PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS) 2026 (x64)

PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS) 2026 Release Notes

Circuit Simulation
General
- Added support for BSIMIMG 103.1.0.
- Changes made to the Gnode DC solver. The finishing small conductance (GnodeFinal) has been reduced, from 1e-12 to 1.0e 1e -18. Other changes prevent the continuation from getting stuck at the smaller values. Where the results are different, we find that the solution is nearly always more accurate, and may be a little slower. The type of circuits that this affects are typically back-to-back PN junctions, like SOI.
ElectroThermal
- Added the functionality to automatically generate a thermal technology file when an active ETH substrate is present in the design. See Generating Thermal Technology File.
Data Display
General
- (Beta Release) Improvements to Python support on a page: (Data Display > Python Equation Tool)
. Python equations can be edited using a dedicated Python editor. It can't be invoked by double-clicking the equation on the page at creation or edit time, or in the Expression Manager by double-clicking or selecting the "Item Options" menu pick.
. Added trace support for Python expressions and equations to directly view Python data in a Description.
. Added functionality to traverse the dependency hierarchy of Python equations. Individual variables and the full hierarchy can be found via the "Find" menu pick on the equation. The Expression Manager also introduces menu picks to add all dependents and references to the current selection and to view the full hierarchy.
. Added Python Equation Preferences to configure their default appearance.
- (Beta Release) Additional Data Display Python APIs and related capabilities have been added as below. (See Data-Display within Python API)
. (Experimental) Python Widget API to allow displaying pages in an external application. Reference > keysight.ads.dds.experimental > DDSQtWidget.
. The numpy Python package shipped with ADS has been upgraded to version 2.2.3.
. Improved dataset Python module performance for writing a VariableBlock.
- Added option to the Variable Explorer to show scalar values vertically.
Design & Tech Management
General
- Upgraded OpenAccess to version 22.61p022.
- (Beta release) Added preference to enable the Keysight Caranu Theme, which includes a dark mode.
- Python API Updates:
. Python example scripts have been moved to a subdirectory under $HPEESOF_DIR\doc\python.
. PySide2 has been upgraded to PySide6. Custom code importing PySide2 modules need to be updated to import PySide6 modules.
. A Python Exporter Addon may be enabled via the App Manager interface, adding context menu options that allow the export of designs, libraries, and workspaces to Python. More information can be found in the How To → Export Designs to Python section in the Python Design Environment documentation.
. Added support for Keepout, MomentumMesh, EMBoundaryWalls, and many other improvements. See the documentation and the source for details.
. (Experimental) Added support for custom menus in the Main Window Folder and Library Views.
Design Cloud
General
- Python API Updates: New APIs have been added along with the documentation of their usage and reference. The following APIs have been added
remove
get_output
get_subjob_output
get_subjob_status
get_startup_info, this returns a new class JobStartupInfo.
JobStartupInfo contains the following fields:
start_time
url
queue
workspace_dir
job_dir
dataset_name
datadisplay_name
top_level_design
- Resource settings for Design Cloud can be set as constructor parameters. Read the Python API documentation for detailed usage.
- String Enums for Design Cloud job status. While querying Design Cloud job status, we return StrEnum instead of str. Read the Python API documentation for detailed usage.
- Validate memory and threads before being passed to SiteCluster during job submission.
- Support for Design Cloud simulations has been added to Queue Manager, ensuring sequential testbench execution and following all other standard Queue Manager behaviors.
RF Microwave
- Users can now access individual Harmonic Balance OutFiles for each subjob in the expected location within the Design Cloud simulation. When an OutFile is specified for Harmonic Balance (e.g., HBFinalSolution) and a parallel job with 3 subjobs is run, each subjob's individual HB OutFiles will be installed in the workspace's data directory. The files will be named in the format: HBFinalSolution_j0, HBFinalSolution_j1, and HBFinalSolution_j2.
- Warn about variables with unknown values for Hb output file Paths during the netskimming stage, resulting in skipped installation of such output files.
- During HPC cloud circuit simulation, support has been added for DAC files referenced by the main DAC discrete file that are located outside the shared root and workspace.
- During HPC cloud circuit simulation, a warning is now generated for variables with unknown values in HB output file paths, notifying users where output files with paths containing these variables can be found.
