Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility For Z Matching Network Using ADS
Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility For Z Matching Network Using ADS
Demo Guide
02 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
b. Also name the library My_AMP_lib, and select only the Analog/RF library and the
DemoKit_NonLinear library as shown here with the DemoKit technology selected also.
Click Next, as needed, and Finish when done.
03 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
a. Create a new schematic you should how know to do this - name the new cell: FET_curves
and select the ads_TemplatesFET_curve-tracer as shown here.
b. In the new schematic, select the DemoKit_Non_Linear palette and insert the DEMO FET
1 and also insert the DEMO KIT TECH INCLUDE component shown here.
Wire it with both source nodes (S and S2) connected together and grounded.
04 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
c. The FET 1 text may overlap other text, components or wires. Move the component text
using the F5 keyboard key or the move handle (blue diamond near component text when
component is selected). This keeps schematics easy to read.
d. Save the schematic and run the simulation.
e. Notice the status window and the data display will pop up immediately after as shown
here.
Also, scroll through the status summary and notice that for each value of VGS, VDS is
swept from 0 to 5 volts.
f. Compare the Status information to the Parameter Sweep and DC simulation in schematic
to understand how a sweep within a sweep is done in ADS. Notice that the variables
must first be declared before they are used. The initial value is not used for the sweep,
so they could be 0 volts or 100 volts when declared and the swept values will over-ride
them.
05 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
g. In the Data Display plot, the marker value should appear at VDS=3 V and VGS=0.5 V
with 75 mA of drain current. Select the marker with your cursor and then use the marker
arrow icons to move to different values.
h. Use your cursor again to select and drag the marker to another trace and try using your
keyboard arrow keys to move the marker. Also, try inserting your cursor in the marker
readout and type in a different VDS to move the marker.
i. Move the marker to various traces and values of VDS and notice that the marker (m1)
readout and the computed power changes as the marker position changes.
j. Save and Close the Data Display and Schematic windows. Also, close the Status
window.
Now that you know how this FET performs under bias conditions, its time to build an
amplifier and test its performance.
Because ADS supports hierarchical designs a schematic created as a sub-circuit can be placed
inside another schematic. The pins were added essentially to establish connectivity for the
sub-circuit schematic.
b. Move component text and set any preference (Optons > Preferences) for the display if
desired.
c. Save the design when finished.
d. In the Main window, click the symbol icon.
e. In the dialog box, browse to the cell AMP_7GHz as shown here and click OK.
07 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
f. Next, in the Symbol Generator, go to the Copy/Modify tab and find the tab marked
System-Amps & Mixers and select the Amp symbol – click OK. Then save and close the
symbol window.
ADS cell AMP_7GHz is now setup to be used on another schematic since the symbol and the
ports establish the connectivity to the AMP_7GHz design. In other words this design can be
used in a hierarchical design flow.
c. Select the Sources-Freq Domain palette and insert a V_AC source. Add a ground and
wire as shown here on the input side of the amplifier.
Also, type in the letter “R” in the component history field, press Enter on your keyboard, and the
resistor will be attached to your cursor – insert, ground it and wire on the output side.
d. In DC and AC simulation in order to get simulation results you must have either node
labels, current probes or power probes in your circuit. Place a wire label by clicking the
Name icon (or menu command: Insert Wire/Pin label). Type Vin and select the input wire
as shown here – then type Vout and select the output wire. Close the dialog.
09 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
Your design should now look like the one shown here: use the F5 key to move text if
necessary. Although the simulation is set-up with a sweep by default, the next step is to
change the frequency to exactly 7 GHz and then run the simulation. The DC controller
requires no further setup.
c. Edit the AC controller by double clicking on it. In the Frequency tab, select the Sweep
type to be Single point and set it to 7 GHz as shown here. Click Apply.
All ADS simulation controllers have default setup values. But you usually have to specify
the settings you want. Also, it is OK to combine different simulation controller on one
schematic as long as the sources and circuits are valid for all the controllers, as is the
case here with the AC and DC controllers.
