EMPro Workshop

Version 4.0 Updated Feb, 2015

Agenda
Introduction
Getting started with the standalone EMPro EM simulation work
flow with examples
Getting started with EMPro 3D component work flow in ADS
with examples
3D Solid modeling basic in EMPro
Advanced Topics

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Introduction

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What is EM Simulations?
Electro-Magnetic simulation is numerical analysis technique that solves electromagnetic field distribution problems, described by Maxwell equations

Differential Form

Integral Form

Note * : The tables are from Wikipedia

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Common Numerical Analysis Techniques

FDTD ( Finite Difference Time Domain )
FEM ( Finite Element Method )
MoM ( Method of Moment )

3D arbitrary structures
Full Wave EM simulations
Handles much larger and complex problems
Time Domain EM
Simulate full size cell phone antennas
EM simulations per each port
GPU based hardware acceleration

FDTD
3D Arbitrary Structures
Full Wave EM Simulation
Direct, Iterative Solvers
Frequency Domain EM
Multiport simulation at
no additional cost
High Q

FEM

MoM
3D Planar structures
Full Wave and Quasi-Static
Dense & Compressed Solvers
Frequency Domain
Multiport simulation at
no additional cost
High Q

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Common Numerical Analysis Techniques

EMPros Embedded
Simulation Engines
FDTD ( Finite Difference Time Domain )
FEM ( Finite Element Method )
MoM ( Method of Moment )

FDTD

FEM

MoM

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Common Numerical Analysis Techniques

ADSs Embedded
Simulation Engines
FDTD ( Finite Difference Time Domain )
FEM ( Finite Element Method )
MoM ( Method of Moment )

FDTD

FEM

MoM

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EM Technology Selection Criteria

Planar vs. Geometry

MoM: Most efficient for planar, multilayer

applications
IC passives & interconnects
RF PCB interconnects
High-speed PCB signal integrity analysis
Planar antennas

FEM, FDTD: Can handle arbitrary 3D geometries

Connectors
Bondwires
Packages
Waveguide
3D antennas

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EM Technology Selection Criteria

Response/Analysis Type
MoM, FEM

FDTD

Solves natively in the frequency domain

Solves natively in the time domain

Best for high Q applications

Best for TDR, EMI analysis

- RF/MW filters

- Signal Integrity

- Oscillators

- Transitions

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EM Technology Selection Criteria

Device Complexity/Problem Size

FEM

FDTD

Most efficient for multi-port applications

Most efficient for high number of mesh cells

Solves for all ports in a single simulation

Use a sequence of direct calculations instead

of matrix solve

- Packages
- Interconnect networks

Highly parallelized, can take advantage of

GPU acceleration
- Antenna placement on autos, planes
- Bio analysis with complex human body
models (e.g., SAR)

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EM Simulation Flow in EMPro (1)

Start

Geometry Modeling
Voltage/Current, Sheet
Ports

CAD Data

Port / Feed

Grid / Meshing
FDTD
Grid/Mesh

Port/Feed Setup

CAD File
Import

FDTD
FEM

Drawing
in
EMPro
Geometry
Data
Material
Editor

FEM
Mesh
Setup

Waveguide Ports
(only for FEM)
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EM Simulation Flow in EMPro (2)

Sensors

Simulation Setup

Post-Processing

Finish
FDTD

FDTD

Result Window

FEM

FEM
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EMPro Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Workspace Tool Bar

Geometry Tools
Customizable Tool Bars

Simulator
Toggle
Button

WorkSpace Window
Project Tree:

Port/Feed
Sensors
Materials
Waveforms
Boundary
Grid/Mesh
Python Script

View Tools
(Under View
menu as well)

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Standalone EMPro EM Simulation Work

Flow With Examples

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SMA to Microstrip Transition

FEM Simulation Project Overview

Exercise a complete FEM simulation for a typical transition design
Learn EMPros libraries and waveguide ports

Visualization

SMA

Solder Blocks

S-parameters

PCB
Meshes
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Key Learning How to Use Library in EMPro

Library is a great tool for team/department/company for sharing and reusing parts,
materials, scripts, etc. in EMPro
Drag and Drop the item to use or store from the library to project or project to library
Project Tree

Library Window

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Key Learning How to Create Waveguide Ports

Waveguide ports are fully calibrated 2-dimensional planar source
Waveguide ports could be either nodal or modal excitation
Creating a waveguide port using EMPro Waveguide Ports Editor:
1.

Location: Select or choose a 2D face on object where the waveguide port will be
located

2.

EditCrossSectionPage: Size the port by entering numbers for u, v extension

from the selected face

3.

Properties: Define nodal or modal, and number of modes

4.

