E8853A RF System Simulator

View Full-Sized Image (41 KB)

E8853A RF System Simulator provides the ability to model a complete RF system with accurate block level models that can later be replaced with device level models for further, more detailed verification. RF System Simulator consists of four simulation technologies: Linear Simulator (customized for RF System design) Harmonic Balance Simulator (customized for RF System design) Circuit Envelope Simulator (used when digitally modulated spectra are needed) RF Budget Analysis Click on the following links for complete information. Product Information Ordering and Configuration Product Literature What's New Publications User Support

Product Highlights

• Shur Complement Preconditioner and Enhanced Krylov Solver (see Product Description)
  
• High accuracy linear and nonlinear simulations of complete RF systems
  
• Simulation of behavioral models and device level models for improved system verification
  
• Built in measurements for forward and reverse power gain, intercept point, noise, dynamic range, etc. accommodate a wide range of design requirements
  
• Extensive model set of amplifiers, mixers, modulators, demodulators, phase lock loop components, switches, and new Automated RF Behavioral Model Generation technology provide design flexibility while increasing simulation speed and capacity
  
• Contains a unique RF system budget analysis feature that allows users to examine more than forty system measurements (TOI, 1dBc, power, gain, noise figure, etc.), at the system or device level, for each component in the system
  
• Computes complete spectra including harmonics, and inter-modulation and mixer spurious noise producing highly accurate results
  
• Advanced statistical design capability aids in optimizing performance and production yield
  
  • Automatic normalization of sensitivity analysis output
    
  • Optional run of final analysis after optimization run completion
    
  • More information: Statistical Design (E8824)
    

• RF System Models (E8854)- Behavioral Model Extraction for fast and accurate system level simulation based on models extracted from actual circuits
  
• Platform Computing Load Sharing Facility (LSF) supports the following options:
  
  • Find the fastest available server and run.
    
  • Run simultaneous simulations.
    
  • Distributed Processing. Most efficient for sweeps that don't require the solution of the previous run.
    

• Variable Equations (VAREQN) variables may now be referenced in Measurement Equations (MEASEQN) and Optimization/Yield/DOE controllers
  
• Measurement equations can access the contents of any existing dataset. This can be very useful in optimization and yield analysis, where goals/specs can make direct reference to existing data. This data may be generated from a previous simulation or from an external source, such as another simulator or an instrument.
  

Product Description

View Full-Sized Image (29 KB)

Engineers who develop complete systems composed of high-frequency components will find this simulator very valuable. High-frequency circuit design is extremely challenging due to the wavelike nature of the signal. Interactions between the various parts of the system make it difficult to achieve desired cost and performance objectives. The technology incorporated in this simulator helps address these problems.

E8853A RF System Simulator provides the ability to model an RF system with accurate block level models that can be replaced later with device level models for further verification.

The RF System Simulator is comprised of four simulation technologies: linear, Harmonic Balance, Circuit Envelope, and RF Budget Analysis.

The linear simulator is identical to the E8881 Linear Simulator but is restricted to passive components and/or linearized system models of amplifiers and mixers. The nonlinear simulator adds the ability to analyze nonlinear system models as well as passive circuitry. This capability is identical to that provided by the E8882 Harmonic Balance Simulator, except that semi-conductor models are not available without the addition of the E8882A. When digitally modulated spectra are needed, the Circuit Envelope simulator is an extremely effective tool.

[Note that the RF System Simulator will not analyze simulations containing semiconductor models unless a license for the semiconductor models, as well as the appropriate circuit simulator license, are available].

A set of measurements tailored for RF system designers is also provided. These include:

• Forward and reverse gain
  
• Forward power and reflected power
  
• Intercept point, intermodulation levels, and gain compression
  
• Noise power, noise figure, and noise equivalent bandwidth
  
• Power spectrum I & Q envelopes
  
• Mixer spurious free dynamic range, SNR, SINAD, and others
  
• S-parameter
  

Most of these measurements can be applied to each individual node in the system as part of the overall budget simulation. Because full bi-directional nonlinear simulations using general topology are performed, the highest possible accuracy can be achieved including the effects of higher order harmonics, and inter-modulation distortions.

In addition, Agilent EEsof EDA's Harmonic Balance and Circuit Envelope technologies reduce simulation time and memory usage even when performing system simulation with a large number of tones.

[Note: Customers who have access to the circuit simulators (Linear, Harmonic Balance, and Circuit Envelope) along with the RF Model set (E8854A) do not need the RF System Simulator and can perform all of the RF System simulator features without loosing any functionality].

