PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys)

Simulation and synthesis EDA software for

RF/Microwave circuit board and subsystem designers
Affordable, accurate, easy-to-use RF design tool
PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys) is an affordable, accurate, easy-to-use RF and
microwave circuit synthesis and simulation software created for the circuit board and
subsystem designer. Providing the optimal balance of capabilities with ease-of-use,
designers can quickly attain the skills necessary to operate the tool while realizing
unbeatable engineering productivity through multiple powerful automatic RF circuit
synthesis technologies.

Safe investment
Genesys is endorsed by an installed base of over 5,000 satisfied RF and microwave
designers worldwide, many of whom have been loyal repeat customers over the past
30 years. Genesys incorporates breakthrough RF simulation and synthesis
technologies backed by Keysight’s extensive industry-wide expertise in RF/ microwave
design, instrumentation, and support.

As a proven safe investment, Genesys literally pays for itself through cost savings
within its first year of deployment as a design productivity tool. As your requirements
expand to include enterprise level design of RF/high speed boards, MMICs or multi-
technology RF system-in-package (SIP) modules, Keysight Technologies, Inc.
protects your Genesys investment by providing full trade-up credit towards the even
more capable Advanced Design System (ADS).

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Genesys Configuration Overview
The core capabilities of Genesys can be extended with additional simulation and synthesis
building blocks into powerful and affordable bundles.
Genesys offers the highest design productivity by providing:

• Industry’s widest coverage of RF and microwave automatic circuit synthesis

• Comprehensive RF system architecture and frequency planning tools
• Modulated RF analysis of circuits and systems for EVM, BER and ACPR with WLAN and LTE-3GPP
verification
• Time- and frequency-domain circuit simulation with optimization
• Fast, memory-efficient 3D-planar electromagnetic (EM) simulation
• Accurate and convenient X-parameter nonlinear circuit and system simulation
• Accurate frequency, temperature, and bias dependent Sys-parameters models of vendor system
blocks

Genesys Core Environment

All Genesys configurations start with the prerequisite Genesys core environment, which is itself a full-
featured design bundle. Extended capabilities are added to other affordable bundles to include:

• Filter, match and 10 other automatic RF circuit synthesis

• RF system architecture and frequency planning
• Modulated RF system analysis (dataflow- and frequency-domains)
• Nonlinear circuit simulation (DC, time- and frequency-domains)
• 3D-planar EM simulation

Key building blocks

Genesys bundles are comprised of one or more of these building blocks
Schematic, Layout, Linear Analysis, Optimization, MATLAB script,
Core
Instrument links
Filters (active, passive, distributed, custom response), Match, Oscillator,
Synthesis Mixer, Signal Control, Equalizer, Transmission Lines, PLL, Vendor Parts
Selection
System System simulation, Budget analysis & Frequency Planning synthesis
Modulated Modulated RF system analysis of EVM, BER and ACPR with WLAN &
RF LTE verification
Circuit Harmonic Balance & Transient circuit simulation
EM 3D Planar Electromagnetic simulation of printed circuits and antennas

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Genesys Core Building Block
Capability module Description
Design Environment
• Integrated, easy-to-use Windows-based graphical user

environment for hierarchical design creation and management;

available in six major languages worldwide
• Scripting from Matlab script, Visual Basic, C++, VBScript or
JScript for automation of Genesys to perform custom or
repetitive tasks
• LiveReport for creating auto-updating and interactive design
documentation
• Export Genesys designs for use in Keysight ADS in design
collaboration

Linear Circuit Simulation, Tuning and Optimization

• Fast linear simulation and powerful optimization

• Interactive tuning for quick insights

• Fast and robust design optimizer
• Linearizes nonlinear components at their DC bias before linear
simulation.
NOTE: Full DC analysis requires Harbec/Cayenne nonlinear
circuit simulators

Statistical Simulation
• Monte Carlo yield analysis

• Graphical and spreadsheet statistical report

Data Processing and Display

• Data sets for persistent storage of simulation and measurement

data for post-processing and display to eliminate wasteful re-

simulation
• Matlab scripting with 100% compatibility with Matlab for custom
equations, functions and data processing
• Flexible data display and analysis with rectangular, polar, Y/Z
Smith, histogram, 3D-parametric plots, and instrument-style
marker readouts
• Interactive 3D viewer for EM surface currents and antenna far-
field patterns

