Micro Harmonics

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Micro Harmonics is a small business located in Fincastle, Virginia, that produces technology for some of the most innovative and emerging companies in the technology, research, and space sectors.

Last week, we described a short-circuit test for orthomode transducers that provides useful insertion loss data, along w...
05/12/2026

Last week, we described a short-circuit test for orthomode transducers that provides useful insertion loss data, along with qualitative insight into isolation and cross-polarization coupling. What it does not provide is direct information about the OMT’s intrinsic port reflections, including S11, S22, S33, and S44.

In a short-circuit test, the large reflections measured at ports 1 and 2 are treated as transmission-related data. That makes the method useful, but it can also obscure significant reflections that originate within the OMT itself.

To obtain more accurate reflection data, the short-circuit termination on the common-mode port can be replaced with a matched load.

Testing an OMT with a matched load gives a more complete view of device performance, particularly when reflection behavior must be characterized with confidence.

While the short-circuit method remains useful for fast, practical evaluation, the matched-load approach reduces ambiguity and makes it easier to separate true port reflection performance from artifacts introduced by the test configuration.

Read our latest blog for a detailed explanation of OMT testing with a matched load on the common-mode port: https://microharmonics.com/orthomode-transducers-part-5/

RF testing of orthomode transducers (OMTs) presents a unique challenge because the common-mode port supports two orthogo...
05/05/2026

RF testing of orthomode transducers (OMTs) presents a unique challenge because the common-mode port supports two orthogonal modes, while vector network analyzers use single-mode test ports.

The key issue is how to properly terminate the common-mode port during measurement.

One straightforward approach is to terminate the common-mode waveguide with a short circuit using a flat metal plate. Short-circuit terminations are commonly included in rectangular waveguide calibration kits and can also be used effectively with square waveguides.

With this setup, the OMT insertion loss can be measured directly. As shown in the figure above, Port 1 and Port 2 are single-mode rectangular waveguides that connect to the vector network analyzer, while the short-circuited common-mode port provides the required boundary condition for the measurement.

For a more detailed explanation of OMT testing with a short-circuit termination on the common-mode port, read our blog: https://lnkd.in/g7HaGpPV

For decades, the terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, roughly 300 GHz to 3 THz, has held enormous pro...
04/29/2026

For decades, the terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, roughly 300 GHz to 3 THz, has held enormous promise for faster wireless communications, ultra-high-resolution spectroscopy, and more precise sensing. Even so, practical THz systems have remained difficult to realize.

One of the biggest hurdles is creating THz sources able to deliver both the output power and spectral purity needed for real-world use.

Researchers at IMRA America may have taken an important step forward.

By combining a resonant tunneling diode (RTD), a photomixed dual-wavelength Brillouin laser, and our low-loss waveguide circulator, the team demonstrated more than 40 dB of gain at 260 GHz.

They also became the first group to characterize the residual phase noise of an injection-locked RTD at this frequency, offering new insight into how high-power, low-noise THz oscillators can be built and extended to higher frequencies.

For more details on how our circulator paved the way for this breakthrough, you can read the full article here: https://microharmonics.com/march-13-2026/

04/21/2026

🚀 Powering Up THz Systems with Injection-Locked Amplifiers

For years, the terahertz (THz) spectrum has held immense promise—from ultra-fast communications to high-resolution sensing and spectroscopy—yet practical implementation has remained a challenge.

Now, a breakthrough approach is beginning to bridge that gap.

By introducing a novel THz source architecture, researchers have demonstrated over 40 dB gain at 260 GHz, while also offering valuable insight into phase noise performance—two critical factors in enabling real-world THz systems.

More importantly, this advancement highlights a clear and scalable path toward achieving both high output power and spectral purity, bringing us one step closer to unlocking the full potential of THz technology.

📡 The future of THz innovation is steadily coming into focus.

📖 Read the full article from everything RF to explore how injection-locked amplifiers are shaping the future of THz systems. Micro Harmonics

Check out - https://ow.ly/juO450YITBM

Why data is king in D-Band communications: At D-band (110–170 GHz), every decibel matters. With data rates climbing towa...
04/21/2026

Why data is king in D-Band communications: At D-band (110–170 GHz), every decibel matters. With data rates climbing toward 110 Gbps and beyond, even small inefficiencies in system design can limit performance.

Our full-band hybrid circulators, now operating across the entire D-band, offer:
1) >20 dB isolation for cleaner transmit/receive separation
2) Low insertion loss to preserve precious signal power
3) Compact, lightweight design for integration into modern platforms

Whether you’re designing next-gen backhaul, defense radar, or advanced test equipment, our hybrid circulators deliver the bandwidth and performance your systems demand.

