Ansys Designer RF Solutions for RF/Microwave Component and System Design 7. 0 Release Ansys Designer RF Training Lecture 3: Nexxim Circuit Analysis for RF
Designer Overview Ansoft Designer Advanced Design Environment Integrated Layout/Schematic Co-Simulation Dynamic Link to HFSS Optimetrics Circuit/Nexxim Linear/Nonlinear Circuit Simulation Frequency/Transient Active & Passive Physical Device Modeling Ansoft Designer HFSS, Q3D, SIWave System Mixed Mode Analysis Frequency/Time/Digital Waveforms Baseband-through-RF 3G Design Kits EM Modeling Method of Moments Finite Element Method 3.0-2 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-2
Welcome to Ansoft Designer The Nexxim Simulator Nexxim is Ansoft s state-of-the-art circuit simulator for RF, analog, and mixed-signal designs. Nexxim combines transistor-level simulation accuracy, high execution speed, and robust capability to handle circuits with thousands of active and passive elements. Nexxim simulates in all three domains DC, time, and frequency from the same set of device models. Nexxim offers the following simulation tools: DC analysis calculates the circuit s DC operating point and is the basis for other analyses. Transient analysis calculates the time-domain behavior of the circuit. Nexxim transient analysis incorporates a new, Ansoft-proprietary variable time-step integration formula and advanced error estimation and control. The analysis can include S-parameter input data files for accurate analysis in the time domain. Harmonic balance analysis calculates the frequency-domain responses of the circuit. Nexxim harmonic balance performs single-tone and multi-tone analysis that combines Krylov subspace methods with Ansoft-proprietary preconditioning algorithms to achieve fast convergence. Small-signal analyses (AC, linear network, DC noise) are based on the DC solution. Nexxim s proprietary linear system solver is optimized for circuit simulation, and produces accurate answers without compromising speed. Nexxim also supports small-signal frequency analysis based on harmonic balance. Nexxim provides a wide range of active, passive, and distributed device models. In addition to the classic variable sweeps of temperature, voltage, and current, Nexxim allows you to perform sweeps of any model or parameter in a circuit. Nexxim also supports both schematic and netlist circuit implementations. In addition, the Nexxim netlist format is HSPICE -compatible, so any industry standard system-design netlist can be easily imported for analysis. 3.0-3 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-3
Small-Signal Analysis Linear Network Analysis (LNA): Computes the frequency-dependent scattering, impedance, and admittance parameters for a linear circuit. This is a linear frequency-domain analysis. Circuit components are analyzed using Y-matrix analysis, and any nonlinear devices are linearized around their bias points when computing the bias values. Passive or active models, lumped, distributed, S parameter components can be inserted in the schematic. Ports must be added. Frequency or any other parameter can be swept. Frequency Sweep 3.0-4 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-4
Small-Signal Analysis Group Delay and Noise Calculation Can be performed by checking the appropriate box in the analysis window. Available quantities include S, Y, Z parameter, Noise, Gain and Return Loss. 3.0-5 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-5
Small-Signal Analysis Rectangular plot for S11 & S22 in db 3.0-6 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-6 Smith chart plot for S11
DC Analysis DC Analysis (direct current) Initializes the circuit, then solves the circuit equations to derive the DC operating point. The DC operating point consists of the voltages at all nodes and currents through all branches, and includes the DC bias voltage applied to semiconductor devices. DC operating point analysis also provides the initial values used as the starting point for DC sweep analysis, harmonic balance analysis, and transient analysis, unless these are set by the user. It also provides the large-signal bias operating point for small-signal AC analysis, noise analysis, and linear network analysis. Successful and accurate calculation of the DC operating point is essential for these simulations. The default dc analysis does not employ the addition of components (such as resistors) to ground to aid convergence. If convergence is not achieved, five different continuation schemes are available to obtain the DC operating point. 3.0-7 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-7
