Millimeter-wave transceivers for point-to-point radios

Millimeter-wave (MMW) point-to-point digital radios have been in production for several years. Due to the high demand of rapidly deployable cellular telephone networks, their market is growing worldwide. Point-to-multipoint systems have passed the R&D phase and are starting to reach the pre-production stage. This rapidly growing MMW wireless market is challenging the microwave industry with requirements for sophisticated MMW front-ends manufactured in high volumes but with prices significantly lower than similar products produced only a few years ago. This paper attempts to analyze the available market and the required technology today and in the near future