In an important announcement made recently, AWR Corporation revealed that Microwave Office high-frequency design software now includes full support for S-functions, the nonlinear behavioral models developed by Belgium’s NMDG NV. The innovation leader in high-frequency electronic design automation, AWR exhibited S-functions within the Microwave Office design environment at the European Microwave Week Conference that was held in Paris, France, from September 28 - 30. The event showcased various workshops and short courses along with European Microwave Exhibition which constitutes the largest trade show on RF and microwaves in Europe.
The announcement has now confirmed that Microwave Office software is compatible with multiple, emerging, nonlinear behavioral models like Agilent’s (News - Alert) X-parameters and Mesuro's Cardiff model.
S-functions work as natural extension of S-parameters, which are used to create and characterize all microwave components, circuits, and systems. They extend these functions to nonlinear devices such as transistors, amplifiers, prescalers, and mixers that should be characterized under large-signal conditions to be accurately characterized under various signal and matching conditions. Usable with vector network analyzers (VNAs) and oscilloscopes, S-functions measure and directly stimulate the RF systems under large scale conditions. Instead of limited Data sheets, S-functions provide more complete system-level models for RF components. Moreover, these also reduce the need for evaluation boards to prove proper operation of components. S-functions can also be used to pace up the design and increase larger circuits’ accuracy, when imported into AWR’s Microwave Office software.
In addition to in-booth demonstrations of S-functions and other nonlinear models in Microwave Office software, AWR, NMDG, Focus Microwaves and Rohde & Schwarz (News - Alert) also hosted a free workshop Wednesday afternoon. The workshop was based on S-functions and their role in nonlinear modeling, fast nonlinear device characterization of power amplifier designs using VNAs, device measurements in a non-50-ohm environment using multiple harmonics, as well as the use of “extended VNAs” to provide real-time access to dynamic IV at multiple harmonics.
Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Juliana Kenny