RF Circuit Synthesis for Physical Wireless Design

Overview
Subjects
Review Of Common Design Tasks Break Down And Dissect Design Task Review Non-Synthesis Methods Show A Better Way To Solve Complex Design Challenges

Audience
Designers Tasked With Rapid Development Of System Components

RF Wireless Community

CABLE WIFI

COMM DEVICES CELLULAR

RFID

Wireless Devices

GOVERMENT SATELLITE

INSTRUMENTS

NAVIGATION

System Architecture
Starting from a system level view
Assemblies of component units constitute a system The component parameters are generated by system requirements Made up of one or more
Amplifier Mixer Filters: Microwave and Passive Lumped Couplers/splitters Oscillators etc.

We start by breaking down tasks to individual modules

Design of one or more require unique skills

Component Design Tasks

Todays Focus is on Four Design Tasks
Microwave Filter Design

Lumped Passive Filter Design

Signal Control Elements

Matching for Optimum Power Transfer

Non Synthesis Techniques

The Non-Synthesis Method
Experience is required to choose topology, equivalent circuits and strategy for failed performance Links to physical realization is a manual process Conversion to micro-strip, slab-line, strip-line etc. Does not guarantee optimum design Best performance, Component count, Size, Materials Matching tools are limited i.e. Smith chart Time and Resource Consuming YES Hours, days, or even weeks to complete To Manufacture Missed deadlines Board Turns
Select Topology And Components

Optimize Response Strategy?

NO

Met Goals
NO YES

Strategy?

Met Goals

Convert To Physical Format

Build Device Test Device

NO

EM Solver?
YES

YES

Met Goals

NO

Microwave Filter Design Task

2.4 GHz WiFi Front End Microwave Filter
System Specifications / Goals
Frequency- 2350-2550 MHz Insertion Loss- -2dB Shape- Butterworth Order- 3

Microwave Filter Design Task

MFILTER- A Better Way

Start With Filter Type Shape Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass, Band-reject Shape Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel etc. Subtype Eight physical formats

Microwave Filter Design Task

Which topology is best?

Distributed Filters Exhibit Recurring Band Pass Where and how many is a function of filter type COMB filters have control over the band where response is repeated Filter Size varies Cost-COMB requires a capacitor for each resonator

We have selected a Hairpin Design for this demonstration

Microwave Filter Design Task

Settings
Select Z0, Order, Start-Stop frequencies Select Resonator Zo Select Tapped / Coupled

Microwave Filter Design Task

Advanced-TLINE automatically converts to a physical form including discontinuities, bends, chamfers, and steps

Microwave Filter Design Task

Synthesized Hairpin Filter

Advanced TLINE

Hairpin Filter with Modeled Microstrip Loss and Dispersion

Microwave Filter Design Task

Using Built-in Optimizer
Fine tune for the discontinuities, bends, loss, dispersion effects etc.

Microwave Filter Design Task

Using Monte Carlo Determine
Effect of Loss Tan Effect of etching tolerance e.g. spacing Effect of Er

Microwave Filter Design Task

Layout Filter Perform EM Simulation Export To Manufacturer Test Completed Filter

Microwave Filter Design Task

Measure Filter
TESTLINK

Compare to Simulation

Measured

EM

Modeled

Microwave Filter Design Task

Performance Summary

Center Frequency

2450 MHz

2390 MHz

Bandwidth

200 MHz

260 MHz

Insertion Loss

2 dB

3.2 dB

$ Cost

~$0.50

Note: Know your substrate material especially ER and Loss Tan

Microwave Filter Design Task

Link data to SPECTRASYS behavioral model

Po=1.2 dB
NF=0.1dB

Microwave Filter Design Task

MFILTER- A better way
Classical synthesis shapes Butterworth, Chebyshev, Elliptical etc. Multiple topologies Instant schematic and graphical updates Coupled or Tapped input Multiple physical realizations e.g. stripline, microstrip, inverted microstrip etc. via Advanced T-Line Automatic compensation of vias, grounds, steps, and T-Junctions Direct link to layout and EM simulation engine Monte Carlo, Yield and what If analysis Measurement of Device via TESTLINK

Lumped Filter Design Task

70 MHz IF Filter
System Specifications / Goals
Frequency- 60-80 MHz Insertion Loss- 0.5dB ? Shape- Butterworth Order- 14 ?

