Test and measurement solutions expert Rohde & Schwarz and Cadence Design Systems have collaborated to offer a solution designed to simplify the engineering process from RF circuit design through to implementation. The use of realistic signals enables greater precision in the simulation and test phases. The new R&S VSESIM-VSS signal creation and analysis tool accelerates the RF component development process. It is particularly well suited to customers in the wireless communications, automotive, aerospace and defense industries, as well as to manufacturers of active components and systems.
New wireless and satellite communication technologies exploit ever wider frequency ranges, and are increasingly demanding in terms of testing. The use of realistic signals in the early stages of RF system design is therefore important. The use of identical signal generation methods and analysis algorithms in hardware testing enables direct correlation of results from the early design stages through to the implementation validation phase. This enables conclusive and consistent analysis of key performance indicators that are widely used in this field, such as error vector measurement (EVM).
To address this issue, Rohde & Schwarz has collaborated with Cadence Design Systems, Inc. to develop the R&S VSESIM-VSS signal generation and analysis tool, which supports all major wireless communication standards such as 5G, the latest Wi-Fi developments and many others. The jointly developed solution combines signal generation, electronic design simulation and signal analysis capabilities. It draws on the strengths of both companies' popular and proven solutions. As a result, developers and design engineers benefit from a tool optimized to enable them to tackle design challenges much earlier in the development process than before.
The R&S VSESIM-VSS signal generation and analysis solution operates as a complementary tool to the Cadence Visual System Simulator (VSS) software. This software is already a well-established solution on the market for system simulation and modeling. It is particularly used for the design of RF components and assemblies used in wireless communications and radar. Rohde & Schwarz's R&S VSESIM-VSS solution is designed to extend the capabilities of the VSS software by enabling it to integrate realistic signals into the workflow. This increases simulation accuracy and simplifies the design process. It benefits from two renowned Rohde & Schwarz software tools for testing functional circuits, modules and devices: the signal generation capabilities of R&S WinIQSIM2 simulation software and the signal analysis capabilities of R&S VSE vector signal exploration software. The R&S VSESIM-VSS solution combines these functions and offers complementary plug-ins for Cadence's automated electronics design tools.
The Rohde & Schwarz data sink plug-in provides access to the signal at any point in the design process. The signal can be transferred to a vector signal generator and applied to the available hardware. This enables hybrid (hardware/simulated) implementations to be analyzed at system level. A special feature of the R&S VSESIM-VSS solution is its support for direct digital predistortion (DPD) techniques, enabling the effects of linearization to be verified as early as the simulation phase in the power amplifier development process.
Another advantage of combining the solutions is the increased compatibility between Rohde & Schwarz and Cadence tools. The signal generation and analysis provided by Rohde & Schwarz solutions can also be used by other connected Cadence products, such as Cadence Microwave Office® circuit design software or the Cadence Virtuoso RF solution for the design of radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and RF modules.
Christina Gessner, vice president of spectrum and network analyzers, EMC and antenna testing at Rohde & Schwarz, said: "By linking the world of simulation with that of test and measurement, we provide our customers with the tools they need to get their designs right first time, and thus reduce the time-to-market of their products. The use of realistic signals, the derivation of common figures of merit such as EVM, and the understanding of linearization capabilities before the product is even manufactured, give our customers a competitive edge. We look forward to bringing to market the solution that is the fruit of our cooperation with Cadence."
Vinod Kariat, Vice President of R&D in Cadence's Custom IC & PCB Group, added: "Customers developing communication circuits and systems for RF front-ends need access to the latest communication standards. Our companies' joint solution enables our mutual customers to accurately analyze signals in accordance with standards throughout the design process, right through to final validation testing."
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