Renaissance Wireless Edge Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 8 October 2007

1) Integrated Switching Assemblies
2) High Power MEMS Switch Matrix
3) The Cost of Custom Engineering
4) Low Frequency and High Power
5) Design Considerations



1) Integrated Switching Assemblies

Our customers are often surprised by the range and capabilities of our Integrated Switch Assembly Group. While Renaissance is primarily a component house, we also design and manufacture Integrated Assemblies for a wide array of industries and applications. In fact, our component legacy has been the springboard for our entry into these new markets. This legacy allows us to control the design and production process from start to finish.

Our Switch Matrix Group is comprised of technically proficient engineers with years of experience in both component and sub-system design. If you have an application that requires an Integrated Switching Assembly, approach our dedicated team for the best possible solution. Because sales, purchasing, engineering and manufacturing are adjacently located, you can expect a well thought-out and timely proposal sometimes within hours of your inquiry.

Renaissance can configure any box from DC to 18 GHz, with any number of inputs and outputs. Our component heritage allows us to integrate quality components which include programmable attenuators, power dividers, filters, LNAs, delay lines, and, of course, switches. We can design your unit to be controlled by any interface, custom programmed for your unique needs.

With pre and post sales support among the best in the industry, you can count on Renaissance from conception of a unit through its lifecycle.

If you have an application that requires a unique Integrated Switching Assembly or need to consult a switch matrix engineer, contact:

Mike Snee, msnee@rec-usa.com or
Gabe Romero, gromero@rec-usa.com



2) High Power MEMS Switch Matrix

Renaissance Electronics has designed a unique 8 x 8 MEMS Switch Matrix. This is the first commercially available MEMS-Based Switch Matrix with 80 embedded MEMS SPDT switches and a life expectancy greater than 100 billion cycles. The original design was only capable of handling 3 Watts of power, which greatly limited marketability.

We are proud to announce that due to recent breakthroughs, this unit will be capable of handling 10 Watts. Data sheets will be available soon, and production will begin towards the end of this year.

Contact the Renaissance Switch Product Group for more information. Switch Product Group contacts are:

Mike Snee, msnee@rec-usa.com or
Gabe Romero, gromero@rec-usa.com



3) The Cost of Custom Engineering

Renaissance is uniquely positioned to support small orders that require custom engineering. With a highly streamlined development process we are well positioned to respond quickly to your custom engineering needs. In addition, our ferrite component capability allows us to keep the cost for custom engineered integrated assemblies low compared to other small volume vendors.

Small quantity ferrite component requirements are more difficult to support for several reasons. The unit price for small quantities of piece parts is often as much as three times that for large volumes. The overheads to manage factory throughput are not significantly different for large and small orders. Since ferrite component production is labor intensive and requires significant skills, the set up and testing costs for small quantities is often prohibitive. These factors are responsible for many suppliers declining small orders at any price.

Renaissance prides itself on innovative custom engineered solutions and, although small orders may not be particularly profitable, we are, in most cases, able to respond to these unique requests and support our customer needs.

Visit our web site to review some of the unique development projects Renaissance Electronics’ technical team has completed.



4) Low Frequency and High Power

Renaissance Electronics has seen an increase in development activity for both low frequency and high power applications. In many cases, these involve high power applications at low frequency.

These new development efforts include components starting around 88 MHz with a functional power requirement of 1500 Watts CW. Other applications cater to frequency bands around 135 MHz, 400 MHz, 1.3 GHz and even up to the S-Band with 15 kW peak power handling requirements.

Why Renaissance? Our engineering and manufacturing personnel are experienced at designing and manufacturing components and subassemblies that meet exacting electrical and environmental specifications.

By using custom design and analysis programs, combined with technical knowledge from years of experience, Renaissance has demonstrated repeatedly its understanding of high power solutions.

Call a sales team member today to discuss your specific low frequency and/or high power application.



5) Design Considerations

From conception to product delivery, there are fundamental design considerations that are required for every new system or component.

When requesting engineering support from Renaissance, please specify whether the product will be airborne or land based. This has implications for power handling of the device and various other characteristics.

If qualification specifications are unavailable, please define the temperature range required and if test data needs to be taken over temperature.

Every characteristic, be it IMD, insertion loss, VSWR or isolation, shows some degradation over changes in temperature. These performance variables can be optimized at a specified temperature, if required by the design.

These considerations are especially relevant to defense industry requirements. The more information you can provide about your particular application, the better we will be able to service your need.

Renaissance Electronics’ technical sales team and engineering staff are available to discuss and make recommendations regarding the best product for your individual requirement. Take advantage of our free technical consultants.




 

For more information about Renaissance Electronics Corporation and our diverse product line of Ferrite Circulators / Isolators; Coaxial Switches and Switched based products; Switch Matrices and Wireless Base Station Products, please visit our website at www.rec-usa.com or call us at 978-772-7774.

Thank You!
Renaissance Electronics Corporation