Design Editing and Layout
General
- The 'Show Physical Connectivity' feature has been enhanced to support smart mount instances. For more information, refer to Highlighting Connectivity.
- The multilayer stacked line type definition has been enhanced to support keepouts. This allows users to draw keepouts on different layers alongside traces that use these line types.
- The display of coordinate locations for overlap zones has been improved and synchronized across various GUIs, including 'Check Designs' and 'Resolve Overlap Zone Conflicts'. For more information, refer to Net Overlap Zone and Design Synchronization.
- The AEL functions db_get_plane_degas_options_minimum_venting_area and db_set_plane_degas_options_minimum_venting_area now require a design context.
- The appObject Iterator related AEL APIs have been added as below:
db_create_appobject_iter()
db_appobject_iter_is_valid()
db_appobject_iter_get_next()
db_appobject_iter_get_appobject()
db_appobject_iter_limit_selected()
db_appobject_iter_exclude_composite_children()
- The Copy/Paste functionality has been enhanced to retain font and size annotations for components.
- The Property Editor has been enhanced to support the editing of interconnect segments.
- "Force to Grid" command has been enhanced to support keepout objects.
- Added user preference to display rounded numeric parameters to a given decimal place. This preference only affects display of parameters in the schematic window and Edit Parameter dialog. It does not affect simulation or layout artwork. This preference can be found in both layout and schematic's preferences by going to Options → Preferences → Display → Parameter Display. This option is enabled by default to the 12th decimal place.
- Deprecated legacy ground components in layout ("ads_rflib:GROUND:layout"). Layouts with these components will be automatically updated to use ground markers instead, and the legacy ground components in the design will be automatically removed. Nets will not change as a result of this deprecation.
Design Import/Export
- The AEL APIs for GDSII translator are now workable in the automation mode.
- The AEL APIs for DXF/DWG and Gerber export translators are now workable in the automation mode.
- ODB++ Importer resolution for processing shapes has been increased to 10,000 points/mm to improve dimensional accuracy.
EM Simulation
General
The use of 'uname' in the ADS wrapper shell scripts to launch the EM simulators has been eliminated.
EM Integration
The Ltd substrate editor now supports names with '-'.
FEM
The nodal waveguide port solver now supports conductors with internal meshing.
Momentum
- The multi-threading of the direct dense matrix load has been improved, giving a speedup in the range of 5% to 30%.
- The 'Delta Gap' and 'Closed loop' feed type is now supported for horizontal multi-pin component port definitions.
RFPro
- The Python version in RFPro 2026 has been upgraded to Python 3.13. There are no significant backward compatibility issues, except for the removal of deprecated standard libraries. Python scripts from RFPro 2025 should still work in RFPro 2026 unmodified. For more information on what's changed in Python 3.13 and what libraries have been removed, see . RFPro 2026 does not enable the experimental free-threaded mode or Just-In-Time compiler.
- The metal bias options are now part of the Python script generated by selecting the 'Create script' menu.
- RFPro simulations now provide the 'job-version' sitecluster arguments.
- A new Python function has been added to export the far field to an .ffio file given an excitation and optionally a frequency list.
- The automatic conversion from Python 2 scripts to Python 3 has been removed from ADS RFPro 2026. Python 3 was first introduced in ADS RFPro 2021, and scripts could automatically be converted to Python 2 when opening older projects. This is no longer supported since the introduction of Python 3.13 in ADS 2026. If you still wish to automatically convert older projects, you can open them in ADS 2025 and resave them with the converted scripts.
HSD
DDR/Memory
- Supports LPDDR6 in Memory Designer.
- Supports HBM3 Enhanced data rates in Memory Designer.
- Supports PAM-n statistical simulation for GDDR7 in Memory Designer.
- Enhanced Mask features:
. Supports the optimized horizontal position option.
. Supports re-config mask after simulation for the NRZ signal in Design Exploration.
- (Beta Release) Supports Python API for Memory Designer.
Serdes/Chiplet
- New Product: System Designer for Ethernet:
. Supports the latest Ethernet application in one product.
. Supports COM 4.7 for 802.3df.
. Supports VPI optical link for 1 lane.