10 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
d. Go to the Noise Tab and check the Calculate noise box as shown here. Use the Edit field
to select both Vin and Vout node labels and click Add for each. Click Apply –this will give
the total noise at the input and output.
e. Go to the Display tab, scroll down, and turn off the Start, Stop, and Step boxes. Then
turn o n the Freq and CalcNoise. Click Apply. If you always display the parameters you
are using, you can edit them on screen. For example, Noise calculations can be easily
turned ON or OFF this way.
f. Click OK to close the AC controller dialog when you have the correct settings.
11 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
6. DC Annotation in Schematic
Next, you will see the DC node values.
e. To clear the annotation, select the command: Simulate > Clear DC Annotation. The
annotation should clear. Now you know how to get DC values for any circuit quickly:
insert a DC controller, simulate, and annotate.
b. When the Plot Traces and Attributes dialog appears select both Vin.noise and
Vout.noise as shown here (use Ctrl key) and Add them. Click OK.
12 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
c. You can change the size of the list by dragging the corner with your cursor as shown. You
should have these values:
This shows that the noise level at the output pin is about 1.8 nano volts. It will be different at
other points in the circuit.
d. In the same data display insert a column listing. In the Plot Traces and Attributes dialog
select both AC.Vin and AC.Vout and Add them. Click OK.
The AC results are in magnitude/phase format by default while the noise results are in volts
rms.
a. In the schematic, deactivate the DC simulation controller; we will not need these results
anymore. This is something that you can also do to components if you want them
available but not used for a specific simulation.
13 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
b. Insert a VAR (Variable Equation) into schematic using the icon shown here.
c. Change the name (left side of the equation) to: L_val. Use your cursor directly on-screen
or edit (double-click) the VAR.
d. Push into the amplifier subcircuit. Change the drain inductor from 1.5 nH to L_val n H
as shown here. It is important to keep the units as nH. Otherwise, the value would be in
Henrys, which are the default units for inductance. Now, the inductor initial value comes
from the variable and has a value of 1.0 nH. But the sweep will vary it. Pop out to the top
level schematic.
e. To sweep a variable for AC analysis, you need a Parameter Sweep component, available
in any simulation palette. Go to any simulation palette and insert the Parameter Sweep
as shown here. Next, you need to specify 3 items.
f. Edit (double click) the Parameter Sweep component. In the Sweep tab, type in the
Parameter to sweep = L_val. Then type Start, Stop and Step values as shown here: 1.5
to 4.5 in 1.5 increments. Next, go to the Simulations tab and type the AC controller name
(should be AC1) and click OK when finished.
g. Notice that the quotes are automatically applied. If you typed in the names on screen,
you would have to type quotes. The parameter sweep is now ready.
Run the simulation using either the icon or the F7 keyboard key (default hot key).
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h. Afterward, look at the data display and notice the changes. Your list now shows the
swept values.
b. When the Equation editor appears, type in an equation for voltage gain: GAIN = Vout/
Vin.
c. Click OK when finished and you will see the equation in black. If it is red in color, it is
incorrect.
d. Insert a new list (use the List icon). Then select Equations from the drop down list and
add the GAIN equation as shown here and click OK. Notice the three values of gain for
each swept value of L.
15 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
e. Save and close the schematic and data display when done.
c. Then go to the S-parameter simulation palette. Insert the S_Param controller, ports
1 & 2 (terminations), grounds and wire as shown here.
16 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
d. Set the simulation frequency directly on-screen: Start = 4 GHz, Stop = 10 GHz, Step =
0.1 GHz.
e. Instantiate the L_val variable block on the schematic and set as shown here.
f. Push into the AMP_7GHz amplifier sub-circuit and change the value of the capacitor
connected to the drain as shown below.
a. Go back to the SP_amp schematic and add a lumped series L = 2.6 nH, and a shunt L =
2.9 nH as shown here. This matching network was created using the ADS Smith Chart
Utility for impedance matching. It is the optional step at the end of this lab but if you
don’t have enough time you can try it after this course.
b. Use the command: Simulate > Simulation Settings and change the dataset name to
SP_amp_matched and simulate.
c. When the simulation finishes, go to your SP_amp Data Display do not change the default
dataset (answer No when prompted).
