Bluetooth protocol stack for Java platforms XJB 100, from Zucotto Wireless, is a Bluetooth protocol stack written in the Java programming language. XJB 100 provides the functionality required for Java technology-based wireless networking using the Bluetooth protocol and is portable to any platform running a Java virtual machine. The stack gives developers a flexible, portable and dependable way to integrate Bluetooth wireless communications capability into any Java technology-enabled device. It brings the power of Java technology to Bluetooth networking by facilitating cable-free communications and exchange of applications and services across a Bluetooth link. XJB 100 works with any Bluetooth baseband that is compatible with the Host Controller Interface (HCI) specification. Zucotto Wireless

Filter design software for digital signal Systolix has released version 4.0 of its digital filter design software, FilterExpress, and has added a companion simulator called FilterSim. The Windows-based tools provide electronic and communications systems designers with a rapid means of developing and evaluating DSP-based filters of almost any kind, including processor-efficient multirate designs. FilterExpress allows designers to create most common filter configurations in minutes. Designs may then be simulated with FilterSim using built-in signal generator facilities or a user's own test data. The numeric precision of the tools is user-programmable to allow filter designs to be optimized for the target DSP hardware. When satisfied with the results, the filter's coefficients may be saved in ASCII format for import into a user's DSP development software. Systolix

Web-based software expedites issue resolution Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) introduces Syntricity dataConductor, an engineering decision support program. Syntricity dataConductor is a Web-based data warehousing, management, analysis and reporting tool-set to change the way that semiconductor manufacturers bring products from concept to market. The software is entirely Web-based and provides an easy-to-use browser interface, a powerful customized Oracle database, Internet/intranet data access, and a collaborative environment. With dataConductor, companies can centrally manage, archive, and retrieve valuable characterization and production data; electronically publish eBinders from wafer maps, charts, plots, and graphs; and harness a built-in statistics and graphics engine. AMCC

Software upgrade allows data streaming Labtech announces Version 12, an upgrade to its software family Labtech Notebook, Notebookpro, Control, and Controlpro. This latest release of the company's instrumentation and control software adds such features as the VISIONpro network client for remote viewing and control over the Internet or LANs; Symbol Factory, a 3000+ symbol library; 32-bit memory management for virtually unlimited trend displays; and new 32-bit drivers for a variety of I/O devices. Taking advantage of streaming data over the Internet, the new software also uniquely enables any device on a network to stream data directly to any other device. Labtech

System design pack adds simulation, design tool set Mathsoft announces the Communication System Design (CSD) Pack for Mathcad. The CSD Pack combines an extensive set of wavelet, image and signal processing functions with the modeling and simulation capabilities of VisSim/Comm Personal Edition software. The new CSD Pack creates an integrated environment for performing dynamic system simulations for communications, signal processing and control systems. It also includes "no programming required" OLE compliant integration. Mathsoft

Design system improves productivity, saves time Agilent Technologies introduces the fourth major release of its Advanced Design System (ADS) communications electronic design automation (EDA) software, which helps companies ramp up quickly and use simulation tools efficiently to reduce product development costs and meet development schedules. Product designers can increase productivity with ADS' innovations in ease-of-design, simulation technology, usability, design flow and instrument integration. Agilent has improved ADS in several areas including RF and microwave design, RFIC design and integration, and wireless system design and verification. Agilent Technologies

Tool allows convenient algorithm creation Hyperception's aXpressDSP Component Wizard tool allows for the convenient creation of an algorithm that adheres to the Texas Instruments' TMS320 DSP Algorithm Standard. By using information supplied via a series of step-by-step screens, the Component Wizard will automatically produce a source code template and associated project file that can be compiled into a custom vendor-specific XDAIS-compliant algorithm. Use of the tool will help ensure that the algorithm is accepted as compliant the first time it is submitted. All aspects of the standard are handled automatically by the Component Wizard and are based on data that are provided through a series of set-up screens. Implementation time and design complexity are reduced and much of the detail-oriented work associated with creating a standard algorithm is removed. Hyperception

Software creates automated testing of cellular phones Anritsu introduces Cellular Repair Center Application (CRCA) software for use with its MT8802A radio communications analyzer that creates a single test tool for fast, automated testing of TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and AMPS cellular phones. The CRCA software can enhance productivity, improve efficiency, increase throughput, and reduce the cost of testing cellular phones in the cellular repair center environment. A simple operator interface makes it easy to quickly identify a problem. Minimal training is required. To eliminate the potential for error, the CRCA software has a test manager feature, which stores designated test sequences for each phone and associated service provider. A data file of test results is created and saved in a tab-delimited format immediately after a phone is tested. Data can be extracted to run reports and track test results. A temporary file containing details of the test and results can be viewed from an operator interface. Used in conjunction with the MT8802A, the CRCA software creates a single test program that conducts a variety of transmitter and receiver tests based on TDMA, CDMA, and GSM. Anritsu

