Next generation RF circuit simulator for RFIC chip designers

     Keysight Technologies, Inc. introduces RFPro Circuit, a next-generation RF simulation tool designed to meet the complex, multi-physics needs of today's RF integrated circuit (RFIC) designers. Wireless, automotive, and satellite designers can now deliver robust designs that overcome performance challenges in dense 3D packages, using interoperability and automation to form complex workflows.

     The company's W5600E RFPro circuit features a new modular architecture that ensures a consistent, simplified environment for multi-physical field collaborative design on Cadence, Synopsys, and Keysight EDA platforms. Optional electromagnetic and electrothermal simulators are also plugged into this new environment, facilitating faster design and troubleshooting of wireless RFics.

     Typically, RFIC designers perform sequential single-domain validation using expert tools, but help is needed to identify and rule out multi-domain design issues before the design process is complete. Designers often need to be domain experts, bearing the overhead of each tool setup and database operation. With the new simulator, these tools can be more tightly integrated into highly automated and efficient workflows.

     In addition to electromagnetic and electrothermal simulators, the company also provides rf sensing analysis of stability, system-level modulation and waveforms, and simulator Settings. For example, designers can optimize the error vector amplitude (EVM) of complex 5G-Advanced power amplifiers while loading EM package parasitics. As 3D design becomes more intensive and moves into new millimeter-wave frequencies, the company now offers a pathway to efficiently design processes that are robust and reliable enough to train future AI and ML automation in cutting-edge microwave applications.

     In addition to the solution's numerous technical improvements, the company offers a flexible licensing model that gives RFIC designers greater freedom of simulation and instant access to the latest features, enabling them to adapt to changing workflows on a daily basis. RFPro circuits are available for immediate download for Cadence Virtuoso and Synopsys custom compiler environments. Keysight ADS Environment is expected to be available by the end of 2024.

     "Keysight has a long and successful history of providing industry leading circuit simulation for RFics and module designers," said Joe Civello, Director of EDA RF /uW Products at Keysight. Based on speed and robustness, we have built the RFPro Circuit to be the EDA industry's most designer-centric RFIC simulation tool, striving for flexibility, application orientation, and context awareness between multi-physics, high-performance computing, and integration into major vendor workflows. Designers using RFPro Circuit can speed up their engineering cycles and shift more of their validation from physical prototypes to virtual prototypes, making it easier to solve problems and less costly."