AWR Whitepaper Highlights Advantages Of RF System Software For Accurately Predicting Wireless RF Links

Traditional modeling methods such as rules of thumb and spreadsheet calculations (Friis equations) give limited insight on the full performance of an RF link in next-generation wireless products



This new white paper from Joel Kirshman, system specialist at AWR, “Understanding and Correctly Predicting Critical Metrics for Wireless RF Links,” highlights the advantages of using Visual System Simulator RF system simulation software for detailed insight into the full performance of an RF link in next- generation wireless products.



Simulation Software - A Novel Approach



Traditionally designers have used spreadsheets to do calculations such as cascaded noise figure, P1db, compression point, and/or third order intercept point of an RF link. The advantages of using a spreadsheet are two-fold: data entry is simple and spreadsheet software is readily available. As wireless devices become more and more pervasive and complex, the limitations of spreadsheets become more apparent. In other words, spreadsheet responses are based on standard equations and therefore do not typically account for mismatch between components or noise at image frequency. In addition, spreadsheets do not normally support data fi les such as S2p, spur tables, etc., nor do they support yield analysis or optimization—techniques that are becoming increasingly important in order to produce high performance devices at a competitive price.