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 Capability module Description
RF/microwave Layout and Artwork Translators
• Create layout from schematic, imported artwork, or direct

drawing for EM simulation and board fabrication

• 3D viewer for layout with interactive rotation, zoom, vertical
stretching, and cut planes to verify correct geometry before
fabrication
• Export Python script of layout, materials and ports to Keysight
EMPro for full 3D EM simulation
• Full library of pad/package layout footprints
• Import /export masks and drill files in popular printed circuit
board (PCB) formats (e.g., Gerber, DXF/DWG, and GDSII) for
PCB board realization on fast prototyping machines or chemical
etching

Libraries of Simulation Models and Parts

• Full libraries of accurate high-frequency physical transmission

line, transition and discontinuity models

• Over 30,000 linear, nonlinear and system parts

Instrument Testlink
• Captures measured data directly into Genesys for simulation

and display on network analyzers, impedance analyzers,

oscilloscopes, vector/spectrum analyzers, semi-conductor
analyzers, and power meters
• Supports over 140 instruments from more than 14 equipment
manufacturers

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Genesys Circuit Synthesis
Genesys provides the industry’s widest coverage of
passive and active circuit synthesis capabilities. The
synthesis modules create high-performance circuits,
accelerate routine design tasks from hours to minutes,
and enable fast make-or-buy decisions on RF com-
ponents. All 12 synthesis modules are included in the
Genesys Synthesis building block.

Capability module Description

Filter Synthesis

Lumped filter synthesis. Automatically creates multiple lumped LC

filter circuit topologies that satisfy user input specifications such as
filter type, response shape, minimum inductor (to minimize cost),
single ended or differential terminations.

M/Filter Synthesis

Microwave filter synthesis. Automatically creates distributed and

hybrid lumped-distributed microwave wave filters with physical layout
for over 60 types of topologies to satisfy user input specifications for
filter type, response shape, order, transmission line resonator
impedance and types of physical implementation. Useful for
designing embedded printed filters on PCB boards.

Match Synthesis

Matching network synthesis. Synthesizes impedance-matching

networks over narrow/broad frequency bands with lumped/distributed
components and complex frequency-dependent loads. Creates
simultaneous input, output and inter-stage matching for cascaded
non-unilateral devices. Accepts measured S-parameters of
impedances to be matched.

Advanced Transmission Line Synthesis

Synthesizes 13 types of transmission lines with lump-distributed

circuit conversion and automatic discontinuity insertion. Converts
ideal electrical designs to physical implementation such as
microstrips and striplines on your choice of substrate.

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Circuit Synthesis
Capability module Description
S/Filter Synthesis

Direct filter synthesis technology enables custom shaping of filter

response with transmission zeros to automatically create custom
lumped and distributed filter topologies. Comes with over 200
interactive lumped and distributed topological transforms to design
filters that are practically realizable with lumped and/or distributed
elements.

A/Filter Synthesis

Active op-amp filter synthesis with over 30 active topologies. Use

for IF, video, baseband frequencies, and control applications such
as power control and AGC circuits.

Equalize Synthesis

Synthesizes equalization networks to compensate for linear phase

distortions in the circuit or system that impacts modulation fidelity
such as error vector magnitude (EVM), video, and audio fidelity.

Oscillator Synthesis

Explore 19 RF oscillator topologies from classical L-C, transmission

line, SAW, crystal, cavity, and coaxial hybrid. Recommended
companion to the Harbec harmonic balance or Cayenne transient
circuit simulators.

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 Capability module Description
PLL Synthesis

Phase-locked loop (PLL) synthesis of analog loop filters and 5

setup wizards to design frequency synthesizers and
phase/frequency modulators/demodulators.

Signal Control Synthesis

Synthesizes a variety of lumped and distributed couplers

(10 types), splitters (10 types), Baluns (5 types), and attenuator
(2 types) circuits that control RF signal flow.

Mixer Synthesis

Explore a range of performance trade-offs between 11 RF mixer

topologies based on BJTs, FETs and diodes from diode rings to
Gilbert cells. Design companion to the Harbec harmonic balance
circuit simulator.

Vendor Parts Synthesis

Automatically replace real-valued RLC parts in any design with
purchasable discrete vendor RLC with accurate parasitic models
from Modelithics and performs a grid optimization of available
values so that your actual RF-PCB meets original specs.

