Triquint and AWR launch incentive program for GaAs-MMIC designs

AWR and TriQuint Semiconductor are collaborating on a limited-time program to introduce first-time AWR and TriQuint customers to design methodologies for gallium arsenide (GaAs) microwave monolithic integrated circuits (MMICs).

Project Jumpstart combines AWR's electronic design automation (EDA) tools and TriQuint's pseudomorphic high electronic mobility transistor (pHEMT) foundry process.

It includes free process design kits (PDKs), a free 90-day lease for AWR's flagship high-frequency design software, Microwave Office design suite, and a reduced-rate prototype development quickturn (PDQ) shared-wafer foundry run using TriQuint's TQPED 0.5 micron pHEMT process.

AWR's Microwave Office software includes: linear and non-linear circuit simulators, electromagnetic (EM) analysis tools, integrated schematic and layout, statistical design capabilities, and parametric cell libraries with built-in design-rule check (DRC).

The design suite provides innovative technology, flow and choice, delivering intuitiveness-of-use, openness, and interoperability for integration with best-in-class tools for each part of the design process.

TriQuint's TQPED is a 0.5-micron optical gate enhancement and depletion pHEMT process that features three thick global metal interconnect layers and is well-suited for building switches, low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, and integrated transceivers.

The three metal layers are encapsulated in a high-performance interlayer dielectric and offer tremendous advantages for designers in its ability to provide a high level of wiring flexibility and simplicity of plastic packaging.