UDI on Linux release available Software Technologies Group has released a UDI environment for the Red Hat Linux and Caldera OpenLinux operating systems. The code provides early access to UDI technology on the Linux operating system for Intel platforms. The release includes the UDI environment itself, as well as several sample drivers for hardware such as the Osicom 2300 network interface card and the DPT SmartCACHE and SmartRAID families of SCSI controllers. STG

VCC environment delivers new modeling capabilities Cadence Design Systems announces a variety of new capabilities for system-level designers with the latest release of its Virtual Component Co-Design (VCC) environment for platform-based design. VCC 2.0 delivers new modeling features especially geared for performing rapid evaluations of implementation alternatives for new and derivative products early in the design cycle, thus enabling more efficient coordination between SoC providers and system integrators. The VCC environment has also been more tightly integrated with co-verification and implementation flows. VCC 2.0 introduces a new level of interaction into the relationship of SoC providers and system integrators by elevating the decision-making about functional and architectural alternatives to the system level. For SoC developers, VCC 2.0 provides an open modeling infrastructure to model specific highlights of their virtual components through a set of "architecture services." It provides a comprehensive library of more than 40 services from asynchronous delays to time-sliced buses and allows the modeling of custom architectural services. System integrators use the VCC environment to more efficiently articulate their product needs and to assess the integration aspects of components at the system level at the earliest point in the design cycle. Cadence Design Systems

Design studio speeds analysis, optimization Computer Simulation Technology announces the addition of CST Design Studio to its family of 3D EM software. CST Design Studio speeds up the analysis and optimization of complex or highly resonating structures. It enables the breakdown of complex systems into smaller components, each described by its S-matrix. All the matrices are then combined in CST DS, where the complete system's behavior is calculated within a few seconds. The sub-components can then be individually analyzed by the simulator best suited to the particular application. Changing the parameters of analytical models does not require any electromagnetic analysis, consequently the response is obtained almost instantaneously. An advantage of the CST Design Studio is the tight integration with electromagnetic simulators such as CST Microwave Studio and the Sonnet em suite. One of these simulators can be chosen for fast optimization of single subdevices within larger systems; a resimulation of the complete system is not necessary. The easy-to-use interface is based on Windows technology. This enables the user to build up clear schematic drawings of complex structures and circuits, keeping a clear overview by adding text and graphic elements. CST

Software features modeling capability for MMICs, RFICs The IE3D 8.0, from Zeland Software, features boxed green's functions for structures in enclosures, periodic green's functions for large antenna phase arrays, and multiple robust advanced iterative matrix solvers (AIMS) for accurate and fast simulations of large structures using less RAM. The IE3D has complete modeling capability for MMICs, RFICs, microwave circuits, patch antennas, wire antennas and other types of wireless circuits and antennas. The IE3D also has robust and efficient advanced symbolic electromagnetic optimization. Also released from Zeland is the COCAFIL 1.0. The COCAFIL 1.0 allows precise and efficient modeling and synthesis of coupled cavity waveguide filters. Zeland Software

New wireless propagation software Remcom has just released Wireless InSite propagation analysis siting software for analyzing urban, rough terrain, and indoor environments. This software uses acceleration techniques to substantially reduce computation time. Its capabilities can be especially beneficial in situations where the transmitting/receiving antennas are low, but there is propagation over buildings or hilly terrain. The Fast 3D Model can predict line-of-sight (LOS), singly diffracted, and doubly diffracted paths with additional multiple reflections over and around buildings. Remcom's ray-tracing models do not require extensive on-site measurements. Remcom

Software attacks high-speed digital networking Ansoft announces version 8.0 of the Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (Ansoft HFSS). Ansoft HFSS is a full-wave finite element electromagnetic (EM) simulator that enables engineers to design three-dimensional (3D) high-frequency structures such as connectors, IC packages, and antennas found in cellular telephones, broadband communications systems, and microwave circuits. A Full-Wave Spice technology enables users to design components while taking gigahertz-frequency effects into account. With the Full-Wave SPICE add-on module, HFSS users can generate high-accuracy frequency-dependent SPICE models automatically from full-wave electromagnetic field simulation. Ansoft HFSS determines the precise electromagnetic signal propagation through electronic interconnects over a broad frequency band, then generates frequency-dependent SPICE models that may be used in HSPICE, PSPICE or Maxwell SPICE. Optimetrics is an add-on module that allows users to perform parametric analysis, optimization, sensitivity analysis, and many other design studies from an easy-to-use interface. The new version now features automatic design point sensitivity analysis, interactive geometry creation and editing. Additional features of Ansoft HFSS V. 8 include: common and differential modes Wizards, Macro Editor Macro in Interface, modes-to-nodes lumped RLCs, and fast sweep. Ansoft