. Supports Pathfinding mode for 1.6Tb/s
- Supports PCIe Gen7 in System Designer for PCIe.
- Supports SIPro cell sweep in System Designer for PCIe and USB.
- Supports Pathfinding mode in System Designer for PCIe and USB.
- Enhanced name parsing in System Designer for PCIe and USB.
- Improved AMI model builder:
. Supports Mueller-Muller Phase Detector.
. Supports PCIe Gen7 AMI model.
- S-Parameter toolkit enhancements:
. Automatically move to single-ended assignment through ports after Designer's S-parameter simulation.
EM - SIPro
The new port type for differential feeds in Via Designer, "Coax Bisect", allows to use Coaxial ports when antipads are merged or when the antipad diameter is larger than the drill center-to-center distance.
EM - SIPro/PIPro
- The Python version in SIPro/PIPro 2026 has been upgraded to Python 3.13. There are no significant backward compatibility issues, except for deprecated standard libraries that have been removed. Python scripts from SIPro/PIPro 2025 should still work in SIPro/PIPro 2026 unmodified. For more information on changes in Python 3.13, and removed libraries, see . SIPro/PIPro 2026 does not enable the experimental free-threaded mode or Just-In-Time compiler.
- The automatic conversion from Python 2 scripts to Python 3 has been removed from ADS SIPro/PIPro 2026. Python 3 was first introduced in ADS SIPro/PIPro 2021, and scripts could automatically be converted to Python 3 when opening older projects. This is no longer supported since the introduction of Python 3.13 in ADS 2026. To automatically convert older projects, you can open them in ADS 2023 and resave them with the converted scripts.
- The BRD importer requires Allegro PCB Designer version 23.1-2023-S009 or newer.
- Projects saved in ADS 2026 cannot be opened in older versions.
Power Electronics
PE Transformer Designer
Introduced this new feature to create transformers based on user specifications.
PE Library
- Added a linear magnetic core model, which supports frequency-dependent complex relative permeability.
- Introduced a new palette "Power Sources" including VtClock, VtConst, VtPulsePE, VtStepRamp, and VtTriangular.
Broadband SPICE Model Generator
Improved fitting accuracy, passivity enforcement, and turnaround time.
Netlist Import
- Added support for the E/G element in PSpice netlists using the TABLE keyword in VALUE expressions.
- Corrected node rename inconsistencies during import.
SMPS Performance Testbench
- Fixed bugs related to saving different device types in various tests and setting pin types.
Quantum
General
- The Python version in QuantumPro 2026 has been upgraded to Python 3.13. There are no significant backward compatibility issues, except for deprecated standard libraries that have been removed. Python scripts from QuantumPro 2025 should still work in QuantumPro 2026 unmodified. For more information on what's changed in Python 3.13, and what libraries have been removed, see . QuantumPro 2026 does not enable the experimental free-threaded mode or Just-In-Time compiler.
- Enabled copy/paste functionality for Extracted Quantum Parameters.
- Enhanced the Single Qubit Design Flow example to demonstrate time dynamics using the newly introduced Time Dynamics Analysis feature in Quantum Tools.
- Updated the Superconducting Resonator with Kinetic Inductance design flow example to include circuit modeling using the newly introduced superconducting CPW components.
QuantumPro
- Quantum parameters are now automatically logged in a JSON file.
- Enabled specification of EMPro materials directly within QuantumPro, allowing users to assign anisotropic dielectric materials to the substrate.
- Enhanced frequency-domain parameter extraction to continue processing even when some qubits fail to extract, with improved error messages that provide diagnostics for each failed qubit.
Quantum Circuits
- Added SupercondCPWSub to the ADS Circuit environment, enabling modeling of superconducting coplanar waveguide circuits.
- Added Flux and Zero-Pi qubits to the library of qubits available for Hamiltonian analysis.
Quantum Systems
- Added a palette for quantum system components in the ADS Circuit environment.
- Introduced a new quantum tool in the circuit environment to support the design and analysis of dilution fridge input lines.
- Introduced Time Dynamics Analysis to the quantum tools in the ADS circuit environment, enabling users to simulate and observe the time-domain behavior of quantum chips using extracted quantum parameters.
Verification
DRC Links
- Improved support for running remote jobs from Windows to Linux.
