Unusually, this is not a microstrip circuit but a lumped element hybrid circuit fabricated on a white alumina (Al2O3) substrate. Alumina has a very small loss tangent, high thermal conductivity and is electrically stable but brittle and expensive. The tracks are gold plated copper with a nickel barrier between them (not visible). Connections between the tracks and components are via small wires and tapes using thermal compression bonds.
Profile
Skills, experience and knowledge available now
FCL may already have many of the skills and much of the experience and knowledge that the client is looking for.
Original Thinking
You want 'outside of the box' thinking?
FCL may suggest novel solutions. Some of these may exceed expectations and save the client money and time.
Recent Challenges
What can you do about this phase noise?
FCL has many RF and microwave design skills and can apply these to solve common problems such as noise and EMC issues.
New Ideas
Can you find a quicker way of doing this?
From its previous experience, FCL can often identify routes towards cost saving and improved productivity.
Success Highlights
New design proving measurement methods using FCL's experience with transmission line theory, vector network analyzers and S-parameters.
Defence Client 1
About USD 6000 saving on a successive detection logarithmic video amplifier (SDLVA).
Radar Systems Client
Solving a cold instability problem of a frequency synthesizer by sourcing and replacing VCO resonator inductors with high Q factor versions.
Defence Client 2
Improving a synthesizer spurious, phase noise and reducing production cost after an RF/EMC product review by a client's customer.
Digital Cellular Client
Accurately quantifying solar heating effects for sensitive exterior equipment using the Stefan-Boltzmann fourth power radiation law.
Transportation Infrastructure Vendor
Constructing and demonstrating an RF over optical fiber (ROF) communications system to short timescales.
Defence Client 3