Simulating circuits and devices

The successful engineering realization of high-frequency components and systems for these applications is heavily dependent on computer-aided design (CAD) in numerous respects. There are many different types and levels of modeling and simulation that may be involved, but the following discussion focuses on device modeling and circuit simulation, while also trying to place these within the wider high-frequency, computer-based design context, where possible. Furthermore, much of modern high-frequency design is driven by monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology and the greater levels of integration made possible using this technology. Accordingly, in this short overview of microwave device modeling and circuit simulation, we restrict our attention primarily to MMIC-based design.