Design Software
Agilent recently announced tools for circuit-level modeling through system verification for general RF/uW, 4G Comms and aero/defense applications including SystemVue 2010.01 and Genesys 2010.05. These software platforms add X-parameter support and move X-parameters beyond RF into system-level design. The nonlinear model support provides convenient and reliable design flow closure between wireless circuit designers, RF system architects, and non-analog colleagues doing communications PHY algorithms and baseband signal processing. Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) application software option for the Agilent E5071C ENA network analyzer: This one-box solution is ideal for high-speed serial interconnect analysis and can be used by signal integrity engineers who require efficient design and verification in R&D, quality assurance and manufacturing.
Agilent Technologies Inc.,
Santa Clara, CA
(800) 829-4444,
www.agilent.com.
RS No. 216
Advanced Measurement and Modeling Software
Maury Microwave Corp. and AMCAD Engineering have signed an exclusive development and distribution agreement with regards to AMCAD's advanced measurement suite, IVCAD, and its PIV/PLP family of pulsed IV systems. Development of IVCAD, which is currently available for sale, will continue over the upcoming year as a complement to Maury's long-standing ATS device characterization software. IVCAD will support multiple load pull techniques including traditional load pull using external instrumentation, VNA-based load pull, active load pull and hybrid load pull. It will perform noise parameter measurements, DC-IV and pulsed-IV measurements as well as incorporate device modeling tools. Its modern visualization capabilities give users a greater ability to view, plot and graph measurement data in an intuitive manner.
AMCAD Engineering/Maury Microwave Corp.,
Ontario, CA
(909) 987-4715,
www.maurymw.com.
RS No. 217
High Frequency EDA
AWR recently announced new features coming in the 2010 release of Microwave Office®, AXIEM™, Visual System Simulator™ and Analog Office® design suites. New technologies such as iFilter™ lumped and distributed filter synthesis software, antenna analysis and visualization in AXIEM 3D planar EM software, and support for nonlinear behavioral models from many of the test equipment manufacturers were on display at IMS 2010. New feature highlights in Microwave Office include: nonlinear behavioral modeling support for Agilent's X-parameters® and Mesuro's Cardiff model; multi-rate harmonic balance technology (MRHB™) improvements for even faster simulation times; and constant compression/constant output power simulation for computing compression from linear gain region or max gain region. New features for AXIEM antenna analysis include: antenna patterns for linear, circular and elliptical polarizations, etc.; numerous antenna measurements including gain; and current visualization/animation. VSS features include: time delay neural network advanced amplifier behavioral models for capturing memory effects; turbo decoders supporting 3G/4G standards and custom turbo codes; and additional RF models and enhancements to RF architecture design.
AWR Corp.,
El Segundo, CA
(310) 726-3000,
www.awrcorp.com.
RS No. 218
Asymptotic Solver
Engineers simulating electrically large structures, either for radar cross-section analysis or for antenna placement studies, benefitted from the introduction of an asymptotic solver in CST MICROWAVE STUDIO version 2010. This solver is based on the shooting bouncing ray method. With the latest CST STUDIO SUITE 2010 service pack, significant functional enhancements have been made available to CST customers. The asymptotic solver can now use far-fields as excitation sources. These far-fields can be computed by other CST MWS solvers including the transient and frequency domain solvers. This makes the calculation of an installed antenna's far-field possible, even for an electrically large structure such as a ship. Importing more than one far-field enables the computation of the coupling between several antennas, or of the total far-field including all antennas.
CST,
Darmstadt, Germany
+49 6151 7303-0,
www.cst.com.
RS No. 219
High-speed Simulation Software
Version 5.40 of the EMPIRE XCcel™ software enables one simulation job to be distributed on multiple networked PCs, thus speeding up simulation processes. The almost infinite extension of memory-space, based on the available PC network resources, means that a greater range of complexities can be addressed, i.e. by higher resolutions and/or larger dimensions. Other features include: complete automation of distribution of files and data throughout the simulation, easy configuration capability for multiple hosts, transparent job-management by visualization of configuration and processes, and the performance and simulation-speed scaled linearly with the number of PCs.
IMST GmbH,
Kamp-Lintfort, Germany
+49 2842 981 245,
www.empire.de.
