Latest developments in RF energy technology on show in Erding

At the Summit, attendees will learn about the latest developments of solid state RF energy technology, which promises to change the landscape of many commercial applications such as microwave ovens, plasma lighting, medical, automotive and heating.

At the Summit, Hannes Grubinger, Market Manager at HUBER+SUHNER, will give a presentation titled: 'RF-connectivity for RF energy applications providing reliable matching, allowing for mechanical freedom coping with large tolerances, and supporting competitive mass production'.

Stressing the idea that using solid-state generated and amplified RF-power brings a completely new user experience to applications such as cooking, Grubinger will emphasise during his presentation that connectors and cables used in the communications industry are often not the best solution for energy appliances, since the losses and cost of coaxial assemblies is not appropriate for the short distances in kitchen appliances.

“Threaded connectors which require a defined torque would not support the requirements of energy applications. The appliance assembly process needs to be simple, fast and reliable when using solid-state generated and amplified RF-power,” said Grubinger, ahead of his presentation.

“Having more than two amplifiers and antennas per appliance connected to a probe by a PCB-transition which is mechanically fixed to the cavity imposes significant mechanical stress between the used building blocks. Therefore, to gain key features such as mechanical freedom and low losses, a launcher structure is beneficial. By realising this with injection molded metalised parts and moving towards alternative structures, this will lead to a very cost effective implementation.”

HUBER+SUHNER’s latest solution allows for a reliable and robust connection between the amplifier and cooking cavity while also eliminating mechanical stress.

Although Grubinger will focus predominantly on cooking applications, he noted that similar solutions can be easily adapted for other applications such as lighting, microwave ablation or ignition.

The event is the first of its kind for the RF energy market, and is a chance to meet the companies and research institutes that are developing solid state RF energy systems, as well as learn about current RF energy market trends.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the leading solid state RF energy companies with the opportunity to become part of the community, which will drive the new technology’s adoption.

Also presenting at the summit is Dr. Klaus Werner, Executive Director, RF Energy Alliance, who will talk about ‘Status of the Standardisation and Roadmap: What can we Expect from a Technology and Economic Point of View for the Next Two Years?’

The RF Energy Alliance is a non-profit technical association comprised of companies aiming to realising solid state RF energy’s potential as a clean, efficient and controllable heat and power source.

The event will be moderated by respected journalist Heinz Arnold, and other speakers include representatives from Ampleon, E-REON, FH Aachen, Fricke und Mallah Mikrowave Technology, MACOM, Multek, NovionX, NXP Semiconductors, pinkRF, and Richardson Electronics.

“As a member of the RF Energy Alliance, HUBER+SUHNER is actively engaged in promoting the latest developments in the RF energy market, and we are proud to be able to work alongside other members of the Alliance towards technological breakthroughs in RF energy,” said Grubinger.