelligence.
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6abbc8c027f1a373af8e2421dreamstime_ai__tetiana_strEditor's Choice: From the Microwaves & RF Archives
These articles were chosen by the editors at Microwaves & RF to complement the new articles above. They're included in our regular newsletters.
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0926mwrf_zcomm_promo## {# toc3|Cabling & Enclosures} Hardware meant to hold controls and electronics as well as monitor the temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. inside the enclosure, such as terminal blocks and cabinet coolers. Winner: [Rockwell Automation - EtherNet/IP In-Cabinet Solution](https://www.machinedesign.com/mechanical-motion-systems/product/55405893/maximize-efficiency-and-scalability-with-rockwell-automations-new-ethernet-solution) Honorees: [Anderson Power - Industrial Battery Connector (IBC)](https://www.machinedesign.com/mechanical-motion-systems/product/55405863/anderson-power) [EXAIR - ATEX Aluminum Cabinet Cooler System](https://www.machinedesign.com/mechanical-motion-systems/product/55405879/exair)
## {# toc4|Computing Hardware, Software and Systems} Edge computing devices and interfaces, as well as associated compute, storage, design, and analysis systems. Winner: [Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 storage accelerators](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/industrial/boards/article/55307954/electronic-design-microchips-storage-accelerator-speeds-up-nvme-arrays) Honorees: [Relio R1 HPC+](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/industrial/product/55405302/electronic-design-sealevel-relio-r1-hpc-rugged-edge-computer-adds-com-hpc-25gbe-and-ai-expansion) from Sealevel Systems, Inc. [MIC-9X02GLF](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/industrial/product/55405147/electronic-design-darveen-mic-9x02glf-industrial-pc-for-edge-ai-and-machine-vision) from Darveen Co. Ltd.
## {# toc5|Design Tools & Software } EDA, CAD, CAM, CAE, Digital Twin, modeling and simulation software as well as application tools and operating systems to assist the design engineer. This category also includes IDEs, compilers and middleware. Winner: [Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Design Workbench](https://www.controlglobal.com/control/plcs-pacs/product/55405787/rockwell-automation-controllogix-5590-pushes-plc-performance-further) Honorees: [SimScale Engineering AI Platform](https://www.machinedesign.com/cad-cam-software/product/55405668/harnessing-ai-and-cloud-technology-for-advanced-multiphysics-simulatio) [Sibe PDM](https://www.machinedesign.com/cad-cam-software/product/55405635/sibe-pdm)
## {# toc6|Electronic Components } Passive electronic components like capacitors, transistors or diodes, connectors, cables, antennas, and switches. Winner: [EC2005P, EC2025P and EC2006P ECAPs – Silicon Capacitors](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/product/55357898/electronic-design-empower-introduces-new-silicon-capacitors-for-co-packaging-with-ai-chips) from Empower Semiconductor Honorees: [Marvell Structera S 60260 PCIe 6.0 Switch](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/communications/product/55404606/electronic-design-soc-switch-260-pci-express-lanes) [PTCB TM circuit breaker](https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/components/active-components/product/55404618/microwaves-rf-phoenix-contacts-ptcb-tm-circuit-breakers-are-smallest-pluggable-thermal-magnetic-devices-on-the-market) from Phoenix Contact
## {# toc7|Industrial Controllers } PLCs, PACs, IPCs. Winner: [Rockwell Automation ControlLogix 5590 controller](https://www.controlglobal.com/control/plcs-pacs/product/55405787/rockwell-automation-controllogix-5590-pushes-plc-performance-further) Honorees: [Yokogawa A8 Series Intelligent Edge Controller](https://www.controlglobal.com/control/product/55405058/yokogawa-intelligent-edge-controller-combines-deterministic-control-with-open-ai-ready-architecture) [Productivity1000 P1-412 CPU](https://www.controlglobal.com/control/plcs-pacs/product/55405784/automationdirect-productivity-plcs-get-next-gen-upgrade) [from Automation Direct](https://www.controlglobal.com/control/plcs-pacs/product/55405784/automationdirect-productivity-plcs-get-next-gen-upgrade)
## {# toc8|Machine Vision and Optical Components & Systems} This category includes adaptive optics, optical materials, coatings, precision optics, micro-optics, lenses, mirrors, aspheres, prisms, and freeform optics. This category also considers lighting products for machine vision applications, cameras, sensors, lenses, filters, lighting, frame grabbers, software, and systems. Winner: [Marvell COLORZ 1600 2nm 1.6T ZR/ZR+ Pluggable Optical Platform](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/communications/wired/product/55404491/electronic-design-marvells-16t-optical-transceiver-links-long-distance-data-centers) Honorees: [CV7 Edge AI 8K Vision SoC](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/industrial/product/55404431/8k-ai-vision-soc-handles-multi-sensor-perception) from Ambarella [Alecs SWIR Allied Vision Technologies](https://www.controlglobal.com/control/ai-ml/product/55405705/a-smarter-eye-for-process-inspection)
## {# toc9|Motion Control Components} Pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric motion control components and systems, including actuators, cylinders, ball screws, motors and drives, and accessories such as fasteners, bearings, gears, belts, and chains, as well as fluids, filters, and compressed air systems. Winner: [IO-Link Compatible Air Management System: AMS-X2044/X2045](https://powermotiontech.com/55404462) from SMC Corporation Honorees: [SHA Integrated Actuator Series](https://powermotiontech.com/55404420) from Harmonic Drive LLC [Moog AXP](https://powermotiontech.com/55404519) from Moog GmbH
## {# toc10|Production Tools and Systems} This category includes creation of chips, printed circuit boards, components and systems as well as all mechanical and machine tool operations, welding, soldering, and adhesives focused on metal or component joining as well as materials used to fasten and secure components. Winner: [Wiferion - CW1000 Contactless 1 kW Inductive Charging System](https://www.machinedesign.com/markets/robotics/product/55405811/wiferion-cw1000-charging-system-enables-contactless-charging-for-amrs-and-agvs) Honoree: [Phoenix Contact - BLUEMARK E.CARD UV inkjet printer](https://www.machinedesign.com/automation-iiot/product/55405796/phoenix-contact-uv-inkjet-printer-for-high-volume-industrial-labeling)
## {# toc11|Test, Measurement, Sensors and Software} Test and measurement equipment and sensors that measure things including electrical, photons, speed, temperature, vibration, positioning, dimensional accuracy, defect detection and other operational parameters, as well as the software needed to effectively analyze the sensor data. Winner: [REF81 buried Zener precision voltage reference](https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/product/55404571/electronic-design-tis-voltage-reference-ic-drives-precision-data-converters) from Texas Instruments Honorees: [Rosemount 3408 Wireless Level Transmitter - Non-Contacting Radar](https://www.controlglobal.com/network/wireless/product/55405057/emerson-automation-solutions-wirelesshart-transmitter-brings-native-wireless-radar-to-level-measurement) from Emerson [Rohde & Schwarz FSWX](https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/test-measurement/video/55308477/microwaves-rf-in-a-first-instrument-performs-multichannel-signal-and-spectrum-analysis-with-cross-correlation) >>
Edge Awards
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deaug73_promoAbout the Author
David MaliniakDavid Maliniak
Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF
I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.
You can send press releases for new products for possible coverage on the website. I am also interested in receiving contributed articles for publishing on our website. Use our contributor's packet, in which you'll find an article template and lots more useful information on how to properly prepare content for us, and send to me along with a signed release form.
About me:
In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.


































