Modeling and Simulation
Before implementing signal-processing algorithms on hardware platforms, or layout high-frequency RF boards, we use advanced analysis tools to validate the design and predict its performance. Below is a list of analysis tools at our shop:
- Matlab and Python for modeling of communication and radar systems.
- Microwave Office VSS (Visual System Simulator) for linear and non-linear analysis of RF subsystems.
- Microwave Wave Office’s Harmonic Balance simulator to design and examine the behavior of RF amplifiers and other non-linear components.
- Microwave Office iFilter package to design passive and strip-line high frequency filters.
RF Design
We are well equipped to design and assemble RF
subsystems such as up/down converters and frequency synthesizers quickly using
commercially available components. Once the design is validated, we layout a
PCB board and synthesize its performance using Microwave Office tools prior to
PCB manufacturing and assembly. Our labs are equipped with high fidelity test
equipment such as RF signal generators, Spectrum analyzers and Network
analyzers to extensively test the underline RF subsystem or PCB before field
deployment.
Analog Design
We have extensive experience in designing analog filters (active and passive) and front-end circuits for wideband ADC and DAC devices. Using Spice tools we calculate design parameters such as noise floor, SNR, and effective dynamic range and then compare them to the measured lab data for circuit validation.
DSP and FPGA Design
Implementation of simple and complicated signal processing algorithms on DSP and FPGA devices is one of our strong abilities. For very computationally extensive algorithms where parallel processing is a must, we use the latest FPGA devices from Xilinx and Altera. One of our favorite devices today is the ZYNQ family from Xilinx, which combines a high-speed FPGA device along with a dual-core ARM processor on the same chip. For FPGA coding we use VHDL and Verlog, and for embedded processor OS we use Linux. Most of our custom code on Linux is done in C/C++ and we use Pyhton for post-processing mathematical routines.
PCB Design
Based on the project on hand, we use different EDA tools to do the schematic and layout tasks. Below is a list of EDA tools at our shop:
- PADS (Mentor Graphics)
- Altium Designer (Altium Limited)
- Microwave Office (Advanced Wave Research) - This package is mainly used for RF subsystems and microwave filters.