Lumped Filter Design Task

PASSIVE FILTER - A Better Way

Start With Filter Type Shape Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass, Band-reject Shape Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel, Elliptical etc. Subtype Eight physical formats Some Formats Lend Themselves Better to Wide or Narrow Responses

Note: Changes in schematic and graph when parameters are changed is Instantaneous

Lumped Filter Design Task

Which Shape And Subtype To Pick?
Component Count
Response BW, Group Delay Out Of Band Response Symmetry, Roll Off Ease of Manufacture Common Inductance or Capacitance

Balanced Circuit at a Buttons Click!

Lumped Filter Design Task

Multiple Filter Shapes
Butterworth Chebyshev Bessel Singly Terminated For Diplexers etc.

Lumped Filter Design Task

Settings
Input / Output Resistance Not limited to 50 ohms or symmetrical impedances! Cutoff Frequencies Filter Order Specify Cutoff Attenuation Common L or C for some filter types

Lumped Filter Design Task

Response of Synthesized Shunt C Coupled Filter
Shunt C Coupled filter results in common inductor Five Sections Chosen

Lumped Filter Design Task

Using Standard Values Results in Shifted Response Tune Standard Values for best results

Original vs. standard values

Lumped Filter Design Task

Replacing Ideal Std Values with Manufacturers S-data
Increased insertion loss due to finite Qs of components Be Mindful of SRF and Qs of Manufacturers Components and The Frequency range of their data
Original vs. S-data values

Lumped Filter Design Task

Perform Layout and EM Simulation

Lumped Filter Design Task

EM simulation with S-Data Parts
Use Co-Simulation to Fine Tune Standard Valued S-Data
Only a single EM simulation is required since copper pattern is invariant

Filter with S-data specified parts

EM Filter with S-data specified parts

Lumped Filter Design Task

Comparison of Original Synthesized Filter Use Monte Carlo for Yield and Manufacturability

Lumped Filter Design Task

Pad and Dielectric Effects
More prominent at higher frequencies, 500MHz Filter example shown

H=59mil

Er= 3.9, 4.5, 4.9

H=30mil

H=10mil

Lumped Filter Design Task

Pad and Dielectric Effects
More prominent at higher frequencies
Co-Simulation feature is used to re-tune filter
EM results in shift due to pad effects Std value tuning brings filter back

EM std values L=39 Ca=5.6 Cb=3.9 Cc=18 Ccd=3.6

EM std values otpz L=39 Ca=3.3 Cb=2.4 Cc=7.5 Ccd=2.4

Lumped Filter Design Task

Performance Summary

Center Frequency

70 MHz 68.1 Std Pts

67 MHz

Bandwidth

20 MHz 17.3 Std Pts

17 MHz

Sections
Insertion Loss $ Cost

14
0.5 dB ?

5
3.9 dB ~$2.90 (16x$0.15)

Note: Know your substrate material especially ER and LossTan

Lumped Filter Design Task

Link data to SPECTRASYS behavioral model
When S-Parameter File is Substituted For Behavioral Model In System Simulator
Note: 3db Additional Loss And Increase In Spur Level (below noise floor) And An Increase Of 0.11dB In Noise Figure

Lumped Filter Design Task

PASSIVE FILTER- A better way
Classical synthesis shapes Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel, Singly Terminated etc. Multiple topologies Instant schematic and graphical updates Single or Balance types Direct link to layout and EM simulation engine Co-Simulation aides final optimization Monte Carlo and Yield analysis Measurement of Device via TESTLINK

Signal Control Design Task

What is Signal Control?
Distribution And Control Of Power Through The Use Of Couplers, Splitters, Dividers, Attenuators, Baluns Where Is It Used? Power Monitoring, Amplifiers, Mixers, Power Combining, Beam Forming

Signal Control Design Task

Signal Control Elements
Splitters
Single or Multi-section, 0 deg, 180 deg Couplers Lange, Backward Wave, Lumped Power Dividers Distributed, Lumped Balun Attenuators

Signal Control Design Task

SIGNAL CONTROL, a better way!

