New solutions to compliance headaches (continued)
A continuation of our interview with Jim Maginn, CEO and Senior VP, AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation, which appeared in the February 2008 Viewpoint column.
Contributing Editor Larry Maloney -- Test & Measurement World, 2/1/2008
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Q: What is the technology focus of each of the companies that fall under the AR umbrella?
A: AR RF / Microwave Instrumentation, located in Souderton PA, designs and manufactures RF and microwave power amplifiers, as well as antennas and test cells with a “matched” line of accessories, such as directional couplers, power meters and impedance matching transformers. Specific to the EMC market, we offer test software, field probes and monitors, conducted immunity (CI) test systems and automotive transient test systems (TGAR). The Souderton location also provides fully integrated test systems and custom amplifier packages.
In Bothell, WA, AR Modular RF designs and produces RF and microwave amplifier modules, booster amplifiers for tactical military radios, and jammer amplifiers and custom amplifiers for specialty communications, radar and medical systems. In addition, AR Receiver Systems in California manufactures impulse generators, noise meters, shielded room leak detectors and a newly designed EMI receiver. Finally, AR Europe, headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, handles sales, distribution and service support throughout Europe.
Q: How do AR companies work together on technology development?
A: Nicholas du Toit, the vice president of Engineering at AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation, coordinates sharing of technology and design resources among our three companies. A good example of joint cooperation is a new high-power amplifier, model KAW6042, which delivers more than 5000 watts CW power into a 50-Ohm load over the 320-400 MHz range. AR Modular RF designed this system using its standard RF modules. However, unique splitting and combining methods developed at the parent company were incorporated into the overall design. We can build this new system in other frequency ranges in the VHF and UHF spectrums for many different applications, including high-power RF testing, linear accelerator drivers, imaging systems and communications.
Q: Can you briefly cite an important product or two from each of your three companies that reflects the direction of AR’s technology?
A: The 5S8G20 and 20S8G20 are the latest amplifiers from AR RF Microwave Instrumentation. They are the beginning of a line of 8 to 20 GHz solid state amps designed to provide an alternative to TWT amplifiers. Souderton also recently developed new lines of field probe/ field monitor and automotive transient generator test products. These were specifically developed for improved performance and to address test requirements that had previously been neglected.
AR Modular RF has created a new 50 watt RF power amplifier module that includes built-in RF sensing transmit/receive switching. Model KMW2040M13 operates in the SATCOM band of 200 – 400 MHz and is the latest member of AR’s family of amplifier modules designed for the toughest, most extreme military conditions. AR Modular RF has also expanded its offerings for the wireless broadband network with the new model CMS2010, a solid-state, latest generation LDMOS power amplifier module to meet WiMAX (802.16) specifications. It has a gain of 45dB minimum and can be modified to meet various OFDM and NPR requirements. Model CMS2010 is part of AR's extensive new family of power amplifier modules for wireless applications such as CDMA, HDTV, WiMAX, and more.
Engineers at AR Receiver Systems have just completed prototyping the CER2018 Compliant Emissions Receiver. This receiver is a complete EMI test solution, offering continuous coverage from 20 Hz to 18 GHz and optional expandability to 110 GHz. This product is the first in a new series intended to complete the AR product set for both EMC susceptibility and emissions testing.
Q: How do AR’s precompliance test cells increase engineering productivity?
A: Mostly by allowing the engineer to do exploratory and pre-testing before going to the test house for formal compliance testing. These formal cycles of test and retest take lots of time and money. Additionally, we used smaller test cells in these systems to allow their placement in typical labs and workspaces, avoiding the larger space requirements and expense of a full-size anechoic chamber.
Q: What are your most useful tools for educating engineers about AR’s technologies?
A: For at least 20 years, AR has been publishing application notes for customer on how to effectively select and use our products, and much of this information is now available on our website. At the suggestion of one of our distributors, we also recently compiled these application notes into an “Orange Book of Knowledge,” which has become an instant hit with customers. We do lots of demos at trade shows, and we are now putting videos of some of these demos on our website. In addition, we attend local EMC Chapter meetings, giving technical presentation and test demonstrations.
Q: Can you briefly describe AR’s customer support network and the significance of your “competitive edge” warranty?
A: Our three companies in North American each provide direct customer support. In the rest of the world, customers are supported locally by regional distributors. The significance of our “competitive edge” warranty is that it is real. We stand behind the high quality of our products, as we have done for over 30 years. The reputation and perception of dependability in an AR warranty is our “competitive edge.”
Q: Which geographic regions are driving AR’s growth?
A: We see steady growth on a worldwide basis, with no particularly explosive region. However, international sales have increased to the point where they now account for about 60% of our total volume.
Read the first part of this interview.
