magazine awr ims 3

8/9/2019 Magazine AWR IMS 3

1/19

2010 IMS Edition

www.awrcorp.com | www.awr.tv

Cover Story: Seeds of Change

MicroApps Schedule AWR 2010 Release Product Overview

Product Focus: AXIEM Evolution

Success Story: Acreo

Success Story: Multitest

Article: Nonlinear Behavioral Models

News Flash: AWR CEO Dane Collins Elected to

EDAC Board of Directors

News Flash: AWR Graduate Gift Initiative


2/19

A Crash Course on Using Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS)

By Chris Sanabria, [email protected]

2/9/02

If you are an engineer and have anything to do with circuit simulation, in particular highfrequency circuit simulation, or layout, this is a tool you will probably encounter at some

time in your career. Agilent (and before them, Hewlett-Packard) spent years expanding

this software that has become a staple in industry. As with any advanced technicalprogram, there is a steep learning curve. Help within the program on a Windows

platform can be found at any time by pushing the F1 key, which will bring up all the

manuals. Their web site http://contact.tm.agilent.com/tmo/eesof/is another resource.

The manuals for the program are a few thousand pages long. This paper will get a newuser up and running quickly. This will be a step-by-step example to get a user familiar

with the LineCalc tool, an S-parameter simulation and AC simulation. It is strongly

encouraged to explore the many tools and different ways of doing similar commands.

Lets get started. Launch the program. If you cant find a shortcut, the executable will

probably be in ADS2001\bin\hpads.exe. This will bring up one small window.

Fig. 1 The Main Window

ADS has its own hierarchy when dealing with any file. You cannot just open a circuit or

look at a set of data. Everything is associated with a project file. These files will alwaysend in_prj. For example, in Fig. 1 there is a folder called untitled_prj. Expanding it

shows five folders. Everything from circuits, new components, data from instruments,data from simulations, data displays, layouts, etc. will be stored in one of these folders.

Create a new project by clickingFile New Project. Use the current directory and add

the name my_first_project and hit OK. ADS will automatically add the_prj. A quick

note about any file name in ADS: never use spaces. The program has its origins in the
http://contact.tm.agilent.com/tmo/eesof/http://contact.tm.agilent.com/tmo/eesof/


3/19

UNIX operating system, which is both case sensitive and treats spaces differently than in

Windows. Save yourself some future headaches; use underscores instead.

Fig. 2 A Schematic Window

A new window like Fig. 2 should have appeared (If not, on the main window some of the

icons that were grayed out before opening can now be clicked. Click on the icon that is awhite background with a capacitor and inductor fore ground.). Fig. 2 is a schematic

window where components can be placed and simulations setup. We will create an RCcircuit and do an AC simulation.

Lets place some components. Notice in the left side of the schematic window there are

already some to choose from. Click on the top left one, a resistor (not the boxed resistor,that is a model and we will not deal with it here), and place it on the grid with a left click.

Hit the escape key to stop placing the component and to cancel most commands. Now,

click a capacitor and place it in the grid, too. For style, we need to change the orientationof the capacitor. Left click the capacitor so that it is highlighted. In Fig. 2, there is an

icon that says 90 degreescircled with a black 3 by it. Click this once and the capacitorwill be rotated. Connect the two parts with wire, which will be a purple color. In Fig. 2,this is the icon of a wire with two red dots at the end, circles with a green 4. Click this,

and left click an end of the resistor to an end of the capacitor. They will now be

connected and the red dots at the ends will change to blue ones, meaning a connectionhas been made (When placing components, if the component being added is placed with

its unconnected end on another components unconnected end, ADS automatically


4/19

connects them like a wire. This can be useful when placing components and an

annoyance when moving them around).

We need a source. The two components we used are in theLumped-Components library.

Click on the pull-down icon which is circled with a red 1 in Fig. 2 and select the

Sources-Freq Domain. Click the component V_AC, place it in the circuit, and connect itwith a wire (not directly) to the other end of the resistor. To complete the circuit,

grounds are needed. In Fig. 2, this is the symbol that looks like a circuit ground and iscircled with a blue 2. Add two grounds and connect to the signal and capacitor. Note

that you can search all the component libraries by clicking on the books icon near the

ground icon.

Fig. 3 Finished RC Circuit

It will become very useful to label nodes and wires. Click the icon that saysNAME and

is circled with an orange 5 if Fig. 2. A small window will appear. In the window, type

Vin and click on the purple wire connected between the source and resistor. It shouldnow be labeled Vin in purple. Go back to

the window and type in Vout and label the

wire between the capacitor and resistor.Hit escape to terminate the window and

command. The circuit should look almostlike Fig. 3. As a side note, if the text of acomponent is in the way, hit F5, left-click

on the component of the text you want to

move (not the text itself) and move the textto a better position and left-click again.

