When you consider the RF applications utilized in mission critical C5ISR environments, your contract manufacturer (CM) must comprehend the issues and challenges related to manufacturing processes in RF, but also have a deep understanding of the failure mechanisms that can cause defects.

RF design is inherently more complex than any other type of design. This is because of the unique issues that must be addressed due to the extremely high frequencies of operation for these applications.  For example, there are inherent challenges with power control, grounding structures, printed wiring board (PWB) stack-ups, laminate and surface finish selection, characteristic impedance control, signal path configurations, connectorization, pad geometries, solder mask, conformal coating, surface parasitics, exposure to harsh environments, fabrication effects, via sizing, component selection, and manufacturing process impacts.  These numerous issues must be well understood by your CM or the potential for failure is magnified. 

Anyone trying to bring a new piece of electronics to market faces a major balancing act between trying to arrive at-market before the current generation of technology becomes last-gen, while still giving the product enough care and polish to appeal to buyers.  The ever-speeding rate of new tech introduction has only made this harder, and we see the result all the time in stores and at trade shows:  Half-baked products either rushed to market without proper testing, or being held back by design decisions that have already become antiquated.

More and more companies are starting to return to the USA for manufacturing, and it's not hard to see why. When looked at in terms of long-term TCO and ROI, US and Chinese manufacturing prices are practically at parity.  In fact, Bloomberg found that America is the seventh cheapest source for manufactured goods in the world. 

And when you choose American manufacturing, you get far more for your money.  The combination of high-technology, robust supply lines, and a land of plenty means that the US is truly competitive in the field of global manufacturing.

Here are just a few services that are easily obtained from American electronics design and manufacture firms that you might have a hard time finding elsewhere...