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EMPIRE XCcel

THE MORE EFFECTIVE 3D-EM

SIMULATION TOOL


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Applications: Planar and multi-layered circuits including layout generation Microwave passive components RF-MEMS structures Signal Integrity (SI) analysis of packages and PCBs Single and array antenna design Mono- and bi-static scattering cross section calculation Waveguide components

HQ resonators featuring fast broad band loss models EMC including safety considerations employing anatomical body models Scripting controlled model definition, simulation, postprocessing

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AT A GLANCE

EMPIRE XCcel developed by engineering excellence is one of the leading3D-electromagnetic-field-simulators. It is based on the powerful Finite DifferenceTime Domain method (FDTD), which has become an industrial standard forRF component and antenna design. Due to EMPIREs unique adaptive on-the-flycode generation it exhibits the fastest simulation engine known today. With thishighly accelerated kernel full-wave EM-simulations can now be performed inminutes which used to take days some years ago.


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Features: Easy-to-use structure editor optimized for a fast model set up Import, export and modification of 2D layout data and 3D CAD data Automatic and user-controlled meshing including fast 3D mesh viewing Parametric geometry and parametric physical properties Library elements for various feed line and port definition Condensed ports for embedding active devices Plane wave, multiple port, hollow waveguide excitation State-of-the-art absorbing boundary conditions Optimization, batch job queuing and remote control Smart signal processing and automatic post processing Near- and far field 3D visualization and animation Developed and supported by experienced RF engineers

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EMPIRE XCcels applicability ranges from analyzing planar, multi-layered andconformal circuits, components and antennas to multi-pin packages, wave-guides, and SI/EMC problems including the devices operational environment.Time signals, scattering parameters, and field animations are generated accura-tely for a broad frequency range within only one simulation run. Monitoringand animation capabilities give physical insight into electromagnetic wavephenomena while accurate results are obtained with little effort.


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INTRODUCTION

IMST is an experienced and independent R&D company for mobile radiotechnology and microelectronics. Innovative solutions are developed for all typeof wireless communications and for radio-controlled sensor technology. In orderto effectively process these solutions experienced RF engineers at IMST researchlabs have developed this highly efficient simulator EMPIRE XCcel.

To minimize time-to-market it is essential that design tools are both fast and

reliable. In all application areas EMPIRE XCcel is tested against measurements,theory and published results. In addition, this software frequently takes part inindustrial and public benchmark competitions.

EMPIRE XCcel is able to exploit the special

architecture of the new processor generations,

like Athlon or Pentium. EMPIRE employs a uni-

que code generator which transforms the

FDTD algorithm into suitable Single Instruction

Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions. This can

lead to a speed-up of 400%.

This antipodal Vivaldi antenna was chosen for benchmarking. Input reflection, impedances, farfield, and gain calculations have been calculated by different software vendors.


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Due to its speed-optimized simulation engine EMPIRE XCcel is always theleader of these comparisons with respect to speed and memory consumption.

EMPIRE XCcel is a powerful, versatile and efficient 3D-EM-modeler that Iuse on a daily basis to design a wide variety of RF hardware. It saves me a lot ofengineering time which I now can spend on the more important problems andideas. Additionally, the excellent and encouraging support of the Empire

support-team, which are application engineers as myself, helps a lot toimprove the effectiveness of my daily work.

Brian Cascarano, Canadian Space Agency, St Hubert, QC, Canada

This recent benchmark competition has beencarried out within the 6th frame programmeof the European Union. Results are publishedat www.antennasvce.org - Softlab Run1.


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MULTI-LAYERED COMPONENTS

The accurate electrical characterization of planar and multi-layered components,like junctions, discontinuities, feedthrus or lumped elements becomes more andmore important in the design of microwave circuits. Only a full 3D-field solver canaccurately determine the electromagnetic behavior for high frequencies.

Because of the frequency dependence of quasi-TEM modes, the excitation isdifficult for conventional time domain solvers. For this task, EMPIRE features a

,matched source which excites the structure correctly over the whole frequencyrange.

MEMS switchung configuration designed withEMPIRE XCcel. RF cross (pict. 2) and MEMSsingle-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch (pict.1)are shown in detail.

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FEATURES

Fast and accurate frequency dependent loss models Distributed and lumped RLC elements Match source excitation for TEM-like feeding Sequential and simultaneous lumped port excitation Retarding boundary conditions employing super-absorption Parameter variation and optimization capability Fast and easy layer stack set up

With the aid of inner ports it is possible toanalyze critical parts of RF circuits. Mutualcoupling, parasitic and resonant effects can bestudied including the entire environment.


