This demo will show how running EM simulations on designs with 3D structures can be done
directly in Agilent�s Advanced Design System (ADS), which can save a lot of time compared
to using standalone EM tools.
We�ll start with a planar antenna design. This is a quasi-Yagi antenna that is based
on the reference shown here. The final design will include an SMA connector, and we want
to include the connector as part of the EM simulation. So directly from ADS, we add a
3D connector model to the antenna layout design. We�ll show you how easy it is to create
3D components for ADS in a moment. Here�s the 3D view of the antenna with the connector
added.
The momentum simulator provides very fast, accurate EM simulations for planar designs,
but since we�ve added the 3D connector model, we select the finite element method simulator,
which is a full 3D simulation technology that can analyze arbitrary 3D structures. We launch
an FEM simulation from ADS on the full design and see how the connector impacts the performance
of the antenna. This plot shows the input match with and without the SMA connector.
The final design will also include a radome or enclosure to protect the antenna, so in
ADS, we can add a 3D radome model to the layout design. Here�s a 3D view of the design with
the radome added. Now we can rerun the FEM simulation on the entire design, including
the antenna, connector and radome and view the antenna parameters and 3D far field patterns
at different frequencies.
But what if we want to consider different radome sizes and see how this impacts antenna
performance? 3D component models in ADS can be fully parameterized. For example, we can
easily reduce the height of the radome from 20 millimeters to 10 millimeters directly
from the ADS layout design. Here is the design with the smaller radome. We can rerun the
FEM simulation to see changes in antenna performance, as shown in this plot of the input match with
radome heights of 10 millimeters and 20 millimeters. We can also compare the antenna gain and directivity
versus frequency with the different radome heights.
We�ve shown how 3D components can be used in ADS, but how are these components created?
EMPro, a companion product to ADS, is a full 3D modeling environment where we create, import
and modify arbitrary 3D objects. Here�s the SMA connector model in EMPro. If we want
to use this in ADS, we simply save it as an open access cell, then add this cell to our
workspace in ADS. In ADS, we can see there�s an EMPro view of the cell. If we want to see
the model or even modify it, we can simply reopen it in EMPro.
We can also create fully parameterized 3D models in EMPro. Here�s the radome design,
and you can see that the height and thickness have been parameterized. When we save this
design, then add the cell to our ADS workspace, all the parameters come across, so the dimensions
can be changed directly in ADS without needing to go back to EMPro.
With Agilent�s integrated 3D EM solution, we can create parameterized 3D models in EMPro,
then use them with planar, PCB and IC designs in ADS. We can modify geometry parameters
and run full 3D EM simulations, all within ADS, without wasting time moving data back
and forth between standalone EM tools.
For more information on Agilent�s integrated 3D EM solution, please visit Agilent.com and
request a free trial.