Topology
Selection of over 43 topologies
Splitters Couplers Power Dividers

Baluns
Attenuators

Signal Control Design Task

Settings
Selection of:
Impedance Coupling Factor Upper/Lower cutoff Number of Sections Number of Outputs Optimization Goals I/O line lengths

Signal Control Design Task

Instant Realization
Dynamic Schematic and Graphs

Signal Control Design Task

Options
Create a Layout
Use Advanced TLINE to Convert to Physical Format

Signal Control Design Task

Options
Manufacturing Process
Select Physical Form
Switch between any of the processes (e.g. ideal to microstrip, stripline to microstrip etc.)

Accounts for discontinuities, corners, steps etc. Uses selectable substrate definition

Signal Control Design Task

Conversion to Microstrip Causes Shift
Shift due to non-ideal models, losses, dispersion etc.
Re-optimize element parameters to specifications

Shift due to Microstrip

Signal Control Design Task

Layout Is Created By Checking Box in Options Tab

EM Simulation Is Performed To Verify Design Goals

Signal Control Design Task

EM Simulation Shows Difference In Isolation Between Output Ports

EMPOWERs Ability To Co-Simulate Allows The Tuning Of Isolation Resistor For Optimum Isolation
Optimum R= 91 ohms instead of 100 ohms

Signal Control Design Task

SIGNAL CONTROL- A better way
Over 43 Topologies Splitters, Couplers, Baluns, Attenuators
0 deg, 90 deg, 180 deg types

Multiple outputs, Multiple stages Instant schematic and graphical updates Optimization of final process Direct link to layout and EM simulation engine Co-Simulation aides final optimization Monte Carlo and Yield analysis Measurement of Device via TESTLINK Link data to SPECTRASYS behavioral model

Matching Design Task

Where is Matching used?

At Almost Every Interface Between Connected Components

Minimize Power Loss Between Entities

Matching Design Task

Front End Receiver Amp Parameters
Frequency Range 2200 MHz to 2600 MHz
Gain 30dB Noise Figure 3dB Match Nominal 50 Ohm Input/Output P1dB +10dBm PSAT 13dBm TOI 20dBm

Matching Design Task

Complex Matching Issues
Simultaneous Matching For Noise Figure, Input/Output, and Interstage
Difficult Using Manual Techniques, Especially For Conditionally Stable Device

NE52418

Selected Part Meets Our Gain And Noise Figure Needs

Matching Design Task

Conditionally Stable
Simultaneous Input/Output Match Is Not Possible
Good News, Noise Figure Meets Our Goal With 50 Ohm Input

Matching Design Task

MATCH A Better Way
Ideal For Complex Multistage Matching
Real Or Complex Terminations
File Based Complex Data For Terminations / Devices

Multitude Of Available Matching Structures

Lumped And Or Distributed

Matching Design Task

Nominal Goals Met With Interstage Matching Sections

Matching Design Task

Matching Network Incorporated Into Design

Use Advance TLINE

Converts To Physical Process
Includes Steps, Discontinuities, Vias, etc.

Matching Design Task

Monte Carlo Analysis
Matching <100% Yield, Determine Effect On System Or End User
Gain And NF 100% Yield

Matching Design Task

Optimize Circuit For Response And Match
Measure Pertinent Parameters
Frequency Range 2.2 GHz-2.6 GHz
Gain 30dB +/- .5 dB Noise Figure 1.06 dB Match <-15dB

? P1dB 0 dBm (10 dBm)

? TOI 18.6 dBm (20 dBm) ? PSAT 10.4 dBm (13 dBm)

Matching Design Task

Replacing Behavioral Model With Design
No Significant Change In Spur Or Harmonic Content
Noise Figure Improved by 2dB

Matching Design Task

MATCH- A better way
Multiple matching networks and topologies
Mix and match between distributed and lumped networks Match to real, complex and S/Y/Z files Broadband matching, Multi-stage matching Instant schematic and graphical updates Direct link to layout and EM simulation engine Co-Simulation aides final optimization Monte Carlo and Yield analysis Link Data To SPECTRASYS Behavioral Model

Summary
Reviewed Of Common Design Tasks Reviewed Non-Synthesis Methods

Showed A Better Way To Solve Complex Design Challenges

Synthesis Incorporating Standard Values Substituted Measured S-Data For Accuracy Optimized Performance Layout And EM Simulation For Verification Exported Data For Incorporation Into Higher Level Design

We Showed A Comprehensive Set Of Tools, In a Common Environment For Rapid Development, Improving Time To Market With Fewer ReDesigns

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