Impedance Lines: Define impedance lines to calculate port impedance

Project tree

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Key Learning Using Results Window (1)

Click Results in Workspace Tool Bar to view simulated results
Result window has 4 columns that organize the results
By the right mouse click on the column title, user can choose different data selection
for the column to filter or organize the result format

Column Titles

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Key Learning Using Results Window (2)

Adding
multiple
projects

Name
of
project
listed

3D Visualization

Simulation ID:
Multiple simulations
can be displayed
Suggested Data
Organization

Domain:
Selected
Data type

Results:
Available
Result Data

Selected
Data
Window

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: SMA to Microstrip Transition Board Only.ep
Library to add: EMPro_Workshop_Library
Parts from library to use: SMA Johnson Edge Mount with Thick Legs and Solder Block
Port type: Waveguide Port and 50 Ohm Source

Simulation Setup

Reference Impedance

Simulation Engine: FEM

Simulation frequencies and sweep: 1 ~ 30 GHz and Adaptive Freq Sweep
Simulation Accuracy (Delta-S): 0.02 (2%)
Solver: Direct Solver

Tasks
Create two waveguide ports (SMA input and PCB microstrip output)
Use EMPro_Workshop_Library to place SMA connector on the board
Plot S-parameters

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Coax to Waveguide Transition

FEM Simulation Project Overview

Exercise a FEM simulation for a typical waveguide transition design

Learn parametric modeling in EMPro
Parameters

Visualization

S-parameters

Meshes

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Key Learning Plotting Multiple S11 Results for Comparison

Select multiple simulation results from Simulation ID with Ctrl button or select
All This also can be applied to multiple data from different projects
Select Frequency from Domain
Select S-Parameters from Result Type
Select two S11 from Data Window with Ctrl button
Plot with Line Graph

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Key Learning Visualizing E/H Field and Meshes

Advanced Visualization is a special tool to visualize objects, meshes, E/H field plots
in 3D, as well as far field radiation patterns from FEM simulation results
Enable or start it by selecting the project
Enable Advance Visualization by
selecting the project name

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: FEM - Coax to Waveguide Transition.ep
Port type: Waveguide Port and 50 Ohm Source

Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FEM
Simulation frequencies and sweep: 8 ~ 12.5GHz Adaptive Freq Sweep and 10GHz Single Frequency
Set Field Storage to User Defined Frequencies to store the field data only at the specified frequencies
Simulation Accuracy (Delta-S): 0.01 (1%)
Solver: Direct Solver

Tasks
Simulate the design with two different disc sizes. Plot the results on the same graph and visualize the E-field data on vertical
cut plane
- disk_r = 1 mm
- disk_r = 1.8 mm

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Quasi-Yagi Antenna *

FEM Simulation Project Overview

Exercise a complete FEM simulation for an antenna design
Learn how to create far zone sensors and plot antenna data

Visualization

S-parameters

Meshes

* : Simple Broadband Planar CPW-Fed Quasi-Yagi Antenna

H. K. Kan, Member, IEEE, R. B. Waterhouse, Senior Member, IEEE, A. M. Abbosh, and IEEE, A. M. Abbosh, and M. E. Bialkowski, Fellow, IEEE

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Key Learning How to Create Far Field (Zone) Sensors

The far field (zone) sensors must be defined to get far field data such as antenna gain
Far field sensors can be completely 3D or any 2D cut planes (traditional)
Far field sensors can be defined as many as users need

Far Field Sensors

2D Cut Antenna Gain
3D Antenna Gain

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: FEM - Quasi-Yagi Antenna.ep
Port type: Waveguide Port and 50 Ohm Source
Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FEM
Simulation frequencies and sweep: 7-13 GHz and Adaptive Freq Sweep and Single Freq at 10 GHz
Simulation Accuracy (Delta-S): 0.02 (2%)
Edge meshing (0.2 mm) on transmission lines
Solver: Direct Solver
Tasks
Define a far field sensor, full 3D
Plot S11 and antenna gain on 2D

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Via Clearance TDR

FDTD Simulation Project Overview

Exercise a complete FDTD TDR simulation (Instantaneous TDR) for a typical transition design
Learn how to setup FDTD TDR simulation and use passive loads

TDR Respond

Meshes

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Key Learning Setting up FDTD Simulation Timestep for

TDR
FDTD TDR is instantaneous TDR, which means its not based on the broadband sparameters data. It directly calculates the instantaneous voltages and currents on the
structure, then computes the impedance, V/I.
FDTD TDR produces very fast TDR result since it only requires the signal (step
source) to travel to the discontinuity and back to the excited port.
It is not limited by the band limited s-parameters.
Initial glitch on TDR response
Since the instantaneous TDR response is directly calculated from V/I, it reveals the
initial glitch on TDR response. It is due to the zero current flowing through at the
time = 0

