SAN FRANCISCO-Lucent Technologies Inc. researchers have developed new software tools that promise to speed the design of radio frequency integrated circuits used in wireless phones and base stations.
Lucent said it currently takes four or more design iterations to develop manufacturable RF chips within the industry, and each iteration requires two to three months to develop. Using the new software tools, which are in an advanced development stage at Lucent’s Bell Labs, researchers should be able to produce manufacturable RF chips on the first attempt.
“Reducing both time to market and design costs are very important in this highly competitive and exploding wireless electronics market,” said electrical engineer Al Dunlop of Bell Labs, who presented research findings at the 35th Design Automation Conference.
