Overview
Ensure First-Pass MMIC Design Success
Monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) based on III-V semiconductors such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) offer superior RF performance for mobile devices, communications infrastructure, and aerospace applications. Cadence RF design and analysis products offer a leading front-to-back MMIC design solution with an innovative user interface and complete integration of design entry, simulation, and physical design tools to achieve optimal performance through reliable circuit simulation, electromagnetic (EM) verification, communication testbenches for faster turnaround times and first-pass success.
Key Benefits
RF Design Platform Accelerates MMIC Product Development and Integration
The Cadence AWR Design Environment platform integrates design entry with RF circuit/system simulation, EM/thermal analyses, optimization, yield analysis, and DRC/LVS support to address all phases of MMIC development from early concept through tapeout.
Meet Your Challenging Design Goals
Minimize MMIC size while optimizing performance with RF-aware layout and dynamically linked electrical/physical design entry
Improve Design Efficiency
Develop advanced products with less engineering effort using comprehensive RF measurement-based simulations with a rigorous harmonic balance (HB) engine for nonlinear analysis and circuit/system/EM co-simulation
Maximize Engineering Productivity
Eliminate manual engineering effort and time-consuming data import/export with design automation, in-design analysis, and powerful scripting for tool and workflow customization
Tape Out with Confidence
Ensure greater design confidence and avoid costly design re-spins with GaAs/GaN foundry-approved PDKs, communication testbenches, and electrical rule checking (ERC), DRC, and LVS for production-ready GDSII export
Implement Advanced System Integration
Understand the performance impact of advanced packaging with fully integrated 3D EM and thermal simulator for bumps, bond wires/ribbons, and laminate parasitic analysis
Capabilities
Accelerate RF/Microwave IP Implemented in III-V Semiconductor Technologies
To meet the high-performance and reduced footprint requirements for multi-mode/multi-band handsets, wireless smart devices, and aerospace systems, companies are differentiating themselves by developing best-in-class RF/microwave IP. III-V compound semiconductor-based MMICs offer excellent high-frequency performance but require the specialized design and simulation capabilities provided in the AWR Design Environment Platform.
Design Entry and Management
MMICs integrate active devices within a network of on-chip passive components to provide the functionality necessary for desired performance. Electrical behavior is directly linked to the physical attributes of individual on-chip components and the overall chip layout. A comprehensive MMIC design flow from Cadence provides parametric, process-specific on-chip component models and layout PCells to support accurate simulation and a layout that complies with foundry manufacturing rules.
Specialized RF Simulation
RF/microwave electronics rely on specialized measurements such as noise figure (NF) and S-parameters and the nonlinear power, gain compression, and efficiency response to large-signal stimuli. RF simulation uses frequency-domain HB analysis to analyze nonlinear networks, including power amplifiers (PAs) and frequency converters (mixers). With digital modulation for communications systems, designers may also need to analyze MMICs with circuit envelope techniques to simulate metrics such as adjacent-channel power ratio (ACPR) and error-vector magnitude (EVM).
Model Support from Leading Foundries
GaAs, GaN, and silicon germanium (SiGe) semiconductors continue to evolve in support of MMICs operating at higher millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies for communications and radar applications, while also offering improved performance across all frequencies. Cadence works closely with leading III-V semiconductor foundries and load-pull test system manufacturers to offer process design kits (PDKS) and ensure the latest devices offer robust, simulation-ready models for design.
Products
Design Software for Front-to-Back MMIC Development
Cadence AWR software and system analysis products address front-to-back MMIC development with best-in-class design entry/management, RF circuit simulation, EM/thermal analysis, and system co-simulation/verification for communications infrastructure, radar, and aerospace applications.