HP RF Compiler Automates Schematic Capture Design and Extends Capabilities of Circuit Synthesis

Business Wire, June 1, 1999

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 1999--

Software's Top-down Design Approach and Wizard-driven Format

Cut Steps and Save Time

Hewlett-Packard Company today introduces HP RF Compiler, a circuit synthesis software tool that offers the ability to generate automatically circuit schematics directly from behavioral specifications. This top-down design approach saves time and increases productivity because designers no longer need to specify the initial circuit topology or component values.

With RF Compiler, users enter circuit specifications and a list of allowable components into a wizard that returns both the topology and the component values. The topology and set of values then are written to an HP Advanced Design System schematic design. In effect, RF Compiler takes a specification and generates a design for a working circuit.

The software, developed by the HP EEsof Division, consists of a collection of application-specific templates combined with a single, core, synthesis engine. The synthesis engine contains both a genetic algorithm that augments engineering knowledge and experience, and a gradient optimization routine. This enables RF Compiler to generate a superset of all available topologies and predetermine a set of allowable components, automatically guaranteeing that the components will meet "real-world" specifications. This first release of RF Compiler offers linear simulation, and HP expects that later releases will offer nonlinear simulation as well.

"We expect HP RF Compiler to benefit all levels of design engineers," said Jake Egbert, general manager of HP's EEsof Division. "The easy-to-use, wizard-driven format creates schematics quickly and easily, facilitating the learning curve for less experienced engineers and helping them become productive more quickly. Experienced designers can bypass the basic circuit design phase and go straight to more complicated design considerations that result in higher-quality solutions in less time."

The synthesis modules in RF Compiler help the microwave circuit designer using lumped or distributed components and the RF board designer involved in discrete component design. In addition, RFIC designers can benefit from the software's capability to synthesize off-chip filter and matching networks. Each module is contained inside a simple wizard-like dialog box that guides the engineer through the procedure of creating a target specification, setting the topology and component constraints and configuring other synthesis parameters. By using these design wizards, the RF designer can understand the task in terms of behavioral-level descriptions, which are part of the natural language of the engineer.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

HP RF Compiler is $20,000 and is expected to be available in September for UNIX(R) system platforms from HP and Sun, and for PCs using Windows(R) 95 and Windows NT(R) 4.0 operating systems.

Information about HP EEsof can be found on the World Wide Web via http://www.hp.com/go/hpeesof.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services. HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

HP plans to launch a new company ("NewCo") consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, components, chemical-analysis and medical businesses. These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP's total revenue in fiscal 1998. With leading positions in multiple market segments, this technology-based company will focus on high-growth opportunities such as communications and life sciences.

HP has 122,800 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.

Windows and Windows NT are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-452-4844 ext. 6504. Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

If you choose to review this item, your readers will receive the quickest response to their inquiries by mailing them to Hewlett-Packard Company, Test and Measurement Organization, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS 54LAK, Santa Clara, Calif. 95052.