Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/11583-software-update

Software Update

August 9, 2011

SYSTEM SIMULATION SOFTWARE
ACS says its LINC2 Pro RF and microwave circuit design and analysis software suite is the industry's price-performance leader. Now with the new Visual System Architect (VSA) as an integral part of the LINC2 software suite, performance over cost has been extensively multiplied. The LINC2 VSA adds system-level simulation while LINC2 Pro adds circuit synthesis and circuit-level simulation to the LINC2 software suite. The latest version of the LINC2 VSA and LINC2 Pro (V2.72 release K) both offer enhanced support for multiple project data folders. The LINC2 simulator will now automatically search for project data within the user specified project folder or across different project folders for shared component data files as needed.
Applied Computational Sciences (ACS)
Escondido, CA
(760) 612-6988
www.appliedmicrowave.com


SOFTWARE FOR DC PARAMETRIC TESTING
Agilent U2942A Parametric Measurement Manager Pro is designed for DC parametric testing on component devices. The software works with Agilent U2722A and U2723A USB modular source measure units to analyze discrete semiconductor devices, without the need for prior programming experience. It also lets users define and customize test profiles and includes built-in math functions to reduce testing time. PMM Pro provides high measurement sensitivity of 100 pA and four-quadrant operation on a three-channel unit. PMM Pro also gives users the ability to make parametric measurements with automated test sequencing and predefined test profiles for diode, bipolar junction transistors and field-effect transistors. After taking the required parametric measurement, the software plots, displays and logs the results in an IV curve.
Agilent Technologies Inc.
Santa Clara, CA
(800) 829-4444
www.agilent.com

SOFTWARE FOR COMPLIANT TESTING
AR's SW1007 software is a standalone program that combines conducted immunity test software and radiated susceptibility test software into one user-friendly package suitable for corporate to professional test lab users. The software automatically performs both calibration and immunity testing in full compliance with IEC 61000-4-3, 4-6; MIL STD 461/462 RS103, CS114 and RTCA/DO160 Section 20 specifications. The new version has an updated user interface, including a tab system, and organizes all the features for quick, easy access and makes selecting test standards much easier. The SW1007 also has the ability to control more equipment and the report-generating feature has been enhanced to offer more control and customization.
AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation
Souderton, PA
(215) 723-8181
www.ar-worldwide.com

AMPLIFIER TEST BENCH
Amplifier Test Bench supports analysis of pulsed and linear amplifiers. It also measures gain over frequency and gain over input power. The software supports both fast Boonton peak power meters 4540 and 4500B and a variety of standard generators. No programming knowledge is required. Amplifier Test Bench also has the capability to measure VSWR and return loss over time. With this feature, it is a powerful tool for measuring long-term stability of RF systems. Analyzing the quality and wear of rotating radar joints is just one example. For this application, the shaft position pulse provides the 0 degree starting point, which triggers repeating measurement cycles of Amplifier Test Bench. Time is correlated to angle and based on that, the software plots return loss over angle. Possible problems that are related to the position angle of the radar system can now be pinpointed easily. Amplifier Test Bench is offered as single user package, with the option of obtaining multi-user licenses.
Boonton
Parisippany, NJ
(973) 386-9696
www.boonton.com

SOFTWARE EXPANDS MULTIPHYSICS APPLICATIONS
Comsol Inc. has released the latest version of COMSOL Multiphysics, its award-winning simulation environment. Version 4.2, which expands the scope of applications covered by COMSOL, is now available and will be shipped to all customers with current subscriptions. Version 4.2 expands the applications covered by COMSOL with three new application modules – Microfluidics, Geomechanics, and Electrodeposition – and new LiveLink interfaces for AutoCAD® and SpaceClaim®.
Comsol Inc.
Burlington, MA
(781) 273-3322
www.comsol.com

ADC Evaluation kit
Hittite's ADC Evaluation Kit features EasySuite™ software, allowing users to configure Hittite ADC Evaluation Boards, and capture & analyze data. It consists of a Xilinx© Spartan-6 development kit, an FMC evaluation board with Hittite's ADC mounted, and a software tool for configuring the ADC and analyzing the resultant data. EasySuite™ also includes EasyStack™ FPGA firmware for capturing data from the ADC and parsing configuration commands to the ADC, including all control functionality.
Hittite Microwave Corp.
Chelmsford, MA
(978) 250-3343
www.hittite.com

TIME DOMAIN SOLVER AND HIGH FREQUENCY TOOL
Integrated Engineering Software has released CHRONOS, its new time domain solver and high frequency tool for modeling and simulating 3D RF and microwave applications. The software has been introduced to address the challenge of the modeling and simulation of many RF applications and antennas in terms of speed, required memory, and accuracy. CHRONOS is ideal for the analysis and design of RF and antenna applications, including near field and far field applications; planar microwave and antenna structures; wire antennas; UWB antennas; and microwave circuits, waveguides and coaxial structures.
Integrated Engineering Software
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
(204) 632-5636
www.integratedsoft.com

IMPEDANCE CALCULATOR
Rogers Corp. is offering its MWI-2010 Microwave Impedance Calculator software free to RF/microwave designers. The utility program calculates transmission-line parameters for a variety of high frequency circuits, including microstrip and stripline, based on conductor dimensions and substrate characteristics. The easy-to-use software runs on Windows-based computers. Users enter parameters specific to their circuit application, including target frequency and RF power level, and generate transmission-line parameters, such as conductor width and spacing for a desired impedance. Results can be saved and reused in other programs. A free 22-page user manual is available on the Rogers site in PDF form.
Rogers Corp.
Chandler, AZ
(480) 961-1382
www.rogerscorp.com

FAST BANDPASS FILTER DESIGNS
FilterXpress from Spectrum Microwave is a free software program that delivers thousands of real bandpass filter designs, real fast. FilterXpress does not deliver simulated filters like other programs. Spectrum Microwave's database of thousands of cavity, lumped element and coaxial-tubular filters lays the groundwork for matching a company's unique requirements with a real bandpass filter design. By entering specific filter requirements, including the passband and rejection points, FilterXpress responds with up to 12 designs from Spectrum Microwave's huge library of filters.
Spectrum Microwave
Philadelphia, PA
(888) 553-7531
www.spectrummicrowave.com

CAD EDITING SOFTWARE
T-Tech Inc. has released IsoPro® 3.1, Mill Path Generation and CAD editing software for Quick Circuit users. IsoPro® 3.1 newly added features include: CheckByTouch® broken bit detection, ContactByTouch® automatic depth sensing, Automatic Tool Change, Tool Management, including Linking, Improved mill/drill path optimization, Multilingual help files with graphics, Live Machine Status Bar, Windows 2000 - Windows 7 and Mac 10.X compatible, 32/64 bit compatibility, Layer tool list options, Tool Pod dialogue bar, Select entities options.
T-Tech Inc.
Norcross, GA
(770) 455-0676
www.t-tech.com