Focus Microwaves
Focus Microwaves is a pioneering engineering company, built around the innovations of its founder Dr. Christos Tsironis who developed his first manual tuner in 1973 and is the inventor of most existing electro-mechanical tuner families. The success of Focus is based on the engineering and manufacturing skills of its highly motivated and experienced team of engineers and technicians, who have been trained and encouraged to develop new technologies. In addition, listening to our customers needs and insights helps us discover and develop new and measurement methods on an ongoing basis, relentlessly pushing the limits of what is possible.
From humble beginnings in 1988, Focus has become the main supplier of advanced Load Pull and Noise Tuner Systems. Our mission is to provide effective, reliable and innovative solutions for non-50 Ohm testing (Noise and Load Pull) of RF microwave transistors, thus enabling our customers to compete in the marketplace with better designs and to advance the understanding and knowledge of the field.
Contact Details
Focus Microwaves Inc. Main Head Office
4555 Chem. du Bois-Franc, Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1A8, Canada
Phone: +1-514-684-4554
Test & Measurement
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Products
Noise measurements allow the determination of the four Noise Parameters of a device (transistor). There are four Noise Parameters which fully describe the noise behaviour of an active or passive device at a given frequency.
Focus Microwaves’ DELTA series of electro-mechanical tuners is designed specifically for high frequency on wafer measurements. The tuner’s low profile allows it to be placed within the wafer perimeter and allows for a direct connection between the probe tip and the tuner, eliminating all possible insertion loss between the DUT and the tuner. This revolutionary new tuner design enables the engineer to achieve optimum tuning range, with a tuner whose footprint and weight has been dramatically reduced.
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Supports the latest 5G FR1 and IEEE 802.11ax standards
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up to 1GHz active load pull bandwidth capability
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Test the latest high bandwidth and high modulation cellular standards such as 1024QAM 802.11ax
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This system can be used in all parts of the design cycle
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Initial device characterisation
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MMIC or PA design
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Design verification testing
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Product testing in the factory
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Focus’ modular microstrip, high power and ultra low loss coaxial RF Test Fixtures are designed mainly for load pull testing of packaged transistors. All Focus test fixtures come with TRL calibration standards and support most transistor packages sized from less than 0.1″ and up to 1″.
An impedance tuner is an apparatus, which generates controllable reflection factor (Impedance) over a certain frequency range. Focus uses two basic technologies:
a) For frequencies from 100MHz to 110GHz (and above) we use the slide screw technique (models Multi Harmonic MPT, wideband (fundamental) CCMT, harmonic rejection PHT), in which a reflective probe (slug) is inserted into the slot of a low loss slotted transmission line (slabline or waveguide).
b) For frequencies from below 10MHz to 170MHz we use a lumped element technology (models LFT), whereby variable capacitors are connected with optimized lengths of coaxial cable.
Focus provides the deepest portfolio of wideband fundamental and harmonic passive tuners. Passive impedance tuners generate controllable reflection factor (Impedance) across the smith chart over a given frequency range. Focus uses two basic technologies:
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From 100MHz to 120GHz we use the slide screw technique in which a reflective probe is inserted into a low loss slotted transmission line.
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For frequencies from 10MHz to 170MHz we use a lumped element technology, whereby variable capacitors are connected with optimized lengths of coaxial cable. To view our Low Frequency Tuners, Click Here!
Most Focus Passive Tuners use long lasting RF probes which are designed for optimal tuning accuracy and are free of spurious resonances. The combination of multiple probes provide ultra wideband coverage in one single tuner. All Focus Passive Tuners are LAN controlled and include on-board impedance synthesis firmware.
For more information on Passive Tuners, visit our youtube channel!
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3 Measurement States; Quiescent (OFF-State), Non Quiescent (ON-State), and Pre-State
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The Pre State is a short high voltage state used to activate
the traps in the semiconductor.
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Adjustable delay (Δt) between the Pre state and Non Quiescent state down to 0s.
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Independently adjustable timing settings for the Three-state gate pulser and drain pulser
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Easy Integration into existing mainframes
Focus recommends TRL Calibration Kits for applications such as load pull & noise parameters. Due to high reflection and low loss, tuner S-parameter measurements represent a challenge for VNA’s, because of error term determination and coupler directivity. Long experience has taught us not to rely on other calibration techniques than TRL (Thru-Reflect-Line). The popular SOLT technique is conditionally useable, but not guaranteed, up to 4GHz. The much convenient ECal method has provided questionable and inconsistent results. Our Customers are advised to be very careful with VNA calibrations, because the whole measured data depends on that.
Because of this, and to save our customers time and doubt, Focus has developed and offers a set of precise and reliable TRL calibration kits from 0.03 to 110 GHz with the following connector types: 7/16, N, APC-7, 3.5mm, 2.9mm, 2.4mm, 1.85mm, WR-15, WR-10. Our calibration kits are compatible with all commercial network analyzers.
For more information on TRL Calibration Kits, please read the following paper on TRL Versus SOLT