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Designers of wireless consumer electronics devices with complex, multi-port RF architecture who are looking to perform more difficult and complex RF measurements on their wafer-level RF devices could benefit from Cascade Microtech's efforts to expand the capability of its popular WinCal calibration software. The new software includes key features that will provide faster and more accurate wafer-level RF measurement.
WinCal XE combines advanced calibration with RF accuracy enhancement features. Key new features of the XE version include: hybrid calibrations for multi-port measurements (automated multi-port hybrid calibrations on up to four ports); local data manipulation for measurement validation and data analysis in the lab (advanced local data analysis, which allows early detection of questionable data prior to export); and device characterization tools (broad selection of powerful measurement-related tools that support device characterization).
An increasingly common RF measurement challenge is the characterization of differential architectures requiring four measurement ports. Advanced two- port calibration methods, which are highly tolerant of probe placement uncertainty often experienced in wafer probing, are available today, but to date an advanced calibration method for four-port measurements has not been available. A further complication is that four-port system setup and calibration require many more steps than two-port system calibration, and thus has greater opportunity for error.
WinCal XE is designed to provides new advanced hybrid calibration algorithms to assure a precision "probing tolerant" calibration for four-port differential measurements. WinCal XE also simplifies four-port measurements by offering straightforward multi-port setup guides, management of multi-port calibration standards and vector network analyzer (VNA) ports, and automatic calibration and validation of up to four ports.
Cascade Microtech reports that WinCal XE offers the following advanced calibrations not available in any other commercial product: eLRRM cal for increased accuracy in routine calibrations; hybrid four-port calibrations, including SOLT-eLRRM and SOLT-SOLR for four-port accuracy; multi-line TRL to compare your preferred calibration methods to a NIST-style reference calibration.
The Cascade Microtech WinCal XE calibration and RF measurement enhancement software starts at US $4,450. Delivery is three weeks upon receipt of order. For more information, visit www.cascademicrotech.com
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