. PuTTY option is supported for Assura DRC and PVS DRC in addition to Calibre DRC. PuTTY prompts for the password when the job is run.
. When configuring remote jobs, you can specify the working directory on the remote machine. The path can be an absolute path or a path relative to your home directory.
. For password-less setup, upgrade to RSA-type SSH keys, which are required for RHEL8.
Design Rule Checker
- DRC Dialog
. Set the Arc/Circle resolution from the options tab.
. Add DRC errors and warnings programmatically and view the results in the DRC dialog. See dedve_add_drc_warning().
- DRC Export Layers
. DRC rules can generate output as errors or warnings. The results appear under different headers in the DRC dialog. See dve_export_layer_warning().
- Poly Area Density Overlap
. Check the local area density of shapes on layer 1 that overlap a single shape on layer 2. See poly_area_density_overlap().
- Edge Angle Range
. Select polygon edges based on internal angles. See edge_angle_range(), edge_angle_non_range().

Data Display
General
- Solved Python execution failure that could occur when importing keysight.ads.dds on Linux in automation mode.
- Fixed issues with deactivated Python equations when opening Data Display.
- Fixed a crash when using Python custom context menus.
Design & Tech Management
General
Fixed a crash when unzipping design kits using the Manage Favorite Design Kits dialog.
Design Cloud
General
Fixed the issue of the job submission of circuit simulation to Design Cloud Lite on the SGE queue failing.
RF Microwave
Added support for DAC associated discrete file paths in shared roots and shared file systems.
Design Editing and Layout
Design Import/Export
- Fixed an issue related to incorrect signedness of the Keepout element's purposeNum attribute in ABL-it is now correctly treated as a signed integer as declared in the ABL schema.
- Implemented new AEL functions that regenerate OA shape data using desired arc resolution, see: de_regenerate_oa_shapes_from_control_data() and de_regenerate_design_oa_shapes_from_control_data().
EM Simulation
Momentum
- The 'Closed loop' feed type algorithm has been refined to not cause feed lines to overlap.
- In case of an edge pin on a thick conductor, the current will be injected through the vertical cell connected to the edge rather than the horizontal one, yielding a more accurate DC resistance.
RFPro
- On Windows 11 24h2, SentinelOne antivirus may prevent the different xxPro environments from starting properly. As a workaround, disable SentinelOne or add path exclusions for the ADS installation.
- A bug in the RFPro-FEM simulator has been fixed that could lead to a wrong height of the pin location in a complex assembly.
- A bug has been fixed that could lead to an 'Unexpected Condition' during a copy/paste operation of a frequency plan.
HSD
DDR/Memory
- Fixed a bug in Memory Designer where the DQ and DM mask sizes showed different values.
- Fixed a bug in Memory Designer where the DIMM connector could not update signal information from a saved CSV configuration file.
- Fixed a bug in Memory Designer where ADS crashed when the mask width or height was 0 or negative.
SerDes
- Fixed a bug where an IBIS file located in a remote location couldn't be read during simulation.
- Fixed a bug in the S-Parameter Toolkit where port values were swapped when using Enable Port Reduction.
- Fixed a bug in S-parameter toolkit where changes to the reference impedance were not reflected under Enable Port Reduction.
EM - SIPro/PIPro
SIPro/PIPro no longer loads user-installed site-packages from the home directory, %APPDATA%\Python\Python313\site-packages\ or ~/.local/lib/python3.13/site-packages/, to avoid compatibility issues. Instead, you can now create and use virtual environments to install additional Python packages, and set EMPRO_PYTHONHOME to the virtual environment before starting SIPro/PIPro.
On Windows:
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\fem\2026.00\win32_64\bin\emproenv.bat" python.exe -m venv -clear -system-site-packages %USERPROFILE%\sipi2026_venv
C:\> set EMPRO_PYTHONHOME=%USERPROFILE%\sipi2026_venv
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\fem\2026.00\win32_64\bin\emproenv.bat" python.exe -m pip install seaborn
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\bin\ads.exe"
On Linux:
$ /opt/ADS2026/fem/2026.00/linux_x86_64/bin/emproenv python3 -m venv -clear -system-site-packages "$HOME/sipi2026_venv"
$ export EMPRO_PYTHONHOME=$HOME/sipi2026_venv
$ /opt/ADS2026/fem/2026.00/bin/emproenv python3 -m pip install seaborn
$ /opt/ADS2026/bin/ads
PIPro Conducted EMI, PI-CEMI, can now display current density field Descriptions by filtering on net name.
