ADS 2026 Update 2.0 Product Release

Circuit Simulation Enhancements

• New MOSFET models- 
  • Level 15 (or 61) RPI Amorphous Si TFT 
  • Level 16 (or 62) RPI Si TFT
• GPU support for 50+ Si transistor models in DC and Transient simulation for Nexus RF Circuit simulator
• Gain compression XDB simulation enhancement for multiple backoff points
• Envelope FCE level 7 enhancement for highly nonlinear memory behavior
• Envelope convergence enhancement for multi-port S-parameters (SnP), user compiled model (UCM), and distributed components
• Support for Photonic models
• Legacy Ptolemy spectrum_analyzer() function port to AEL for baseband analysis
• Bug fixes to data file readers and writers
• Better transistor result consistency between simulators
• Convergence and accuracy enhancements to DC, AC, SP, Tran, HB, Env, Optimization, WSProbe stability and VTB

Design and Technology Management

• Python documentation improvement
  • Better organization into logical groupings to help Python workflow automation implementation
  • Know what application features are possible with Python
  • Python macro recording to show how user applications can be implemented into equivalent Python code for workflow automation

Design Import/Export

• Eleven new AEL calls for improved control over non-interactive Gerber/drill imports
• Warning message printed to import log instead of Message List docking window for improved troubleshooting  when trying to read a drill file during drill file import

·       Data Display

• Python API enhancements for equations, functions, variables, datasets, trace history, colors, legends, and views.
• ADS Python Utilities VSCode Extension addon by default
• Plot traces and attributes search
• Enhanced entry of Python expressions with more details for variables
• History traces with color family gradated sequence

High Speed Digital (HSD)

• Digital standards driven HSD workflow

DDR/Memory 

• Memory Simulation Studio W3079E Element with easy wizard driven memory analysis
• Python API automation
• C-comp model IBIS spec support
• BER contour-based optimization

SerDes/Chiplet

• UCIe 3.0 QDR clock measurement in Chiplet PHY Designer
• UCIe 3.0 QDR times input in Chiplet AMI model builder
• Photonic Designer EOE analysis
• Spec-based CTLE, floating tap FFE, PAM6 in Ethernet AMI model builder
• MIPI C-PHY advanced TX EQ and 2nd Eye measurement
• Infinium probe model improves lab-vs-simulation correlation workflow

Chiplet 3D Interconnect Designer

• Pre-layout driven 3D interconnect design workflow solution. For more information, see 3D Interconnect Designer Simulation.
• Bunch of Wires bump map template support with automatic logical pin-to-pin connection between 2 bump maps
• Auto GND signal routing in breakout section
• Visualization of hatched gnd vs. line or via position to avoid errors
• HTML report generation of simulation and design parameters
• Python API support for automation

Quantum Electronics

• New Quantum design flow examples – 3D Qubit  modeling using PEC background feature, and Finding SQUID Extrema analyzes multi-stable quantum circuits
• Generate Results Summary PDF after simulation with key plots for Full EM and Energy Participation analysis to streamline documentation for collaboration in quantum design workflows.
• Compute and visualize Qubit-Qubit Coupling (J) and Rabi frequency (g) within extracted parameters from full EM analysis
• Participation ratios (EPR) output display from energy participation analysis
• Extract frequency values at each adaptive pass of eigenmode calculation. Accessible via Python scripting, to programmatically retrieve and analyze the convergence behavior of frequencies throughout the simulation process.
• Prescribe arbitrarily shaped background materials as Perfect Electric Conductor (PEC for accurate modeling FEM of 3D Qubits and integration of packaging environments around qubit circuits.
• Import 3D CAD files to model 3D qubits packaging
• New artwork for additional capacitive pads enables layout of advanced qubit types
• Hamiltonian analysis enhanced with ZeroPiZeta and Cos2Phi qubits for broader modeling and more advanced quantum circuit simulations.

EDA GenAI Capabilities

• New Generative AI capabilities such as EDA Chat and EDA Copilots are made available for Edge Deployment as add-ons
• EDA Chat can be accessed from ADS Main window, click Help > Chat. If the EDA Chat add-on is not enabled, you will be redirected to the EDA AI Download page
• More engaging and interactive experience with streaming EDA chat response
• Chat response is product version specific for accurate response
• Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) compliant

Keysight EDA Help AI Chatbot.

Licensing

• FlexNet Licensing Module: Version v11.19.8.5
• Keysight EDA Licensing Software: Version 2026.02
• License Codeword Version: 2026.02 or higher
• Refer to the codeword compatibility table here:
• MAC Address Requirements: Licenses must now be tied to the physical MAC address of the PC, Licenses can no longer be bound to aliased, virtual, or removable Ethernet devices, such as USB network adapters or docking stations.

If your current license configuration is impacted by these changes, we encourage you to contact Keysight EDA Business Support or get in touch with your local Keysight EDA Field Representative. They will assist you in initiating a License Transfer Agreement to transition your license to one tied to a physical MAC address.