18 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
d. Edit (double-click) the Smith Chart. Select the SP_amp_matched dataset and add the
S (1, 1) trace as shown here.
e. Place a marker on the new trace at 7 GHz – double click the marker readout and, in the
Format to 50 as you did for the other trace. The amplifier input is now matched fairly
close to 50 ohms. Of course, the output match, if done, would affect it but for this is only
for the lab exercise we are only doing the input.
f. Insert a rectangular plot and add S (2, 1) from the SP_amp dataset and then add S (2, 1)
from the SP_amp_matched dataset to see the gain improvement in dB as shown here.
The amplifier now has greater than 21 dB of gain at 7 GHz.
19 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
IMPORTANT NOTE: Now you have practiced the basics of linear simulation. The optional step
at the end of this lab shows how the ADS Impedance Matching tool was used to determine the
topology and values for the matching network you just used. It is not necessary to do that step
–do it only if you finish early. If not, you can do it at a later date to see how this tool works.
d. From the schematic menu select Insert > Template… In the Insert Template window scroll
down, select the S_Param_DC template.
e. Click OK and notice that you will have a ghost image that you can place on your
schematic. This is actually a collection of components and controllers, try to place
somewhere on your schematic such that it does not overlap the amp design.
f. Notice that the template has everything you need for the analysis; you just need to
provide the design to be connected between the two Terms. Also notice there are some
display templates also selected, these will configure the data display for you.
g. You may move the two Terms if you need to. Connect a wire from Term1 to the open pin
of capacitor C1 and Term2 to the open pin of C2.
h. Run the simulation. Once the data display opens you will notice that the display
templates have already configured several plots for you. The data display contains two
pages. Observe and experiment with some of the settings by following the instructions
provided in the data display.
21 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
j. Run the simulation. Notice that in the data display two more pages have been added. At
the bottom of the data display page select tab “Page 3: Circles _Ga_Stab”.
k. Move the RF Frequency Selector slider to 7 GHz. Notice that the stability factor is less
than one, indicating a possibly unstable circuit.
l. On page 4 of the data display after settting the RF Frequency Selector slider to 7 GHz
you can observe the source and load stability circle on the Smith Chart as well. Also
notice the plots for mu_source and mu_load.
b. Run the simulation. Notice on page 3 of the data display the circuit stability factor is now
greater than 1. On page 4 both mu plots are greater than 1 which is a sufficient condition
for an unconditionally stable amplifier.
In the remainder of this lab you will perform an optimization for matching a FET amp to
50 Ohms. This will teach you how the optimizer and goals are used. Because many designers
use optimization for many purposes, this lab will teach all the basics.
a. Open the schematic view for cell a2_match_opt. This is the same stable amplifier with an
added output match circuit formed by L3 and C3. The input match is formed by C1 and
L2.
b. In this schematic the optimization controller and the goals have been set up for you to
save time. These components are located on the Optim/Stat/DOE palette.
c. Open the OptimGoal1 setup window by double clicking on it. Notice that in the
Expression field dB (S11) means that when the simulation is performed it will calculated
S11 in dB and this is the measurement used for our goal (requirement or specification).
The analysis is set to SP1 since it will be this analysis that will provide the data for the
measurement. The check next to the variable freq in the sweep variables adds it to the
limit lines so that the goal can be further specified over a frequency range.