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Key Learning Loads in FDTD

Loads are different from EM ports. There is no excitation applied, so no s-parameters are
calculated from it.
In FDTD, since the simulation time linearly scales with the number of ports but not with
loads, simulation time can be significantly reduced by converting ports to loads unless sparameters at loads are required
Type of loads in FDTD
Passive Loads (RLC), also available in FEM
Diode
Switch
Nonlinear Capacitor
Loads can be created as the same way with ports but required to change the type to loads
in Circuit Component Definition Editor

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: FDTD - Via Clearance TDR.ep
Port type: 50 Ohm Voltage Source
Load type: 100 Ohm Resistor
Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FDTD
Uncheck Detect Convergence
Simulation timestep: 2000 timesteps
Tasks
Change the load impedance to 200 ohm to see different load discontinuity
Plot TDR result

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Monopole Antenna

FDTD Simulation Project Overview

Exercise a complete FDTD simulation for a typical antenna design
Learn the parametric EMPro simulation
Learn how to visualize FDTD meshes (3D & 2D)
Antenna Gain

Meshes

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Key Learning FDTD Mesh Visualization

The quality of FDTD meshes is the barometer of simulation accuracy. Visually
checking the quality of meshes such as finding short or open is always recommended
before a lengthy EM simulation starts
FDTD meshes can be viewed either in 3D or 2D (Mesh Cut-planes) format
2D mesh cut planes are very versatile tool to see the detail meshes layer by layer
in PCBs

3D

Mesh Viewer

2D
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Key Learning FDTD Parametric Simulation

EMPros parameterized modeling allows users to do parametric EM simulations
Multiple parameters can be swept for EM simulations
The port locations can be automatically anchored between the center edge of copper
strip and the ground plane while parameterization
Port
Location

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: FDTD - Monopole on PCB.ep
Port type: 50 Ohm Voltage Source
Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FDTD
Check Perform Parameter Sweep
o Sweep: 20 ~ 22 mm for the length of monopole antenna, with 5 points
Simulation timestep: 10000 timesteps
Tasks
Understand how to visualize FDTD meshes, 2D and 3D
Perform FDTD parametric simulations

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Magnetron Eigen-Mode

Simulation Project Overview

Exercise Eigen mode analysis for a typical cavity structure
Learn how to plot Eigen frequencies and Q values

Eigen Frequencies & Q value

Field Plot

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Key Learning Eigen Mode Simulation Setup

Closed boundary simulations
ABC boundary is not allowed
Simulation setup is similar to what FEM simulation setup is except;
Start frequency : is an estimate for the first eigen frequency to be calculated
Number of eigenmodes : is how many eigen frequencies calculated
Plots Eigen frequencies and Q values

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: Eigen - Magnetron.ep
Port type: None
Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FEM Eigenmode Simulation
Start frequency: 9 GHz
Number of eigenmodes: 20
Tasks
Plot the E/H field on the first two eigen frequencies
Plot the Q values

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2D Port Solver

Simulation Project Overview

Exercise 2D port analysis
Learn how to plot field data and propagation constant
Propagation Constant at Port 1

E field

H field
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Key Learning 2D Port Simulation Setup and Field Data

2D port simulation can be performed either at EMPro Waveguide Ports Editor
window or FEM 2D Port Simulation window
In order to get the higher order modes, the number of modes in the port setup window
should be set accordingly
The field plot is displayed in the native EMPro window not Advanced Visualization
window

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: Port SMA Connector.ep
Port type: Waveguide Port
Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FEM 2D Port Simulation
Simulation frequencies and sweep: 0-20 GHz and Adaptive Freq Sweep
Convergence: Relative error in impedance = 0.01
Tasks
Understand how to plot propagation constant and field data

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Differential Pair with Slot on Ground Plane

EMI Calculation Project Overview

Exercise EMI emission calculation with a differential pair

EMI Emission

Learn EMPros EMI calculation and how to use complex

waveforms

Common Mode
Characteristic

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Key Learning Two Options for EMI Calculation (1)

Option1* : Post Processing Method, Faster Emission Calculation
Plot emission vs. freq at discrete frequencies (faster)
o Run broadband s-parameter and far field simulation, no transient far zone
o Create or read the waveforms to excite sources
o Run EMI Calculation Add-on and assign ports with corresponding waveforms
o Plot (post-process) the E-field at the measuring angle with the specified distance such as 3
meters or 10 meters
o Overlay EMI Limits to the result

* : Both FEM/FDTD Simulation

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Key Learning Two Options for EMI Calculation (2)

Option2* : Direct Computation Method, Longer Simulation Time
Plot emissions vs. freq like a real measurement, but could be longer
o Create or read the waveforms to excite sources
o Assign ports with corresponding waveforms
o Set simulations the simulation for enough periods of excited waveforms with FDTD and enter
steady state frequencies (the more the better for the # of frequencies)
o Enable far zone sensors (only for measuring angles) and also set to collect transient far zone
o Simulate
o Plot the E-field at the measuring angle with the specified distance such as 3 meters or 10 meters
o Overlay EMI Limits to the result

