Industry Workshops Schedule

Design verification and production test engineers have traditionally faced the challenges of modeling, designing, and measuring RF/mmW amplifiers under wideband modulated conditions using a signal generator and signal analyzer.  This workshop discusses a new technique that overcomes these challenges with improved accuracy, ease of test, and faster throughput as well as a new workflow that provides identical results with traditional method under multitone stimulus.   We introduce a new workflow in the simulation and in real measurements, then demonstrate multi-carrier amplifier EVM measurements with a GHz wide modulated signal at 28 and 39 GHz.

Multiband RF frontends and beamforming for high frequency applications in radar, satcom and mobile wireless ask for unseen integration all the way to AiP (antenna in package). This session gives an overview of latest technologies and requirements.
We will focus on the key components to get from digital to RF for different applications, but with a focus on 5G systems. Beamforming is the biggest challenge today, and we’ll look at different implementations. And as RF frontends are becoming highly integrated into active antenna systems (AAS), we’ll round up the session discussing OTA Testing to digital standards.

Creating, generating, and playing back custom waveforms has become a necessity with complex data protocols. We will give an overview of the use and importance of an Arbitrary Waveform Generator and how to select the correct Sampling Rate and Memory depth to meet measurement needs. Topics will include key specifications of Arbitrary Waveform Generation, the importance of considering filtering and sampling rate, overview about generating signal impairments and customization of your signal with an AWG.

In radar and communication systems, phase noise can limit performance. Sensitivity in processing Doppler-shifted targets, as well as EVM in complex digitally modulated communications can be adversely affected.
This workshop explains phase noise fundamentals, measurement, and its impact on performance of RF/microwave systems. We will compare different measurement instruments and techniques. We’ll describe the role of the phase detector and the use of cross correlation in optimizing sensitivity, and we’ll discuss the impact of reference sources on phase noise measurements. Residual and absolute phase noise examples and practical DUT measurements will be shown. Lastly, we’ll examine AM Noise measurement techniques.

Simulation plays an important role in analyzing automotive radar system performance. Simulated data can be used as a testbed for algorithm development. It can provide a framework to adjust parameters in support of “what-if analysis” across scenes. In this workshop, we will describe a methodology to simulate high fidelity raw data for an automotive radar where the simulated signal exhibits many necessary propagation effects (e.g, delay, Doppler, micro-Doppler, multipath, weather degradation). RF and antenna components can also be modeled. The fidelity of the scene can be increased with a reduced amount of driving-based data collections.

Active (Hot) parameters using X-parameter technology with a high-performance Vector Network Analyzer (PNA-X) provide a more accurate method to test hot S-parameters, gain and output power than traditional methods. In this session, you will learn how this technique removes the active device and system mismatch interaction to precisely calculate the active parameters and output power into a nominal 50-ohm environment. You will also learn how the X-parameter technology provides coefficients of the equation to calculate linear and non-linear device performance of gamma-opt (optimum), optimal load match, and maximum delivered power to an optimum load.

The fundamental tradeoff facing the designer is between available volume for the filter and unloaded Q (insertion loss). Given a desired filter topology, there are many filter design programs that can provide a reasonable starting point. Applying EM simulation and port tuning to that starting point is therefore a good strategy to minimize design cycle time. This workshop explains the technologies and filter topologies available to the RF/microwave engineer. Simulation-based flows for first-pass filter design success using state-of-the-art software and component models will be emphasized, including compensation for parasitic effects and Monte-Carlo tolerance analysis and design centering.

The increased risk of impairments resulting from ever increasing architecture complexity of novel communication systems requires high circuit model quality. Accurate simulation of the RF chain is needed to reduce the cost of prototyping and performance optimization. Nonlinear Power Amplifier is one of the most challenging circuit to model. Circuit-level simulation and look-up tables are not suitable anymore to optimize subsystem design and accurate system analysis.
This workshop addresses this challenge by guiding system designers through circuit characterization and model generation. Using circuit model libraries, it delivers macro-model of complete RF front-end, compatible with commercial system level simulation software.

EM simulators are commonly used in RFIC design as well as for integrated passive devices (IPDs).  They are usually built using silicon chips, whereas IPDs are thin-film substrates based on silicon, alumina, or glass technologies, and, as such, present the designer with specific challenges when performing EM simulation for device characterization.  This workshop examines common issues that occur and suggests how to overcome them.
 
EM simulation is used to predict and optimize the behavior of these critical components, such as spiral inductors and capacitors.  The components can be part of a much larger system, for example an automobile radar chip using CMOS technology.  In mmWave 5G applications, low-loss filters are being designed in high-Q, glass-based materials.  These transistorless circuits, or IPDs, comprise discrete, lumped, inductive, and capacitive elements, combined with artificial transmission lines.  From these individual building blocks, an entire filter is analyzed with EM simulation to determine its overall frequency response. Silicon and other glass-based technologies present some unique challenges for EM simulators.  This workshop breaks the discussion out into the topics of ground reference issues, calibration and de-embedding issues, and differential excitation issues.  All three topics are centered around understanding the physical assumptions of ports, and how to set them up correctly in the software.
 
