TriQuint (now Qorvo)

TriQuint Designs Power Amplifier 2X Faster and More Accurately Using Visual System Simulator

Design Challenge

The challenge was to design an EDGE/GSM power amplifier for a cellular handset. It was essential to accurately characterize the power amplifier’s circuit performance at the system level and to accurately predict adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) measurements using modulated signals as opposed to traditional two-tone analysis. AWR’s Microwave Office® and Visual System Simulator (VSS) software were used for the design.

What design problem did AWR’s software help you to solve?

I was able to accurately characterize power amplifier circuit performance at the system level and accurately predict ACPR measurements using modulated signals as opposed to traditional two-tone analysis.

What were your reasons for choosing AWR software?

• Confidence in EDGE/GSM source
• The AWR unified design environment
• Straightforward ability to simulate ACPR as a function of an input power sweep
• Superior technical support

What were the key benefits of using AWR software?

The ACPR measurements simulated with VSS agreed with laboratory measurements, and the VSS simulation ran approximately two times faster than the alternative solution.

What, in your estimation, are the most positive features of AWR’s software?

The user environment, interactivity of the VSS system tool with the Microwave Office circuit tool, and the superior technical support.

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