Fig. 4 - AC Simulation Properties

A simulation must be setup in the circuit ifanything else is to be done other than have

a pretty circuit picture. ADS can do many

simulations including DC, AC, S-parameter, Harmonic Balance, Transient,

and much more. We want an AC

simulation; pull down the library menu to

Simulation-AC and add the iconAC, which

looks like a gear, to the circuit. It does not

connect to anything, it merely tells ADS

what model you are using. Double


5/19

clicking this or anything in the circuit schematic brings up all the properties.

Double click theACblock. We need to adjust the frequency range of interest. Change

the range to that of Fig. 4. Save the file. Hit Ctrl + Sand save the file as rc_test1.

Notice that ADS saves these files in the networks folder under the my_first_project_prj

folder. One last thing is to setup where the simulation data will go and where to displayit. At the top of the schematic window go to Simulate Simulation Setup Make sure

the Dataset and Data Display are both rc_test1. If we needed to have two sets of data,and not overwrite the original, this is where you should change the file name to which the

data is saved. This also applies for the display window.

We are ready to simulate. Hit thesimulatebutton (or from the schematic window hit F7

or the gear icon in the top right of the schematic window). A blank data display windowwill now open as in

Fig. 5. On the left

side are 6 icons thatcan do rectangular

plots, polar plots,

Smith Chart plots,multiple plots, tables,

and equations

respectively. We will

want to do a standardplot. Left click the

rectangular plot icon,go to the middle of

the window and leftclick (note that you

can hold down the l

mouse button and

draw the size ofplot you want. Give i

eft

tFig. 5 Data Display Window

try later). Now a series of little windows will popup. Do the following: click Vout and

lick

r

a

then the >>Add >>button. Another window will pop up telling you that the data is

complex and asking how to plot it.Clickphaseand hit OK. Now hit OK

and a plot should appear as in Fig. 6.Notice that at higher frequencies, the

phase approaches -90 degrees, as isexpected for an RC circuit. Double c

the graph and the properties for the

graph that were just setup will open.Notice that the same five icons are nea

the top of this window. Click the dual

Fig. 6 Phase and Magnitude of RC Circuit


6/19

graphs icon here, select Vout again, click >>Add>>, this time select magnitude,

both OKbuttons again. Now two plots with phase and magnitude will appear as in Fig6. You have now gone through the basics of ADS. Lets go though an S-parameter

simulation.

and hit

.

Go back to the schematic window, clickFile

New Designand give it the namequarter_wave_example. Notice that there are buttons to open the design in the current

window or a new window and that there are design templates. Go ahead and hit OK. Ourdesign will be a simple quarter-wavelength matching network. If the frequency = 5 GHz,

Zin = 50 and Zout = 100 ,then we will need a

transmission line of impedance

73 . Transmission lines canbe found in the Tlines-Ideal

library. Use the pull-downmenu to find it about a quarter

of the way down the list. Thecomponent needed is the firstone in the library, TLIN. Place

this in the schematic. Its initial

resistance isZ = 50 Ohm, leftclick the 50 and edit it to 73

Ohm(Again, any component

parameter can be edited bydouble left-clicking the

component). Its operatingFig. 7 Quarter-Wavelength Circuit

frequency is 1 GHz; change it to 5 GHz. Change libraries to the Simulation-S_Paramlibrary. Two of the components will be needed from here. The first is the SPblock,

which makes ADS aware this will be an S-parameter simulation. In the block, change thestep size to .1 GHz. The other is the Term. This is much like the terminals on a network

analyzer. Place two of these in the schematic and change the second term to an

impedanceZ = 100 Ohm. Connect with wires, add grounds to the terms, and the circuitshould like the same as in Fig. 7. Save the circuit. We may now simulate, hitF7. A new

data display window will open up. Click on the Smith Chart icon and click in the plot

area. Again, a window will popup. Select S(1,1), click >>Add>>, and hit OK. A SmithChart should plot as in Fig. 8. Now click the dual plot icon and add S(1,1)in dB and

S(2,1) in dB. Again, should look the same as Fig. 8.


7/19

Fig. 8 Quarter-Wavelength Display

ADS has many other tools built into it. A popular one is LineCalc. This tool calculates

impedances and dimensions for the much different geometry of wave-guides andmicrostrip lines. To start the tool, there must already be a schematic open. Use the

quarter-wave circuit just built. From the schematic at the top choose ToolsLineCalcStart LineCalc. A window such as that below will appear.

Fig. 9 LineCalc Window


8/19

At the top is the Type of structure to be analyzed. The program defaults to microstrip.

