Browse Topic: Radio equipment
In military and aerospace systems, thin film patterned substrates literally serve as the foundation of some of the most critical electronic assemblies, including radio frequency (RF), microwave, millimeter wave, and high-speed digital circuits. These substrates are typically made by depositing extremely thin layers of conductive and dielectric materials on bases built from materials like alumina, aluminum nitride, quartz, or certain high-performance titanates with various dielectric constants up to a k of 4,000.
A boat can sink in under a minute, stranding passengers miles from land and leaving them virtually invisible amid the vast expanse of water. Survival can depend on emergency supplies such as a personal locator beacon (PLB) and emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to alert search and rescue teams. When a competitive fishing trip went wrong for Easton Barrett and his friends 40 miles off the Gulf Coast of Mississippi in 2024, a PLB helped the U.S. Coast Guard rescue the people clinging to coolers and treading water after being head-butted by sharks.
With the increasing demand for underwater and implantable medical electronics, a stable and continuous power supply is essential. However, conventional wireless charging methods (such as electromagnetic induction and radio frequency-based charging) used in smartphones and wireless earphones suffer from short transmission distances, low energy transfer efficiency in biological tissues, and electromagnetic interference. To overcome these limitations, researchers are now considering the use of ultrasound as a new wireless power transfer technology. Ultrasound has the advantage of being human-friendly and less absorbed by tissues, allowing for more reliable energy transfer in implantable and skin-adherent devices. As a result, wireless charging technology utilizing ultrasonic energy is emerging as the next generation of power transfer.
A new transceiver invented by electrical engineers at the University of California, Irvine boosts radio frequencies into 140-gigahertz territory, unlocking data speeds that rival those of physical fiber-optic cables and laying the groundwork for a transition to 6G and FutureG data transmission protocols.
The evolution of wireless communications and the miniaturization of electrical circuits have fundamentally reshaped our lives and the digital landscape. However, as we push toward higher-frequency communications in an increasingly connected world, engineers face growing challenges from multipath propagation — a phenomenon where the same radio signal reaches receiving antennas through multiple routes, usually with time delays and altered amplitudes. Multipath interference leads to many reliability issues, ranging from “ghosting” in television broadcasts to signal fading in wireless communications.
RF and fiber have long co-existed within modern military and aerospace systems, with each medium dedicated to separate, mission-critical roles. Increasingly, however, system designers are turning to RF-over-fiber (RFoF) architectures to bridge the gap between over-the-air RF interfaces and the long, interference-resistant transport advantages of fiber. When it comes to over-the-air communications uses like tactical radio or satellite communications terminals, radio frequency (RF) is still the dominant signal format. RF is also commonly used at the front end of radar and electronic warfare, supporting search, tracking, fire control radar, missile seekers, jammers and electronic support measures.
Electric vehicles present unique challenges in electromagnetic compatibility testing due to compact packaging, high-frequency switching systems. This paper presents a systematic debugging methodology for identifying radiated emission and radiated immunity issues in these EV platforms. A comprehensive approach is outlined, covering radiated emission measurement; Bulk Current Injection based immunity simulation, and near-field probing techniques. For RI evaluation, BCI testing in the 20 to 400 MHz range is used to simulate radiated threats on the vehicle's power and signal harnesses and handy transmitter near field injections for higher frequency simulation. For RE diagnosis, conducted emission measurements on vehicle harnesses are performed using current probes to capture high-frequency currents. Additionally, near-field electric probes are used at the component to identify dominant noise sources such as DC-DC converters, Motor control unit, and improperly grounded shielding. Case studies on various EV vehicles highlight common failure modes. This practical diagnostic workflow provides an efficient toolkit for EMC engineers to accelerate compliance readiness, reduce test iterations, and enhance vehicle-level EMC performance for electric vehicles.
