APLAC®

OVERVIEW
APLAC® high-frequency circuit simulation technology brings the benefits of
harmonic balance (HB) analysis to the design of complex, extremely nonlinear
circuits. Finely tuned and consistently enhanced for more than 15 years, it
is no wonder APLAC technology is used extensively for IC design at Nokia
and many device manufacturers throughout the world. In fact, APLAC has
aided in the design of more than 30 percent of all mobile phone RFICs. This
unique implementation of harmonic balance and transient analysis gives you
extremely fast, exceptionally accurate results using far less computer memory
than traditional microwave harmonic balance techniques -- even for your most
complex nonlinear circuits. Foundry-Approved
Circuit Simulation
FEATURES AT A GLANCE Technology for
Seamless integration within Microwave Office® and Analog Office® design Highly Nonlinear and
environments Complex Designs
HB and transient-assisted HB simulators for highly nonlinear and complex
designs
Time-domain simulations including frequency-dependent components
Linear and nonlinear noise analysis
Dynamic oscillator analysis
Comprehensive set of convergence aids for DC, AC, HB, and transient
simulations
Verilog-A model support as well as IBIS model for I/O driver circuits
APLAC modeling language supports user-defined linear and nonlinear models
as well as measurements
Fully exploits the power of multi-core PCs

APLAC divider analysis

utilizing transient-
assisted HB method.
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APLAC
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WHAT IS APLAC?
Multi-Domain Analysis APLAC’s multi-domain analysis enables
simulation of any RF or analog circuit with a wide range of analysis
methods, including DC operation point, linear frequency-domain,
time-domain, HB, phase noise, linear/nonlinear noise, and accurate
yield predictions. Each circuit can be analyzed in multiple ways
simply by altering the analysis definitions. Optimization, tuning, and
a Monte Carlo statistical feature (for design yield) are available with
every method. Leveraging AWR’s unified data model, APLAC HB and
time-domain can be driven from the same schematic, with the same
sources and the same models.

High-Capacity Harmonic Balance and Time-domain Simulators

APLAC’s HB algorithm has been developed to minimize memory
requirements and simulation time while maintaining a high degree of
accuracy. APLAC technology embodies multiple HB engines, including
APLAC oscillator analysis utilizes optimization to find
an enhanced HB method and a transient-assisted HB method oscillation frequency. Both HB and transient simulation
(TAHB). The enhanced HB method enables simulation of larger results are studied.
circuits faster than traditional microwave HB techniques. TAHB
is for digital divider circuits and accurate nonlinear phase noise
measurements for analog and RF applications.

The APLAC time-domain simulator complements the AWR solver

family with a microwave-compatible transient engine, which provides
several capabilities essential in high-frequency design:

Fully compatible with all AWR-developed Microwave Office and

Analog Office advanced, distributed RF-elements

Support for GaAs MESFET transistor models

Scattering parameters accurately simulated in time-domain

PLL macromodel for synthesizer simulations

IBIS model support – that can be combined with advanced board

models – for high-speed digital design

APLAC usage is fully transparent to the user. Choose

APLAC Modeling Language For the experienced user, APLAC can be
the APLAC simulator from the simulator list and run
enhanced with user-defined linear and nonlinear models. The models the simulation.
can contain equivalent circuit elements, user-defined parameters,
mathematical expressions, conditional statements and more. The
resulting user-defined APLAC models are perfect for extending AWR
tool capabilities and for experimenting with new components.

SUMMARY
The APLAC engine delivers accurate results in less time for highly
nonlinear and large-scale designs, resulting in increased productivity
and shorter design cycles.

AWR, 1960 East Grand Avenue, Suite 430, El Segundo, CA 90245, USA
Tel: +1 (310) 726-3000 Fax: +1 (310) 726-3005 www.awrcorp.com

Copyright © 2008 Applied Wave Research, Inc. All rights reserved. AWR, the AWR logo, Microwave
Office, Analog Office and APLAC are registered trademarks of Applied Wave Research, Inc.