Analysis and Verification

EM solvers, analysis functions, mesh configuration, utility functions

Each element in the RF PCB Toolbox™ library has a set of analysis functions. Use these functions to analyze:

All the components in PCB Components Catalog.
Printed circuit board (PCB) components designed using design function.
Custom PCB components created using functions and objects in Custom Geometry and PCB Fabrication.

Use this category also to mesh the PCBs into discretized triangles and tetrahedrons for solving analysis equations. You can also compare RF PCB Toolbox simulations with fabricated PCBs, measured results, and technical articles.

Functions

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Analysis

`current`	Calculate and plot current distribution (Since R2021b)
`charge`	Calculate and plot charge distribution (Since R2021b)
`capacitance`	Calculate capacitance (Since R2021b)
`coupling`	Calculate coupling factor of coupler (Since R2022a)
`design`	Design PCB component around particular frequency (Since R2021b)
`dgs`	Create defected ground structure of PCB element (Since R2023a)
`directivity`	Calculate directivity of coupler (Since R2022a)
`feedCurrent`	Calculate current at feed port (Since R2021b)
`getZ0`	Calculate characteristic impedance of transmission line (Since R2021b)
`getZEven`	Calculate even mode impedance of differential PCB transmission line (Since R2022b)
`getZOdd`	Calculate odd mode impedance of differential PCB transmission line (Since R2022b)
`inductance`	Calculate inductance (Since R2021b)
`isolation`	Calculate isolation of coupler (Since R2022a)
`propagationDelay`	Compute propagation delay of transmission line (Since R2022b)
`rlgc`	Compute resistances, inductances, conductances, and capacitances (Since R2022b)
`sparameters`	Calculate S-parameters for RF PCB objects (Since R2021b)

Meshing

`mesh`	Change and view mesh properties of metal or dielectric in PCB component (Since R2021b)
`meshconfig`	Change mesh mode of PCB component or shape structure (Since R2021b)

Utility

`cylinder2strip`	Cylinder equivalent width approximation (Since R2021b)
`dielectric`	Dielectric material for use as substrate
`DielectricCatalog`	Catalog of dielectric materials
`metal`	Conductor material (Since R2021a)
`MetalCatalog`	Catalog of metals (Since R2021a)
`voltagePort`	Create voltage source with N-ports (Since R2021b)
`RFConnector`	Create RF connector (Since R2023b)

Topics

Fundamental RF PCB Analysis

Scattering Parameters or S-Parameters
Basics of S-parameters, how to analyze PCB components using S-parameters.
Behavioral Models
Accelerate circuit level analysis, behavioral s-parameter calculations, optimize layout and performance.
Characteristic Impedance of Transmission Lines
Characteristic impedance of transmission lines; even and odd mode impedances of coupled transmission lines.

Solvers

Method of Moments Solver for Metal and Dielectric Structures
Method of Moments computation technique for metal and dielectrics in a PCB.
2-D Field Solver
The 2-D field solver in RF PCB Toolbox™ allows you to model and analyze the cross-sections of multi-conductor transmission lines in a multi-layered dielectric above a ground plane like a microstrip line.
Eigenmode-Based Solver for PCB Vias
Wave generation and propagation in vias, circuit model, equations.
FEM-based Solver for RF Structures
This topic explains the use of a Finite-Element-Method-based solver to complex RF structures.

Featured Examples

Analysis of a Single Ended Via for Proper Placement of Ground Return Vias for 40+ Gbps Signaling

Model the return path of single ended printed circuit board vias using the via analysis feature in RF PCB Toolbox viaSingleEnded.

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Surrogate Based Optimization of a Planar Spiral Inductor

Use an optimization based approach for designing a planar PCB spiral inductor. A surrogate optimization technique available in Global Optimization Toolbox™ is used as the optimizer. The spiral inductor material parameters and geometry gives rise to an effective inductance across the input and output ports. A rectangular spiral on a silicon substrate is chosen based on [1]. The target inductance to be achieved is 10 nH at a frequency of 3 GHz.

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Model and Analyze Microstrip Interdigital Capacitor as Bandpass filter

The interdigital capacitor (IDC) is a multi-finger periodic structure and is frequently used in the microstrip microwave integrated circuits for RF or microwave development. The interdigital capacitors use the capacitance that occurs across a narrow gap between conducting fingers. They are optimized based on applications.

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Create and Analyse Dual Characteristics of Complementary Split Ring Resonators from Gerber Files

Create a complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) from Gerber files and subsequently analyze the model. The Gerber file format is used in printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing and is available in two formats: RS-274D, which was the initial release standard, and RS-274X, which is the newer extended Gerber format. The RF-PCB Toolbox™ supports the newer RS-274X format both to generate Gerber files from a PCB model and to create the PCB model from a set of Gerber files.

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Prototype, Design, and Analysis of SIW based Microstrip Tapered Transmission Line

Design and analyze a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) microstrip transmission line using Gerber files.

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Create and Analyze PCB Interconnects using Custom Traces

Use the custom traces traceLine and tracePoint in RF PCB Toolbox and create PCB traces with different shapes and orientations. The traceLine uses the lengths and angles properties to create a trace and the tracePoint uses points to create the trace. For both the traces, corner property can be set to Sharp, Miter, and Smooth to create specific corners at all the bends.

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Design and Analysis of Hairpin Micro-Strip Line Bandpass Filter

Design and analyze Hairpin filter in RF PCB Toolbox™.

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