Automatically inserts solder pads for SMT RLC components and

sets up EM analysis to account for their effects during grid
optimization.

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Genesys RF Simulation
Genesys offers comprehensive circuit,
system and electromagnetic
simulation capabilities that are
provided in the following 4 building
blocks. They are used to construct
powerful and economical Genesys RF
and microwave board design bundles.

Circuit Simulation
Capability module Description
Harbec Harmonic Balance

Harmonic balance, nonlinear frequency-domain circuit simulation

and optimization that calculates the harmonic spectrum at any
circuit node, IP3, compression, efficiency, conversion gain, phase
noise, load pull contour, large-signal oscillator, amplifier, or mixer.
Indispensable tool for RF/microwave and DC bias designs with
active transistors, diodes, and components. Harbec now
incorporates Keysight’s breakthrough nonlinear X-parameters
simulation technology for convenient and accurate nonlinear circuit
designs with X-parameter models of transistors and RFICs.

Cayenne Transient

Transient simulation for RF circuits that works from the same

schematic and RF physical models as Harbec. Includes
convolution algorithm to use S-parameters and frequency-domain
transmission-line models in accurate time-domain transient
simulations of RF and high-speed signal paths. Includes full DC
analysis and optimization of DC voltages and currents.

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Genesys RF System Simulation
The Genesys system building block
Simulate and build RF
includes Spectrasys, a powerful RF
systems with real parts
system architecture and diagnostic
simulator, and WhatIF, an innovative
frequency planning synthesis that
instantly identifies spurious-free
bands when designing frequency
conversion systems.

Capability module Description

Spectrasys RF System Simulator

RF system architecture design with accurate behavioral and data-

based system blocks to analyze system block diagram performance
far more accurately than traditional spreadsheets. Unique root-cause
diagnostics identify culprit components that impair system
performance such as origins of nonlinear spurious mixing intermods
ignored by traditional spreadsheet calculations. Especially useful for
establishing confidence in system design reviews before hardware
realization to avoid costly implementation mistakes downstream.

Spectrasys uses Keysight Sys-Parameters which are frequency,

temperature and bias dependent nonlinear system component
models that directly use datasheet specs supplied by component
vendors such as Mini Circuits and Analog Devices. You can also
create spreadsheets of P1dB, IP3, IP2, NF, etc. for use by these
models to accurately simulate off-the-shelf components in your
system before purchase. Sys-parameter libraries representing
popular system blocks from ADI, MiniCircuits, MACOM, DLI, IDT,
Custom MMIC and others are downloadable from
www.xmicrowave.com for rapid system prototyping.

RF system rapid prototyping with X-parameters from nonlinear network measurements or ADS circuit
system blocks from X-Microwave.com simulation are also convenient and accurate models of system
blocks used in Spectrasys.
accurately modeled with Keysight
Sys-parameters or X-parameters for
DC power estimator summarizes the different voltage and current
simulation in Spectrasys
drain required by each system component to enable the proper
sizing of the system power supply. This is an important aspect of RF
system design that other tools neglect.
WhatIF Frequency Planner

Unique, graphical frequency-planning synthesis tool that quickly

identifies spurious-free bands across a wide bandwidth involving
multiband conversions to a common IF, using realistic mixers. Useful
for designing multiband down-converters with high- and low-side
LO’s. A natural companion to Spectrasys RF system architecture
design tool.

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Genesys Modulated RF
The Genesys Modulated RF capability extends the
prerequisite System building block by adding the
SystemVue dataflow simulator. It enables RF
designers to easily specify digitally modulated RF
signals to analyze circuits and systems for digital
modulation metrics such as EVM, BER and ACPR.
Included WLAN and LTE verification libraries
assure design compliance with the latest wireless
standards.

