Large-Signal Analyses Using HB and Shooting Newton Methods in SpectreRF Option

In the realm of RF and analog design, understanding how circuits behave under real-world, nonlinear conditions is critical. Whether you're designing power amplifiers, mixers, or oscillators, large-signal analysis is the key to ensuring performance, stability, and compliance.

The SpectreRF option, Cadence’s industry-standard RF simulation engine, offers two powerful methods for large-signal analysis:

• Harmonic Balance – A frequency-domain technique.
• Shooting Newton – A time-domain technique.

Each method has unique strengths and is tailored for different types of circuits, making them indispensable tools for RF and analog designers.

What Are Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton Methods?

Key Large-Signal Analyses Within Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton

• Periodic steady-state calculation
  • Purpose: Analyze small-signal characteristics of a circuit: noise, stability, transfer function.
  • Both Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton are powerful solutions for calculating the periodic steady-state.
  • The details of the circuit implementation determine which method to use.

• Harmonic distortion
  • Purpose: Analyze harmonic content and waveform distortion.
  • Both Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton are powerful solutions for analyzing compression.
  • The details of the circuit implementation determine which method to use.

• Intermodulation distortion (IP3)
  • Purpose: Measure linearity via third-order distortion.
  • Harmonic Balance: Generally preferred for analyzing intermodulation distortion.
  • Shooting Newton: Useful for circuits with feedback or biasing complexity.

• Gain compression (P1dB):
  • Purpose: Identify when amplifier gain drops by 1 dB.
  • Both Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton are powerful solutions for analyzing compression.
  • The details of the circuit implementation determine which method to use.

• Oscillator analysis
  • Purpose: Simulate steady-state, and phase noise response.
  • Both Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton are powerful solutions for analyzing compression.
  • The details of the circuit implementation determine which method to use.

• Load pull
  • Purpose: Evaluate performance across load impedances.
  • Harmonic Balance: Supports fundamental and harmonic load and source pull analysis.

Introducing the Comprehensive Training on Large-Signal RF Analyses Using Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton

This training provides a hands-on understanding of Large-Signal analyses using both Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton methods within the SpectreRF option. You’ll learn:

• When and why to choose Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton based on circuit behavior.
• How to simulate and interpret key RF metrics like P1dB, IP3, Load Pull
• Practical workflows for analyzing LNAs, mixers, oscillators, and power amplifiers.
• Real-world examples and demo simulations that reinforce each concept.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to confidently apply these techniques in your own RF design projects—bridging the gap between theory and silicon. Whether you're a student, a practicing engineer, or a researcher, mastering these analyses will elevate your ability to design and verify robust RF systems.

For more details, kindly navigate to the training: Large-Signal RF Analyses Using Harmonic Balance and Shooting Newton

How to Enroll

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This course includes slides, audio instruction, and downloadable lab exercises, in line with the lecture content.

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