News

23 September 2010

 

Agilent unveiling ADS 2011 EDA software for multi-technology design

Agilent Technologies Inc of Santa Clara, CA, USA has begun unveiling the next release of Advanced Design System (ADS), the flagship electronic design automation software for RF, microwave and signal integrity applications from Agilent EEsof EDA (which supplies EDA software for microwave, RF, high-frequency, high-speed digital, RF system, electronic system-level, circuit, 3D electromagnetic, physical design and device-modeling applications).

ADS has pioneered technologies such as X-parameters and 3D EM simulators, used by companies in the wireless communication and networking and aerospace/defense industries. For WiMAX, LTE, multi-gigabit per second data links, radar and satellite applications, ADS provides full standards-based design and verification with wireless libraries and circuit-system-EM co-simulation in an integrated platform.

Agilent says that ADS 2011 now delivers what are claimed to be breakthrough capabilities for multi-technology design inherent in existing RF system-in-package (SiP) components.

Existing customers and partners, including foundries and component vendors, are invited to join the ADS 2011 Early Access Program beginning next month. They can also discuss ADS 2011 with experts from Agilent EEsof either at next week’s European Microwave Week (EuMW 2010) at CNIT La Dèfense, Paris, France (26 September–1 October) or at the IEEE Compound Semiconductor IC Symposium (CSICS 2010) in Monterey, CA, USA (5–6 October).

“A few years back, we began sharing our RF module and multi-technology design challenges with Agilent,” says Hongxiao Shao, design automation manager at Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA, which manufactures linear products, power amplifiers, front-end modules and radio solutions for handset and infrastructure equipment. “Since that time, we've worked closely to shape a solution,” he adds.

“With ADS 2011, we’re addressing the most challenging design complexity and integration needs of leading-edge commercial wireless and aerospace/defense companies,” says Mark Pierpoint, VP & general manager at Agilent. “Customers will find that this release, almost two years in the making, enables them to design multi-technology RF system-in-package modules and perform complex EM simulations — all with greater ease and greater speed,” he adds.

New capabilities in ADS 2011 include:

• true multi-technology RF design, which enables co-design with multiple technologies (board, laminate, package, module, and IC);

• a use-model that makes EM simulation (via Momentum and FEM) easy for engineers;

• EM technologies for improved speed, accuracy and convergence;

• load-pull capabilities for faster, better matching-circuit design from measured data;

• layout improvements that make physical design in ADS easier; and

• dozens of additional capabilities and improvements for all ADS users.

Agilent will debut ADS 2011 on the Web and at live events around the world (e.g. Agilent EEsof EDA users-group meetings, design forums and seminars) in November and December. ADS 2011 is expected to ship in early 2011.

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