The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →On November 18, 1997, Ansoft Corp. and VLSI Technology Inc. announced a strategic partnership to develop signal-integrity analysis for advanced electronic packages, particularly high-performance ball-grid arrays (BGAs). VLSI also agreed to purchase Ansoft’s Maxwell Eminence software suite. The companies said they would work on future tools for analyzing next-generation packages.
What did the Ansoft–VLSI partnership cover?
The agreement combined a software purchase with a development effort. VLSI Technology planned to buy Maxwell Eminence, Ansoft’s signal-integrity suite, while the companies pursued analysis tools for future advanced packages. The announcement’s technical emphasis was high-performance BGAs, a type of package whose electrical behavior matters to high-speed designs. Microwave Journal reported the purchase and development plans; EE Times’ archive lists the announcement on November 19, 1997, with a Pittsburgh dateline.
What was Maxwell Eminence?
Maxwell Eminence was Ansoft’s electromagnetic-modeling environment for high-speed electronic design, including signal-integrity work. It was distinct from Ansoft’s HFSS product: a contemporaneous EE Times announcement described Maxwell Eminence as aimed at high-speed electronic design and HFSS as aimed at microwave and millimeter-wave design. EE Times reported a 1997 bundle price of $49,900, attributed to Ansoft; that is a historical price, not a current quote or availability claim. EE Times’ announcement provides the product distinction and historical price.
How did Ansoft’s signal-integrity products address packages and interconnects?
Ansoft’s 1997 signal-integrity offerings were organized around the structures engineers needed to analyze. HPCwire described three related product families, all using 2D and 3D field-solver tools for electromagnetic analysis:
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| Product family | Target structure | Analysis approach |
|---|---|---|
| Ansoft SI for Connectors and Cables | Connectors and cables | Shared 2D and 3D electromagnetic field-solver tools |
| Ansoft SI for IC Packages | Integrated-circuit packages | Shared 2D and 3D electromagnetic field-solver tools |
| Ansoft SI for Interconnect Substrates | Interconnect substrates | Shared 2D and 3D electromagnetic field-solver tools |
The package-focused family is the closest match to the VLSI announcement’s advanced-package work. The product-family descriptions do not establish that each family used an identical workflow or had the same capabilities beyond the shared solver tools. HPCwire’s 1997 report describes the families and solver approach.
How does this relate to HFSS?
Maxwell Eminence and HFSS served different design domains in the contemporaneous product descriptions: Maxwell Eminence addressed high-speed electronic design, while HFSS targeted microwave and millimeter-wave design. Ansoft’s later SEC filing characterized HFSS as its flagship 3D electromagnetic-field simulation software. That later description does not make HFSS interchangeable with Maxwell Eminence or show that the 1997 partnership centered on HFSS. Ansoft’s SEC filing also documents training, maintenance contracts, and product support.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Frequency Range :Tiny Spectrum Analyzer with two inputs, high quality MF/HF/VHF input for 0.1MHZ-350MHz, lesser quality UHF input for 240MHz-960MHz. Switchable resolution bandpass filters for both ranges between 2.6kHz and 640kHz. Color display showing 290 scan points covering up to the full low or high frequency rangefrequency range. The tinySA contains all the components of a conventional heterodyne swept spectrum analyzer
- Built-in Calibration Signal Generator:When not used as Spectrum Analyzer it can be used as Signal Generator, MF/HF/VHF sinus output between 0.1MHZ-350MHz, UHF square wave output between 240MHz-960MHz. Built-in calibration signal generator that is used for automatic self test and low input calibration
- Tiny Spectrum analyzers & ESD Function: Switchable resolution bandpass filters for both ranges between 2.6kHz and 640kHz.Color display showing 290 scan points covering up to the full low or high frequency range. Bulit-in rechargeable battery allowing a minimum of at least 2 hours portable use.The performance of the 2021 latest version 3.1 will be more stable and sensitive, with a new ESD protrcted function enable the product to have a higher antistatic level and a longer service life
- PC Control: Connected to a PC via USB it becomes a PC controlled Spectrum Analyzer.The USB interface implements the Serial over USB (CDC) protocol and there is a large set of commands that can be invoked over the serial interface. These command can be used to perform measurements or update internal settings. The driver for Windows will install automatically after connecting to a Windows PC. The driver for Linux is built into the kernel