DC Analysis DC Analysis DCIV Curves 3.0-8 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-8 Viewing Nexxim DC Bias Voltages and Currents in a Schematic
Harmonic Balance Analysis Harmonic Balance Analysis Calculates the periodic or quasi-periodic steady-state response of a circuit to periodic inputs by solving the circuit equations in the frequency domain. Time domain equations are represented by their Fourier series equivalents. In a one-tone analysis, the input is a sine wave at a specified frequency f, and the response is usually measured over a specified range of multiples or submultiples of that frequency. In a multi-tone analysis, the inputs are at two or more frequencies (f1, f2,...). The response is a spectrum containing the DC response, the harmonics of the input frequencies, and the sums and differences of the harmonic frequencies. An optional Load-Pull analysis is available for schematic designs. Bias source RF source specified at port Non linear transistor model 3.0-9 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-9
Harmonic Balance Analysis Single Tone For single tone analysis one can select between HB, standard harmonic balance or Shooting, where harmonic balance uses a time-domain method that can be efficient for strongly nonlinear circuits. Single Tone 3.0-10 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-10
Harmonic Balance Analysis Multi Tone Shooting method not available for multitone Multi Tone 3.0-11 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-11
Harmonic Balance Analysis Sweep, Spectral and Time Domain allows to plot Voltage, Current, Power, Gain 3.0-12 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-12 TG21 in db & output power in dbm @fundamental vs.. input power
Harmonic Balance Analysis Output Spectrum @10 dbm input power 3.0-13 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-13 Constant power contour from Load Pull analysis
Harmonic Balance Analysis HB vs Transient Comparison of transient and harmonic balance analyses results with number of harmonic set to 15 and 127 on strongly non linear signal using shooting method 15 Harmonics 127 Harmonics 3.0-14 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-14
Oscillator Analysis Oscillator Analysis Uses harmonic balance analyses to find the oscillating frequency of a resonant circuit. The process of finding the unknown resonant frequency can be aided by providing an estimate that is close to the true value. Oscillator analysis uses an oscillator probe element to provide a range of test voltages and frequencies. The analysis has two phases. First, initial estimates of the oscillating frequency and test voltage are made, either from user input or as directed by simulator options, and those estimates are assigned to the probe. Second, multiple harmonic balance analyses are performed while adjusting the probe frequency and voltage, until the resonant frequency is found. Oscillator analysis can be set up for single-tone or multi-tone calculations. Optionally, you can run a phase noise analysis as part of the oscillator analysis. Oscillator probe 3.0-15 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-15
Oscillator Analysis Oscillator Resonant Frequency Search to identify resonant frequency 3.0-16 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-16 Looking at real & imaginary part of the probe current aids oscillator design
Oscillator Analysis Oscillator Analysis setup sets harmonic number and initial guess frequency for the simulation. Solution Options window allows to select from different strategies freq_sweep, transient, dc to search the oscillating frequency 3.0-17 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-17
Oscillator Analysis Current at port 1 Spectral Time and Sweep Domain to plot Voltage, current, Power Spectrum in dbm at port 1 Phase Noise at port 1 3.0-18 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-18
Harmonic Balance Envelope Analysis Envelope Analysis Is commonly used to analyze systems where harmonic balance or transient analysis alone is not adequate. Such systems include circuits with two inputs, where one input is a fast-changing periodic or quasi-periodic source such as a clock or Local Oscillator (LO) and the other input is a nonperiodic source such as a baseband RF modulator that changes on a timescale that is orders of magnitude slower than the timescale of the fast-changing input. Transient analysis would require a small time-step to capture the fast-changing input, but then would require a very large number of time-steps to simulate the slowly-changing non-periodic input. Harmonic balance would fail to analyze the nonperiodic input. DC=VCC 0 DC=VBB 0 Model inp R68 A V71 R67 1000 1000 Q62 A Q63 A outm outp inm R64 1000 V73 R65 1000 R69 R70 1000 7200 1000 R66 DC=VDD V72 V74 0 DC=VBB IQ Modulated Voltage Signal Generator 3.0-19 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-19