There are two types of EM simulators commonly used for RFIC chips: full-3D and planar.  The workshop will present examples of both types of simulators when studying the issues listed above.  Specifically, AXIEM 3D planar method-of-moments (MoM) and Analyst 3D finite-element method (FEM) EM simulators will be showcased, although the topics discussed apply to any EM simulator on the market. In addition, the workshop will highlight how AXIEM EM simulation is integrated into the Cadence Virtuoso RF platform, with an aim toward characterizing these passive structures within an overall circuit simulation, inclusive of active devices such as transistors and diodes.
 
At the conclusion of the workshop, attendees will have clearer understanding of the unique challenges RFIC chips and glass-based IPDs present to EM simulators, and how to address them for speed and accuracy.  Specific examples will be given, including spiral inductors, capacitors, quasi-distributed filter designs, guard ring and meshed grounding designs, and discrete component designs.

Massive MIMO and Beamforming in 5G base-stations impose stringent requirements on clock-generators, delivering sampling clocks to the ADCs and DACs in various transceiver chains. Phase noise, spurious suppression, jitter attenuation, timing alignment, sophisticated input clock monitoring and holdover mechanism are key performance parameters of the related clock generators.
Besides that, 5G microwave base-stations also require a high-performance LO source with low phase noise and high output power.
We’ll take a closer look at microwave LO-synthesizer and a sampling clock generator from IDT, its key performance parameters and the test solutions to verify this performance in the lab.

This workshop covers a broad range of antenna design challenges from the perspective of antenna system performance optimization and identification of error sources in simulation vs measurement. We introduce a design process where (multi-)antenna EM simulation is coupled with matching circuit synthesis including layout effects, allowing accurate system radiation efficiency calculation and total efficiency optimization. The loss contributors in antenna system are identified and quantified (return loss, component losses, coupling losses and radiator losses). For small/medium size antenna arrays, the active reflection coefficients, radiation pattern and total efficiency through matching circuits are analyzed for any port excitation vector.

IHP presents its high-performance 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology with heterobipolar transistors up to 500 GHz maximum oscillation frequency. This technology is accessible to commercial customers and research partners via advanced process design kits. The technology and the roadmap for the further technology development will be presented in a first talk.
Based on this technology, innovative radar solutions for research and production are introduced and discussed in three talks of radar specialists. They present radar at frequencies up to 300GHz, compact integrated MIMO and SIMO antennas, as well as examples of innovative packaging technologies for the mmW and THz range.

GaN (gallium nitride) devices continue to advance in market acceptance for 5G, radar, and power electronics due to their high-power handling capability and linearity. GaN technology outperforms other RF technologies because it can simultaneously offer the highest power, gain, and efficiency combination at a given frequency. We will review market trends, technology and challenges in using these devices. In 2017, 2 new physics based GaN models were accepted as industry standard amid a backdrop of other models. Besides using DC-IV and small signal S-parameters, we propose new techniques for the use of large signal measurements for model parameter extraction.

MATLAB® simplifies solving the antenna problem. In this workshop you will learn how to rapidly design an antenna for your wireless application, analyze it using the full wave Method of Moments, visualize and interactively inspect antenna and array impedance, current, and radiation pattern. For printed structures, we will generate Gerber files for fabrication on a PCB. You will also learn how to use state-of-the-art surrogate optimization methods to design an antenna, explore a wide range of geometrical properties, and use parallel processing. Finally, we will compare the antenna performance with measurements, and visualize the coverage on a 3D terrain map.

The 3GPP 5G NR standard brings several new features to the physical layer needed to achieve new use cases like enhanced mobile broadband and ultra-reliable low latency communications. The first part of this presentation will examine some of these new features and provide a brief introduction to the 5G NR physical layer with a focus on generating and analyzing these signals. The second part of the presentation will apply these concepts to towards performing the 3GPP 5G gNB conformance tests as outlined in TS38.141, including the new over-the-air (OTA) requirements. Several demos will illustrate the concepts.

Large swaths of contiguous millimeter-wave spectrum are being opened in the U.S, which offers the allure of using these bands for very high data throughput applications. This requires careful consideration in designing and testing millimeter-wave systems.
This workshop will discuss some of the challenges that these very wide signal bandwidths introduce, and present considerations for optimizing system performance. A simulation case-study will be used to illustrate the impact of design impairments on system performance. An R&D testbed will be applied to an emerging wideband millimeter-wave application, and the considerations and tradeoffs in achieving good system performance will be discussed.

We present system design methodologies to co-analyze multi technology arrays of ICs, packages, PCBs for 5G mm-wave receivers. With scaling frequencies, the importance of incremental EM analysis for circuit schematics is quite important. IC design in context of PCB, package parasitics during mmwave design is also must for silicon success. Showcasing 5G design challenges, we highlight best use of integrated EDA methodology to design IC fabric in conjunction with spec-level package for early system-analysis. We demonstrate circuit and EM co-simulation and co analysis of chip with package, PCB. The demonstration vehicle comprises state of art LNAs, phase shifters,PLLs and mixers.

