EM simulation software pioneer, Remcom, has released an update for its XFdtd 3D EM Simulation Software, with new features to address 5G mmWave antenna design challenges including support for high-performance tuners and singularity correction. In addition, new PCB import enhancements save time in the design workflow.
As mobile devices continue to grow in complexity, engineers are challenged to include more antennas in less available space within the device while maximizing efficiency. Multi-port RF devices such as tuners and switches can be utilized to optimize band coverage. To accommodate these innovations, XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer (CEO) now includes multi-port device functionality, enabling engineers to incorporate and test these components in their matching network simulations.
Singularity correction is a sophisticated meshing method that accurately captures highly varying electromagnetic fields around the conductive edges of geometries such as antennas or transmission lines. XFdtd adjusts the electric and magnetic field values adjacent to metallic edges during time stepping. For higher frequency and mmWave use cases, where numerous antennas and components create high spatial variation of fields, singularity correction can significantly improve accuracy and strengthen confidence in the expected behaviour of a device.
The new XFdtd release also includes enhancements to printed circuit board (PCB) import, allowing documentation layers of a PCB to be imported alongside the geometry. These layers typically include useful manufacturer information such as the build date of the device, ID number, and more. Lastly, lumped circuit components specified in ODB++ and BRD files are also imported, eliminating the need to manually add them afterwards.
XFdtd users without an active Remcom Professional Support contract can upgrade to the latest version by contacting sales.