Convergence

Recent improvements in the DC solution include two new algorithms that allow large circuits with singular matrices to converge. Problems with circuits of singular matrices can be either topological or numerical (large diversity in the circuit element values). For topological problems, a new algorithm detects these conditions and adds the appropriate circuit approximation for a subset of the problem topologies. For numerical problems, a new algorithm detects and fixes any numerical problems that could lead to formulating a singular matrix.

Shur Complement Preconditioner and Enhanced Krylov Solver

In large circuits with many nodes and harmonics, the Harmonic Balance problem size increases dramatically. In these situations the the Krylov sub-space solver becomes very useful and efficient. However, if the large circuits happen to be highly nonlinear, even Krylov sub-space solver encounters difficulty in converging on a final solution. A robust preconditioner is needed in order to simplify and approximate the associated Jacobian matrix and to allow Krylov sub-space solver to run smoothly and rapidly attain the final solution.

The new Schur Complement Preconditioner (SCP) represents the state-of-the-art preconditioning technology and achieves robust convergence on even very large nonlinear circuit designs. SCP handles switching mixers, frequency dividers and power amplifiers running well into compression, that traditional preconditioners cannot. The new SCP enables the simulation of larger and more complex designs and is expected to shorten the RFIC design process by several weeks.

Recent improvements to the algorithm, combined with the newly added specialized internal Krylov solver, make the SCP even faster and more memory efficient.

Optimization and Statistical analysis

All ADS circuit and system simulators can work in conjunction with ten different optimizers, helping you extract the best possible performance from your designs. Programmable optimization, swept optimization, and many other advanced statistical capabilities are significant new additions to ADS. Statistical methods include Monte Carlo Yield, sensitivity, mismatch, and correlation analysis with any kind of distribution. More Information: Statistical Design (E8824)

Recent Product Enhancements

Product enhancements in recent releases include the following:

• New Hybrid (Random / Gradient) Optimizer that is capable of more quickly finding the global minimum.
  
• Optimization Goal Normalization improvement on two or more goals. As a result, the final optimized results are more optimum and accurate.
  
• A new Statistical Design Histogram Function with one automatically built-in equation that provides measurement histograms or Sensitivity Histograms after any statistical Monte Carlo run.
  
• New Harmonic Balance User’s Guide. This document explaining Harmonic Balance simulation should help both new and seasoned users get the most out of HB capabilities and improve convergence results.
  
• New Automatic Verification Modeling Capability in circuit envelope simulator enables fast Co-Simulation
  

RF System Simulators are derived from the following full featured ADS Simulators

• Linear Simulator (E8881)
  
• Harmonic Balance Simulator (E8882)
  
• Circuit Envelope Simulator (E8883)
  

Models

• E8854A RF System Models
  

How To Buy

To request immediate sales assistance - for help choosing the best system; for product configuration and integration details; to request telephone assistance or an on-site demo of the software; or to request a price quotation - click on the following link:

• Agilent EEsof EDA Sales Assistance

Configuration Details

Requires the Design Environment module (E8900) and Data Display (E8901).

Related Products

• E8854A RF System Models
  

Product Literature

• Advanced Design System (PDF, 4.0 MB).
  12-page color brochure. 4 March 2005.
  

RF System Budget Analysis provides an RF system analysis solution in the ADS Analog/RF Environment.

RF System Engineers can now analyze system chain measurements including IP3, P1-dB Compression, and similar values, early in the development cycle. For details, click on the following link:

• RF System Budget Analysis
  

Technical Articles

• Anitha Swaminathan, Agilent Technologies, Efficient RF System Design Using Budget Analysis, Wireless Design & Development, November 2004. (PDF, 138 KB). Current issue: Wireless Design & Development.
  
• Anitha Swaminathan, Agilent Technologies, CDMA2000 RF System Design: Spreadsheet or RF System Design Software? Understanding the Tradeoffs. (PDF, 249 KB). 7-page technical paper. March 2004.
  

Training Classes

Advanced Design System Fundamentals

This is a medium-paced three-day detailed introduction to the application of Advanced Design System (ADS) for communication systems and circuit designs.

This course instructs designers on schematic capture, the proper application of a wide variety of simulators, and the display and manipulation of results.

After a brief study of ADS basic operation, students design and test amplifier and filter circuits that are then placed in a down-converting receiver system for final simulation. Real-world examples are used at all times so that designers can return to their jobs ready to apply ADS effectively to their design challenges.

For detailed course descriptions and class schedules worldwide, click on the following link:

• Agilent EEsof EDA Customer Education

top of page     printer-friendly version     email this page