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EMBEDDED DEVICES

ASIC, RFIC or MMIC chips are often embedded in plastic or ceramic packages.Bond wires, lead frames, and package material can lead to parasitic effects evenat low frequencies. EMPIRE offers the possibility of defining inner ports where thenon-linear or active elements are located. The passive and linear environmentcan be analyzed by the simulator resulting in a multi-port scattering matrix. Thismatrix can then be used to design matching networks, for de-embedding purpo-ses, or for a package equivalent circuit parameter extraction. Thus large signal,

multitone and noise analysis is applicable, too. IMST offers consulting for devicecharacterization and modelling of plastic and ceramic packages, too.

Signals are routed thru vias to the top layerand bond-wires connect die pads.

Signals distortion along path fromball grid to die pad.

Full 3D-EM-Modelling of aPBGA 12x12 Plastic BallGrid Array.


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FEATURES

Priority concept which allows the definition of buried components Import of DXF, Gerber, GDS II layouts Bond-wire and ball grid generators Unlimited number of internal and external ports Automatic mesh generator at expert level Accurate loss modelling with no impact on simulation speed Remote processing for distribution and parallel processing of simulation jobs Automatic generation of S-Parameters and Touchstone files (SnP) Spice parameter extraction

Magnetic field in the vicinity of anexciting wire.

Current density in intermediate layers.


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WAVEGUIDE ELEMENTS

Waveguide excitation and termination need special care because of theoccurrence of higher order modes at the waveguide ports. TE- and TM-Modes ofarbitrarily shaped homogeneous waveguides can be pre-calculated by solving a2D-eigenvalue problem to be used in the 3D-FDTD algorithm for excitationand S-parameter calculation. An advanced extraction algorithm is applied in theEMPIRE software to separate the mode content resulting in a generalized scatte-ring matrix. If dominant mode excitation is sufficent waveguide ports can also be

defined inside the structure. A great variety of waveguide elements (transitions,mode coupler, polarizer, junctions or filter) can be analyzed, designed andoptimized.

Travelling wave slot antenna array:ridged waveguide feed network,radiating stubs, slots and loads.


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FEATURES

Calculation of cut-off frequencies for higher order modes Mode preview capabilities Advanced port manager Mode extraction algorithm for multi-mode analysis Generalized scattering matrix Reference plane adjustment capabilities

Far field and near fields at28 GHz displayed on surfaceand inside waveguides.


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ANTENNAS

For the characterization of radiating elements, free space condition is required.Because of the finite size of the FDTD grid absorbing boundary conditions haveto be applied. EMPIRE XCcel features the state-of-the-art perfectly matchedlayer (PML) with adjustable thickness which are attached to the outermost cells tominimize the reflections from the boundaries. By sampling the field around theantenna, the radiation pattern can be calculated by a near field to far fieldtransformation.

With the aid of plane wave excitation also the inverse antenna problem canbe investigated as well as mono- and bi-static cross section calculations arepossible.

An array of vertically and horizontally polarizedVivaldi antennas showing far field pattern at 12 GHz.

Conformal patch array including feedingnetwork at 2.45 GHz.


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FEATURES

Broadband input impedance calculation Different antenna feedings Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) boundary conditions Near-field analysis Radiation patterns for a set of frequencies Efficiency, axial ratio and gain calculations RCS calculation Advanced farfield processing for periodic arrays Multi-port excitation with phase shifts

Near field of a Cassegrain reflectorantenna fed by a pyramidal horn.

Ka-Band antenna terminal using digital beam-forming for broadband applications.


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LAYOUT CAPABILITIES

To speed up design flows it is necessary that design and layout generationsoftware rely on common data to prevent errors. EMPIRE XCcel supportsthe industrial layout standards, like the DXF, Gerber and GDS II. Data can beimported, exported or converted into each other.

In EMPIRE XCcel objects with common properties can be grouped on layers.So, once a layer stack has been created it can be re-used easily for designs of

the same process parameters. Several features for checking design rules areincluded to ease the layout generation.

RF-IC inductor: The layout data of common IC design tools can easily be imported into the GUIand accurate results, like impedance, inductivity, quality factor, etc. are obtained with little effort.


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FEATURES

Import and export of industry standard layout formats(Gerber, GDS II, DXF 12)

Connectivity check for RF and DC lines including vias Point reduction algorithms for complex layouts Under- and oversizing of polygons Mapping polygons to user defined grids Automatic recognition of circles Programmable shapes for generation of, e.g. spirals,

tapers, bends, fractals Signal path extraction

LTCC antenna at 20 GHz: coaxial feeding,90 degree network, patch feeding, load in

intermediate layer, radiating patch on top.Current density on metallization and left-handed radiation pattern shown above.