In contemporary society, where Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are utilised extensively, their inherent fragility gives rise to potential hazards with respect to the safety of ship navigation. In order to address this issue, the present study focuses on an ASM signal delay measurement system based on software defined radio peripherals. The system comprises two distinct components: a transmitting end and a receiving end. At the transmitting end, a signal generator, a first time-frequency synchronisation device, and a VHF transmitting antenna are employed to transmit ASM signals comprising dual Barker 13 code training sequences. At the receiving end, signals are received via software-defined radio equipment, a second time-frequency synchronisation device, a computing host, and a VHF receiving antenna. Utilising sliding correlation algorithms enables accurate time delay estimation. The present study leverages the high performance and low cost advantages of the universal software-defined radio peripheral USRP, fully utilises the good autocorrelation of ASM signals, effectively improves the accuracy of signal transmission delay measurement, and provides a reliable technical means to ensure the safety of ship navigation. The practical application of this subject is of significant importance, and there are wide prospects for its promotion and application.
Data security remains an issue of the utmost concern in contested environments. Mechanisms such as data encryption, beam-forming antennas, and frequency-hopping radio have emerged to mitigate some of the concerns in radio-frequency (RF) communications, but they do not remove all risk. Consequently, there is still a consistent appetite for alternative solutions. This paper presents a case for the use of the free-space optical (FSO) communications technology ImpLi-Fi as one such alternative. FSO communication is promising because of the ease with which the signal beam may be steered and limited, making detection and interception more difficult than with RF, and ImpLi-Fi in particular is desirable for its exceptional outdoor performance and ease of integration into existing light sources. The paper briefly illustrates the origins of the contested logistics (CL) problem and CL use cases for secure communication channels, before describing the ImpLi-Fi technology in some detail; exploring how its field deployment might look, including a telling example with a handheld transmitter device; and foretelling additional potential areas of application. Throughout the paper, ImpLi-Fi is shown to have remarkably high potential utility in contested logistics and beyond.
In a groundbreaking achievement, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) earlier this year became the first unit to successfully use the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) function of the Army/Navy Portable Radio Communications (AN/PRC) 158 and 162 radios for conventional rotary wing operations. The trailblazing accomplishment occurred as the brigade continued its mission of providing support to ground forces, April 9, 2025.
In a groundbreaking achievement, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) earlier this year became the first unit to successfully use the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) function of the Army/Navy Portable Radio Communications (AN/PRC) 158 and 162 radios for conventional rotary wing operations. The trailblazing accomplishment occurred as the brigade continued its mission of providing support to ground forces, April 9, 2025. The MUOS function, of the AN/PRC-158 and 162 radios, operates by transmitting ultra-high frequency radio waves through a constellation of satellites to create a steady communications network. MUOS is a component of a bigger Integrated Tactical Network (ITN).
The Department of Defense (DoD) is developing technology for satellites to communicate via lasers. Laser communications could transmit data faster and more securely than traditional radio frequency communications. DoD has made progress in developing this technology, but it has also faced delays and other issues-and hasn't fully demonstrated that it works in space. Despite these challenges, DoD plans to continue to develop and launch hundreds of satellites worth billions of dollars that require the use of laser communications.
An invention that uses microchip technology in implantable devices and other wearable products such as smart watches can be used to improve biomedical devices including those used to monitor people with glaucoma and heart disease.
Modern communication networks rely on optical signals to transfer vast amounts of data. But just like a weak radio signal, these optical signals need to be amplified to travel long distances without losing information. The most common amplifiers, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), have served this purpose for decades, enabling longer transmission distances without the need for frequent signal regeneration. However, they operate within a limited spectral bandwidth, restricting the expansion of optical networks.
British soldiers have successfully trialed for the first time a game-changing weapon that can take down a swarm of drones using radio waves for less than the cost of a pack of mince pies.
Deliberate RF jamming of drones has become one of the most common battlefield tactics in Ukraine. But what is jamming, how does it work and how can it be countered by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the field? Radio frequency (RF) jamming of drones involves deliberate interference with the radio signals used for communication between drones and their operators.
