The Value Of RF Harmonic Balance Analyses For Analog Verification


By Pradeep Thiagarajan and Scott Guyton The world we live in is intricately connected by electronic systems that are expected to function flawlessly to satisfy consumer needs. Functionality violations beyond certain tolerance levels are frowned upon and negatively impact the quality level of products. These systems are required to function accurately, in tandem with other interdependent syst... » read more

RF To mmWave Design For Systems


RF-enabled next-generation communication systems and connected devices are differentiated by their performance, size, and cost. Traditionally, custom proprietary IC designs, leveraging the latest advanced-node technology, were developed to meet these product requirements. Increasingly these challenges are being met by moving beyond single IC solutions. Today’s electronic systems often integra... » read more

RF/Microwave EDA Software Design Flow Considerations For PA MMIC Design


In this white paper, a gallium arsenide (GaAs) pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) power amplifier (PA) design approach is examined from a systems perspective. It highlights the design flow and its essential features for most PA design projects by illustrating a simple Class A GaAs pHEMT monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) PA design using Cadence AWR Microwave Office circuit desi... » read more

What Causes Semiconductor Aging?


Semiconductor technology has evolved to the point where no one can assume chips will last forever. If not carefully considered, aging can shorten the life of an IC below the needs for an intended application. Aging is well studied in technology circles, but while others less directly involved may understand at a general level this is a problem, it's not always obvious why. So what exactly ar... » read more

Mixed Outlook For Silicon Wafers


Silicon wafers are a fundamental part of the semiconductor business. Every chipmaker needs to buy them in one size or another, such as 200mm, 300mm and others. Silicon wafer vendors produce and sell bare or raw silicon wafers to chipmakers, who in turn process them into chips. So what’s in store for the silicon wafer market? Sungho Yoon, senior research manager at SEMI, sat down with Se... » read more

Revving Up SiC And GaN


Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) are becoming more popular for power electronics, particularly in automotive applications, driving down costs as volumes scale up and increasing the demand for better tools to design, verify, and test these wide-bandgap devices. Both SiC and GaN are proving essential in areas such as battery management in electric vehicles. They can handle much ... » read more

The 5G Rollout: Solving Advanced RF Metrology Challenges


The global radio frequency (RF) semiconductor market size is growing rapidly at a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%, with an expected increase from $17.4 billion in 2020 to $26.2 billion in 2025, according to Research and Markets [1]. As many are aware, the rollout of 5G technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), which is enabled by 5G, are the main driving forces for this growth. Growth... » read more

Coping With Parallel Test Site-to-Site Variation


Testing multiple devices in parallel using the same ATE results in reduced test time and lower costs, but it requires engineering finesse to make it so. Minimizing test measurement variation for each device under test (DUT) is a multi-physics problem, and it's one that is becoming more essential to resolve at each new process node and in multi-chip packages. It requires synchronization of el... » read more

RF/Microwave Technology Driving The Connected Car


In-car networks and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), made possible through wireless sensors, driver-assist radar, vehicle communications, and related electronics, present many design challenges to engineers. Simulation software enables design teams to effectively manage the complex design and integration challenges associated with developing these high-speed and RF-enabled networks. T... » read more

3D Printing For More Circuits


After several years of experimentation, and growing success in volume manufacturing for some use cases, technologies for 3D printing of electronic circuits are becoming more common. Some innovations in processes and materials are moving these technologies closer to mainstream electronics manufacturing. Christopher Tuck, professor of material science at the University of Nottingham, observed ... » read more

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