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How will small design companies deal with higher frequency systems?
TheUnnamedNewbie:
So this is something I've wondered about a few times and discussed at work a lot with my colleagues.
I work on systems at 150 GHz. Everything we do at these frequencies requires expensive tools. PCBs, antennas, packages, traces, are all simulated in $$$ software packages, we need people whose only job and expertise is how to get a 150 GHz signal off a chip and into a PCB trace, and they spend weeks tweaking these interfaces. Other people spend weeks designing antennas and complaining to the mechanical guys that no, you cannot, in fact, just slap some plastic there in that mold because it absolutely destroys the antenna performance.
With 60 GHz consumer applications also becoming a thing, I wonder if this will make it harder for small companies to design these products. You can't get away with rules of thumb anymore. I find it hard to see 1-man design houses design products with these higher frequencies integrated.
What is your perspective on this? Perhaps from someone who is not in this industry, as I'm clearly not unbiased or anything.
hans:
Don't have a clear answer... All I can think of, with your mentioned example of even getting a signal to interface nicely onto a PCB or antenna... put everything on a module and CE/FCC certify it. End users integrate said module onto their design with keepout areas or necessary ground planes as to not affect the modelling work/assumptions for sensitive circuits or radiating elements.
If you want a tighter integration, then you need to do more work. A module may have the impedance matching etc. all figured out for the right stackup, antenna, etc. Or you grab the RF chip itself with unmatched I/O and S-parameter files, and do the impedance matching yourself with e.g ADS.
T3sl4co1l:
Whaddya mean, we don't even design 433MHz connections, let alone GHz! (THz maybe :-DD )
Maybe a few like routes and antennas, preferably following the appnote to have some confidence of success. Even just having a VNA is extra (but, much more affordable nowadays), let alone how to use it properly (remember, RF theory/practice in general is not that widespread below say masters levels, and most EEs are BS).
Just as well, since certifying those modules is a big deal, and being able to plop one in and exempt that bit of spectrum from the EMC test is big value.
Tim
jonpaul:
AFIK, Above 5 GHz the links are for network infrastructure eg undersea cables and long haul microwave links.
The attenuation of the atmosphere and precipitation makes mm wave systems >>20 GHz short haul.
The limited applications require the specialized components and tools.
j
2N3055:
There are few RFID chips that have integrated antennas. TI has 77GHz radar transceiver with antenna on package.
Rising frequencies allow that for short range devices.
We are going to buy those things as a ready made modules like GPS..
I already buy 24.125 GHz radar modules for vehicle detection as ready made modules. Not only design but regulatory compliance, certifications etc. are nightmare for small teams. Cost is high and recouped only in volume.
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