* : FDTD Simulation
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Key Learning Using Complex Waveforms from CSV file

format (3)
Custom waveforms can be used for EMI emission calculation
Use User Defined for the type of waveform
Import waveform data using Import Waveform Data to read any .csv or .txt file

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Key Learning EMI Calculation with Option 1 (4)

Use EMI Emission Calculation under Tools
Choose simulation ID that to be used for EMI calculation
Choose appropriate sensor (far zone)
Assign waveforms to ports

Multiplier is used to change the mode of excitation, for example, use

1 and -1 to make differential

Define distance for the calculation

Plot the result

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
Project to use: EMI - Suppression with slot on ground sheet port.ep
Port type: Sheet Port and 50 Ohm Source
Simulation Setup
Simulation Engine: FEM
Simulation frequencies and sweep: 0.1 ~ 5 GHz and 25 freq points Linear Sweep
Simulation Accuracy (Delta-S): 0.02 (2%)
Solver: Iterative Solver
Tasks
Run a simulation with a slot on the ground planes
Calculate EMI emission at 3 meters with 100MHz pulse waveform
Enable bypass capacitors and run a simulation
Calculate EMI emission at 3 meters with 100MHz pulse waveform and compare to the result without
bypass capacitors
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EMPro 3D Component Work Flow in ADS

with Examples

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EMPro 3D Component in ADS

What is it?

EMPro designs can be directly accessed from ADS as OA (Open Access) library
components

All parameters from EMPro are transparent in ADS

EMPro 3D component can be used both in ADS layout and schematic

Layout lookalike symbol is automatically generated with pins

Changes in EMPro are automatically reflected (synchronized) in ADS

Where is it used?

Where circuits and EM designs need to be combined

Where a parametric simulation (sweep) is required

Where an optimization of 3D EM model is required

The EM design can be optimized for not only linear s-parameters but
also non-linear design specifications such as IP3 or gain compression
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Coaxial Cable Simulation

ADS Parametric Simulation Project Overview

Coax in EMPro
Coax in EMPro

Parameters
(Parametric Design)

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Key Learning Adding EMPro 3D Component (1)

Add an EMPro design as a library in ADS

Only OA format EMPro projects can be used

Use DesignKits/Manage Libraries from ADS Main

EMPro 3D Component in ADS

EMPro design is added as an OA cell

EMPro project can be opened directly from ADS

EMPro 3D component can be used in ADS layout

Automatically produce lookalike and symbol view for schematic use

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Key Learning Using EMPro 3D Component (2)

Drag and drop the lookalike symbol to ADS schematic like
standard ADS components
Pins and Port

Each port in EMPro is represented by two pins in ADS ( +, - or

reference pin )

Ports are where data (s-parameters) is collected

Make sure not to mix them up

EMPro 3D Component in Layout

EMPro model location at Z=0 is synced up with Z=0 location in ADS

stackup

The location for Z can be controlled by CustomComponentOffsetZ

parameter

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Key Learning EM Model for Parametric Simulations (3)

EM model view is automatically created when the EMPro 3D Component is
simulated in ADS
Any simulation of EMPro 3D Components builds EM model data, which can
be re-used or can be interpolated in other simulations

It only allows linear interpolation of data

In the Interpolation tab, Use Interpolation should be turn on to be re-used

Multi-Dimensional sweep is allowed

Use simple multiple parameter sweep simulation in ADS

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
ADS Project to use: EMPro_3D_Comp_Para_Coax_wrk
EMPro Library to add: EMPro_3D_Components_Library
Open TestBench schematic and drag/drop the lookalike symbol of Parameterized_Coax and
complete the schematic as shown above
Simulation Setup
Simulation setting from EMPro project will be automatically used
o Solver selection
o Basis function
o Simulation Accuracy (Delta-S)
Tasks
Add EMPro 3D component library to ADS workspace
Use EMPro 3D component in ADS schematic
Run a simulation from ADS schematic with Er=2.2 ~ 2.4, 3 pts parametrics simulation
Plot S-parameters (S11 and S21) vs. freq with various Er values

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Strip to Via Transition Optimization

ADS Optimization Project Overview

Strip to Via Transition

Strip to Via in EMPro

Parameters
(Parametric Design)

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Key Learning Using EMPro 3D Component for

Optimization (1)
EMPro 3D Component is treated as same as other schematic
components in ADS

Assign variables for the parameters to be optimized

Multiple parameters can be optimized but will take longer

EM Model is built during optimization

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Key Learning Setup and Run Optimization (2)

Optimization setup for EMPro 3D Component is exactly same
as in ADS

Setup goals. In this case, the return loss, S11 and S22, lower
than -30dB are goals to achieve

