A group of leading names in RF & microwave EDA and test and measurement has formed under the title OpenWave Forum (OWF) to collaborate on the creation and promotion of a unified and transparent data exchange format for large-signal simulations, measurements and models. The founder members of the Forum are Anritsu, AWR, HFE, Mesuro, NMDG, Rohde & Schwarz and Tektronix.
The availability of a wide range of large-signal transistor models is crucial to RF and microwave design, especially in the field of power amplifiers, where the models are expected to work with both steady-state and transient circuit simulators over wide ranges of operating frequency and bias conditions. However measuring data and extracting parameters is far from trivial, and the resulting models are not always robust.
Recent advances in measurement technology have finally allowed behavioural models to become a viable alternative – these make use of I-V data or polyharmonic distortion tables rather than relying on predictions based on device physics. The OWF aims to ensure that these models are useable for large-signal simulations regardless of the measurement and modelling techniques being used, by unifying the data exchange format. Designers will be able to reduce risk by being able to use a variety of tools, vendors and modelling techniques.
The announcement earlier this year that Anritsu had incorporated AWR Microwave Office as a standard firmware component of its VectorStar MS4640A vector network analyzer was a precursor to the launch of OWF.
OWF is inviting other companies to join its alliance – for further details see www.openwaveforum.org.
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