What's New in RF/Microwave Design?

Pathwave Advanced Design System (ADS) 2024 is engineered to enable multi-technology (RFIC, MMIC, antennas, packaging, PCBs, etc.) assembly and 3DEM-circuit-electro-thermal co-simulation for RF module design. New Python scripting automates and integrates ADS in multi-tool enterprise design flows.

PathWave Design 2024 for RF/Microwave Circuit and Module Design

• Development of Keysight EDA solutions is driven by the fast-emerging trend of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) that requires massive amount of user generated data to be processed by powerful cloud-based compute farms to provide AI enabled service back to the user. 
• Sending that massive amount of data via 5G or 6G wireless links requires operating frequencies to go up to mmWave and sub-THz 250 GHz. 
• Design of circuits and modules for handling high data throughput at these frequencies involves the tight integration of multiple technologies, e.g., Si, III-V, packaging, antennas and PCB.
• This high data throughput presents a discontinuity to RF/Microwave design workflows that necessitate heterogeneous integration of multiple tools to design these multi-technology products.

Daren McClearnon explains how four key enhancements to Keysight’s ADS 2024 software help drive denser, higher-performance MMIC and mmW Module designs for 5G and 6G.

Learn more about the PathWave ADS 2024 Product Release.

Daren McClearnon outlines the next generation of EDA challenges for 6G, as well as Keysight’s current approach for 5G FR2 and mmW Module design.

Learn more about Enhancing Sub-Terahertz RF EDA Workflows for 6G Challenges.

Keysight ADS 2024 enables open millimeter wave design workflows through improvements to Smart Mount, PDKs and interoperability, and Layout Verification. New APIs enable targeted custom integrations and connect your product lifecycle from Concept to Physical Design to Validation and Test.

Multi-Technology Workflows for Heterogeneous Integration

• Smart Mount and 3D Multi-Technology Physical Assembly Management
• Module level physical verification LVS, LVL, DRC, ERC
• Integrated Circuit, Electromagnetic, Electro-Thermal, System and Statistical analysis
• Partnership with Ansys HFSS, Cadence, Synopsys and Siemens

Keysight ADS 2024 enables robust, densely-packed mmW design for 5G, NTN, and emerging 6G applications through faster EM and Electro-thermal technology, accelerating  design insights and lowering risk in challenging mmW applications.

Faster, Higher Capacity 3DEM Simulation of Multi-Technology Integration

• RFPro Momentum 5x to 15x speedup while preserving accuracy
• Handles up to 600 ports and very large via arrays with no loading or runtime penalty
• Intelligent mesh optimization around selected net from a large structure for efficient analysis

Learn more about RFPro

Python scripting opens the powerful ADS RF/Microwave design platform for adding custom capabilities, automation and integration. This example shows the creation of a nonlinear simulation model for use in ADS by training an artificial neural network (ANN) using measured or simulated graphical data with Python automation. It allows ADS to use this AI/ML technique to dramatically increase simulation coverage with new models.

AI Driven Linear and Nonlinear Circuit Modeling from Measured or Simulated Data

• Use Python based Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling framework from Keysight proprietary DynaFET that is open for you to build your own nonlinear circuit simulation models
• Train and create AI behavioral nonlinear models for circuit simulation from published datasheet, measured or simulated data
• Ensure that you always have a valid simulation model

Learn more about Python Automation

Part 1: Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Model Extraction

Part 3: Using a Model for Advanced Emulation

Note: Download the workspaces used in the 3 ANN videos above.

Part 2: Adapting a Model to an RF Simulation

Connecting ADS to PNA-X Using Python