Presentation of NMDG as solution provider for nonlinear component characterization, analysis and test

1. NMDG NV – The Company
Your Solution Provider
for
Nonlinear Component
Characterisation, Analysis and Test
“Your nonlinear problem
is our business...”
Aug 2011

2. Outline
● The Company “NMDG”
● Our Product Portfolio
● System Integration and Consulting
● Training
● Conclusion
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3. The Company “NMDG”
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4. Our Business
Based on the extensive experience in high-frequency measurements of
components and systems under realistic conditions
NMDG offers a customised combination of products, consulting, system
integration, training and services
To solve characterisation, modelling and test problems in close interaction
with the customer
Focusing on large-signal and nonlinear behaviour, possibly in a non-50 Ohm
environment and multi-port conditions
NMDG wants ● that their customers can focus on their core business
● to take away their burden of advanced measurements
● to provide new insights in their components and designs based
on the emerging large-signal network analysis technology
● to provide a competitive advantage in a cost-effective way
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5. Your Challenges
Semiconductor RF and HF
Technology Manufacturing
Design
You need
● Reliable Processes ● Designs with minimal iterations ● Just enough testing
● Accurate Design Kits ● Cost-efficient products ● Fast testing
Your
Measuring because measuring is knowing
Necessary
Evil
But it is increasingly complex and expensive
Especially Large-Signal and Nonlinear measurements
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6. Our Solutions
● Products to characterize and test the nonlinear behaviour of devices,
components and systems under realistic conditions
● Customer projects, developing and / or enhancing your HF measurement
setups, focusing on the large signal behaviour
● Measurement services, characterizing and modelling the nonlinear
behaviour of your devices, components and systems under realistic
conditions
● Training, education customers in all aspects of nonlinear characterization,
including advanced source- and load-pull and behavioural modelling
● Non-50 Ohm (source- and load-pull)
● Multi-port
● Differential
“Your nonlinear problem ● Complex Signals
is our business...” ● Wafer-probing – Fixtures
● Calibration techniques
● Combination with simulation and design tools
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7. Our Strengths
● Co-creators of the large-signal measurement and modelling technology
● World wide recognition
● 20 years experience in nonlinear HF stimulus - response systems
● High frequency measurement, behavioural modelling and simulation techniques
● Signal processing and algorithm design
● Instrumentation control
● Software engineering and application development
● Manufacturing processes of HF equipment
● R&D cooperation with renowned institutes
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8. Our Differentiators
● NMDG does not deliver just a product
● By combining products with integration, consulting, services and training NMDG
makes sure that the measurement problem gets solved in close interaction with
the customer
● Thanks to close interaction with customers, NMDG knows how to evolve
their application products, matching the needs of the customers
● For fast customization in a cost-efficient way, NMDG relies on its flagship
software “ICE”, a flexible measurement software, focused on nonlinear HF
characterisation
● The customer can count on full support, also for customised solutions
● NMDG works remote or on-site with the customer to overcome the
challenges of large-signal and nonlinear characterisation and modelling
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9. Our Product Portfolio
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10. Our Product Portfolio
● NM600: Fast Source And Load-Pull
● Extending R&S Network Analysers to perform active source- and load-pull
● NM800: ICEBreaker
● Define extensive sweepplans, collect and visualize device data and performance
● Option to verify the applicability of S-functions
● NM310: ZVxPlus
● Perform complete nonlinear characterization by extending R&S vector network
analysers with additional hardware and software for accurate phase
measurements
● NM700: S-functions
● The “S-parameters” for nonlinear components
● NM500: LF Large-Signal Network Analyser
● Measuring the induced LF behaviour of RF components under RF modulation
excitation to study long term memory effects under nonlinear conditions
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11. NM600 Fast Source- and Load-Pull
Standard Setup ● Application Area
● Transistor characterization
● Design Kit Verification and Improvement
● RF Reliability Testing
● Amplifier Design
● Amplifier – Antenna Interaction
● Customers
● Foundries
● Semiconductor Manufacturers
● Wireless Comm Mobile / Infrastructure
● Aerospace and Defence
● Capabilities
● Source- and Load-Pull using R&S vector
network analyser
● Benefits
● Low-cost for non-50 Ohm measurements
● Fast, Accurate and Simple
● Software add-on to VNA
Customized Setup ● Easy to combine with passive tuning
For Power Applications
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12. NM600 Fast Source- and Load-Pull - Display
Multi-tab Displays
Source- or Load Pull Mode
Selection of
independent variables
Display Configuration
● Style
➢ Points
➢ Contours
➢ Contours + Points Off-line
● Derived Quantity: Display
➢ Selection of Qty & Unit
➢ Multiple quantities at once
Selection of Datasets
● Multiple datasets at once
➢ Union of indep. variables
Data
Collection
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13. NM800 ICEBreaker
● Application Area
● Similar to NM600
● Customers
● Similar to NM600
● Capabilities
● Define, perform and visualize sweep plans
to study nonlinear device characteristics
● Benefits
● Closely integrated with measurement
equipment
● Live feedback during measurements
● Powerful data representations
● Data exchangeable with simulation tools
● Free ICEBreaker data viewer
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14. NM310 ZVxPlus
● Application Area
● Nonlinear component characterization
● Diodes, transistors, amplifiers,
multipliers, dividers
● Design Kit Verification and Improvement
● RF Reliability Testing
● Waveform engineering - Amplifier Design
● Customers
● Foundries
● Semiconductor Manufacturers
● Wireless Comm Mobile / Infrastructure
● Aerospace and Defence
Time Domain
Displays
Freq Load
Domain Impedance
Derived Quantities
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15. NM310 ZVxPlus
● Capabilities
Dynamic Loadline ● Amplitude and phase of spectral tones
● Waves or V/I in frequency or time domain
● Overrange detection and autoranging
● Integration with active and passive
(harmonic) source- and load-pull
● Real-time Derived quantities, eg. Input and
output impedances at spectral tones,
PAE,...
