Global data traffic is exploding and remote digital services will become even more essential. They’ll require ultra-dense sensors, fast computing and fully integrated heterogeneous connectivity.
To manage these requirements, PCB designers must use xSignals. An xSignal is a designer-defined path between two nodes (either in the same net or associated with different nets separated by a component). The xSignals Multi-Chip Wizard is used to identify potential xSignals from a source to a destination component and through series termination components.
1. Real-time spectrum analyzers
Real-time spectrum analyzers can detect RF signals across a range of frequencies. They provide an indication of the signal’s amplitude as a function of frequency, making them useful for testing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and locating sources of interference in wireless networking equipment.
Swept-tuned and superheterodyne analyzers are derived from radio receivers, with swept-tuned analyzers being essentially a frequency-selective, peak-responding voltmeter with a sweep that automatically focuses on a specified range of frequencies. The resulting data displays the amplitude of each signal at that frequency and their relative power.
A VSA’s ability to spectrally characterize complex signals is what differentiates it from the swept-tuned and superheterodyne models. By mixing the target signal with a reference, the VSA can create a beat frequency that has characteristics of the original signal to allow measurement of the amplitude and phase of each component of the complex signal. In addition, VSAs offer fast analysis with high-resolution measurements using DSP techniques.
2. Multi-chip xSignals
As operating speeds of IC chips continue to increase, there is a need for very dense circuitry and input/output (i/o) leads to be placed very close to one another. This has led to the development of hybrid multi-chip modules that include photonic wire bonds.
These devices are capable of connecting ICs with high-speed communication between them, as well as providing energy-efficient bandwidth scaling. They have the potential to transform a wide range of applications, from high-speed communications and data processing to optical sensing and quantum information processing.
To create xSignal, you select the pads of both the source and destination components in the xSignals panel, then click the Analyze button – this enables the software to identify potential xSignals between them. The software will search for direct connections and also searches through series termination components if required, following the current net topology defined by the applicable Routing Topology design rule. All identified xSignals are then displayed in the xSignals panel, with their class specified if required.
3. xSignals Multi-Chip Wizard
The xSignals Multi-Chip Wizard is an easy-to-use tool to determine whether you’re violating rules. It uses a single pulse from a 100 Hz signal generator to measure the x- and y-signals over a 10-ms interval. Then it reports the closest attainable result.
The wizard also allows designers to create a physical antenna array and assign antenna radiation patterns based on the design and performance criteria. It can model antenna mutual coupling and edge/corner behavior and incorporate gain tapering to reduce side lobes. It can also simulate link and feed performance and model antenna element failures to help eliminate design errors before the fabrication stage. Once complete, the resulting system or circuit-based network can be further developed, optimized and analyzed in AWR Microwave Office software.
4. xSignals Wizard
With the xSignals Wizard introduced in Altium Designer 15.0, designers can quickly create xSignals that extend from the selected series termination component pins to the selected target input pin. This process also includes the ability to define xSignals for sections within these end-to-end xSignals, as well as the creation of xSignal Classes and Matched Length design rules that will be obeyed during interactive length tuning and other design tasks.
On the xSignal Class Definition page, the designer can specify a starting default name syntax for the xSignal Classes (eg DATA_BL[#]). This will be used as the xSignal Class suffix for all xSignals created from this point in the design.
On the Identifying the Data Group Nets page, the Wizard will identify all potential xSignals that run from the selected source components to the selected target components. For each of these xSignals, the Wizard will create a Matched Length design rule, targeting these xSignals and defining their Class Name, Rule Name and Tolerance.