Take a look at some of the other available such as COAX and CPW. TheID is the name

of the defaults being viewed. This has initial parameter values and an initial Type. You

can make your own ID if you wish. For the microstrip the parameters stand for:

Er relative permitivity

Mur relative permeability

H height of the substrate

Hu if the design was covered by a metal box, this would be its height

T conductor thickness

Cond conductivity of the conductor

TanD dielectric loss tangent

Rough RMS surface roughness of the dielectric

W width of conductor

L length of line Z0 characteristic impedance of line

E_Eff effective electrical length

K_Eff effective dielectric permitivity of the system

A_DB total attenuation of the system

Lets go through an example. Set all but thePhysicalparameters (WandL) to those as in

Fig. 9. Notice there are two arrows. Clicking the arrow pointing up will calculate WandLof the microstrip while clicking the down arrow will calculateZ0andE_Eff. Push the up

arrow. The simulator will run and the W andLwill be calculated as in Fig. 9. Lets go

the other way. Set W= 50 mil and click the down arrow. NowZ0= 17.806900 andE_Eff = 98.733400. A wider conductor gives lower impedance as would be expected.

This concludes this tutorial. I hope it was helpful. There is so much more to learn aboutthis program but if you sit down and experiment for an hour or two it will be well worth

your time. If there are questions or corrections please email [email protected].


9/19

Welcom e to Sun n y Ca liforn ia!

Cover Story

Seeds of Change

Sherry Hess, Vice President of Marketing, AWR

AWRs new ad, Ideas Grow Faster in

the Right Environment graces the front

of our 2010 AWR Magazine that you

are now holding. The sprout represents

AWRs corporate culture in so many

ways: innovation, spawning new ideas,

the right environment for growth and

creativity, seeds of change

The economy is on the road to recovery,

and smart businesses have been laying

the groundwork and sowing the seeds

of change in anticipation of a future far

different from before the downturn.

AWR has weathered the economic

turbulence well (we just announced our

13th consecutive year of record reve-

nues), certainly better than others in our

industry. One reason? You! Or should I

say the trust you have in AWR. Custom-

er trust is a huge competitive advantage

at AWR. We hope that you know you can

trust us and that you know from experi-

ence that we dont just sell a product,

we provide improved productivity, faster

time-to-market, more bang for the buck.

Ideas grow faster in the right environ-

mentYes. Of course they do. AWRs

software enables you, our valued cus-

tomer, to focus on your ideas, growing

them into winning products. And be-

cause our environment runs easily and

efficiently and is constantly enhanced

with our own innovative, next-generation

technologies, it al lows you to think cre-

atively and explore design possibilities.

2

AWR was founded on innovation, and

our drive to deliver the technologies

today that you need not only for today

but for tomorrows designs as well.

Our core competencies, innovation and

service, have helped our customers

get through the hard times, and will be

the environment that enables them to

sprout the ideas they need to be com-

petitive in the future.

Knowing that ideas grow faster in the

right environment, AWR has, as usual,

been busy sprouting ideas into new

technologies that s part of our upcom-

ing 2010 software release - Microwave

Office, Visual System Simulator, and

AXIEM. Weve included a sneak peek in

the pages of this magazine, as well as on

the AWR website at www.awrcorp.com.

Enjoy IMS 2010!


10/19

IMS 2010AWR EVENTS AT IMS

MICROAPPS SCHEDULE

Date and Time: Title and Company:

Tuesday, May 25

09:30

Multi-chip Module Design Challenges

Josh Moore, Dustin Hoekstra

AWR Corp.

Tuesday, May 25

10:10

Nonlinear Co-simulation with Real-time Channel Measurements for PCB Signal Integrity

Mike Heimlich, Khaled Nikro, Harry MomjianMacquarie University; AWR Corp.; Anritsu Corp.

Tuesday, May 25

10:30

Causality Considerations for Multi-Gigabit StatEye Analysis

Michael Heimlich, Scott Wedge

AWR Corp.; Synopsys, Inc.

Tuesday, May 25

13:10

System-Level Component Models for RF EDA

Jiang Liu, Lawrence DunleavyModelithics, Inc.

Tuesday, May 25

13:30

Multi-Rate Harmonic Balance for Non-Linear Simulation

Josh Moore, John Dunn

AWR Corp.

Tuesday, May 25

14:10

PA Design Inclusive of Load-Pull Analysis

Josh Moore, Dustin HoekstraAWR Corp.

