Software Update

LINC2 Filter Synthesis Software

LINC2 Filter Pro version 1.14 adds a new line of space-efficient RF and microwave filters to its filter design and synthesis software. Compact, space-saving interdigital filters can now be designed in microstrip or stripline materials using LINC2 Filter Pro. These and other microstrip and stripline filters can automatically be rendered in both schematic and layout windows.

For layout file transfer to other programs, DXF export capability is available from the layout viewer. LINC2 DXF layout files can be translated to Gerber format for PCB fabrication. Microstrip and stripline filters can be analyzed with the built-in circuit simulator or exported to Sonnet’s® EM simulation program for accurate electromagnetic simulation. The wizard-like GUI guides the user through the process of entering the specifications for the automatic synthesis of a wide variety of filters.

Applied Computational Sciences
Escondido, CA (760) 612-6988, www.appliedmicrowave.com

RS No. 310

CST MICROWAVE STUDIO

CST Microwave Studio® (CST MWS) is the leading-edge tool for the fast and accurate simulation of high frequency (HF) devices such as antennas, filters, couplers, planar and multi-layer structures, and SI and EMC effects. It helps designers solve even the most exacting of electromagnetic problems, utilizing unrivalled solver technology, sophisticated import filters, and automated optimization and parametric studies.

CST MWS offers considerable product to market advantages including shorter development cycles, virtual prototyping before physical trials and optimization instead of experimentation. This facilitates the design of new products of excellent quality, at minimum cost and to extremely tight deadlines.

CST of America Inc.®
Wellesley Hills, MA (781) 416-2782, www.cst.com

RS No. 311

Electronics Thermal Analysis Software

Version 7 of its Flotherm electronics thermal analysis software features a new Response Surface Optimization capability that Flomerics believes is unrivalled in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis software. Earlier versions of Flotherm included a sequential optimization capability allowing users to specify combinations of design parameters and iterate sequentially towards the best design. The new Response Surface Optimization goes further by fitting a 3D surface to the entire design space, enabling engineers to visualize the complete interaction of the design parameters with the design goal as well as identifying the optimum to a greater degree of accuracy.

Flomerics Inc.
Marlborough, MA (508) 357-2012, www.flomerics.com

RS No. 312

Parametric Product Search Tool

The parametric product search tool is designed for the RF engineer to specify important product parameters and view the company’s products that match a specific requirement in a specification-compliance format. Unlike conventional search engines that eliminate products that narrowly fall outside of specification, the parametric product search tool can show these products allowing the engineer to make intelligent design trade-off decisions to “fine tune” the requirement to specific needs. View this and other product software support tools including Product Cross Reference, PLL Phase Noise and Mixer Spur Chart Calculators on the company’s site.

Hittite Microwave Corp.
Chelmsford, MA (978) 250-3343, www.hittite.com

RS No. 313

Filter Synthesis and Selection Tool

Filter Wizard^SM has been enhanced to incorporate tubular filters in bandpass and low pass search results and to improve the low pass and high pass search interface. The web-based selection tool’s bandpass search results now include tubular filters, chip and wire filters, ceramic filters, cavity filters (combline and interdigital), high-Q ceramic puck filters, and waveguide filters, as well as KeL-fil, KeL-com, Mini-Max and Mini-Pack options. Filter Wizard accelerates user progress from specs to RFQ for RF and microwave filters spanning an ever-increasing range of response types, bandwidths and unloaded Q values from 500 kHz to 50 GHz.

K&L Microwave Inc.
Salisbury, MD (410) 749-2424, www.klfilterwizard.com

RS No. 314

High Frequency EM Simulation Software

The newly released Sonnet® Suites Release 11 offers perfectly calibrated internal ports that can be used for highly accurate attachment points for active or passive components. These Co-calibrated™ Ports enable full co-simulation within the EM analysis environment. Release 11 also includes a totally redesigned Agilent ADS Interface with a new GUI interface and a new 64-bit EM analysis engine.

Sonnet Software
North Syracuse, NY (315) 453-3096, www.sonnetsoftware.com

RS No. 315

CASCADE Software Suite for Design Optimization

CASCADE is a free program whereby engineers can quickly predict a system response by either selecting standard components (Drag and Drop) or typing in their unique values. The software then calculates the chain’s performance in both numerical and graphical results, as well as graphs showing each individual component’s contribution to gain, noise, output power and intercepts (individually and cumulatively). Engineers can efficiently visualize a block diagram concept and optimize their design by viewing individual component contribution to overall system performance and quickly evaluate trade-offs in component selection and their impact on system performance. CASCADE is available as a CD or as a download at www.spectrummicrowave.com/cascade.

Spectrum Microwave
Palm Bay, FL (888) 553-7531, www.spectrummicrowave.com

RS No. 316

Isopro 2.7 Software Program

This major software release improves the drive control of the Quick Circuit milling machine directly from Isopro. One of the many new features of the software is the new TraceCam™ product. It provides the individual viewing access directly from a user’s computer. The TraceCam feature greatly enhances the isolation/milling process by displaying an image in real time. These features, with the theoretical mill path viewing, allow an excellent opportunity to compare the quality of a circuit board as it is being cut. Another new feature of the IsoPro 2.7 software is the addition of Iso₂NC,™ which produces an NC Code file format. Iso₂NC allows a customer to use its software in conjunction with CNC machining center. This will allow the customer to manufacture a circuit board on a system other than a Quick Circuit.