Radiofrequency ICs (RFICs) are found in consumer devices, portable electronics, automotive, military, and medical systems. They typically operate from several hundred MHz to multiple GHz. Those high frequencies present designers with significant layout challenges to ensure proper functioning, including the use of transmission line technology for efficient operation. This FAQ presents several options for RFIC […]
Tools
If you’re designing mixed-signal ICs, here are some tools to consider
Mixed-signal ICs are increasingly common in automotive, internet of Things (IoT), medical, industrial, consumer, and other applications. Designing mixed-signal ICs is more complex than simply designing an analog section and a digital section. There’s the interactions and interconnections between the sections, and the need to integrate software into the final solution. That makes designing mixed-signal […]
If you’re designing MEMS devices, here are some tools to consider
The uses for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices have grown exponentially. Applications for MEMS technology include actuators, sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), energy harvesters, pumps, motors, oscillators, resonators, and more. They are used in all areas, from consumer to medical, military, and space. Two keys to the expansive uses of MEMS devices include the ability to […]
What are the elements of analog IC EDA tools?
Analog functions like sensor interfaces, signal conditioning, power management, and energy harvesting are needed in many applications. These functions are implemented with circuits like operational amplifiers, regulators, filters, sense amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, phase-locked loops, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), mixers, analog receiver front ends, and so on. These functions complement digital processing and can be implemented as […]
If you’re designing analog ICs, here are some tools to consider
Designing analog ICs can be a time-consuming and nit-picky process. As with the design of digital ICs, speed, power, and area (SPA) considerations are important. However, in the case of analog ICs, added challenges include gain, bandwidth, signal distortion, noise sensitivity, power supply sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and more. All the major electronic design automation (EDA) […]
Ultra-low noise, 5 to 6 GHz LNA for receiver applications in the C-band
Guerrilla RF, Inc. announces the formal production release of the GRF2110, an ultra-low noise amplifier that delivers an exceptionally flat gain response over a single 5 to 8 GHz broadband tune. When operated at 6 GHz, the device delivers 16.3 dB of gain, 22 dBm of OP1dB compression, 38 dBm of OIP3 linearity, and a low […]
If you’re designing power ICs, here are some tools to consider
Power ICs cover a variety of functions, from high voltage application-specific ICs (HV-ASICs) to power management ICs (PMICs). Each type of power IC has unique design challenges and needs specific design tools. This FAQ reviews some of the challenges related to HV-ASICs for applications like gate drivers for power semiconductor devices, pin drivers for automatic […]
Filters limit EMI and audio distortion
TDK Corporation has announced the introduction of its compact MAF1005FR series of EMC components, measuring 1.0 mm (L) x 0.5 mm (W) x 0.5 mm (H). These multilayer chip components are designed to improve sound quality and reduce noise interference in the audio lines (sound lines) of smartphones and other devices such as tablets, wearables, […]
Thin-film filters for space-constrained and RF applications
KYOCERA AVX has released a new series of miniature high-pass thin-film filters engineered to provide excellent high-frequency performance in a variety of space-constrained microwave and RF applications in the telecommunications, automotive, consumer electronics, and military markets. The new HP Series high-pass thin-film filters are based on proven multilayer integrated thin-film technology that enables the quick […]
Siemens expands capabilities of IC design tools with EDA acquisition
Siemens Digital Industries Software announced that it has completed the acquisition of Insight EDA Inc., an EDA software company delivering groundbreaking circuit reliability solutions to many of the world’s leading integrated circuit (IC) design teams. Insight EDA’s technology identifies and helps address design-specific potential circuit reliability failure areas, bolstering the confidence of design engineers in […]