23 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
d. In the limit lines the type has been set to < (less than), this tells the optimizer that this
goal must be —15 dB (max value) or less for a successful optimization. freq min & freq
max are set to 6.5 G and 7.5 G. This means that the optimization will only operate from
6.5 GHz to 7.5 GHz. Also, G is used (same as e9) because freq is a reserved variable and
uses Hertz by default. Click OK.
e. Optimization controller. For this lab exercise, the optimizer type has been change to
Gradient because it is much more efficient for this problem than Random. MaxIter =
50 means that the optimizer will run for up to 50 iterations to achieve the goals. The
Normalize goals setting means that all goals will have equal weighting.
24 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
NOTE: The ‘Save’ parameters on the Optim controller that are set to ‘no’, means that those
values will not be written into the dataset.
a. Edit (double click) the input capacitor (C1). When the dialog appears, click the Tune/Opt/
Stat/DOE Setup button.
b. In the Optimization tab, set the Optimization Status to Enabled. Then type in the
continuous range: 0.5 p F to 20 p F. Click OK twice and the component text will show the
opt function {o} next to the capacitance value.
Now you know how to enable and display the values for a single component. However,
there is another way to control variables for optimization, especially if multiple variables
are to be tuned, optimized, or use for statistical analysis as you will now see.
c. Click the command Simulate > Simulation Variables Setup. Select the Optimization tab
and notice that your enabled capacitor and values appear. This setup makes it easy to set
multiple parameters or variables (VARs).
d. Set capacitor C3 and two inductors (L2 and L3) to be optimized (check box) with the
values shown here – click OK when done.
25 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
b. Immediately, you will see the Optimization Cockpit, Status window and Data Display
appear. The cockpit shows all the information you need.
c. In the Data Display (a2_match_opt) on the rectangular plot, move the Line Markers to
6.5 GHz and 7.5 GHz. On the Smith chart, set the markers to 7 GHz. Notice that the all
goal were achieved, i.e. S11 < —15 dB, S22 < —15 dB and S21 > 15 dB
26 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
d. Click the Close button in the Optimization Cockpit – then click the button: Don’t Update
the Design. This means the L and C values will not be updated – this is OK because you
can re-run the optimization to get the results back again.
e. Save and close the schematic and the data display.
c. At the top of the Smith Chart Utility window, click the Palette icon shown here - this adds
the Smith Chart palette with the Smith Chart icon to your schematic.
d. Go back to the schematic window and from the palette, insert the Smith Chart Matching
Network component (shown here). Click OK when a message dialog appears – you can
ignore it. It is necessary to insert this component in a schematic for the tool to be used.
27 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
e. In the Smith Chart Utility (at the top) in the Freq (GHz) field type 7. When prompted sync
the component from the Smith Chart Utility and click OK.
f. In the lower right corner of the Smith Chart utility window, select the ZL component and
type in the approximate impedance looking into the amplifier from the last simulation:
13-j*63 as shown here, and press Enter.
Notice that the load symbol (diamond) on the Smith chart has relocated to the lower
right.
g. To build the matching network, select the shunt inductor from the Smith Chart Utility
palette.
Then move the cursor on the Smith chart as shown here – stop when you get to the
50 Ohm circle of constant resistance, click to stop; it does not have to be exact.
28 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
h. Select the series inductor from the palette and then move the marker along the circle to
the center of the Smith chart (approximately) and click, as shown below.
i. In the lower right in the Network Schematic pane, select either shunt or series L to see
the value, see here.
j. Click the Build ADS Circuit button at the bottom of the Smith Chart Utility window to
create the matching. Now you have designed the matching network that was use to
obtain the good results in the previous steps. Close the utility window.
k. In the Z_match schamtic push into the Smith Chart symbol to see the matching circuit.
Notice the values obtain a very close to the rounded value we used in the matching circuit in
the lab. You values may be slightly different.
l . You can close or delete the cells or any files used for the Smith chart matching – you
don’t need them. You only used the utility to design the matching circuit topology.
Congratulations! You have completed Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z
Matching Network. Check out more examples at
www.keysight.com/eesof-ads-rfmw-examples.
29 | Keysight | Microwave Amplifier Design and Smith Chart Utility for Z Matching Network - Demo Guide
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