Hypersonic platforms provide a challenge for flight test campaigns due to the application's flight profiles and environments. The hypersonic environment is generally classified as any speed above Mach 5, although there are finer distinctions, such as “high hypersonic” (between Mach 10 to 25) and “reentry” (above Mach 25). Hypersonic speeds are accompanied, in general, by a small shock standoff distance. As the Mach number increases, the entropy layer of the air around the platform changes rapidly, and there are accompanying vortical flows. Also, a significant amount of aerodynamic heating causes the air around the platform to disassociate and ionize. From a flight test perspective, this matters because the plasma and the ionization interfere with the radio frequency (RF) channels. This interference reduces the telemetry links' reliability and backup techniques must be employed to guarantee the reception of acquired data. Additionally, the flight test instrumentation (FTI) package needs to perform optimally in and capture the higher acceleration, temperature, and vibration measurements that the hypersonic vehicle experiences.
Imagine you had a dedicated wireless channel for communication that was hundreds of times faster than the Wi-Fi we use today, with hundreds of times more bandwidth. That dream may not be far off thanks to the development of metasurfaces: tiny engineered sheets that can reflect and otherwise direct light in desired ways.
This document establishes methods to obtain, store, and access data about the health of a fiber optic network using commercially available inline optical power monitoring sensors. This document is intended for: Managers Engineers Technicians Contracting officers Third party maintenance agencies Quality assurance
Phased array radar technology has been gaining popularity since its initial introduction in the 1960s and is now being used in a variety of applications, from military and defense to civilian sectors and even space exploration. This cutting-edge technology has revolutionized radar systems by offering unparalleled flexibility, precision, and speed. At the heart of phased array radar lies a sophisticated antenna system composed of numerous individual elements, each capable of independently emitting and receiving radio waves. Unlike traditional radar systems that rely on mechanically rotating antennas, phased array radars electronically steer their beams, enabling rapid and precise target acquisition. This breakthrough is made possible by meticulously controlling the phase of radio waves emitted from each antenna element.
Delivered by Team Hersa, a joint Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) enterprise, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. The system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside enemy platforms, such as drones, causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky. As such, it offers a solution for the protection and defense of critical assets and bases. Capable of downing dangerous drone swarms with instant effect, at only 10p per shot, the RFDEW is a highly capable and cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based air defense systems. It will be able to effect targets up to 1 km away, with further development in extending the range ongoing. Its high level of automation also means the system can be operated by a single person.
Delivered by Team Hersa, a joint Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) enterprise, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. The system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside enemy platforms, such as drones, causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky. As such, it offers a solution for the protection and defense of critical assets and bases.
A new scientific technique could significantly improve the reference frames that millions of people rely upon each day when using GPS navigation services, according to a recently published article in Radio Science.
Modern cars and autonomous vehicles (AVs) use millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequencies to enable self-driving or assisted driving features that ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians. This connectivity, however, can also expose them to potential cyberattacks.
Riding aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, the agency’s Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration continues to break records. While the asteroid-bound spacecraft doesn’t rely on optical communications to send data, the new technology has proven that it’s up to the task. After interfacing with the Psyche’s radio frequency transmitter, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data from over 140 million miles (226 million kilometers) away, 1½ times the distance between Earth and the Sun.
For years, expertise in terrestrial applications has served as a launchpad for innovation. Companies honed their skills by building the networks that connected us on earth, but now, eyes are turning skyward. By adapting their capabilit ies to the unique demands of non-terrestrial applications, these same players are unlocking new possibilities and rewriting the rules of communication beyond the atmosphere. Here, Dan Rhodes, Director of Business Development at designer and manufacturer of RF-to-mmWave components and subsystems, Filtronic, explores the bridge between terrestrial expertise and non-terrestrial ambitions, highlighting how terrestrial success is becoming the fuel for stellar solutions. Bridging the terrestrial and non-terrestrial worlds is not merely a matter of applying existing technologies to a new canvas. While both environments share fundamental principles of communication and rely on robust components such as transmitters, receivers, filters and amplifiers, the shift upwards introduces a unique set of challenges and demands.
Riding aboard NASA's Psyche spacecraft, the agency's Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration continues to break records. While the asteroid-bound spacecraft doesn't rely on optical communications to send data, the new technology has proven that it's up to the task. After interfacing with the Psyche's radio frequency transmitter, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data from over 140 million miles (226 million kilometers) away, 1. times the distance between Earth and the Sun. This achievement provides a glimpse into how spacecraft could use optical communications in the future, enabling higher-data-rate communications of complex scientific information as well as high-definition imagery and video in support of humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars.