RS No. 220
Software Tool Features 3D
Version 8.0 of WASP-NET® features a new 3D structure editor, which is a convenient 3D data file import option, and two new fast 3D solvers: A finite-element/boundary integral (FE-BI) solver for arbitrary 3D waveguide, antenna and microstrip structures, and an integral equation solver for large-scale, open scattering and radiating structures. These new features combine with the CAD tool's typical high computational speeds for direct, fast EM-based optimizations that are capable of solving challenging waveguide, coaxial, microstrip and antenna design problems. The new features will support microwave design engineers with practically unlimited CAD flexibility, combined with high EM CAD optimization performance.
Microwave Innovation Group (MiG),
Bremen, Germany
+49 421 22 37 96 60,
www.mig-germany.com.
RS No. 221
3D EM Simulation Software
Remcom announced Fdtd, its 3D EM simulation software. XACT Accurate Cell Technology: Accurately resolve even the most intricate designs with fewer computational resources. Benefits include faster run times and the power to simulate complex geometries. XTend Script Library: Use the pre-loaded scripts in XF7 to automate your modeling and design, customize them or request additional scripts at no cost. Multiphysics Toolset: Use XFdtd and Wireless InSite together to achieve a more complete, real-world antenna analysis.
Remcom,
State College, PA
(814) 861-1299,
www.remcom.com.
RS No. 222
High Frequency EM Software
Sonnet had a preview of the Sonnet Suites Release 13, a major new release planned for later this year on display at IMS 2010. Sonnet Suites Release 13 will provide designers with new model extraction techniques and enhanced modeling capabilities.
Sonnet Software,
North Syracuse, NY
(315) 453-3096,
www.sonnetsoftware.com.
RS No. 223
Electronic Design Automation
Synopsys' latest technology enhancements to Galaxy Custom Designer and HSPICE include a demo that highlights phase noise and jitter analysis of VCOs and PLLs, RFIC simulation using the advanced Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton algorithms, Signal Integrity analysis with the most accurate nonlinear buffer models available, combined with powerful StatEye, S-parameter and transmission line analysis capabilities.
Synopsys Inc.,
Mountain View, CA
(650) 584-5000,
www.synopsys.com.
RS No. 224
Components
BMA and SMP Connectors
Ranges of both BMA and SMP connectors have been introduced that offer precise mating and excellent VSWR performance. Operating up to 22 GHz, the BMA connectors are designed based on MIL standards and are suitable for communication base station equipment, rack-and-panel applications with appropriate float-mounted jacks, and building block systems such as radar. SMP connectors operate up to 40 GHz and have excellent vibration and shock performance. Their design is also based on MIL standards, making them suitable for applications such as aerospace, military, broadband, instrumentation and telecoms.
GigaLane Co. Ltd.,
Gyeonggi-do, Korea
+82-31-233-7325,
www.gigalane.com.
RS No. 226
Wideband Microwave Amplifier
The Mini-Circuits AVA-24+ is a surface-mount, microwave amplifier and fully integrated gain block up to 20 GHz. It is packaged in Mini-Circuits' industry standard 3×3 mm MCLP (QFN) package, which provides excellent RF and thermal performance. The AVA-24+ integrates the entire matching network with the majority of the bias circuit inside the package, reducing the need for complicated external circuits. This approach makes the AVA-24+ extremely flexible and enables simple, straightforward use.
Mini-Circuits,
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 934-4500,
www.minicircuits.com.
RS No. 250
SP4T MMIC Switch
This ceramic SMT packaged GaAs PHEMT SP4T MMIC switch is ideal for industrial sensors, test and measurement, microwave radio, military EW and space applications from DC to 20 GHz. The HMC641LC4 is a GaAs PHEMT MMIC SP4T switch that is rated for operation from DC to 20 GHz. This wideband, non-reflective switch exhibits 2.1 dB insertion loss and 42 dB isolation at midband, and features an on-chip binary decoder that requires only two control lines. High P1dB and input IP3 performance of +23 and +39 dBm, respectively, make the HMC641LC4 ideal for applications requiring wide bandwidth and moderate to high linearity.
Hittite Microwave Corp.,
Chelmsford, MA
(978) 250-3343,
www.hittite.com.
RS No. 239
System
Thermal Platform Systems
The Next Generation Total-Temp Thermal Platforms are specifically designed to deliver fast, efficient and precisely controlled temperature conditioning to a device under test. Utilizing COTS technology to provide the successful integration of an embedded copper tube cooling channel with a high density arrangement of long life durable AC cartridge heaters, TotalTemp provides a comprehensive system able to deliver hot and cold temperature cycling and conditioning on demand with temperature ranges from -100° to +200°C.
TotalTemp Technologies Inc.,
San Diego, CA
(888) 712-2228,
www.totaltemptech.com.
RS No. 249