Tuesday, May 25

14:30

Online Design Environment Provides Interactive Datasheets for Small Signal RF Transistors

Allows Users to Generate Custom Datasheets for a Variety of Operating Conditions

Sherry Hess, Uwe Knorr, Ronald ThissenAWR Corp.; Transim Technology Corp; NXP Semiconductors

Tuesday, May 25

14:50

Using AWRs iFilter Wizard to Effi ciently Synthesize Lumped & Distributed Filters

Mark Saffi an

AWR Corp.

Tuesday, May 25

16:30

Single Chip LNA Using High Q Inductors on a Silicon-on-Sapphire Process

Duncan Widman, Yash Moghe

AWR Corp.; Sapphicon Semiconductor

Wednesday, May 26

11:30

A New Approach for Nonlinear Behavioral Modeling

Darren McCarthy, Johannes Benedikt

Tektronix Inc.; Mesuro Limited

Wednesday, May 26

12:30

A Methodical Approach to Analyzing and Understanding the Performance of a LTE System

Joel Kirshman

AWR Corp.

Wednesday, May 26

14:50

The Use of Computer Clusters and Spectral and Domain Decomposition

in 3D FEM Analysis

John DeFord, John Dunn

AWR Corp.

Thursday, May 27

09:30

Test & Measurement Migration to Integrated Simulation, Test & Measurement

for M&RF Design

Jon Leitner

Rohde & Schwarz

3


11/19

4

Whats New in the AWR 2010 ReleaseProduct

Update

MICROWAVE OFFICE DESIGN ENVIRONMENT

Nonlinear Behavioral Modeling

Nonlinear behavioral model support for Agilents X-parameters,

Mesuros Cardiff model and more. Read Nonlinear Behavioral Models

article in this magazine for more information!

MRHB

Multi-rate harmonic balance (MRHB) technology was first introduced

in 2009 and developed specifically for customers with spectrally

rich simulations (transceivers, system on chip, module, etc.). MRHB

dramatically increases the speed and reduces the computer memory

required to perform steady-state analysis of complex nonlinear systemswith multiple signal sources and the 2010 release delivers even faster

simulation time and greater reduction in memory.

Constant Compression/Constant Output Power Simulation

Great for PA designers, this new feature takes advantage of advanced

APLACcapabilities enabling compression to be computed from linear

gain region or max gain region (i.e. gain expansion).

Linear Stability Analysis

Normalized determinant function (NDF) and stability envelope

measurement now available! And whats more, they offer a more

comprehensive solution than standard stability metrics or Gamma Probes.

Connectivity Tracer

Seeing is believing! The ability to highlight all nets or user selected nets

and locate short or open circuits visually with ease is priceless. Check

out a live demo or AWR.TV video of this new feature!

Connectivity Tracer iFilter


12/19

Lots and lots of enhancements and updates

have been rolled into AWRs 2010 release of

its software including Microwave Office, VSS

and AXIEM. Highlights of the new and exciting

additions in the 2010 release are presented here.

MICROWAVE OFFICE PLUG-N-PLAY MODULES

iFilter(lumped and distributed filter synthesis)

The iFilter intuitive user interface enables designers to quickly and easily

design filters, connect them directly to circuitry, and make optimization

trade-offs that posit ively impact their designs. iFilter technology,

which was developed specifically for synthesis of lumped-element and

distributed filters, runs seamlessly as a module within Microwave Office!

AWR Connectedfor Cadence Allegro

Now PCB layouts can be directly imported from Cadence Allegro. The

schematic is created so that the resulting S-parameters are automatically

wired to components and full dielectric stackup is transferred ready for

EM extraction with AWRs ACE or AXIEM technology.

AXIEM 3D PLANAR EM SIMULATOR

Antennas

All the existing benefits of AXIEM (larger problems, faster solve

times, etc.) and now for antennae too! Works with existing antenna

measurements, new antenna gain measurements. Read AXIEM

Evolution article in this magazine for more information!

VSS - VISUAL SYSTEM SIMULATOR SOFTWARE

Advanced Amplifier Behavioral Model - Time Delay Neural Network

(TDNN)

PA designers rejoice! TDNN now enables memory effect modeling in

VSS & MWO (thru the use of a model extraction wizard in MWO).

Turbo Decoders

Supports turbo codes used in 3G/4G standards, such as cdma2000,

IS856, WiMAX, and LTE. Library includes components that can be used

for decoding of custom turbo codes too!

Product

Update

5

AWR Connected for Cadence Allegro


13/19

Dr. John Dunn, Senior Engineer, AWR

6

We were unable to EM this entire structure

using any other EM solver and turned to AWR

to give it a try. The insights gained as unveiled

by AXIEM opens up new vistas in mm-wave

design for Mimix.

Dr. Simon Mahon, Director of MMIC Design

Mimix Broadband, Inc.

