Optimize Multiple Circuit Elements in Electromagnetic Space

With the new Circuit Element Optimizer add-on module users of Remcom’s XFdtd Electromagnetic Simulation software can optimize these lumped circuit elements connected directly in an FDTD (finite difference time domain) mesh. Image courtesy of Remcom Inc.

Remcom Inc. has launched a new Circuit Element Optimizer add-on module for its XFdtd electromagnetic (EM) simulation solution. Remcom says that antenna designers and RF (radio frequency) engineers can use this module to determine lumped element values based on radiation efficiency, system efficiency and S-parameters (scattering parameters). This new module, the company adds, simplifies the antenna matching workflow since circuit elements remain in the electromagnetic layout structure during optimization.

The Circuit Element Optimizer helps you select the optimal component values for a given matching network layout, printed circuit board (PCB), antenna, filter and other RF structures. It characterizes your RF structure using full-wave FDTD (finite difference time domain) simulations. This enables it to account for different EM phenomena that affect RF structure and components, such as the coupling between the driven antenna and nearby copper traces. The Circuit Element Optimizer supports traditional components as well as more modern components such as fixed and ideal resistors, inductors with user-defined equivalent series resistance and passive tunable integrated circuits.

This Circuit Element Optimizer screen capture shows a matching network for a dual-band antenna. The circuit elements for optimization connect copper pads. Image courtesy of Remcom Inc.

The Circuit Element Optimizer enables antenna designers to optimize in EM space, which, the company says, addresses problems arising from new and emerging mobile application technologies, such as inter-band carrier aggregation and new frequency bands. It can handle situations in which multiple antennas are serving several bands and interacting with both a mobile device and one another, affecting the antenna match simultaneously.

The Circuit Element Optimizer also supports tunable components, which enhances your ability to design devices for multiple mobile carriers. Remcom adds that trade-offs in efficiencies between different scenarios such as free space, head and hand, etc. are realized with the optimizer’s support for different physical configurations.

Remcom says that its new Circuit Element Optimizer is able to recognize and consider multiple modes of operation such as a mobile phone in free space versus one held in a hand when selecting component values. Image courtesy of Remcom Inc.

In addition to inter-band carrier aggregation, the Circuit Element Optimizer can be used for matching applications such as a single antenna with a single band of operation, a single antenna with multiple bands (with or without tunable components) and matching circuits for multiple antennas systems including MIMO (multiple input and multiple output) arrangements.

“Traditionally, RF engineers have had to simplify and idealize their matching circuits in schematics that are separated from the EM simulation. This simplification into a lumped element schematic requires perfect grounds and overlooks the coupling and transmission line effects of the interconnect metal and the antennas. XFdtd’s Circuit Element Optimizer is unique because it allows design engineers to optimize the lumped circuit elements directly in the physical matching circuit layout where the EM coupling from multiple antennas and the ground return current paths are taken into account,” said Jeff Barney, product marketing manager at Remcom, in the Circuit Element Optimizer announcement.

For more information, visit Remcom.

Download the Circuit Element Optimizer brochure.

See why DE‘s editors selected Remcom’s new Circuit Element Optimizer as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.