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Circuit Element Optimizer

XFdtd's unique full-wave matching circuit optimization method.

Full-Wave Matching Circuit Optimization (FW-MCO) is performed by XF's Circuit Element Optimizer.  This capability selects the optimal component values for matching network layouts, printed circuit boards, antennas, filters, or other RF structures.  Since the FDTD simulation method is used, the multitude of electromagnetic phenomena affecting the RF structure and components is accounted for, such as the coupling between the driven antenna and nearby copper traces.

Goals and Component Values

The Circuit Element Optimizer characterizes the RF structure using full wave FDTD simulation, then selects optimal component values based on the following user defined goals:

  • Radiation efficiency

  • System efficiency

  • S-parameters

Matching network for a dual band antenna. Circuit elements for optimization connect copper pads.

Matching network for a dual band antenna. Circuit elements for optimization connect copper pads.

Although traditional components include capacitors, inductors, and resistors, modern applications utilize more advanced components to achieve design requirements. The Circuit Element Optimizer supports the following types of components:

  • Fixed resistor, capacitor, inductor

  • Ideal resistor, capacitor, inductor

  • Realistic capacitor, inductor with user-defined equivalent series resistance

  • Standard *.s2p file definitions downloaded from component manufacturer

  • Passive tunable integrated circuits (PTIC or “tuners”) in the MDIF format of *.s2p files

Each component can take on a discrete range of values, representing the parts available from a component supplier.

Operating Modes

RF circuits are often used in different modes of operation, for example a mobile phone in free space versus one held in a hand. The Circuit Element Optimizer is able to recognize and consider multiple modes of operation when selecting component values. This results in tuner values that are optimized for individual modes and fixed L or C components that are best for all modes.

 
 

Additional Information

Examples

Featured
FDTD Simulation: Optimizing an LTE Antenna's Matching Network
FDTD Simulation: Optimizing an LTE Antenna's Matching Network

A simple antenna for LTE band operation is added to the PC board of a smartphone in XFdtd and the matching circuit is tuned for operation in multiple frequency bands. The component values in the matching network are chosen to maximize system efficiency.

Full Wave Simulation: Matching Network Design for GPS / Bluetooth Antenna
Full Wave Simulation: Matching Network Design for GPS / Bluetooth Antenna

XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer is used to determine optimal matching component values for a dual purpose antenna.

Publications

Featured
Full Wave Matching Circuit Optimization Shortens Design Iterations
Full Wave Matching Circuit Optimization Shortens Design Iterations

Full wave matching circuit optimization (FW-MCO) is a new technology that combines full wave, 3D EM simulation with circuit optimization into a novel approach for solving an age-old RF problem: determining which component values provide the desired match for a given matching network layout. This article describes the design process using the design of a matching circuit for a GPS-Bluetooth antenna.

Overview of XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer
Overview of XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer

XF’s Circuit Element Optimizer utilizes full wave analysis to select the component values for a given printed circuit board (PCB) layout. The tool allows design engineers to optimize matching circuit lumped element values directly in the EM layout where the coupling from multiple antennas and the ground return current paths are taken into account. This whitepaper gives an overview of how the Circuit Element Optimizer works and the benefits it provides.

Videos

Featured
Demonstration of Full-Wave Matching Circuit Optimization in XFdtd
Demonstration of Full-Wave Matching Circuit Optimization in XFdtd

This video gives a demonstration of Full-Wave Antenna Matching Circuit Optimization using XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer (CEO). The antenna matching circuit design flow is discussed, including CEO's analysis of a given PCB layout. Predicted S-parameters and optimal component value results for two different frequency bands are also shown.

XFdtd and Optenni Lab Integration for Matching Circuit Design
XFdtd and Optenni Lab Integration for Matching Circuit Design

Remcom's XFdtd 3D EM simulator integrates with Optenni Lab for antenna matching circuit optimization. This brief video shows the highlights of the workflow and integration using a GPS and Bluetooth mobile device antenna.

Webinars

Featured
Antenna Design Workflow Using Full-Wave Matching Circuit Optimization

The design of a matched antenna is a fairly involved process. This webinar shows how XFdtd simplifies this process by providing tools to parameterize the unmatched antenna, determine S11, synthesize a matching network topology with Optenni Lab, and determine the final component values using the Circuit Element Optimizer.

Introduction to XFdtd’s Circuit Element Optimizer
Introduction to XFdtd’s Circuit Element Optimizer

Remcom’s Circuit Element Optimizer for XFdtd is a unique tool for full wave matching circuit optimization. This webinar introduces the capability and provides an example of how it is used. A GPS/Bluetooth antenna and an LTE antenna are used for the demonstration.

Brochure

Brochure: Full Wave Matching Circuit Optimization

 
 

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