- Package List: 1x Tiny Spectrum Analyzer; 2 x 20cm RF Cable;1 x USB Cable;1 x SMA Female to Female Connector;1x Touchscreen Pen;1 x SMA Telescopic Antenna.It's very useful as an antenna analyzer for your ham station, easy to set without fancy calibration.The firmware of the tinySA can be updated by the user. New versions of the firmware needed please contact seller for download link
Rank #4
- 2026 Upgraded Tinysa Ultra+ ZS407 Spectrum Analyzer: Supports an ultra-wide frequency range of 100kHz–7.3GHz, delivering precise test data for RF system development, satellite alignment, and frequency verification. Features a 4.0-inch HD touchscreen (480×320 resolution) with up to 450 scan points for clear visualization of complex spectrum data. The intuitive interface ensures ease of use, while ESD protection and the latest V0.5.4 hardware system provide professional and stable performance
- Broad Frequency Coverage: Supports 100kHz–7.3GHz, ideal for 5G NR, Wi-Fi 6E, satellite communications, and higher wireless frequency bands. Calibrated up to 8GHz, it enables broader applications for high-frequency testing in lab environments. Standard mode covers 100kHz–800MHz, while ULTRA mode extends to 6GHz. With 200Hz–850kHz RBW, it ensures fast, efficient measurements, meeting high-precision needs like SSB two-tone intermodulation tests
- Robust Signal Generation: Functioning as both a spectrum analyzer and signal generator, it produces MF/HF/VHF sine waves from 100kHz-900MHz, UHF square waves from 800MHz-6.3GHz, and mixed signals from 4.4GHz-6.3GHz. Our spectrum analyzer antenna's versatility is perfect for RF system development, wireless communication debugging, and RF interference detection, aiding professionals in identifying and resolving frequency issues
- Convenient PC Control and Data Transfer: With USB and TinySA-APP connectivity, the device supports real-time data display and transfer, enhancing data management efficiency. This sdr spectrum analyzer includes a 32GB MicroSD card for easy data storage and sharing, catering to spectrum scanning, signal detection, and radio noise measurement needs
- 10-Hour Working Time: Powered by a 5000mAh battery, it offers up to 10 hours of continuous operation, ideal for field use by RF interference troubleshooters and satellite communication technicians. This signal analyzer's compact design makes it portable for various work environments, facilitating quick wireless signal detection and analysis for electronic and audio technicians
Rank #3
Rank #2
- Upgraded ZS406 TinySA Ultra+:This New Version V0.4.6.1 Spectrum Analyzer is developed by Hugen, with 4.0 inch 480 x 320 large touchscreen display, 100kHz to 5.4GHz widely measure range, with the new ESD protection function, the product has a higher anti-static level and a longer service life, and built-in 32Gb micro SD card, can directly record data to the card ,which is convenient for your data sharing and storage
- Widely Frequency Range: Compared to the tinysa (100kHz to 960MHz), the upgraded tinysa ULTRA+ has 100kHz to 5.4GHz ultra-wide measuring frequency range, spectrum analyzer for 0.1-800MHz, with Ultra mode up to 0.1MHz-6GHz.Switchable resolution band pass filters for both ranges between 200Hz to 850kHz. Color display showing 450 scan points covering up to the full low or high frequency range. Faster and more accurate measurement performance, you can easily cope with measurement testes in various fields
- 2 in 1 Multifunctional Frequency Analyzer & Signal Generator:When not used as Spectrum Analyzer it can be used as Signal Generator,with sine wave output between 0.1-800MHz or square wave or dual tone output up to 4.4GHz.Built-in calibration signal generator that is used for automatic self test and low input calibration
- PC Control: Connected to a PC via USB it becomes a PC controlled Spectrum Analyzer or Signal Generator.Tinysa-APP transfers data directly to the computer.The USB interface implements CDC protocol and there is a large set of commands that can be invoked over the serial interface. These command can be used to perform measurements or update internal settings. The driver for Windows will install automatically after connecting to a Windows PC. The driver for Linux is built into the kernel
- Ultra-long Battery Life: The upgraded tinysa analyzer built-in 5000mAh battery,with type-C charging cable and LED charging indicator,it can be fully charged within 3 hours,no need to charge frequently
What the announcement establishes—and what it does not
- It establishes a November 1997 strategic relationship focused on signal integrity in advanced packages, notably high-performance BGAs.
- It establishes VLSI Technology’s planned purchase of Maxwell Eminence and a joint effort toward future package-analysis tools.
- It does not establish the eventual release, technical specifications, or commercial availability of those future tools.
- It does not establish current availability of Maxwell Eminence or provide a basis for treating the historical $49,900 price as current.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
