After successful completion of the course, students are able to:

- comprehend advantages and disadvantages of 2.5D and a 3D simulation tools;

- apply high-frequency simulation software for electromagnetic-field and circuit simulations; they are able to optimize RF structures with the help of several types of simulation software;

- analyse, whether the simulation results are resonably accurate and not in contradiction with the basic physics/electrodynamics.

Introduction to two state-of-the-art radio frequency simulation tools:

• Ansys HFSS: A complete suite for simulating the RF-behavior of three-dimensional structures, including time-domain and frequency-domain simulators, eigenmode analysis...
• NI AWR Microwave Office: A compluite suite for (non)linear simulation of RF circuits and systems, including 2.5-dimensional electromagnetic field simulators optimized for stacked planar structures (e.g. printed circuit boards)

Students will be introduced to both tools and will solve 3-4 problems with each simulator.

Note: Student licenses are available for the period of the course.

The course is divided into two parts. First, an introductory presentation for each of the simulation softwares, with training examples, is given. After that, students are given homework problems that have to be solved individually.

Administrative Meeting, Enrollment

Administrative issues concerning the lecture will be discussed on March 6, 2024, 14:00 in Seminarraum (CF0153). Please be present!

Note: The administrative meeting is held together with the one of 354.059 Lab RF Techniques.

Schedule

The course consists of two parts:

1. Ansys HFSS:
   - Introduction including guided training examples (approx. 6 hours)
   - 3 problems, each consisting of:
      - problem introduction/supervision/guidance (approx. 3 hours)
      - solving the problem (at home, 3-7 hours)
2. NI AWR Microwave Office:
   - Introduction including guided training examples (approx. 6 hours)
   - 3 problems, each consisting of:
      - problem introduction/supervision/guidance (approx. 3 hours)
      - solving the problem (at home, 3-7 hours)

A detailled schedule will follow.

For both introductory lectures, please bring your laptop with the corresponding software product installed. In case you experience problems running the software (e.g. problem contacting license server) contact your supervisors not later than one week before the lecture.

Grading is based on simulation problems which need to be done by the students as homework.

Students are required to have basic knowledge of wave propagation (LVA 389.064) and electrodynamics (LVA 354.077 or 360.254). Knowledge on RF techniques (LVA 354.058), specifically on S-parameters, is beneficial but not a must.