Issue link: https://resources.system-analysis.cadence.com/i/1339387
The technical challenges presented by 5G and future 6G development is an extension of what the Cadence AWR Design Environment ® platform customers focus on today in the pursuit of higher broadband capacity for greater range resolution in radar applications and high-speed data rates for communications. Throughout the digital communication revolution, Cadence and AWR have been providing EDA solutions to support the wireless industry. To address off-silicon RF design, including III-V monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and discrete components, modules, and RF board design, the AWR Design Environment platform provides RF system, circuit, and electromagnetic (EM) design entry and analysis (Figure 2). Cadence AWR Visual System Simulator™ (VSS) communications and radar systems design software is primarily concerned with the top-level radio and radar design, operating from behavioral block models to provide link budget and spurious heritage analysis, as well as time-domain baseband through RF communications/radar system simulation. AWR VSS software works seamlessly with Cadence AWR Microwave Office ® software, which supports RF design at the transistor, trans- mission line, and RF-aware passive component level with frequency domain, nonlinear harmonic balance simulation. AWR Microwave Office software is used for RF front-end component design, including power and low-noise ampli- fiers, filters, mixers, matching networks, and more. The Cadence AWR AXIEM ® 3D planar analysis and Analyst™ 3D finite element method (FEM) solver provide fully integrated EM analysis for antenna design and broadband characterization (S-parameter extraction, far fields, and currents) of passive structures. Figure 2: Design solutions in the AWR Design Environment platform Conclusion Next-generation communication systems targeting 5G/6G functionality will provide massive connectivity to the internet with extreme capacity, coverage, reliability, and ultra-low latency, enabling a wide range of new services and business opportu- nities. The anticipated performance will be made possible through a range of innovative technologies, implemented though complex RF front-end architectures and highly integrated multi-fabric electronics. RF to millimeter-Wave (mmWave) design and multi-fabric design and manufacturing software will be critical to the development of these technologies. To power the technologies and products that will realize 5G/6G performance across chips, IP, packages, and PCBs, Cadence has developed the Intelligent System Design strategy for delivering its world-class computational software capabilities across all aspects of the design of electronic systems. This white paper has presented several examples of how Cadence is uniquely positioned with deep expertise and pivotal leadership in computational software, along with the broadest, most integrated design solution, to bring the Intelligent System Design strategy to the communication products of the future. Circuit Design Linear/nonlinear simulation and optimization EM Analysis S-parameter extraction and field visualization System Design Testbenches, budget, and spur budget analysis Read the full RF to mmWave Front-End Component Design Trends 5G Communications software spotlight. 4 www.cadence.com/go/awr