Choose optimizer or optimization technology

Running optimization

Click Optimize button to run

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description

Project Setup
ADS Project to use: EMPro_3D_Comp_Strip2Via_wrk
EMPro Library to add: EMPro_3D_Components_Library
Open TestBench schematic and drag/drop the lookalike symbol of Strip2Via_Transition and complete the schematic

Simulation Setup
Simulation setting from EMPro project will be automatically used
o Solver selection
o Basis function
o Simulation Accuracy (Delta-S)

Tasks
Add EMPro 3D component library to ADS workspace
Use EMPro 3D component in ADS schematic
Set a variable to EMPro parameter via_ring_r to via_ring_radius
Set optimization values range from 18 to 24 and set the default to 20
Run an optimization
Plot optimized S-parameters (S11 and S21) vs. freq

Optimized: 21.8694 mil

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3D Solid Modeling Basic

in EMPro

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Three Key Basic Learning In 3D Solid Modeling

Create
Modify
Origin/Orientation

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Create
Create menu is to create a new 3D/2D model
Three steps with using Create command for 3D solid modeling
1.
2.
3.

Set the orientation of 3D model (where the object is located)

Create a 2D sketch such as rectangle, circle, etc. (the 2D sketch has to be completely
closed)
Extrusion: Sweep 2D sketch to a direction of extrusion to make it as a 3D object

Two steps with using Create command for 2D solid modeling

Same as in 3D but without the third step

Types of 2D sketches available

Rectangle, Polygon, N-Sliced Polygon, Circle, Ellipse

Others such as lines, arc, etc. can be combined to create any shape of 2D sketch

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Some Useful Tips in Creating 2D Sketches

Trimming edges, Trim Edges , will trim the lines unused. Always make sure the 2D
sketch is completely closed to avoid any warning or problems

The Select/Manipulate button must be on to select or manipulate edges, vertices, or

constraints as well as moving vertices or edges

Use entry window to enter coordinates: Press Tab button to active the entry window
while you are in the 2D sketch window
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Some Useful Options in Create/Extrusion

While executing the extrusion, advanced operations also can be applied,
such as Twist or Draft
Twist

Draft By Angle

Draft By Law

Hole w/wo Draft

Hole Special

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Easy Primitives Building Blocks in Create

Some of common 3D objects can be created with the primitive building
blocks

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Instructor Demo

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Modify

Modify menu is to modify an existing 3D/2D solid model

Select the object first that is to be modified in order to enable the modify menus
Most of them are for 3D objects except Offset Sheet Edges and Thicken Sheet

Blending

Chamfering

Shelling

Offset Edges

Loft Faces

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description for Create

Start a new EMPro and exercise the followings
Creating a box
Create a box, 10x10x30 mm, on a default 2D sketch plane (XY plane)
Name it as Box1 in the Parts in the Project Tree
Creating a cylinder
Create a cylinder, 5 mm radius and 20 mm long, on a default 2D sketch plane
with Tab button
Name it as Cylinder1 in the Parts in the Project Tree

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Lab Exercise Description for Modify

Blending the box: Blend an edge of Box1
Chamfering the box: Chamfer an edge of Box1
Shelling the box:
Any operation applied is stored under the object tree in EMPro
Select the chamfering and blending operation and remove (delete) them (going
back to before)
Apply the shell and select the top face to be open
Set the shell thickness to 1 mm

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EMPros Coordinate System

If a part is being created or

an editing session begins, it
uses the local coordinate,
which is working coordinate
system

Shown as Orientation Triad

Local
Coordinate

W
Part

Shown as Global Triad

Does not change

V
U

Z
Global
Coordinate

Y
X

If the local coordinate is not modified, it is

the same as the global coordinate system

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EMPros Coordinate System

Local
Coordinate

W
Part

Reference
Coordinate

W
U

Z
Global
Coordinate

If a part is moved to or created from an

assembly, the assemblys coordinate
becomes the reference coordinate
The reference coordinate is only effective
when an assembly is used

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Working with Origin / Orientation

Presets

When you want your local U, V, and W coordinate to be either on standard

XY, YZ, or ZX plane, you can use Presets in Specify Orientation
The default is XY plane

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Working with Origin / Orientation

Direction Picking Tools

When you want your local coordinate to be either on existing objects face or
vertex point, you can use Direction Picking Tools in Specify Orientation

Different options:
Origin = Lock on a vertex point of an existing object
Simple Plane = Pick up the face of an existing object
Normal = Normal to the face of an existing object

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Other Useful Geometry Tools

Copy

Copying part(s) works the same way as in Windows. Select a part(s) to copy and paste in Parts
under Project Tree

Move

Use Modify/Transform/Translate Move the part by the specified or user entered distance

Use Specify/Orientation Move the part by moving the local coordinate of part

Alignment

Use Alignment Tools in Specify/Orientation

o Match Points allow you to match two points

Use Locator
o A locator(s) can be created from the part
o These locators can be used to match two parts

Boolean

Union, Subtract, Intersect, and Chop

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Instructor Demo

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Lab Exercise Description for Geometry Modeling Basics

Create a Rectangular Waveguide, WR229 (3.3~4.9G)
Dimension: a=2.29 [in] b=1.145 [in], thickness = 0.064 [in] length = 10 [in]
Exercise three different ways to create a waveguide
Traditional way : Create two rectangular boxes (inner and outer) and apply the
Boolean Subtract
Using Shelling : Create a rectangular box (inner) and apply Modify/Shell with
two open faces (input and output)
Smart modeling : Create the inner and outer boxes 2D sketch at a same time and
extrude. This will directly create the waveguide without applying Boolean or
Shelling

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Parameterization
Any parameter can be created and associated to any geometry parameters
such as the radius of circle

Name : Name of the parameter, Ex) width, length, height

Formula : Formula, Ex) sqrt(2)

Value : Value from the formula Ex) 1.414 from the above example

Description : Comments

Delete parameters

Add new
parameters

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Advanced Topics

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Topics

EM Simulation Technologies

What are EM ports and ports parasitic?

How does FEM meshing work?

FEM Surface/Edge/Vertex Meshing

How does FDTD meshing work?

FDTD Conformal Meshing

Bounding Box and Boundary Condition

Solvers and Basis Functions

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Advanced Topics
EM SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES

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Finite Element Method (FEM)

Full 3D, Frequency Domain
Volume Discretization
Frequency Domain
Tetrahedral Mesh
E-based

Preparing a 3D structure:
Complete simulation domain segmented using E fields as unknowns
Boundary conditions to truncate simulation domain

At a given frequency:
E-field at each mesh cell is solved
One sparse matrix solve for all port excitations

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Method of Moments (MoM)

3D-Planar, Frequency Domain
Surface Discretization
Frequency Domain
Polygonal Mesh
J,M based

Preparing a multilayer board / IC:

Interconnect layer(s) divided into planar mesh cells

Surface currents are the unknowns
Coupling is modeled by pre-computing substrate (Greens functions)
Assumes infinite substrate in x-y direction

At a given frequency:
Current in each mesh cell is solved
One compressed matrix solve for all port excitations

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Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD)

Full 3D, Time Domain
Volume Discretization
Time Domain

t1

Rectangular Grid
E&H based

Preparing a 3D structure:
Complete simulation domain segmented using E and H fields as
unknowns

t2

Boundary conditions to truncate simulation domain

Time stepping algorithm

t3

Alternating update of E and H field at each mesh cell, progressing in

time until steady state time domain is reached
No matrix solve
Use FFT to obtain broadband S-parameters
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Advanced Topics
WHAT ARE EM PORTS AND PORTS PARASITIC?

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What are EM Ports?

An EM port is where energy is excited to the structure to calculate E&H and
collect S-parameters
Type of ports

Voltage/Current Source (Internal Port in ADS)

o

Not calibrated (with parasitics), but can be defined anywhere without restrictions

Sheet Ports (Edge Port in ADS)

o Not calibrated , but less parasitic than Voltage Source

Waveguide Ports (Single Port in ADS)

o Excites modal field/current distribution on surface
o Uses Eigen-mode solver to find modes:
N modes with the highest propagation
constants (N = # impedance lines)
o Inherently calibrated at all frequencies
o Only available on bounding box of geometry

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Why Different Type of Ports and Ports Parasitics?

All EM ports have some parasitics:

As an example, if a source is carrying current, then there is an inductance (source parasitics

inductance), which may depend on the thickness of substrate

Also if there is a change on the direction of current, it induces an inductance, which may
depend on how wide the conductor is

These parasitics can be reduced by parallelizing current sources attached, which becomes a
sheet port

Port parasitics:

I/N

Induced inductance

Waveguide Port < Sheet Port < Voltage Source

Least

Most
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Nodal vs Modal Ports

Node 1 Excited

Node 2 Excited

Mode 1 Excited

Mode 2 Excited

Produce Traditional S-parameters

Produce Generalized S-parameters

Each row/column of S-matrix associated with a pin on a

trace

Each row/column of S-matrix associated with a waveguide

mode

Generated in EMPro when Circuit Component Type is

Feed

Generated in EMPro when Circuit Component Type is

Modal Power Feed

Always generated for FEM in ADS

Analogous to differential/common S-parameters

Recommended when transferring to circuit simulation

Useful when analyzing transitions between different

impedances, or for strongly frequency dependent line
impedances
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Zpi, Zpv, and Zvi

Modal S-parameters to Nodal (or Single Ended) S-parameter conversion requires defined
characteristic impedance at ports

The ports characteristic impedance is computed in three ways:

Zpi: Power-current relationship, well defined and Momentum also uses it

Zpv: Power-voltage relationship, requires the impedance line to calculate the voltage

Zvi: Voltage-current relationship, requires the impedance line to calculate the voltage

In TEM, these impedances become the same

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Impedance Lines for Waveguide Ports

Eigenmode is modal representation

Impedance line is to convert modal representation into nodal representation

Z?
=

Z is determined by impedance line.

Zpi (power/current) is the preferred impedance model and corresponds to Momentum

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Does Port Dimension Matter?

Port impedance vs. dimension

N*h

Yes, it is because the port boundary may

interact with the structures

w
h
(N+1) * w

N
15

6 ~ 15
Range

Port impedance of microstrip transmission line

versus the size of port dimension plot to the
right proves the effect of port dimension

6
5
4

10x is a good rule-of-thumb to use

3

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Does Port Dimension Matter?

Extension to Ground Planes

Bounded waveguide structures (coax, rectangular waveguide)

Waveguide surface needs to completely cover the guide, but minimize the
overhang
Too
Big

About
Right

Too
Small

Planar waveguide structures (microstrip, stripline, CPW)

Extend surface to the ground plane, but avoid extending beyond the ground
plane
Too
Big

About
Right

Too
Small

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Does Port Dimension Matter?

Multi-conductor Lines (1)

Multi-conductor lines

Two ways to model multi-conductor lines in EMPro. Consider the case of two signal lines
sharing a common ground plane
One waveguide surface
with multiple modes

Multiple waveguide surface

with one mode per surface

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Does Port Dimension Matter?

Multi-conductor lines (2)

+ Best accuracy, especially for tightly

coupled lines
- Possible numerical issues at low
frequencies

Constructed by default before

ADS2012

+ Best stability at low frequencies

- Extra parasitic if surface truncates
too close to the signal line
Adjacent surfaces can not
overlap (they can share a
common edge)
Constructed by default in ADS2012
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Why Are the Ground Reference Also Important?

Different ground reference can produce different results!
Signal
DUT

DUT

Finite Ground
Via
Infinite Ground

Ground reference is the elevated finite

ground

Ground reference is the bottom infinite

ground
Includes extra loading of vias, etc.

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Advanced Topics
HOW DOES FEM MESHING WORK?

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate S-matrix (S1)

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate S-matrix (S1)
Add more mesh points based on the field data from solver

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate S-matrix (S1)
Add more mesh points based on the field data from solver
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate S-matrix (S1)
Add more mesh points based on the field data from solver
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate a new S-matrix (S2)

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate S-matrix (S1)
Add more mesh points based on the field data from solver
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate a new S-matrix (S2)
Compare S1 and S2 (S2 S1)

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How FEM Meshing Works?

Geometry based adaptive meshing

With a given simple transmission line
Picks up the vertex points
Add more points to create quality of meshes
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate S-matrix (S1)
Add more mesh points based on the field data from solver
Create and solves meshes for E field, then H field from it
Calculate a new S-matrix (S2)
Compare S1 and S2 (S2 S1)
Repeat the process until the difference (Sn Sn-1) reaches to the specified Delta-S
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Advanced Topics
FEM SURFACE/EDGE/VERTEX MESHING

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Surface/Edge/Vertex Meshing Option

Special FEM meshing option for EMPro, only on conductor materials
Seeds more meshes on vertices, edges, and surfaces
Reduces the number of iterations for adaptive meshing and produce quality
meshes

Edge Meshing

Standard Meshing

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Surface/Edge/Vertex Meshing Option

Surface/Edge/Vertex Meshing Setup

It can be setup from a object(s) or part(s) level

From a part(s) from Project Tree , use Grid / Meshing / Meshing Properties menu

It can be also setup as global automatic conductor meshing

From FEM simulation setup window, use "Mesh/Refinement Properties / Initial Meshes

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Advanced Topics
HOW DOES FDTD MESHING WORK?

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed)

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed), which then becomes meshes
(green color)

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed), which then becomes meshes
(green color)
But the size is not exactly correct as shown in the picture

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed), which then becomes meshes
(green color)
But the size is not exactly correct as shown in the picture
Fixed points help to align the meshes to the objects by adding new grid lines to the
simulation domain

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed), which now becomes meshes
(green color)
But the size is not exactly correct as shown in the picture
Fixed points help to align the meshes to the objects by adding new grid lines
to the
Meshes
simulation domain
Then the meshes matches to the objects very well

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed), which now becomes meshes
(green color)
But the size is not exactly correct as shown in the picture
Fixed points help to align the meshes to the objects by adding new grid lines to the
simulation domain
Then the meshes matches to the objects very well
Additional fixed points can be added if necessary, for example, to represent edge
meshes (similar to adaptive meshing)

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How FDTD Meshing Works?

