Agilent Technologies Inc. recently announced Advanced Design System (ADS) 2009 Update 1, the industry's first complete, front-to-back solution for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and RF module design. The release integrates 3-D electromagnetic (EM) analysis, wireless standards-based design verification libraries, X-parameter simulation, and statistical design and yield optimization. Advanced Design System 2009 Update 1 enables designers to stay within the design and simulation platform of choice for their entire design cycle and eliminates the need for separate, time-consuming point tools.
"This release represents a big jump in efficiency for MMIC and RF module designers," said How-Siang Yap, product marketing manager with Agilent's EEsof EDA division. "Designers clearly prefer a single design flow, without the stops and starts associated with point tools. ADS 2009 Update 1 provides a single, superior flow where our customers can do more analysis while spending less money on design tools."
"Our partnership with key MMIC foundries and their customers ensures that all criteria required for full PDK endorsement within ADS is met," said Steve Chen, Advanced Design System research and development manager with Agilent's EEsof EDA division. "The partnerships allow the ADS EDA platform to completely support the MMIC front-to-back flow signoff with Mentor's Calibre or Cadence's Assura verification tools, which are required by many foundries and customers."
ADS 2009 Update 1 also integrates with Cadence and Mentor backend verification tools, enabling the import of Design Rule Check results from Cadence Assura, Mentor Calibre or Triquint MailDRC for viewing and correcting within the ADS layout environment.