Ensuring Accurate Broadband EM Analysis with Allegro PCB Designer
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Step 5: Simulation vs Measured Data
For this instance of the design, the EM simulation was finished in just a few minutes on a standard Office of Technology
Services (OTS) Windows-based PC, since all ground vias were replaced by solid ground metal shapes.
The EM simulation results were then compared against network analyzer measurements and simulation results versus
measured data correlation are revealed in Figure 15. Note: In this example, the coax connector/transition was not included in
the EM simulation, resulting in slightly different results between simulation and measurement. The AWR Analyst
™
simulator
could have been used to simulate the response of the 3D coax alongside the response of the PCB structure with transmission
line discontinuities.
Figure 15: AWR AXIEM EM simulation results versus network analyzer measurements
Conclusion
This application note has presented a step-by-step method for using the EM simulation and verification flow between the
Allegro PCB Designer and the AWR Design Environment platform to analyze the performance of a simple PCB, inclusive of a
transmission line, two discontinuities, and ground via arrays. The creation of an EM simulation structure has been illustrated,
as well as the tradeoffs between design complexity and simulation time. An introduction to basic EM port configuration and
simulation settings has been provided and a comparison of the AWR AXIEM EM simulation against measured results has been
shown.
Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Oliver Werther of Effective RF Solutions for his contributions to this application note.
