Software Update

EMC Test Software

The model SW1006 is the latest version of the company’s radiated susceptibility, conducted immunity and pre-compliance emissions software. Model SW1006 automatically performs both calibration and immunity testing in full compliance with IEC 61000-4-3, 4-6, MIL-STD 461/462 RS103, CS114, RTCA/DO160 Section 20 specifications. The software also supplies the user with selectable test parameters and a “thresholding” mode for pre-compliance investigation of equipment susceptibility, as well as closed loop leveling. Pre-compliance emission testing can be done with the use of a spectrum analyzer and either a pre-amp or LISN. The SW1006 software is designed for use with the supplied NI PCI-GPIB interface card for instrument communication.

AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation,
Souderton, PA (215) 723-8181, www.ar-worldwide.com.

RS No. 310

Antenna Pattern Recorder

Version 5.21 of this program is a complete software package for making antenna pattern measurements with standard vector and scalar network analyzers. The program can control single and two axis positioners, and it can make pattern measurements without the need for a physical interface to a positioner. The new program features an extensive set of math functions that allow data to be manipulated after it has been collected. One can do post calibrations, add frequency dependent magnitude and phase offsets, and add or subtract time delay signals. The program displays gain, phase, axial ratio, tilt angle and group delay.

Damaskos Inc.,
Concordville, PA(610) 358-0200, >www.damaskosinc.com.

RS No. 312

Parametric Product Search Tool

The parametric product search tool is designed for the RF engineer to specify important product parameters and view the company’s products that match a specific requirement in a specification-compliance format. Unlike conventional search engines that eliminate products that narrowly fall outside of specification, the parametric product search tool can show these products allowing the engineer to make intelligent design trade-off decisions to “fine tune” the requirement to specific needs. View this and other product software support tools including Product Cross Reference, PLL Phase Noise and Mixer Spur Chart Calculators on the company’s site.

Hittite Microwave Corp.,
Chelmsford, MA (978) 250-3343, www.hittite.com.

RS No. 313

3D EM Time Domain Tool

CST MICROWAVE STUDIO® 2008 (CST MWS) is the leading edge tool for the fast and accurate simulation of high frequency (HF) devices such as antennas, filters, couplers, planar and multi-layer structures and SI and EMC effects. With a user-friendly interface, easy data exchange to and from other software tools, a choice of first class solvers and excellent post-processing tools, designers can leverage the latest developments in 3D electromagnetics to bring designs to market faster and with lower risk.

CST of America® Inc.,
Framingham, MA (508) 665-4400, www.cst.com.

RS No. 311

Filter Synthesis and Selection Tool

Filter Wizard^SM has been enhanced to incorporate tubular filters in bandpass and low pass search results and to improve the low pass and high pass search interface. The web-based selection tool’s bandpass search results now include tubular filters, chip & wire filters, ceramic filters, cavity filters (combline and interdigital), high-Q ceramic puck filters, and waveguide filters, as well as KeL-fil, KeL-com, Mini-Max and Mini-Pack options. Filter Wizard accelerates user progress from specs to RFQ for RF and microwave filters spanning an ever-increasing range of response types, bandwidths and unloaded Q values from 300 kHz to 40 GHz.

K&L Microwave,
Salisbury, MD (410) 749-2424, www.klmicrowave.com, www.klfilterwizard.com.

RS No. 314

System Component Library

The System Component Library (SCL) consists of a unique collection of accurate and reliable system block models and is available for use in ADS. Each model is well-documented with its own data sheet that describes the valid range of the model and its advanced features. The SCL includes a combination of measurement-based behavioral and circuit models for amplifiers, mixers, switches, couplers, resonators, filters and attenuators.

Modelithics Inc.,
Tampa, FL (813) 866-6335, www.modelithics.com.

RS No. 316

Measurement and Automation Software

NI LabVIEW 8.5 delivers power of multicore processors to engineers and scientists. Building on nearly 10 years of investment in multithreading technology, LabVIEW 8.5 simplifies multicore as well as FPGA-based application development with its intuitive parallel dataflow language. As processor manufacturers look to parallel multicore architectures for performance improvements, LabVIEW 8.5 running on these new processors can deliver faster test throughput, more efficient processor-intensive analysis and more reliable real-time systems on dedicated processor cores. LabVIEW 8.5 also extends the LabVIEW platform further into embedded and industrial applications with the new statechart design module for modeling and implementing system behavior as well as new I/O libraries and analysis functions for industrial monitoring and control.

National Instruments,
Austin, TX (888) 280-7645, www.ni.com.

RS No. 317

Software Platform for RF Waveform Generation

The release of SignalMeister^TM Waveform Creation Software is designed for the company’s line of RF vector signal generators. SignalMeister is a free PC-based software tool that creates arbitrary waveform (ARB) files that can be downloaded to its model 2910 RF vector signal generator. SignalMeister is an expandable software platform with a common user interface that will allow integration of multiple signal creation libraries with flexibility to handle multiple signal standards as they become available.

Keithley Instruments Inc.
Cleveland, OH (800) 688-9951, www.keithley.com.

RS No. 315

CASCADE Software Suite for Design Optimization

CASCADE is a free program whereby engineers can quickly predict a system response by either selecting standard components (Drag and Drop) or typing in their unique values. The software then calculates the chain’s performance in both numerical and graphical results, as well as graphs showing each individual component’s contribution to gain, noise, output power and intercepts (individually and cumulatively). Engineers can efficiently visualize a block diagram concept and optimize their design by viewing individual component contribution to overall system performance and quickly evaluate trade-offs in component selection and their impact on system performance. CASCADE is available as a CD or as a download at www.spectrummicrowave.com/cascade.

Spectrum Microwave
Palm Bay, FL (888) 553-7531, www.spectrummicrowave.com.

RS No. 318

Electromagnetic Simulation Tool

The latest release of the well-known electromagnetic simulation tool, Opera v. 12 includes some radical improvements. A new sophisticated optimization tool has been added, which automatically seeks the best solution for single or multiple goals. In addition, the capability to model space-charge devices has been enhanced with secondary emission and dielectric charging. The ability to model electric machines in 2D and 3D has been extended with a new electric machines interface and improved solvers that allows users to readily analyze both standard and bespoke motors and generators. Opera 12 is available for Windows (32 and 64-bit) and Linux.

Vector Fields Inc.,
Aurora, IL (630) 851-1734, www.vectorfields.com.

RS No. 320

Online Configurator Tool

This high flex round cable has been added to the company’sonline design tool and provides equipment designers even more standard cable solutions. When demand is uncertain or small order quantities are needed, Gore has cable for applications that demand flex life reliability. The tool provides simple step-by-step instructions for configuring GORETM High Flex Cables (Flat or Round) or GORE Trackless Cable from standard components, with quick lead times. The GORE High Flex Cable and Trackless Cable Configurator—available at www.gore.com/designacable—simplifies the cable design process via a quick, streamlined step-by-step process. Users can design a cable and submit an RFQ using the simple configuration tool.

W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.,
Elkton, MD (800) 445-4673, www.gore.com.

RS No. 321

Ceramic Bandpass Filter Selection Tool

A window-based software design tool that assists in the selection of ceramic bandpass filters. With CRaFT (Ceramic Resonator Filter Tool), the designer can select from two- to six-pole filters in three different ceramic profiles in up to four different ceramic materials. The program also searches for existing filter designs in the requested frequency band, and displays measured data when available.