TechBlog

The tiniest endoscope yet takes 30 two-megapixel images per second and offloads them wirelessly. See how it works inside the body in an animation

Sayaka Endoscope Capsule: In situ, in your gut Photo by Medi-Mation

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RF Micro Devices, Inc. (RFMD) recently announced that effective immediately RFMD is reducing its investments in wireless systems, including cellular transceivers and GPS solutions, in order to focus on core semiconductor component opportunities, including cellular front ends and other components in RFMD’s Cellular Products Group (CPG) and the expanding portfolio of semiconductor components in RFMD’s Multi-Market Products Group (MPG).

As a result, RFMD currently expects to eliminate product development expenses related to its wireless systems business by approximately $75 million this fiscal year beginning in the June 2008 quarter, with the full benefit expected to be realized in the December 2008 quarter.

Bob Bruggeworth, president and CEO of RFMD, said, “These strategic actions will enable RFMD to deliver more predictable financial results and substantially higher profitability. We are the industry leader in RF components and the world’s largest manufacturer of compound semiconductors. We are investing in growing markets where we have a demonstrated track record of success, and we will measure our progress using operating income and return on invested capital (ROIC) as key performance metrics. We anticipate steady financial improvement throughout the year, and we currently forecast at least 10% non-GAAP operating income and double-digit ROIC by the end of the calendar year.

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OASIS Spectrum Monitoring & Interference Analysis Software shifts the focus from how to gather and interpret the data to a focus on solving spectrum management issues. It provides more complete and useable information than available from switch metrics. OASIS transforms the spectrum analyzer or any other RF receiver from an analytical instrument, displaying single sweeps of power vs. frequency to a comprehensive spectrum management tool. And with its unattended operation feature, OASIS captures and characterizes transient events without keeping an engineer or technician in the field.

OASIS is an affordable spectrum monitoring software application that provides a variety of tools and utilities beneficial to:

• Maintaining a high quality of service in wireless networks
• Surveying the RF environment for undesired, unauthorized transmissions or threats
• Locating the source of interfering signals
• Recording a history of the RF environment for subsequent replay and analysis
• Identifying changes in the RF environment

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From Tesla and Marconi’s electric coils and arcs to the youngster’s model car that speeds or stops at the nudge of the controls, we’ve had a fascination with wireless control and communication.

And with the explosion over the last 25 years of wireless from cell phones to Internet, interest in industrial uses has grown. This could easily afflict anyone from refinery or public works managers to manufacturing techs with equipment monitoring and control needs.

Regardless of the potential, early attempts to adapt wireless technology to industrial applications met with limited success.

Continue reading ‘Industrial Wireless Modems Come of Age’ »