Harmonic Balance Envelope Analysis Envelope Analysis (Continued) Envelope analysis uses transient analysis to simulate the slowly-moving signal in the time domain, plus harmonic balance to analyze the fast-moving signal in the frequency domain. At each time-step of the transient analysis, an HB analysis is run. The frequency coefficients at each time step are stored and returned as the result. From these coefficients, you can obtain a variety of results including a transient-like time-domain result. 3.0-20 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-20 Eye diagram at I channel output from Envelope Analysis
Harmonic Balance Envelope Analysis IQ Constellation Plot for output and input 3.0-21 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-21 Output Spectrum for 1 st and 2 nd Harmonic
ib ia s v d d v s s v s s M 3 0 2 1 0 k M 2 9 0 n b s i m n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 M = 1 2pF R 2 9 2 7.5k 2pF in p inm L 2 9 3 L 3 2 0 1 7. 5 n H 1 7. 5 n H 10k 10k M 3 1 0 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 0 M 3 1 1 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 0 500 R 3 2 5 1 0 k v s s A v s s v s s R 3 2 6 i 1 _ p r o b e 1 0 k 500 M 3 1 4 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 0 M 3 1 5 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 0 2pF M 3 3 3 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 0 M 3 4 6 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 3 0 A v s s v s s i 2 _ p r o b e M 3 3 4 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 1 0 M 3 4 7 n b s i m L = 2 5 0 n M = 3 0 L 3 3 7 1 n H L 3 3 8 1 n H v s s 700f 700f v s s _ s u p ib ia s M 3 8 0 L=1u M = 1 M 3 7 9 L=1u M = 1 M 3 7 3 M = 1 10p lo lo_ R 3 9 7 10k C 3 8 9 C 3 9 0 0 0 2p 2p 10k 10k M 3 8 3 M = 8 M 3 9 4 M = 1 2 Periodic Time-varying Noise Analysis (TV Noise) Time-Varying noise analysis (TV Noise) Calculates the response of a circuit to thermal, shot, and flicker noise sources analyzed as small-signal AC perturbations around the periodic steady-state operating point calculated by harmonic balance or oscillator analysis. The circuit elements are linearized by a DC operating point calculation prior to the steady-state analysis. outp outm R3 0 3 14.3k vdd_sup i5m a A vss_sup R3 0 7 vss_sup R3 1 6 M 3 8 6 M = 8 M 3 9 5 M = 1 2 R3 1 7 R 3 9 9 10k R3 2 3 in M 4 0 3 W =10u M = 3 0 150 M 4 1 3 W =10u M = 2 4 vss_sup vss_sup M 4 0 4 M = 3 0 R 4 1 7 10k i7m a _1 A C341 in_ M 4 0 5 M = 3 0 M 4 1 4 M = 2 4 vss_sup C342 v s s _ s u p 150 M 4 0 6 M = 3 0 R 4 2 0 10k vss_sup M 4 2 3 M = 8 M 4 2 7 M = 2 0 i7m a _2 A vss_sup M 424 M = 8 vss_sup M 4 2 8 M = 2 0 R387 3p 3p R388 L431 v s s _ s u p 50n L432 50n LNA R409 MIXER R458 1000k R410 C429 C430 out out_ C3 0 4 R459 1000k R3 2 4 3.25m A C3 2 9 C2 9 1 9.5m A C396 3.0-22 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-22 TV Noise is specifically useful to analyze circuit with frequency conversion like mixer.
Periodic Time-varying Noise Analysis (TV Noise) F specifies output frequency value (IF). The Input frequency sweep is then calculated from LO Frequency and F 3.0-23 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-23 Conversion Gain & NF vs. IF output frequency
Periodic Time-varying Noise Analysis (TV Noise) The power of the LO is swept, value of the IF frequency is 200MHz 3.0-24 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-24 Conversion Gain & NF vs. LO Power sweep
Periodic Transfer Function (PXF) Periodic Transfer Function The TV Noise analysis can be extended to include Periodic Transfer Function (PXF) Analysis. Periodic transfer function analysis computes the small-signal transfer function from multiple input sources at multiple frequencies to one output at one frequency, or using the sweep of output frequencies from the TV noise analysis setup. A typical application for periodic transfer function analysis is to determine image rejection. PXF is very useful in calculating mixer properties such as image and side-band rejection, high-side and low-side conversion gain, LO feed-through, and power supply rejection, all within one simulation run. RF input deviation frequency is defined using output frequency value, IF in this case. High-side (blue) and low-side (red) Conversion Gain vs..if 3.0-25 ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 2012 ANSYS, Inc. March 6, 2012 1-25