PIPro AC Analysis Decap Optimization window has been fixed so that it can be closed and re-opened without getting lost.
Power Electronics
General
PEPro no longer loads user-installed site-packages from the home directory, %APPDATA%\Python\Python313\site-packages\ or ~/.local/lib/python3.13/site-packages/, to avoid compatibility issues. Instead, users can now create and use virtual environments to install additional Python packages, and set EMPRO_PYTHONHOME to the virtual environment before starting PEPro. On Windows:
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\fem\2026.00\win32_64\bin\emproenv.bat" python.exe -m venv -clear -system-site-packages %USERPROFILE%\pepro2026_venv
C:\> set EMPRO_PYTHONHOME=%USERPROFILE%\pepro2026_venv
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\fem\2026.00\win32_64\bin\emproenv.bat" python.exe -m pip install seaborn
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\bin\ads.exe"
On Linux:
$ /opt/ADS2026/fem/2026.00/linux_x86_64/bin/emproenv python3 -m venv -clear -system-site-packages "$HOME/pepro2026_venv"
$ export EMPRO_PYTHONHOME=$HOME/pepro2026_venv
$ /opt/ADS2026/fem/2026.00/bin/emproenv python3 -m pip install seaborn
$ /opt/ADS2026/bin/ads
Quantum
General
QuantumPro no longer loads user-installed site-packages from the home directory, %APPDATA%\Python\Python313\site-packages\ or ~/.local/lib/python3.13/site-packages/, to avoid compatibility issues. Instead, users can now create and use virtual environments to install additional Python packages, and set EMPRO_PYTHONHOME to the virtual environment before starting QuantumPro. On Windows:
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\fem\2026.00\win32_64\bin\emproenv.bat" python.exe -m venv -clear -system-site-packages %USERPROFILE%\quantumpro2026_venv
C:\> set EMPRO_PYTHONHOME=%USERPROFILE%\quantumpro2026_venv
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\fem\2026.00\win32_64\bin\emproenv.bat" python.exe -m pip install seaborn
C:\> "C:\Program Files\Keysight\ADS2026\bin\ads.exe"
On Linux:
$ /opt/ADS2026/fem/2026.00/linux_x86_64/bin/emproenv python3 -m venv -clear -system-site-packages "$HOME/quantumpro2026_venv"
$ export EMPRO_PYTHONHOME=$HOME/quantumpro2026_venv
$ /opt/ADS2026/fem/2026.00/bin/emproenv python3 -m pip install seaborn
$ /opt/ADS2026/bin/ads
Verification
Design Rule Checker
Fixed an issue with dve_import_text_layer() to support workspaces that do not have a default layer 0.

Keysight's PathWave, an open, scalable, and predictive software platform, offers fast and efficient data processing, sharing and analysis at every stage in the product development workflow. Combining design software, instrument control and application-specific test software, it enables engineers to address increasing design, test, and measurement complexity and develop optimal electronic products.
PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS)is the world's leading electronic design automation software for RF, microwave, and high-speed digital applications. ADS pioneers the most innovative and powerful integrated circuit-3DEM-thermal simulation technologies used by leading companies in the wireless, high-speed networking, defense-aerospace, automotive and alternative energy industries. For 5G, IoT, multi-gigabit data link, radar, satellite and high-speed switched mode power supply designs, ADS provides an integrated simulation and verification environment to design high-performance hardware compliant with the latest wireless, high speed digital and military standards.
PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS)
This playlist comprises video tutorials focusing on ADS, providing valuable insights into various aspects, including front-to-back flow, schematic design, layout design, circuit simulation, EM simulation, and much more!
Keysight Technologies Inc.is the world's leading electronic measurement company, transforming today's measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software solutions. With its HP and Agilent legacy, Keysight delivers solutions in wireless communications, aerospace and defense and semiconductor markets with world-class platforms, software and consistent measurement science. The company's nearly 10,500 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries.