ED2 Corporation has launched its RF Cascade App, a web-based, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool that dramatically speeds radio frequency (RF) system design. Leveraging decades of academic and engineering expertise, ED2’s Cascade App empowers design teams to generate RF cascades, target optimized component selections and build costed bill of materials (BOM) in minutes — with 30% to 50% faster turnaround compared to traditional workflows. 
Source: ED2 Corporation
Key highlights
• Smart cascade analyzer: Dynamically computes cascaded gain, noise figure, third-order intercept point (IP3) and sensitivity, with real-time updates that continuously optimize datalink performance.
• AI backed component database: Suggests and ranks components from a built-in library, incorporating lifecycle data, sourcing intelligence and (coming soon) cost estimates. Datasheets can be loaded on demand, and the Cascade App uses AI to extract key parameters and build data structures for integration into the cascade model.
• Real-time BOM generation: Produces costed BOMs instantly; supports component substitutions and parallel design scenarios (work in progress).
• Design acceleration: Reduces RF planning time by up to 50%, enabling teams to iterate designs faster and align engineering decisions with business outcomes.
Why it matters
The Cascade App integrates seamlessly into existing RF design cycles. It bridges concept to part by automating cascade calculations and BOM decisions — reducing manual errors and enabling agile decision-making. Joel Blumke, CTO at ED2, notes, “With this tool, we’re empowering partners to translate engineering insight into actual systems faster — and with greater design freedom.”
Supported use cases
• Radar and electronic warfare (EW): Design beamforming chains and phased-array support modules.
• 5G/6G infrastructure: Optimize low-SWaP front-end chains for telecom transmitters and receivers.
• Satcom and signal intelligence: Rapidly validate wideband filtering/waveguide paths under tight form-factor and thermal constraints.
• Adaptive receiver design: Configure filter banks and cascade paths from 2 GHz to 18 GHz for dynamic spectrum applications.
