The MicroApps Theater at IMS 2026 will serve as a platform for engineers and industry professionals to explore a range of topics spanning RF, microwave, and wireless system design. Presented by experts from Analog Devices, the sessions are designed to provide practical insights into emerging technologies, system architectures, synchronization methods, software-defined radio developments, and advanced communications solutions. Through a series of focused technical presentations and discussions, attendees will gain exposure to current industry challenges and the technologies being developed to address them. The MicroApps Theater presentations are sponsored by everything RF and will take place throughout the event, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with application-oriented content from across the RF and microwave ecosystem.
Microapps Theater, IMS Exhibit Hall
Hossein Yektaii, Wireless System Architect
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) on a Chip - From Ethernet to RF with an Integrated Processor Sub-System
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 9:45 - 10:00 am
The latest generation of ADI monolithically integrated software-defined radio chip is introduced in this MicroApp. This 6th generation device builds on 15 years and 5 generations of ADI integrated transceiver SoCs. It contains 4 transmitters and 4 receiver chains along with a rich set of radio signal processing features. The latest addition to this generation is the low-PHY functionality supporting 4G and 5G wireless standards, a 2x25 Gbps Ethernet-based fronthaul interface in accordance with the ORAN standard, and a processor sub-system eliminating the need for an external FPGA.
Bryan Goldstein, ADI Corporate VP, Aerospace, Defense and Communications
RF Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI, New Space, and New Defense
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 11:10 - 11:55 am
Moderator: Chris Marki, CEO, Marki Microwave
AI-driven systems, venture-backed defense startups, proliferated LEO constellations, and the maturation of wireless are reshaping the economics and architecture of RF systems. This panel explores how these forces will create new opportunities - and potentially disrupt incumbents - across components, subsystems, and design tools. Where will the next generation of RF startups emerge, and what moats will matter?
Ian Beavers, Staff Aerospace, Defense and Communications System Platform Engineer
Multi-Chip Synchronization of RF Channels
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 10:19 - 10:34 am
How can you synchronize a plethora of RF sub-system tiles that could be meters or even tens of meters away from each other? Learn how to synchronize a large, RF phased array system by nulling out path delay differences. Learn how the RF alignment of multiple ADCs and DACs from different sub-systems can each be controlled from a master synchronizer solution from the top of a fan-out tree structure. The alignment solution can accommodate changes in temperature gradient by monitoring the timing skew delta and adjusting synchronization based on the user's pre-defined system limits.
Padraig McDaid, Principal Marketing Manager
ZIF-Based SDR Transceiver as a New Solution for Test, Measurement, and Radar
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 1:43 - 1:58 pm
There is an ever-increasing need for improved RF performance, lower power consumption, and increased digital integration in test, instrumentation, and radar applications. In this session, we will dive into the suitability of 3 new ZIF-based SDR Transceivers to support these needs - ranging from 2 to 8 channels, up to 400 MHz BW, up to 7.125 GHz tuning range, and with DPD - CFR integrated. We will walk through each of these device architectures, discuss the differences between a ZIF-based approach and the classic Direct RF approach, and outline best design approaches to maximize the performance of these new products.
Collectively, the MicroApps Theater sessions highlight many of the trends influencing the future of wireless communications, sensing, and electronic systems. From advancements in phased-array architectures and synchronization techniques to innovations in software-defined radio and high-performance signal processing, the presentations provide attendees with a broad view of ongoing technological developments. Sponsored by everything RF, the MicroApps Theater program adds an educational dimension to the IMS 2026 exhibition, connecting attendees with expert perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the RF and microwave industry.
Click here to learn more about Analog Devices' IMS 2026 programme.