● Customization for power applications
● Benefits
● From S-par to full nonlinear
characterisation with one instrument
● Gain insight in component behaviour
under realistic circumstances
● Gain time by understanding performance
factors, realised during load-pull
● Understand the performance of switching
amplifiers
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16. NM310 ZVxPlus – Pseudo Real-time Performance Tuning
DC Analyser
RF Analyser RF Source DC Source 1 DC Source 2
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17. NM310 ZVxPlus Option DC Pulsing
ZVxPlus supports
● Full nonlinear characterization
● under DC and RF Pulsed conditions
● Possibly in a non-50 Ohm environment
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18. NM700 S-functions, “the S-parameters for nonlinear components”
● Application Area
● Similar to S-parameters but for nonlinear
S-functions components
● Closing the loop between design and test
● Simulate during the design with accurate
application-oriented models
● Customers
● From foundries to system level
● Semiconductor Manufacturers
● Wireless Comm Mobile / Infrastructure
● Aerospace and Defence
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19. NM700 S-functions, “the S-parameters for nonlinear components”
● Capabilities
● Captures and predicts the main aspects of
the nonlinear harmonic behaviour,
S-functions enabling accurate simulations
- From Measurement to Simulation - ● Complements data sheets and eval boards
● Benefits
● Simplify the use of HF components and
circuits
● Improve and speed up design and test
ADS ● Shorter time to market for component
MWO manufacturers and buyers
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20. NM800 ICEBreaker Option S-function Verification Tool
● Application Area ● Benefits
● Independent verification of the applicability ● Quality assurance before deploying the S-
of the S-functions under realistic functions in a simulation tool
conditions based on load-pull
measurements
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21. NM500 LF Large-Signal Network Analyser
● Application Area
● Self-biasing effects under modulation
excitation
● Long-term memory effects
● Digital pre-distortion through bias control
● Customers
● Semiconductor Manufacturers
● Wireless Comm Mobile / Infrastructure
● Aerospace and Defence
● Capabilities
● Measurement of the LF voltages and
currents under RF modulation excitation,
induced by the nonlinear behaviour
● Benefits
● Insight in the interaction of the RF and LF
behaviour
● Possibility to tune the bias circuit for
optimal device performance
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22. System Integration and Consulting
Enabled by “ICE”
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23. “ICE”: Integrated Component Characterization Environment
Stimuli Receivers DC Meters
DC
VNA
CW
LSNA
Tuner
...
...