Capability module Description

SystemVue Dataflow Simulator
The SystemVue dataflow simulator enables digitally modulated RF
signals to be used for simulating circuits and systems to calculate
key digital RF figure of merits such as EVM and ACPR.
It comes with more than 40 digital modulation schemes, selectable
through a pull-down menu on the signal source. Once the digital
modulation source is selected, all dataflow parameters, including
data sinks are automatically set up correctly for the analysis; thus
relieving the RF engineer from having to deal with unfamiliar digital
signal processing (DSP) dataflow parameters before starting the
simulation.
Modulated RF Budget Analysis
The modulated RF budget analysis of EVM, BER and ACPR on the
level diagram is a breakthrough capability in the industry that
enables the RF system designer to pinpoint which components in
the system architecture are contributing to EVM, BER or ACPR
failures.
Unlike a single pass/fail simulation, the level diagram indicates
stage-by-stage the relative contribution of each component in the
system chain to the overall system performance. Based on patented
fast estimation algorithms, modulated RF budget analysis also
allows interactive tuning of individual component specs to see their
relative impact on EVM, BER or ACPR during design.
Verification library LTE-3GPP and WLAN 802.11ac
Instead of going through volumes of LTE-3GPP or WLAN802.11ac
test and compliance specifications in trying to set up complicated
simulations for verifying your circuit or system design, Genesys has
already done that for you.
The included LTE-3GPP and WLAN 802.11ac verification libraries
comes ready set up with correct default dataflow parameters for the
RF engineers to begin the verification simulations with zero learning
curve. This follows the tradition of ease-of-use and instant
productivity that Genesys is always sought after for.

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Genesys EM Simulation
The Genesys EM block includes Momentum, the most Visualize and measure
advanced 3D-planar electromagnetic simulator in the planar antenna far field
industry that is also used by Keysight PathWave patterns
Advanced Design System flagship EDA tool.
Momentum enables you to analyze the EM effects of
physical circuit layout components that were not in your
original design schematic, such as microstrip
interconnects for SMT components, solder pads, vias,
proximity ground planes and covers. Tightly integrated Compute and visualize
circuit-EM cosimulation allows you to optimize circuit Surface current flow in
parameters to compensate for these parasitic effects 3D to troubleshoot EM
before you construct hardware, thereby eliminating coupling and leakage
wasteful delaying iterations. Links to Keysight EMPro effects
full 3DEM simulator and Sonnet provides automatic
setup of ports, materials and structure for additional EM
corroboration if needed.

Capability module Description

Momentum 3D Planar EM Simulator

Highest-performance, integrated 3D-planar EM simulator in the industry.

Includes fast multi-threaded simulation on multicore processors,
polygonal mesher and highly memory efficient NlogN solvers. Offers the
highest speed and capacity for 3D-planar EM simulation to analyze
complex multilayer layouts or large planar-antenna arrays. Interactive 3D
viewer for surface currents and antenna far-field reveals design insights
for troubleshooting and fixing undesired EM effects.

Keysight PathWave EMPro Link

Keysight EMPro analyzes non-planar 3-D electromagnetic effects such as

packaging, shielding and integration of circuit with waveguides or coax
connectors. In a single click, Genesys exports its planar RF/microwave
layout, along with ports and substrate material properties to EMPro for
immediate simulation. Eliminates tedious manual re-entering of 3D
structures, EM port locations and material properties.

Sonnet Link

Enables users of Sonnet planar EM simulator to take advantage of

Genesys circuit/system synthesis and simulation by performing circuit-EM
co-simulation.

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Genesys Co-Simulation
The already powerful system, circuit and electromagnetic simulators can also be used together to
analyze, tune and optimize your designs in a single pass. This eliminates tedious and error-prone
manual translation of data between simulators.

Circuit-system co-simulation

Circuit System

Enables nonlinear circuit parameters

to be tuned and optimized to system
specs in one pass. It eliminates
tedious, non-interactive and error-
prone creation of inaccurate system
behavioral models from circuits to
perform circuit-system verification.

Circuit-EM co-simulation

Circuit EM

Automatically includes the physical

effects of board layout in both
linear and nonlinear circuit
simulations.

It enables you to identify and fix

circuit performance degradation
caused by undesired parasitics,
proximity coupling, resonance and
reflection from your RF board
layout.

3D interactive viewing of animated

surface current flows help you
pinpoint the location of these
problems without guesswork.

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Genesys For ADS Users
The automatic circuit synthesis and RF system architecture capabilities in Genesys are perfect
complement to ADS users for enhancing personal design productivity at minimum cost.

Genesys synthesis to ADS schematic transfer

Using Genesys synthesis for broadband impedance matching network design reduces hours of tedious
work into a few minutes of mouse clicks as you watch your matching network being synthesized and
optimized automatically.