Learn more: https://microharmonics.com/millimeter-wave-circulators/

The issue with creating components at frequencies above 100 GHz comes down to physics. As you move up the electromagneti...
04/14/2026

The issue with creating components at frequencies above 100 GHz comes down to physics.

As you move up the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, the wavelengths get shorter. In fact, at a frequency of 300 GHz, the wavelength shrinks to just one millimeter.

At these higher frequencies, the constituent parts are tiny and even small alignment errors can significantly degrade performance.

At such a small-scale, available power and device power handling become a big challenge.

Therefore, components at these frequencies must operate with exceptionally low insertion loss and extremely high performance to allow engineers to develop effective signal chains.

We have overcome these limitations and have successfully developed an advanced line of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) orthomode transducers, isolators, attenuators, and hybrid circulators, many of which can operate well into the THz regime.

Find a list of our global distributors here: https://lnkd.in/g8ezBR8a

Did you know that Faraday rotation isolators designed for room temperature operation do NOT work well at cryogenic tempe...
04/08/2026

Did you know that Faraday rotation isolators designed for room temperature operation do NOT work well at cryogenic temperatures?

The primary cause is the temperature-dependent ferrite magnetization. The figure below shows measured data for our WR-10 isolator designed for room temperature operation.

The red line shows the isolation around 25-30 dB when at room temperature (298 K), while the blue line demonstrates a drop to about 14 dB when cooled to 80 K.

Fortunately, we have developed an entire line of isolators from 26.5 GHz – 220 GHz (WR 28- WR 5.1) that work optimally all the way down to 1 K. For more information: https://lnkd.in/dNtHTG57

It is often difficult and expensive to generate MMW signal power. One of the primary goals when designing systems is t...
03/31/2026

It is often difficult and expensive to generate MMW signal power. One of the primary goals when designing systems is to minimize loss and preserve signal power.

Adding unnecessary loss into a system goes against this fundamental principle. Using an isolator with the lowest possible insertion loss ensures that the maximum output is achieved.

In the case where there is signal power to spare, the lowest loss isolator is still the best choice. In this case, the RF source can simply be “turned down”. This lowers the operating temperature, increases the mean time to failure, and decreases power consumption.

Conversely, when an isolator with high insertion loss is used, the signal source must be driven harder to overcome the loss. The system runs hotter, fails more quickly, uses more power, has higher noise, and generates more harmonic content.

Our isolators have the lowest insertion loss in the industry, by a wide margin. See our test data here: https://microharmonics.com/millimeter-wave-isolators/

Come see us at booth #23024!
03/25/2026

Come see us at booth #23024!

Our lineup of Orthomode Transducers (OMTs) continues to expand. This time, the thrust to develop an OMT that would ope...
03/24/2026

Our lineup of Orthomode Transducers (OMTs) continues to expand. This time, the thrust to develop an OMT that would operate optimally within the 260-400 GHz range came directly from NASA, which funded a small business innovative research (SBIR) grant.

After long hours and a lot of hard work from the team, we are excited to announce the release of our WR2.8 OMT.

This is the third OMT we have released in the last 6 months. In the second half of 2025, we released our WR-15 OMT (50-75 GHz) and our WR-3.4 OMT (220-330 GHz).

Our lineup now includes OMTs in waveguides WR-15 (50-75 GHz), WR-8 (90-140 GHz), WR-6.5 (110-170 GHz), WR-5.1 (140-220 GHz), and WR-3.4 (220-330 GHz). We’ll be adding more in the months ahead.

Our OMTs deliver consistent performance, while a compact footprint allows seamless integration into assemblies where size, weight, and reliability are critical.

Check out the full OMT specification sheets, including performance graphs, demonstrating the device’s stable performance across the entire band. https://microharmonics.com/millimeter-wave-orthomode-transducers/

Preparing for the 6G era: The full potential of 5G still has not been realized, but researchers are increasingly looking...
03/18/2026

Preparing for the 6G era: The full potential of 5G still has not been realized, but researchers are increasingly looking to tackle the upcoming challenges in 6G, especially around the backhaul network that links cell sites together.

Currently, most backhaul operates below 100 GHz. By 2028, experts predict those lower frequencies will no longer support the enormous data requirements of 6G and advanced 5G standalone networks, especially in dense urban areas.

The solution? Moving into higher frequency bands like D-band (110–170 GHz) and beyond.

Our mmWave components, including our isolators, OMTs, and hybrid circulators, operate well into sub-THz frequencies and are designed to support this next generation of communications by delivering:

1) Extremely low insertion loss
2) High power handling
3) Compact form factors ideal for dense deployments

We’re ready for the future. Are you? https://lnkd.in/gqYVVCcM

Address

20 S Roanoke Street, Suite 202
Fincastle, VA
24090

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18334739983

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