The development of hypersonic missiles represents the most significant advancement of defense weaponry since the 1960s. However, they also pose unique challenges for both design and technology. The term “hypersonic” refers to any speed faster than five times the speed of sound, or above Mach 5. Modern hypersonic missile systems require extensive communications interconnects within a highly confined space. This space requirement creates a demand for solutions combining small form factor with reduced weight and rugged construction to withstand high vibration and impact conditions from deployment to target. Currently there are two types of hypersonic weapons. Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), also known as boost-glide vehicles, typically launch from ballistic missiles and are released at a specific altitude, speed, and with the flight path tailored to a target without being powered. Hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) are powered all the way to their targets, flying at lower altitudes than HGVs and launched from rockets or jet aircraft. Power for HCMs comes from air-breathing scramjet engines, which have been in development since the 1950s and most successful since the 2000s.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new type of high-performance “phase shifter” using a liquid gallium alloy — which varies the phase angle of microwave and millimeter-wave radio signals — for use in advanced phase array antenna systems.
Researchers have created electrostatic materials that function even with extremely weak ultrasound, heralding the era of permanent implantable electronic devices in biomedicine. Recent research explores implantable medical devices that operate wirelessly, yet finding a safe energy source and protective materials remains challenging. Presently, titanium (Ti) is used due to its biocompatibility and durability. However, radio waves cannot pass through this metal, necessitating a separate antenna for wireless power transmission. Consequently, this enlarges the device size, creating more discomfort for patients.
In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic warfare (EW), the imperative for technological prowess has never been more pronounced. At the vanguard of this evolution stands a technological marvel-high-performance software defined radios (SDRs). This article provides on an in-depth exploration of the transformative potential embedded in SDRs, focusing on their remarkable attributes of very high bandwidths, wide tuning ranges, and high channel counts. From the foundational principles of SDRs to their nuanced applications in modern warfare, this narrative endeavors to unravel the complexities and possibilities presented by these cutting-edge systems.
Traditionally, heterodyne architectures have been the preferred choice for radio frequency (RF) and millimeter-wave (mmWave) receiver architectures, excelling in noise performance, dynamic range, frequency coverage, selectivity, and reduction of EMI. However, recent advancements in high sample rate analog to digital converters (ADCs) and embedded signal processing have prompted a reassessment of both architectures. A thorough examination of the components in the channel design is essential to minimize distortion into the differential ports of the ADC, guaranteeing optimal signal integrity and dynamic bandwidth for the system. This article will overview the design approach as well as when to use a particular component type depending on performance and signal requirements.
Rydberg Technologies, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based quantum technology startup, demonstrated the use of an atomic receiver for long-range RF applications during the NetModX23 event hosted by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center in December. The 2023 edition of NetModX featured 10 weeks of experimentation spanning 62 different technologies across 17 focus areas and five modernization priorities including “Future Vertical Lift, Long-Range Precision Fires, Network, Next Generation Combat Vehicle and Soldier Lethality,” according to the Army. A major goal sought by the C5ISR Center with NetModX is to take technologies that are nearing maturity from research labs directly into operational environments for assessments by active warfighters.
Light fidelity (LiFi) technology holds immense potential to revolutionize wireless communication networks by utilizing light bulbs for reliable and cost-effective interconnections. Integration of LiFi technology with advanced solutions is proposed to significantly enhance the passenger experience in autonomous buses. The reliability and performance limitations inherent in traditional radio frequency (RF) technologies are addressed, resulting in a consistent and reliable wireless connection for self-driving cars. The proposed solution incorporates key features such as a LiFi-powered real-time tracking and notification system, on-board assistance for seat location, and precise bus seat occupancy information gathering. Additionally, the paper aims to improve punctuality through a LiFi-powered passenger boarding system, facilitating the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles as a trusted and efficient mode of transportation. A thorough technical examination and a successful demonstration validate the practical applicability of the proposed solution, improving safety, convenience, and reliability in practical scenarios.
Items per page:
50
1 – 50 of 1424