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Shorten Design Cycle Time Using 3D EM Simulation Software

Published Date
Author Cadence System Analysis

Key Takeaways

  • A 3D working model of a potential design can help engineers improve design efficiency, precision, control, and the speed at which design products hit the market.

  • 3D EM simulation can be applied to antenna design and placement, filters, high-speed interconnects, IC packages, PCBs, electromagnetic compatibility and interference (EMI/EMC), microwave devices, radar, human exposure to EM fields, EM effects in electrical machines, and thermal effects on high power devices.

  • Virtual prototyping using 3D EM simulation saves costs and reduces the risk of test failures in real-time.

3D technology graphic

3D EM simulation software can be used to catch design or compliance issues in the early stages of the design process

As a kid, I was fascinated by 3-dimensional (3D) movies. Whether it was a cherry falling from an ice cream cone or bubbles floating towards me, the lifelike images provided by 3D technology amazed me. 

3D has been around for years, however, lately, it is being used in increasingly innovative ways. Apart from TV and films, the merits of 3D have been leveraged in various fields such as video gaming, architecture, and engineering. 

In the engineering field, a 3D working model of an on-going design can help engineers improve design efficiency, precision, control, and the speed at which design products hit the market. Additionally, such models provide engineers with motivation and the ability to deliver the absolute best design ideas before they even go into production. 

In electrical engineering, 3D Electromagnetic (EM) simulation software answers the challenges put forward by EM systems by enabling them to be experienced in 3D.

3D EM Simulation Software 

Capabilities

When it comes to the design, analysis, and optimization of EM systems and components, 3D EM simulation is considered revolutionary. This software contains EM field solvers to analyze designs across the EM spectrum. The simulation capability of this software starts from the low end of the EM spectrum and extends all the way to the high-end. 

Different EM solvers are capable of conducting full, bio-thermal, static, optimization, and circuit solving for a wide range of EM systems. Simulations in this software allow design engineers to analyze the whole system, from design initiation until completion. 

Applications

3D EM simulation can be applied to antenna design and placement, filters, high-speed interconnects, IC packages, PCBs, electromagnetic compatibility and interference (EMI/EMC), microwave devices, radar, human exposure to EM fields, EM effects in electrical machines, and thermal effects on high power devices.

Since physical prototypes are not needed, virtual prototyping using 3D EM simulation saves costs and reduces the risk of test failures in real-time. Since design issues can be identified and corrected in initial stages, the design process takes comparatively less time than traditional methods.

Modeling in 3D EM Simulation Software

3D EM simulation software simplifies the management of complex projects by enabling complicated EM systems to be modeled in 3D.

With 3D simulation, engineers can build, analyze, and optimize an accurate, scaled model of a design. Physical parameters such as fields, currents, or S-parameters can be edited with 3D EM simulation software.

Using only one simulation, a designer can compare different configurations of the same model under different solvers. Some software versions offer a design flow where designers can link sequences of solvers for hybrid and multiphysics simulations. The sequencing of solvers in simulation reduces the computational time and effort required to analyze complex EM systems with multiple components. 

Designing EM systems with 3D EM simulation software enables designers to catch design or compliance issues before the physical prototyping stage. This helps to reduce design cycle time, computational time, and the effort required to achieve excellent, efficient EM systems. 

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