Product Focus: AXIEM Evolution


14/19

AXIEM No bounds!(2010)

The latest version of AXIEM continues

to win new users and expand its mar-

ket presence. The AWR 2010 release

of AXIEM now has no bounds--literally!

Antenna capabilities are today part and

parcel of AXIEM and are quickly becom-

ing an indispensable tool for designers

of antennas.

AXIEM v2010 is ideal for large, planar,

antenna designs, for example, arrays

with a large number of elements. De-

signers can finally study effects such as

scan blindness, which can only be seen

by simulating the full array. Traditionally,

the matrix solve in planar EM solvers

is of the order N3, where N is the

number of unknowns. By comparison,

AXIEMs fast solver technology scales

as the order of Nln(N). So to illustrate,if a designer increases the number

of antennas by a factor of 10, the

traditional solver will take 1000 times

longer to simulate (think 1000 min-

utes), whereas AXIEM would only need

35 times to do it (think 35 minutes to

solve). Post processing features have

been added so that the user can visual-

ize traditional antenna pattern measure-

ments for linear, circular, and elliptical

polarizations, and current patterns onthe antennas.

In less than three years, AXIEM has

achieved wide customer adoption and

has benchmarked better than other EM

tools that have been on the market for

decades. This year AWR is taking the

AXIEM Challenge to Japan, a country

renown for pushing EM to the limit with

the toughest of design problems.

7

Vivaldi antenna in AXIEM.

The power and speed of AWRs new AXIEM

3D planar EM software made it possible to

accurately and efficiently simulate the entire

structure of very complex NDPA MMIC.

Chuck Campbell, Fellow

TriQuint Semiconductor

AXIEM 2010 KEY FEATURES

Seamless integration with Microwave Officeand Analog Officesoftware

Proprietary full-wave planar EM solver technology

Advanced hybrid meshing technology

Numerous source/excitations including auto-calibrated internal ports

Parametric studies, optimization, and tuning

3D visualization and animation

Support for 64-bit PC platform and multi-core configurations

Antenna capabilities

Works with existing antenna measurements

New antenna gain measurements

And all the AXIEM benefits (larger problems, faster solve times, etc.)


15/19

6

Product

Update

MICROWAVE OFFICE DESIGN ENVIRONMENT

Nonlinear Behavioral Modeling

Nonlinear behavioral model support for Agilents X-parameters,

Mesuros Cardiff model and more. Read Nonlinear Behavioral Models

article in this magazine for more information!

MRHB

Multi-rate harmonic balance (MRHB) technology was first introduced

in 2009 and developed specifically for customers with spectrally

rich simulations (transceivers, system on chip, module, etc.). MRHB

dramatically increases the speed and reduces the computer memory

required to perform steady-state analysis of complex nonlinear systemswith multiple signal sources and the 2010 release delivers even faster

simulation time and greater reduction in memory.

Constant Compression/Constant Output Power Simulation

Great for PA designers, this new feature takes advantage of advanced

APLACcapabilities enabling compression to be computed from linear

gain region or max gain region (i.e. gain expansion).

Linear Stability Analysis

Normalized determinant function (NDF) and stability envelope

measurement now available! And whats more, they offer a more

comprehensive solution than standard stability metrics or Gamma Probes.

Connectivity Tracer

Seeing is believing! The ability to highlight all nets or user selected nets

and locate short or open circuits visually with ease is priceless. Check

out a live demo or AWR.TV video of this new feature!

Connectivity Tracer iFilter

Customer Success Story

Customer Background

Acreo AB, Kista, Sweden, refines and

transfers research results into industrially

viable products and processes in the

fields of electronics and optics. With

operations in Kista, Norrkping, and

Hudiksvall, Acreo is active in printed

electronics, industrial nano and

microtechnology, photonics, quantum

well infrared photodetector (QWIP)

technology, sysem integration, and

relations business services.

ISO9001 certified, Acreo operates

clean room facilities for thin-film and

volume printing production. The company

employs more than 150 people, the

majority of whom hold engineering and

post-graduate level degrees.

The Design Challenge

The need for higher capacities within

Internet infrastructure is driving the

demand for network architectures capable

of supporting 100Gb/s Ethernet (IP)

based traffic.

One such bandwidth-efficient technology

being explored is sub-carrier multiplexing

(SCM), where quadrature modulated

(QAM) signals on different carrier

frequencies are combined and

subsequently encoded onto an optical

carrier. This transceiver approach

capitalizes on the increasing speed of

silicon technology (65nm complementary

metal oxide semiconductor CMOS process

on HR-SOI substrate) to perform more

of the signal processing in the electrical

domain before converting to light.

AWR Solution

We needed to

create a SCM

transceiver

link suitable

for 100Gb/s

transmission.