Grid based meshing

With a given simple transmission line

Map the geometry to the closest grid lines (dashed), which now becomes meshes (green
color)
But the size is not exactly correct as shown in the picture
Fixed points help to align the meshes to the objects by adding new grid lines to the
simulation domain
Then the meshes matches to the objects very well
Additional fixed points can be added if necessary, for example, to represent edge meshes
(similar to adaptive meshing)
Grid region can be also used to mesh the structure more effectively ( x=0.5 mm for example
) to add more meshes around the area

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Advanced Topics
FDTD CONFORMAL MESHING

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FDTD Traditional Meshing

Traditional FDTD meshes are based on Yee cells and they are orthogonal
meshes
For some non-orthogonal shapes or structures, it may produce very dense
meshes to get quality meshes

Too Much

Short Circuit

Non-Orthogonal Shapes

Coarse Meshes

Very Fine Meshes

As a result, it may take longer to simulate and more memory to run

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FDTD Conformal Meshing

EMPros conformal mesh follows the curved surfaces and produces very efficient
and quality meshes without over-meshing the structure

Meshed
Properly

Quality Conformal Mesh

FDTD Conformal Meshing Setup

o

It can be setup from a object(s) or part(s) level

From a part(s) from Project Tree , use Grid / Meshing / Enable Conformal Mesh menu

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Advanced Topics
BOUNDING BOX AND BOUNDARY CONDITION

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Bounding Box (BBox) and Boundary Condition

Bounding Box or simulation domain (problem domain to be solved) has to be
confined within a finite size box by FEM padding in FEM or Free Space
Padding in FDTD
BBox
Corners

All 6 faces of BBox must be defined by boundary conditions

Absorbing

: FEM, PML in FDTD

PEC

: FEM, FDTD

PMC

: FEM, FDTD

Periodic

: FDTD

E-Symmetry : FEM

M-Symmetry : FEM

PEC

PMC
Tangential E = 0

Boundary
condition
applied

Tangential H = 0

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Symmetry Boundary Conditions

E & M-Symmetry:
o Problem is mirrored over boundary
o Mathematical boundary condition is equivalent to PEC or PMC.
o Only need to model half of the problem:

Computationally beneficial for symmetric problems.

Sources at boundaries are taken into account.
Far field patterns are correctly computed.
Beware of excitation of modes: only even modes are part of the solution for E-Symmetry!
(MSymmetry = only odd)

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Advanced Topics
EM SOLVERS AND BASIS FUNCTIONS

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Solve Process

FEM

FEM

MoM

FDTD

Spatial Domain

Full 3D

3D Layered

Full 3D

Domain

Frequency

Frequency

Time

Mesh

Adaptive

Fixed

Fixed

Solve Technique

System Solve

System Solve

Time Stepping

Pass 1

Pass n

Error
Estimation
@f
Initial Mesh

Substrate
Solve @ f

Adaptive
Frequency
Sweep

Adaptive Mesh Refinement stops when convergence is

detected.
Convergence is based on delta S = S, where S = the
largest value of the absolute difference between the Sparameters from one pass compared to the previous one.

Initial Mesh

Mesh
Refinement

Discretize
@f

Determines:
o
Directly the expected accuracy of the S-parameter
results:
o
Delta S = 0.02 expected accuracy on S of

Solve @ f
o

MOM

Indirectly the expected accuracy of the circuit

quantities in a bilinear way:

Adaptive
Frequency
Sweep

Converged?

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Solver Types
FEM supports two types of solvers:

Direct solver (for 1st and 2nd order).

Iterative solver (2nd order)

Solver Performance Example

Microstrip

nbUnknowns

Memory

Duration

2nd order, Direct

29k

160 Mb

6s

2nd order, Iterative

29k

40 Mb

7s

1st order, Direct

18k

85 Mb

5s

QFN Package

nbUnknowns

Memory

Duration

2nd order, Direct

211k

1.21 Gb

28 s

2nd order, Iterative

211k

0.23 Gb

28 s

1st order, Direct

257k

1.28 Gb

39 s

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Basis Functions
Mathematical method to approximate the field values at edges and faces

vertices and 0th order: Not used

1st order: 1 DoF per edge of a tetrahedron, resulting in 6 DoF per tetrahedron
2nd order: 2 DoF per edge, 2 DoF per face of a tetrahedron, resulting in 20 DoF per tetrahedron

1st 2nd order trade-off

1st order is less efficient in approximating smooth field variations but use less memory
2nd order is less efficient for anisotropic varying fields

0-th order

1-st order

2-nd order
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Useful Links
EMPro Homepage
http://www.keysight.com/en/pc-1297143/empro-3d-em-simulation-software?nid=34278.0.00&cc=US&lc=eng

EMPro Application Center

http://edadocs.software.keysight.com/display/eesofapps/EM+Applications

EMPro Forum
http://www.keysight.com/owc_discussions/forum.jspa?forumID=111

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