ICE
Calibration
Technology
“Real-Time” and Complete
Stimulus – Response Characterization
Active Components and Circuits
Standard applications
● NM700: S-functions Allows the development of
● NM800: ICEBreaker customer – specific applications
● Harmonic Distortion Analysis in a cost-efficient way
● DC IV Characterization
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24. ICE supports absolute calibration techniques
● Absolute Calibration Techniques (connectorized, in-fixture and on-wafer)
● Relative VNA calibration techniques
● Power calibration
● Phase calibration
On wafer calibration
● ICE complements the
calibration capabilities of the
given receiver / analyser to Connectorized
Wafer
provide absolute calibration
techniques, adapted to the
type of measured signals
Performed by network analyser
Performed by ICE for oscilloscope / MT4463
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25. Examples of System Integration and Consulting
In - circuit
HF Signal Testing
with Stimulus - Response
calibration at the component Measurement System
for HF and High-Speed Signals
Courtesy On Semiconductor
Application: Dynamic ESD Characterisation
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26. Measurement and Modelling Services
NMDG
● Characterization data
● Behavioural Models
Compatible with Simulation Tools
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27. Measurement Service
● Capabilities
● RF Reliability measurements
● S-parameters under different bias conditions
● Stability under large-signal conditions
● Dynamic load-lines, optimal impedances
● Dynamic AM/AM and AM/PM including harmonics with phases
● Low-frequency memory under RF modulation induced by nonlinear behaviour
● Vector intermodulation measurements, possibly under non-50 Ohm conditions
● Source- and load-pull under CW and modulation conditions
● Components
● Connectorized, in-fixture or on-wafer
● Transistors, diodes, amplifiers, multipliers, dividers, frequency translation
devices, mixers, HF analogue circuits, high-speed devices …
● Uniqueness
● Based on the large-signal network analyser ZVxPlus and MT4463
● Complete component characterisation under realistic conditions with coupling to
simulation and design tools
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28. S-functions Modelling Service
● Capabilities
● Fundamental and harmonic S-functions
● Predict fundamental and harmonic behaviour of a component under different input
power, DC bias and source and load conditions
● Compression, gain, IP3, AM/AM, AM/PM, device input and output impedance as function of
input power and load conditions
● Predict modulation behaviour under certain assumptions
● Extends datasheets and evaluation boards
● Components
● Connectorized, in-fixture or on-wafer
● Transistors, diodes, amplifiers, multipliers, dividers
● Uniqueness
● Based on the large-signal network analyser MT4463 and ZVxPlus BIASTEE
ID=X1
SUBCKT
ID=S1
NET="SFUNC_Model"
2
1
&
BIASTEE
ID=X2
RF
DC
DC
RF
2
PORT
3
Model data
S-functions are public domain
P=2
2 RF 1 Z=50 Ohm
1
RF &
●
DC
DC
PORT_PS1 3
DCVS
..
P=1
Z=50 Ohm
ID=V2 ..
V=6 V
PStart=PinMin dBm 1.16226472890446E-16,-1.35308431126191E-16
PStop=PinMax dBm
PStep=PinStep dB
-3.15025783237388E-15,4.72191730160887E-15
DCVS
9.71445146547012E-17,-2.37310171513627E-15
Compatible with ADS and MWO/VSS
ID=V1
V=-1.8 V 1.51267887105178E-15,1.07899800205757E-15
-2.98198965520413E-15,1.59594559789866E-15
● -5.759281940243E-16,-1.97758476261356E-16
-1.83880688453542E-15,1.92901250528621E-15
-5.06539254985228E-16,2.94209101525666E-15
-2.50494069931051E-15,-6.73072708679001E-16
-8.60422844084496E-16,2.65412691824451E-16
-2.019218126037E-15,2.7373936450914E-15
-2.28289609438548E-15,1.70870262383715E-15
1.08246744900953E-15,-6.78276879106932E-16
-1.02955838299224E-15,-1.31578775652841E-15
5.45570533194706E-16,3.99333344169861E-15
-3.62904151174348E-15,-1.74860126378462E-15
-2.00100352953925E-15,-5.68989300120393E-16
2.14975606760426E-15,-5.53376788836601E-16
-1.16226472890446E-15,-2.44942954807925E-15
2.08166817117217E-16,2.4980018054066E-15
1.04372118124342E-05,-1.36061371223614E-05
2.85882428840978E-15,3.11556336285435E-15
-2.15105711021124E-16,1.37390099297363E-15
9.71445146547012E-16,9.95731275210687E-16
-1.69309011255336E-15,2.33146835171283E-15
4.27435864480685E-15,3.3584246494911E-15
-1.08246744900953E-15,-8.60422844084496E-16
…
2D and 3D package data
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29. Training
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30. Training
● Topics
● Load-pull and Source-pull using the newest measurement techniques
● General training on Large-Signal Network Analysis
● Training on the use of ZVxPlus, VNAPlus, MT4463 and Agilent NVNA
● Large-Signal Network Analysis and Transistor Modelling
● Large-Signal Network Analysis in a non-50 Ohm environment
● Large-Signal Network Analysis in a (non-50 Ohm) multiport environment
● Customised training, involving nonlinear characterisation and analysis
● Location
● At NMDG
● At customer side
● Hands-On
● NMDG pays a lot of attention to put the concepts into practice when equipment is
available.
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31. Conclusions
Based on the extensive experience in large-signal, nonlinear component
characterisation and behavioural modelling, possibly in a non-50
Ohm environment
NMDG offers a customised combination of products, consulting, system
integration, training and services
To solve the characterisation, modelling and test problems of our
customers, taking away the burden of complicated
measurements while providing new insights based on new types
of measurement
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32. Contact Information
If you have a “Nonlinear Characterisation, Analysis or Test Problem” ...
NMDG NV
Fountain Business Center-Building 5
Cesar van Kerckhovenstraat 110
“Your nonlinear problem
B-2880 Bornem
is our business...”
Belgium - Europe
info@nmdg.be
www.nmdg.be
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