The system-level

development of aSCM transceiver link

was modeled within

AWRs Visual System

Simulator. This

RF system model

enabled us to assess

the influence of component performance in the electrical domain, particularly

non-linearity and noise, with respect to the SCM link performance requirements.

The design of critical component building blocks in the 65nm CMOS SOI process

such as IQ modulators, power combiners, and low noise amplifiers (LNAs) for

the SCM transceiver, were done at the circuit level. The performance of thesecomponents was then assessed in the VSS system simulation environment to

investigate the capabilities of CMOS for next generation optical networking with

the SCM architecture.

Using Visual System Simulator together with Matlabto create the RF system

model proved to be a straightforward task. said Lars Pettersson, research

engineer at Acreo. The flexibility, ease-of-use, and open platform of Visual

System Simulator was a very positive feature. Visual System Simulator gave a

good understanding of how group delay variations affected the whole system

performance and we were able to optimize the system using this knowledge.

Acreo Uses Visual System Simulator to Successfully

Optimize System Performance of Complex UWB Transceiver

2-Carrier SCM transceiver link simulation block diagrams and

simulation results in Visual System Simulator.

VSS gives us a deeper

understanding of system aspects.

Its flexibility and open platform

means parameter optimization can

quickly and easily be done. With

VSS we were able to successfully

realize our system.

Lars Pettersson, Research Engineer

Acreo ABwww.acreo.se

8


16/19

9

Using AWRs ACE technology,

Multitest is able to accurately and

efficiently simulate PCB interfaces

prior to fabrication. This gives our

customers the confidence they

need before they even receive our

hardware.

Ryan Satrom, Signal Integrity EngineerMultitest

www.multitest.com

Customer Success Story

Customer Background

Multitest is one of the worlds leading

suppliers of test equipment for

semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs).

It markets test handlers, contactors, and

automatic test equipment (ATE) printed

circuit boards (PCBs), which are used

for the functional test of individual chips.

They act as a mechanical and electrical

interface between the semiconductor

and the actual tester with the test

software. A high throughput rate,

measurement accuracy to the thousandth

of a millimeter, precision temperature

accuracy, and the latest in measurement

and production technology are all

important factors.

The Design Challenge

Multitests main customers are

multinational manufacturers of

semiconductors who insist on the highest

quality standards in their products.

In order to ensure this high quality,

the company provides its clients with

highly innovative test handling solutions,

custom-tailored to fit individual needs and

requirements. Because high throughput

rate and accuracy are critical, Multitest

uses AWRs Microwave Office with ACE

(automated circuit extraction) to simulate

and optimize its PCB designs simply,

accurately, and efficiently.

AWR Solution

Microwave Office enabled us to readily

create libraries for several different PCB

stackups (various numbers of layers and

thicknesses) characterized previously in

3D EM. Within each of these libraries,

via models were l inked to .s2p files that

were simulated in a 3D simulator. Proper

via modeling (thru-hole and back-dril led)

is a critical component to accurate PCB

simulations. With the ACE technology

enabled within AWRs Microwave Office

software, we were able to leverage the

ease, simplicity, and efficiency of ACE,and the Microwave Office user interface

for that matter, to successfully simulate

any board desired while maintaining

appropriate via models as well.

AWRs Microwave Office software with

its ACE innovation simplified a job that

used to take many hours into one that

is more streamlined -- completed in

significantly less time.

Microwave Office Software with ACETechnology Dramatically Cuts

Simulation Times of Multitests High-performance IC Test Boards

Why did you choose AWR?

We chose AWR software for several

reasons:

1) The user-friendly interface of the

software makes it easy to learn

2) PCB layout importing is

straightforward and robust

3) ACE is accurate and fast, giving us a

quick design turnaround

For these reasons and more, AWRs

Microwave Office featuring ACE is a

winning combination for the design of

Multitests high-performance PCB test

boards. Personally, Ive seen some

designs realize more than 50% saving in

simulation time (including set-up steps)

by adopting this methodology.

Analysis of routing strategy is

straightforward with ACE: if layout is

tuned, the RF model is automatically

updated and simulated. Image shows

Multitests test board routing layout

and simulation results.


17/19

10

The OpenWave Forum (OWF)

INTRODUCTION

The concept of using behavioral models

in nonlinear simulations has existed for

20 years or more but only recently hav

advances in measurement technology

(improved arbitrary signal generation

and sampling techniques) allowed

practical implementation to become

a reality. The OWF aims to ensureusability of these new models in large-

signal simulations, regardless of the

measurement and modeling techniques

that are used.

OWF BENEFITS

The OWF is an alliance of RF and

microwave firms that seek to

collaborate, create, and promote a

unified and transparent data exchange

format for large-signal simulations,

measurements, and models.

