ADS 2016 software improves design productivity and speeds circuit and electromagnetic simulation performance. Features enhanced harmonic balance and circuit envelope simulators to improve speed, convergence and accuracy. Enhanced DC annotation speeds development of even the most complex designs. Electro-Thermal simulator includes Windows and Linux support. Layout and layout verification 

enhancements include manufacturing grid checking and control, improvements to ground nets, faster 3D viewer, improved highlighting and connectivity, and mapping of layout nets to schematic net names, as well as importing .brd files for Momentum electromagnetic (EM) simulation. Adds functionality to benefit OpenAccess-based interoperable and native ADS silicon RFIC design flows. Includes SIPro signal integrity-focused EM simulator for high-complexity PCB applications, and PIPro, a power integrity focused suite of EM simulators for analysis of power delivery networks. Now has direct layout import from Cadence Allegro .BRD file DDR bus simulator support for receiver equalization for DDR4, and a new S-parameter checker/viewer.

Keysight Technologies, www.keysight.com/find/eesof-ads2016.01

MicroLine 5000 is for laser drilling flexible printed circuit boards. UV laser-based drill has a working area of 21" x 24". Comes in two laser power classes and is equipped with precise process monitoring systems, as well as intelligent vision systems for fiducial recognition and alignment. Performs high-speed drilling of blind vias and through-holes and is effective for contour cutting of flex PCBs. Has a laser beam spot size of 20µm. Drills and cuts delicate substrate materials with a minimal heat-affected zone. Configurable for reel-to-reel handling of flex substrates.

LPKF, www.lpkfusa.com

Reconfigurable mini probe station model W4.0 x L6.5 is used to test a chip or small printed circuit board that can’t wait for local lab probe station availability. Has footprint of 22" x 9" x 8" and can be used at the desk or a lab. Weighs 9lbs. Is fully manual with 4" x 6.5" test plate with vacuum holes and wide probe holder plates on each positioner with multiple holes for probe mounting. Both positioners can slide back and forth in the X and Y directions and can be moved toward the DUT at the angle. Height positioning is accomplished via digital micrometers, and each positioner can be locked independently. Magnetic plates attach to normal probe mounting holes to allow additional magnetic x-y-z positioners with fine adjustment; probe arms are adjustable in the x, y, z and theta axes.

D-Coax, www.D-COAX.com

Contac S4 enables through-hole plating on a laboratory scale, as a result of a cleaning step for microvias. Station can be equipped with up to six baths. Generates through-holes with aspect ratios of up to 1:10, even on multilayer boards with up to eight layers. Tolerance in layer buildup is +/- 2µm. Tin-plating step improves solderability.

LPKF, www.lpkf.com