Amplifier DesignGuide

The Amplifier DesignGuide includes an extensive set of preconfigured simulation set-ups that are useful in efficient power amplifier and small-signal amplifier design. These setups save time by automatically configuring ADS to run the most common and critical measurements for these types of circuits. The DesignGuide contains more than 70 pre-defined simulations, complete with the corresponding display setups. The broad collection of simulation setups and interactive data displays enable the user to quickly and easily determine the best design for a particular application. This extension of the ADS design environment is an EDA breakthrough that dramatically shortens the design cycle. The time saved in simulator configuration can be applied to additional testing, providing greater insight into the circuit behavior and increased confidence in your design's ultimate success.

Numerous test set-ups are available to assist in evaluating how a device's performance depends on the bias point, and to analyze critical specifications including stability, gain, and noise. Load and source pull simulations are available to help determine optimal load and source impedances for best PAE, output power, and IMD performance. Beyond that, a full suite of statistical tools is also included, enabling both linear and non-linear analysis of design yield and component sensitivity. The Amplifier DesignGuide simplifies and accelerates the task of designing high yield ciruits that meet the most demanding specifications.

Numerous nonlinear performance test set-ups and simple, lumped element impedance synthesis set-ups are also included.

Amplifier DesignGuide includes the following simulations and corresponding displays.

• Over 70 Pre-defined Simulations
  
  • DC and bias point Simulations.
    
  • S-Parameter Simulations.
    
  • Noise, Stability, and available Power Gain Analysis, including circles.
    
  • Two-element and multi-element matching.
    
  • One- and two-tone harmonic balance simulations.
    
  • Amplifier Statistical Design.
    
  • Power Amplifier Examples.
    

• Performance Specifications
  
  • PAE, Gain, Stability, NF, TOI
    
  • Spectrum, Harmonics
    
  • AM/AM and AM/PM
    

• Advanced Simulations
  
  • Load-Pull and Source-Pull Contours.
    
  • Third- and fifth-order IMD Contours.
    
  • Multi sweep parameter set-up.
    
  • Yield Sensitivity.
    

Design Utilities

The following design utilities are installed automatically under the DesignGuides menu command in ADS:

• Smith Chart Utility
  
• Transistor Bias Utility
  
• Matching Utility
  

License Dependency Table

Click on the following link to see a table of dependencies that shows which simulator licenses are required for the various test benches in this DesignGuide:

• Amplifier DesignGuide License Dependency Table (PDF file, 10 KB)
  

Technical Articles

• Peter Walters, Details Count in Power-Amplifier Design, Microwaves & RF, April 2000. PDF Version. Current issue: Microwaves & RF.
  

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