For a current list of OWF members, to

learn more and/or to join: go to

www.openwaveforum.org

Nonlinear Behavioral Models New Methods forNonlinear Device Characterization

Background

Linear and nonlinear device models are the building blocks of most RF and microwave

designs. S-parameters are often used to represent linear devices. As a black-boxmodel, they can easily be obtained using a vector network analyzer and distributed

for simulation. S-parameters use superposition to equate the linear relationship

between incident and reflected waves at all of the devices ports. Nonlinear devices,

however, distort waveforms such that their behavior cannot be represented through

superposition or S-parameters. Fortunately, recent developments in measurement and

modeling technology have focused on technology-independent, measurement-based

black box models.

Current Approaches Presented at IMS

Agilent (IMS Booth #924)

Develops Agilents X-parameters, which are included in its N5242 nonlinear

vector network analyzer for large-signal measurements and Advanced Design

System software, and are applicable to large and small-signal conditions and for

linear and nonlinear components. X-parameters are a mathematical superset of

S-parameters and reduce to S-parameters in the small-signal region.

Anritsu & HFE Sagl (IMS Booth #2910)

Provide state-of-the-art active load pull tuners, ultra-low-loss couplers and

harmonic phase standard (HPS) designed to operate with the VectorStarVNA.

The nonlinear load pull system offers multiple behavioral analysis data including

polyharmonic information representing current and voltage waveforms under

large-signal conditions.

Rohde & Schwarz & NMDG (IMS Booth #2519)

Offer NMDGs ICE platform that employs an R&S VNA (or VNAs and high

frequency oscilloscopes from other vendors) to characterize nonlinear

components under real life signal conditions and to produce S-function models.

These S-functions accurately predict harmonic and modulation behavior of

the device under test and can be used within ICE or an external simulation

environment.

Tektronix & Mesuro (IMS Booth #1033)

Deliver a characterization system to provide polyharmonic IV tables using

arbitrary harmonic impedances. The data is used to populate the Cardiff Model,

developed by Cardiff University, providing an accurate behavioral model at powers

of hundreds of watts at microwave frequencies.

Speak with AWR to learn more about these nonlinear behavioral modeling approaches

and Microwave Office compatibility. A complete white paper on this topic written by

AWRs Malcolm Edwards is available onwww.awrcorp.com/mwoand more closely

examines the different nonlinear models and measurement systems available today

and how they can be used with Microwave Office, a leading high-frequency design

environment from AWR Corporation.

OPENWAVE FORUM

AWRS SUPPORT OF POLYHARMONIC DISTORTION AND

NONLINEAR BEHAVIORAL MODELS

Linear and nonlinear device models are the building blocks of most RF and

microwave designs. S-parameters are often used to represent linear devices. As a

black-box model, they can easily be obtained using a vector network analyzer and

distributed for simulation. S-parameters use superposition to equate the linear

relationship between incident and reflected waves at all of the devices ports.

Nonlinear devices, however, distort waveforms such that their behavior cannot be

represented through superposition or S-parameters.

Historically, nonlinear devices have been represented in simulation by compact

empirical or analytical SPICE models that operate in the time domain. Todays

high-frequency circuit simulators analyze the linear portions of the network in the

frequency domain and the nonlinear components in the time domain, resolving the

two through an iterative technique called harmonic balance.

The process of developing a compact model, be it empirical or analytical, is costly,

time consuming, and potentially exposes the device makers intellectual property.

More importantly, since most compact model parameters are extracted from

linear 50 ohm S-parameters and DC IV (static and pulsed) data, their ability to

predict behavior under extreme nonlinear conditions or non-50 ohm terminations

may be questionable. The cost of model development is not trivial, and the

resulting quality and availability varies among integrated device manufacturers.

This situation presents the high-frequency circuit designer with a bit of a dilemma.

Fortunately, recent developments in measurement and modeling technology have

focused on technology-independent, measurement-based black box models. This

white paper examines the different nonlinear models and measurement systems

available today and how they can be used with Microwave Office, a leading

high-frequency design environment from AWR Corporation.

CHARACTERIZING NONLINEAR DEVICES

Nonlinear models are most often used to describe the behavior of transistors,

including the large-signal regime where power amplifiersand mixersoperate.

Large-signal computer models for devices are continually evolving in order to

keep up with changes in semiconductor technology. To attempt standardization

of model parameters used in different simulators, an industry working group

of semiconductor vendor companies and EDA vendor companies called the

Compact Model Council(CMC), has been formed to choose, maintain, and

promote the use of standard models. An elusive goal in such modeling is

prediction of next-generation circuit performance and the identification of

technical direction for developing models capable of such predictions.