In this workshop, we will discuss and demonstrate a framework, built upon industry standards, for developing systems that interface with data converters. For implementers, interfacing with data converters can be challenging due to the extensive knowledge needed to build a system that involves FPGA and embedded processors. However, ADI has built a framework of software, HDL, and different hardware components to help simplify the process for those getting to production, as well as those upgrading older designs with next-generation components. In this session, we will demonstrate this framework and its benefits with hands-on examples where the first 50 participants will receive an SDR.

In order to address wide bandwidth requirements of next generation wireless and radar systems, researchers are exploring millimeter-wave bands. New components with much higher physical tolerances are required to achieve the desired performance. This workshop will cover the basics of making measurements at millimeter-wave frequencies as it relates to transmission line theory, connector topology, and over-the-air transmission. It will also examine a number of associated design and measurement challenges at these wider bandwidths. We will also focus on how a vector network analyzer can be utilized to address the need for millimeter-wave component characterization for both passive and active devices.

In this workshop, we will introduce hybrid beamforming techniques that can be used to design and evaluate MIMO antenna arrays used in wireless communication systems. We will look at ways to model and design the array geometry, element spacing, subarrays, tapering and the effects of mutual coupling. We will also demonstrate techniques to explore architectural trade-offs for beamforming that span the RF and digital domains. These techniques can be used to help achieve the desired system level performance with an optimal partitioning between the RF and digital domains.

This workshop reviews key concepts in Quantum Information and benchmarking Quantum Systems. It explores new approaches to overcome the biggest challenges in qubit state preparation, application of quantum gates and read-out by examining a case study in quantum dots. The advantages of implementing Real-Time Digital Signal Processing in FPGA enabled hardware will be explored and best practices techniques will be shared. This workshop will enable quantum engineers to accelerate design validation of quantum devices to gain technological superiority

In this workshop, we will provide an understanding of the key physical layer concepts in the 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) standard. To accomplish the goals of high data rates, low latency, and massive connectivity, 5G introduces new features that add greater flexibility and complexity compared to the 4G LTE standard. Understanding the physical layer and waveform structure is particularly relevant to the microwave community. This workshop will cover the fundamentals of 5G waveforms, frame structure and numerology, physical channels and signals, synchronization, beam management, and link modeling. Theoretical material will be supplemented with MATLAB demonstrations.

This workshop will focus on the basic principles behind non-linear power amplifier design and simulation-based design methods utilizing Keysight Advanced Design System software. Examples will include a basic Class AB PA Design that addresses stability considerations and is designed against a specific set of gain, power, efficiency and VSWR considerations. Extensions to address other high efficiency modes of operation such as Class E, Class F, Class J and Doherty amplifier configurations will also be addressed. PA design demonstrations will be performed using state-of-the-art non-linear GaN models available from Modelithics for a range of Qorvo GaN power transistors.

Component and device performance metrics are key for system design and performance prediction and can be degraded by the use of necessary test boards/fixtures to interface the component or device with other equipment. These fixtures add loss, delay, and other effects to the true performance of the device. There have been and are many different techniques to address the removal of the fixture from the measurements to extract the true performance of the device. This workshop will discuss different techniques that are used to remove the effects of the fixture and address the strengths, limitations, and requirements for each technique.

This workshop explores basic phased-array theory and the design considerations behind next-generation phased-array antenna systems. It also examines the new capabilities recently added to electronic design automation (EDA) software such as the NI AWR Design Environment platform that provides a design flow for developing the RF front-end hardware supporting these new antenna systems, which must be optimized for performance, reliability, compactness, and cost.

Energy Efficiency, Linearity, Output Power and Bandwidth are the four key technical parameters of the Tx RFFE. The latter three are regulated, but efficiency is the differentiator. As a result, Efficiency Enhancement and Linearization techniques have been the target of much R&D resource for a long time.
This workshop begins with a review of linearization techniques, explores the physical limits and concludes with a classification. If perfect linearity could be achieved, it would not be worth having.
MISO Transmitters represent an especially interesting type of Linearization. Measurements on three fundamental MISO Transmitters will be demonstrated, highlighting some intriguing features.

Military conflicts involving Electronic Warfare require fast decision-making in a rapidly changing threat environment consisting of many RF and Microwave emitters. Ensuring device performance under such conditions is critical to speed deployment of EW systems and for superiority in battle.
This Workshop will cover the theory and definitions of Radar and Electronic Warfare and how a representative EW threat emitter environment is used during the evaluation an EW system’s Angle-of-Arrival and Time Difference of Arrival performance. Generation of RF wave-fronts from environment scenarios using Pulse-Descriptor-Words will be described, along with the measurement concepts for configuring a test threat environment.

In this fun workshop participants will learn the basic theory of modern digital radios, as well as the RF circuits and systems used to build them. After an introductory session on digital radios, participants will select one of four RF building blocks from a modern modulated QAM radio that can be quickly built and tested on site. These components are all made from scratch using microwave techniques and substrates. The components include a multi-pole microstrip filter, a branchline coupler, or a Wilkinson divider. Each participant will design their RF component, fabricate it, test it, and take it home.