Amplifier Simulation Task

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The amplifier task refers to amplifier applications. Within this dialog box you can specify amplifier properties and the results that should be evaluated. You must select external ports as the input and output of your device. A sweep parameter must be specified (or the option "No Sweep" must be selected) to indicate the abscissa that the results will refer to.

Output and input of the amplifier must be indicated by external ports. To define this task, the model must contain at least two external ports. All other external ports will be internally replaced by resistors with the specified port impedance during the calculation.

Frequency Limits frame

Lower Limit: Shows the lower frequency limit.

Upper Limit: Shows the upper frequency limit.

General settings frame

Input port: Specify the input port of your amplifier. Select one of the external ports of your design.

Output port: Specify the output port by selecting an external port of your design that must be different from the one selected as input port.

Units frame

Global units: Use the global units (that may be defined within the Units dialog box) for this task..

Local units: Select this option to specify local units.

Frequencies: Select the local frequency unit.

Resistances: Select the local resistance unit.

Simulation settings frame

Source power: Specify the source power here. This value will be ignored if the source power is swept. It is also not relevant if a linear simulation is performed, e.g., to calculate group delay or S-parameters.

Source resistance: Specify the source resistance associated with the input port. The resistance specified for that port will be ignored.

Source frequency: Specify the source frequency. This value will be ignored if the source frequency is swept.

Load resistance: Specify the load resistance associated with the output port. The resistance specified for that port will be ignored.

No Sweep: No sweep will be performed. Instead, a simulation will be run using the source power and the source frequency specified above.

Sweep source frequency: The source frequency will be swept.

Sweep source power: The source power will be swept.

Fmin / Pmin: Specify the lower limit for the sweep to perform.

Fmax / Pmax: Specify the upper limit for the sweep to perform.

Samples: Specify the number of samples to perform during the sweep.

Logrithmic Sweep: If this mark is checked, the frequency samples will be distributed logarithmically.

Result settings frame

Calculate S-Parameter: Select this option to calculate the S-parameters for the two ports of the amplifier. The results are identical to those generated by an S-parameter simulation task with the same settings (frequency range and number of steps) if there are no other external ports contained in your model. This option is only available for a frequency sweep.

Calculate group delay: This option is only available for a frequency sweep. The group delay between input and output will be evaluated if this box is checked.

Calculate linear gain: Select this option to calculate the amplifier’s linear gain |S₂₁|. Furthermore, the maximum available power gain MAG and the maximum stable gain MSG are evaluated. This option is only available for a frequency sweep.

Calculate stability factors: Select this option to calculate the stability factors K, μ (mu) and Δ (delta). This option is only available for a frequency sweep.

Calculate input/output spectrum: The current and voltage spectral lines at the input and output ports will be calculated. Therefore, a single-tone harmonic balance simulation with eight harmonics will be performed. This option is only available if ’No Sweep’ is chosen inside the ’Simulation Settings’ frame.

Calculate distortion: The harmonic distortion at the output port will be calculated by

               D=100 (P_Dist / P_Total)^1/2=100 ((P_Total-P_Mixed) / P_Total)^1/2,
where P_Mixed is the power for the signal spectrum of the desired mixing product at the output port and P_Total is the total power dissipated there. Therefore, a single-tone harmonic balance simulation with eight harmonics will be performed for every power step. This option is only available for a power sweep.

Calculate input/output power: P_Load and P_In will be calculated as functions of P_Src. Therefore a single-tone harmonic balance simulation with eight harmonics will be performed for every power step. This option is only available for a power sweep.

Calculate gain: The nonlinear operating power gain (P_Load / P_In) and the nonlinear transducer power gain (P_Load / P_Src) as functions of P_Src will be calculated. Therefore a single-tone harmonic balance simulation with eight harmonics will be performed for every power step. This option is only available for a power sweep.

OK

Stores the current settings and closes the dialog box.

Cancel

Closes this dialog box without performing any further action.

Apply

Stores the current settings (without closing the dialog box).

Specials...

Shows the Solver Specials Dialog.

Help

Shows this help text.

See also

Simulation Task Overview