This requires the selection of operating conditions that define the nonlinear

characteristics of devices, the nonlinear equations that replicate this behavior,

and extraction of the parameters to be used in these model equations. An

obvious alternative to using standard or evolving compact models to address the

next-generation of devices would be to simply use the measured data directly, as

is the case for S-parameters and linear devices.

Malcolm EdwardsAWR [email protected]

AWR

Nonlinear Modeling

White Paper

AWRs support of PolyHarmonic Distort

and Nonlinear Behavioral Models, white

by Malcolm Edwards. (Found on the CD)


18/19

AWR Graduate Gift

Initiative

AWR Graduate Gift Initiative provides

qualified 2010 graduates a fully-functional

1-year term license free for its popular

Microwave Officeand Visual System

Simulator(VSS) software suites - inclu-

sive of AXIEM3D planar EM software.

The goal of the initiative is to give gradu-

ating electrical engineering students a

career head start by providing hands-on

exposure to AWRs high-frequency design

software.

Working with universities worldwide to

empower students with access to RF/Mi-

crowave software tools, AWRs Preferred

University Program was launched in

direct response to industry and academia

expressing the need for students to have

access to these tools prior to graduation

and entering the job market.

With the increasing demand for

wireless-enabled devices and the de-

crease in microwave and RF engineering

graduates, tomorrows designers will

need to work harder and smarter, said

Sherry Hess, vice president of market-

ing at AWR. Making our design tools

available to these graduates is one of

the goals of our program and is part of

our commitment to making engineering

students more attractive to industry by

helping them become proficient with the

actual tools of the trade.

7

News Flash

1

AWR CEO Dane Collins

Elected to EDAC Board of

Directors

AWR CEO Dane Collins has been elected

to the Electronic Design Automation Con-

sortium (EDAC) board of directors. The

EDA Consortium is an international as-

sociation of over 100 companies develop-

ing EDA tools and services for the design

of electronics that enable the Information

Age, including communications, comput-

ers, space technology, medical and indus-

trial equipment, and consumer electron-

ics. The EDA Consortium seeks to identify

and address issues that are common to

its members and the customer commu-

nity that the member companies serve.

A part of the EDA fabric for 22 years,

Mr. Collins possesses a broad perspec-

tive spanning job functions from inte-

grated circuit (IC) designer and EDA tool

developer to corporate executive, as well

as company environments from small

startups like EEsof, High Level Design

Systems, and AWR, to big corporations

(both commercial and military) like

Cadence and General Dynamics.

I am pleased to have been elected to

serve on the EDAC board of directors and

contribute my many years of engineering

and executive experience to the organiza-

tion, stated Mr. Collins. I intend to make

it a priority to bring together the members

of our industry in a spirit of cooperation

in order to work towards finding solutions

and strategies that address the common

problems facing us and our customers

throughout the EDA marketplace.

News Flash

Dane CollinsCEO

AWR


19/19

USA

Corporate Headquarters

AWR Corporation1960 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 430

El Segundo, CA 90245

+1 310 726 3000

+1 310 726 3005 (fax)

Japan

AWR Japan KK

Level 5, 711 Building

7-11-18 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

Tokyo 160-0023 Japan

+81 3 5937 4803

Korea

AWR Korea Co. Ltd.

B-1412, Intellige-ll, 24 Jeongia-dong,

bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,

Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 463-811

+82 31 603 7772

UK

AWR UK

2 Hunting Gate

Hitchin, Herts

SG4 0TJ, UK

+44 (0) 1462 428 428

Finland

AWR APLAC

Lars Sonckin kaari 16

FI-02600 Espoo, Finland

+358 10 834 5900

France

AWR France140 Avenue Champs Elysees

75008 Paris, France

+33 1 70 36 19 63

www.awrcorp.comwww.awr.tv

Copyright 2010 AWR Corporation. All rights reserved. AWR, the AWR logo, Microwave Office and APLACi t d t d k d Vi l S t Si l t AXIEM ACE AWR D i E i t AWR TV

GO FOR GOLD

Take a well earned break from RF & microwaves during IMS 2010 and Go

for GOLD at AWRs 6th Annual Customer Appreciation Party!

This year we are taking the party to the next level and launching the first

ever AWR GAMES! Join in the fun playing games that include:

Basketball - Hockey - Bowling - Football

While youre racking up the points for prizes, well be serving cold drinks

and hot food as you game the night away!

GO FORGOLD

Location and Time

Wednesday, May 26th

7:00 PM - Midnight

ESPN Zone Anaheim

1545 Disneyland Dr.

Anaheim, CA 92802

Phone: 714-30-3776

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