Export Circuit
Schematic
to
ADS

Designing demanding custom notched filters or difficult multiplexers are efficiently tackled with
automatic filter synthesis and network transforms to produce novel realizable topologies within minutes
instead of days of looking up references. The Genesys synthesized circuit schematic can be transferred
to ADS with one click for inclusion into a bigger design

Genesys system architecture to ADS schematic transfer

Quickly putting together a system block diagram and
simulating it to pinpoint the components causing system
impairments is one of the most valued capabilities in
Genesys by all RF system designers. System schematic
can be transferred to ADS with one click for simulation Export System
with its harmonic balance or circuit envelope simulators. Schematic
to
ADS
All the above are now available to ADS users as:

• PathWave Synthesis, SpectraSys & Modulated-RF

W3060E element
• PathWave RF Synthesis Core (Genesys) + Synthesis
+ System + Modulated-RF W5307B bundle
They can also run as standalone Genesys bundles when
available ADS licenses are depleted.

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Genesys Bundles
Genesys bundles are affordable combinations of useful capabilities that work seamlessly
together at a fraction of the cost of any competing design tools. For ADS users, the
W5307B bundle containing Genesys automatic synthesis and system capabilities is EM
specially created for boosting personal design productivity with one click schematic
transfer to ADS. The bestselling bundle is the Modulated Modulated
all-inclusive W5309B because of its unbeatable RF RF
Modulated
price performance. EM
RF
System System
Modulated
EM
RF
Circuit Circuit System Circuit Circuit

Synthesis System Synthesis Synthesis Synthesis System Synthesis Synthesis Synthesis

Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core

Model number W5300B

W5300B W5301B
W5301B W5302B
W5302B W5303B
W5303B W5304B
W5304B W5305B
W5305B W5306B
W5306B W5307B
W5307B W5308B
W5308B W5309B
W5309B
Core + Core +
Core +
Core + Synthesis + Synthesis +
Core + Core + Core + Synthesis +
RF Pathwave Synthesis Core + Core + System + Circuit + Circuit +
Core Synthesis + Synthesis + Synthesis + System +
(Genesys) Bundle name Synthesis System
Circuit EM Circuit + EM
Modulated
Modulated
System + System +
RF Modulated Modulated
RF
RF RF + EM

Environment
Genesys Core Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Testlink Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Synthesis
Filter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
M/Filter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Match Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Advanced Tline Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
S/Filter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
A/Filter Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Equalize Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Oscillator Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
PLL Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Signal control Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Mixer Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Vendor Parts Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Circuit Simulator
Harbec Y Y Y Y
Cayenne Y Y Y Y
System Simulator
Spectrasys Y Y Y Y Y
WhatIF Y Y Y Y Y
Modulated-RF
Dataflow Simulator Y Y Y Y
EVM Budget Analysis Y Y Y Y
LTE, WLAN Verification Y Y Y Y
EM Simulator
Momentum Y Y Y
EMPro Link Y Y Y
Sonnet Link Y Y Y

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 Genesys Licensing Options
PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesy) bundle licenses are purchased through an affordable annual
subscription. In addition to preserving cash flows for your business, subscription purchase may also
simplify accounting by treating it as an expense in tax reduction.

License Type Node-locked Networked

The node-locked subscription license The networked subscription license
is locked to a USB key or PC LAN enables convenient sharing by users
physical address across a network
Suitable for larger companies who
Usage expires after the 12-months need to optimize cash flows by
Subscription
time-based license period sharing a license amongst multiple
license
users
Cost about 30% more than a node-
Lowest cost option to purchase a locked license
Genesys software license Requires network license server
administration

Securing your Genesys License

Genesys subscription licenses can be secured to your personal computer’s (PC) local area network (LAN)
physical address or a universal serial bus (USB) hardware key serial number.

• LAN Physical Address - When secured to your computer LAN physical address, the danger of losing
the small USB hardware key is eliminated and your license enables you to start using Genesys just
like any other software on your PC.
• USB Hardware Key - When secured to a USB hardware key, you have the convenience of license
portability to run Genesys on different computers. However, you may risk losing the USB key which
then prevents you from using Genesys.
• www.keysight.com/find/eesof-usb-key

Learn more at: www.keysight.com

For more information on Keysight Technologies’ products, applications or services,
please contact your local Keysight office. The complete list is available at:
www.keysight.com/find/contactus

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This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2021, Published in USA, April 15, 2021, 3121-1099.EN