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EMC AND HUMAN SAFETY

EMPIRE XCcel is very well suited for modelling the exposure of a human bodywith electromagnetic fields ranging from power line frequencies to the micro-wave range. Anatomically based models can be visualized and edited with thegraphical user interface. Public models can be imported and specialized modelsdeveloped by IMST (sitting human, ) can be supplied, too. Further, a model ofthe Specific Antropomorphic Mannequin (SAM phantom) is available which isproven for SAR compliance testing of mobile phones.

The model can be exposed by plane waves or by near field sources for theevaluation of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) or Averaged Current Density (ACD).

User impact on the radiation pattern of anintegrated mobile phone antenna.


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FEATURES

Arbitrary exposition possible Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) calculations with mass averaging Averaged Current Density (ACD) with surface averaging Maximum value finding Sophisticated Voxel editor Special algorithm for low frequency calculations

AFRL body model with 40 different tissue types.1mm, 2 mm, 3 mm resolutions are available.


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CAD DATA PROCESSING

Due to increasing computing power and the highly efficient EMPIRE XCcelkernel more environmental details can be included into the modelling that canlead to an even more reliable prediction of RF devices. Often structure data isavailable from manufactures (e.g. RF connectors, 3D MIM switches, car or planemodels) or internet libraries. EMPIRE XCcel can import, export, modify andparameterize data based on the 3D STL standard, so arbitrarily shaped volumesand surfaces can be used in the simulation.

Characterization of WiFi channelsinside an A320 airplane.

Automotive application: 2.45 GHz antenna on topof a car. Electric field and far field pattern.


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FEATURES

3D-STL data import and export IGES, STEP, ACIS import using external converter Boolean operations for arbitrary 3D object generation Parameterization of imported objects Fast 3D rendering for visualization and field animation Preview of discretized structure Automatic mesh generation Healing capabilities 3D volume and surface support

Current density on an exhaust at 10 MHzfor studying EMI of engines.

Flexible RFID tag antenna wrapped around wrist:Magnetic near field at 13.56 MHz.


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OPTIMIZATION

All geometric or physical values may be parameterized during structure set up.Even parametric equations can be used to define complex shapes, like specialtaper geometries. This feature in conjuction with a powerful batch processing anda remote control for job distribution within a network cluster enables the user toperform sophisticated parameter studies and yield analysis. A smart, gradientbased optimizer is available to reach an user-defined optimization goal within aminimum of time.

UWB Antenna Optimization:

The exponential taper of this Vivaldi antennais optimized with respect to input reflection,e.g. s11 < -10 db for 3-10 GHz.

Optimization ofantenna taper


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RUNNING EMPIRE XCCEL

EMPIRE XCcel is supported for PCs running under Windows XP/Vista or Linux inboth 32bit or 64bit mode that enables to exploit the complete memory of thesystem. To take full advantage of a workstation cluster, the simulator can beexecuted remotely and simulation jobs may be distributed on different hosts,using an advanced batch job control.

To meet your specific requirements, the simulator can be customized. Basic

models, templates, tools to simplify data input, or automatic post processingscripts can be supplied by IMST upon request.

EMPIRE XCcel Job Control:

Batch or optimization processescan be controlled on remote hoststo distribute simulation tasks.


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CONSULTING AND SUPPORT

Customers of EMPIRE XCcel are supported by a group of experienced andcompetent software developers and application engineers. They are backedup by more than 30 design engineers working with this tool on design projectsat IMST.

EMPIRE XCcel is distributed worldwide by means of a network of represen-tatives.

Strong and experienced local support teams are thoroughly trained by IMSTengineers in order to supply high qualified first level customer support with fastreaction time.

The IMST EMPIRE XCcel support team offers individual training for customersto use the software effectively.

IMST Homepage atwww.imst.com


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UPDATES

Due to growing fields of applications and latest developments in research theEMPIRE XCcel software will be continuously extended, improved and upgra-ded. Updates will be free of charge for customers entering into a maintenanceagreement. Node-locked and floating license configuration are possible forinfinite time or renting periods. Manual updates, release announcements,application examples and more can be found on our web sites.

Just contact your local sales representative or mail to [email protected] in orderto receive a quotation for EMPIRE XCcel. Special discounts are available formultiple licenses, for research labs and universities.

EMPIRE XCcel Homepage atwww.empire.de


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IMST GmbHCarl-Friedrich-Gauss-Str. 2, D-47475 Kamp-LintfortT +49 2842 981-400 F +49 2842 981-499E [email protected] I www.empire.de

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