New-Tech Europe Magazine | May 2018

Figure 7: Mini-Circuits’ 086-KM+ series 40 GHz HandFlex™ interconnect cable (left) and KBL-series 40 GHz precision test cable.

of coaxial amplifiers, splitters and couplers as well as MMIC mixers, multipliers and reflectionless filters mounted on connectorized test boards. Therefore, a variety of adapters and cables will be needed for interconnection between components and to the signal generator and test instrumentation. The LO setup exactly as pictured in Figure 2 would require an N-Male to SMA-Male adapter (NM- SM50+) to interface between the synthesized signal generator and the first multiplier. The filter and amplifier at the 12 GHz stage can be mated with SMA-Male to SMA- Male adapters (SM-SM50+), and the components in the 24 GHz stage can be connected with 2.92mm- Male to 2.92mm Male adapters (KM-KM50+). Mini-Circuits has expanded our selection of adapters up to 40 GHz, introducing 3.5mm, 2.92mm (K), and 2.4mm connector types in all gender configurations. For connections requiring more flexibility, Mini-Circuits HandFlex cables are available in various lengths with a wide variety connector configurations up to 18 GHz and 40 GHz models with 2.92mm connectors. High-performance test cables are also needed for a good connection

cost of high-performance 26 GHz and 40 GHz instrumentation could effectively block budget-conscious companies and programs from entering the 5G space. This article illustrates an approach that allows designers and test engineers with 6 GHz lab equipment to test higher frequency devices without the need for heavy capital investment. The setups described here are merely examples, and customers may utilize similar approaches to develop setups for different frequencies, power levels, and other application-specific requirements. Mini-Circuits now offers ultra- wideband mixers and multipliers up to 40 GHz, both available in tiny surface-mount QFN packages and mounted on connectorized test boards, which in theory allows customers to build similar setups for testing in the 38 GHz 5G band as well. Contact:

at 4 GHz from RF source and analyzer to the mixer IF ports. Mini-Circuits CBL-series 18 GHz precision test cables are excellent candidates for this purpose. The 28 GHz connection between the mixer RF ports and the DUT can be made with KBL-series precision 40 GHz cables. For additional utility and convenience, Mini-Circuits can build up/down-converter setups like those discussed in this article into a custom, 19-inch rack-mounted assembly with AC power input so the user can simply mount the equipment in their test rack without spending the time and effort involved in building their own assembly. The parts used in these setups are available in surface- mount packages, so customers can integrate up/down-converters into their PCB for Automated Test Equipment (ATE) RF test fixtures for production testing. Conclusion The transition of commercial wireless applications from the sub-6 GHz spectrum region up to the millimeter wave bands poses challenges for test labs already outfitted for 4G LTE and other existing wireless applications. The

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