Advanced Tools

At ECHOIC, we are experienced in state of the art simulation tools to meet today’s challenges and guide the future of technology.  This helps us to minimize design cycle time and provide accurate predictions of our prototypes.  With these CAD tools, we can perform full service front-to-back design and prototyping.

Harmonic Balance

Harmonic balance Load-pull simulation of a power amplifier

RF and microwave circuits are challenging to design due to the nonlinear operation of the active devices.  The latest harmonic balance RF and microwave simulation tools are used to solve complex problems and pave the way for design realization for fast prototyping.  Small-signal, large-signal, noise, load-pull are all made possible with the use of nonlinear simulation tools.

Design Synthesis

Microstrip realization of a bandpass filter

Synthesizing the design from a circuit representation to physical form is a critical stage in realizing your designs.  In many respects, layout is an art form and the device performance relies on the quality of models, layout technique and design feedback to create a producible part.  Physical realization will allow the tuning and optimization within our high-performance test infrastructure.

3D EM simulation

3D EM model and simulation of a rat-ring hybrid coupler

Real-world designs are plagued with parasitics and electromagnetic radiation.  Design feedback obtained from 3D EM sims is essential in eliminating “surprises” that may arise due to imperfect models.  This is especially true for compact designs , where high-frequency cross-talk corrupts the circuit’s intended operation.  3D EM sims are also critical for 3D structures such as antennas and waveguides where precise field computations are needed.

Modeling

3D visualization of a transistor’s harmonic current vs conduction and clipping angle

No system can be fully characterized without the proper theoretical modeling and simulation.  The foundation for which a fully-function system is built upon requires comprehensive mathematics and visualization

Precision Measurement

Measurement plays a critical role in RF and microwave development.  ECHOIC provides precision measurements using industry-grade instrumentation.

We are experienced in configuring customized setups for measuring S-parameters, power, noise figure and DC parameters.  We are also familiar with industry-standard protocol for measuring linearity, noise, stability, mismatch, ESD, reliability and thermal behavior.

Additionally, we have pioneered the use of pulsed characterization of high power devices.

Network analyzer

Power Amplifier Nonlinear Test Bench

Antenna measurement