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  • PathWave RF Synthesis 2022 EA affordably expands RF circuit and system design efficiency

Figure 1. PathWave RF Synthesis 2022 affordably expands RF circuit and system design efficiency.

PathWave RF Synthesis 2022 continues to offer the industry’s most complete RF circuit and system synthesis capabilities in an affordable, accurate and easy-to-use simulation software that you’ve come to love. This release delivers new and enhanced capabilities to improve productivity and usability for RF and Microwave circuit and system designers.

New Python Scripting Capability

The popular and versatile Python scripting language is now available in Script objects and requires a version of Python 3.8 to be installed separately for it to work. External Python scripts can now access datasets from PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys) workspaces using the svepythonapi module.

Notes:

  • The Python library matplotlib is not supported by Python script objects in PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys).
  • The script processor was obsoleted. The syntax language for a script can be selected from the right-click menu of the script object. Text output from a script is directed to the Output Window instead of the Script Processor.

New EM_Link - Layout effects in Spectrasys

This feature brings the ability for RF system designers to incorporate layout effects due to board parasitics into their system-level simulations. This can be done both during prototyping and later for verification of the final design, as long as a layout is available. It is recommended to use PathWave RFPro and PathWave EM Design (EMPro) for this workflow, but can also work with third-party EM simulators.

Two new examples added to demonstrate this new feature are:

  • Layout Modeling 28GHz TX.wsv
  • Layout Modeling Two Stage Cascade.wsv

New Spectrasys AM-AM and AM-PM Amplifier Modelling

AM to AM modeling is now supported in Spectrasys for the following models:

  • RFAMP
  • RFAMP_HO
  • RFAMP_IP2
  • NonLin
  • NonLin_HO
  • VarAmp

The method of data entry can use data from Keysight Vector Network Analyzers directly without reformatting the data.

S-Parameter based nonlinear models such as SDATA_NL, SDATA_NL_HO, SDATA_NLI do not support the AM to AM feature.

There is a NonLinearModelingMode parameter used to enable the AM to AM capability. 

  • The default nonlinear parameter mode supports user-entered non linear parameters like P1dB, PSat, etc
  • When the Compression Curve option is selected the following AM to AM parameters are enabled:
    • AM_AM_PinPwr - This is the corresponding vector of input power into the device in dBm.
    • AM_AM_Data - This is the AM to AM data vector.
    • AM_PM_Data - This is the AM to PM data vector. 
    • AM_AM_OverrideOddIPn - By default, the third-order intercept is being extracted from the data using equations derived by our Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) engineers. 

Added a new example for this feature:

  • AM to AM PM VNA XParams.wsv
 

Spectrasys Frequency Multipliers

Frequency multipliers were enhanced to support rich spurious response simulation even when spurious responses are very close in power level to the main signal being multiplied. See the Frequency Multiplier model for additional information.

A new parameter called MixOrderMax was added to the frequency multiplier model to allow users the maximum mixing order of the spurious responses they want to simulate.

Spectrasys Frequency Dividers

Enhanced accuracy regarding the SSB decomposition into its AM and PM components for Frequency Dividers were addressed.

System Simulation/Models

Added new parameter to RFAMP model to specify the order of IM products and harmonics to be generated. This can be used to overwrite the System Analysis order setting on select parts as desired.

Nonlinear MaxOrder Parameter

The following nonlinear models now support a MaxOrder parameter that will limit the maximum intermod and harmonic order created by the model. As a default, the model will use whatever order listed in the System Analysis. The maximum simulation order for a model can never exceed the Maximum Order specified on the System Analysis. For example, if you want to simulate 5th order intermods and harmonics you cannot do so just by changing the order of the single model. Rather you can change the Maximum Order on the System Analysis to 5 or greater. In the model, as a default, it will use the System Analysis maximum order. The model MaxOrder will restrict the order even more if desired. Here is a list of supported models:

  • RFAmp
  • RFAmpHO
  • NonLin
  • NonLinHO
  • RFAmp_IP2
  • SData_NL
  • SData_NL_HO
  • SData_NLI
  • VarAmp
  • ATTN_NonLinear
  • Switch_NonLinear
  • SDSwitch1
  • SDSwitch2
  • SDSwitch3
  • SDSwitch4
  • SDSwitch6
  • SDSwitch8

Vendor Parts Library

The latest library from Modelithics includes updated active and passive models with scalable frequency, substrate, and bond pad parasitics for multiple vendors. The Modelithics library is the required companion for Vendor Parts Synthesis (VPS) capability to automatically select discrete, purchasable RLC vendor parts to replace ideal schematic parts.

Sys-Parameters Library

The latest library from X-Microwave contains popular linear and nonlinear system parts accurately characterized by Keysight Sys-Parameters, which are frequency, temperature, and bias dependent nonlinear behavioral parameters such as: Gain, P1dB, IP2, and IP3. The X-Microwave library also enables fast and accurate prototyping of RF Systems using X-blocks characterized by Sys-Parameters at the connection reference planes without the uncertainty of cable interconnects.

Most Popular PathWave RF Synthesis Products

  • W5309B PathWave RF Synthesis Core + Synthesis + Circuit + System + Modulated-RF + EM – Most powerful and best value bundle for RF circuit-system synthesis and design
  • W3060E PathWave Synthesis, SpectraSys and Modulated-RF - PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS) add-on with synthesis and RF Architect
  • W5301B PathWave RF Synthesis Core + Synthesis - Most capable RF circuit synthesis package on the market at any price

Component Parameter Synchronization

  • Parameter synchronization such as temperature, bias, line widths, etc. across multiple schematic components eliminates tedious selection, checking and setting of parameters for each component one at a time
  • User defined values or equation variables used to set component parameters can be saved and synced as a group to setup multiple corner analyses
  • Accessible through Schematic/Sync Selected Part Parameters... drop-down menu pick

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