Keysight Solutions Selected by Flexium to Deliver New Liquid Crystal Polymer Transceiver Applications
August 24, 2022 | Keysight Technologies, Inc.Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Keysight Technologies, Inc., a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, and Flexium Interconnect, Inc., a leading FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) and LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) module vendor, are collaborating to improve millimeter wave modules and material test accuracy and efficiency.
The rise of 5G Frequency Range 2 (FR2), upcoming 6G, autonomous vehicle and emerging E-band applications are increasing the demand for millimeter wave, the band of spectrum with wavelengths between 10 millimeters (30 GHz) and 1 millimeter (300 GHz). High frequency and material characterization are critical to enabling low latency transmission and improving signal/power integrity. However, there remain challenges in measuring dielectric properties, which provide critical design parameters for many electronics applications in various frequencies, fixtures and methodologies.
"We’re excited to collaborate with Flexium on millimeter wave material measurements for next generation communication technologies, as engineers characterize, understand, integrate and accelerate the market adoption of high-frequency LCP antenna modules," said Joe Rickert, vice president of high frequency measurement R&D at Keysight Technologies.
Accurate test and system validation is vital while developing LCP antenna modules. Flexium adopted Keysight's N5227B PNA Microwave Network Analyzer, upconverters, S93007B Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR) and N1501AE11 Balanced Type Circular Disk Resonator (BCDR) to precisely characterize the mmWave sample circuit.
In addition, Flexium leveraged Keysight’s N1500A Materials Measurement Suite to perform accurate and continuous measurement of dielectric constant (Dk) and dissipation factor (Df) at desired frequencies, helping designers to automate complex permittivity and permeability measurements then quickly match corresponding parameters for end products. Flexium also used the company’s Metasiden mmWave antenna measurement system, integrated with Keysight's M9484C VXG Vector Signal Generator and N9042B UXA Signal Analyzer, to accurately measure directional antenna pattern, efficiency of radiation and validate module function to address customer needs.
"Flexium adopted Keysight's PNA Network Analyzer Family for FPC measurement, which significantly reduced human error and improved test efficiencies," said Ming-Chi Cheng, president of Flexium. "We are glad to work with Keysight as long-term partner. This joint effort will accelerate advanced designs in high-frequency, thinning, and multi-layer LCP antenna modules, as well as future opportunities of B5G/6G, LEO and autonomous vehicles."
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Software Solutions for Circuit Board Challenges
05/03/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPONolan Johnson speaks with Will Webb from Aster Technologies about their software solutions for design teams, manufacturing, test engineers, and process engineers. Aster's software addresses the increasing complexities of circuit boards and the need for alternative testing methods.
Manta Ray UUV Prototype Completes In-Water Testing
05/02/2024 | DARPAThe Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) built by performer Northrop Grumman completed full-scale, in-water testing off the coast of Southern California in February and March 2024.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Exploring Electronic Card Testing and AI Integration with SPEA
05/02/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOLuca Fanelli, president of SPEA, and vice president Andrea Furnari discuss the company and its business units. The challenges in testing electronic cards and SPEA's solutions are discussed, and its focus on the US market is emphasized. The use of AI in testing, particularly in optical inspection and test program execution, is also examined.
Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Triples Progress
05/01/2024 | BoeingThe Boeing T-7A Red Hawk achieved three recent milestones, propelling the advanced pilot trainer for the U.S. Air Force forward.
Keysight Secures New Test Case Validations for Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Networks Standard
04/30/2024 | Keysight TechnologiesKeysight Technologies, Inc. has validated new conformance test cases for 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 17 (Rel-17) standards for non-terrestrial networks (NTN) using narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) technology.