Any field solvers that can import PCB design data?

[Joel Kolstad]

Does anyone know of a (preferably) standalone 2.5D (or 3D) field solver that
can read in a Gerber data file, be provided with stack-up data (dielectric
constants, loss tangents, etc.), and then let you willy-nilly define ports to
look at S parameters (or similar)? The primary idea is to obtain isolation
data between one trace and another when your board size is prescribed (i.e.,
you can't just move all the signals an inch apart like the manufacturer demo
PCBs do!).

I'm aware that Eagleware, I mean, Agilent's Genesys can do this, although I
haven't had a chance to try it out yet. So perhaps all the Big Boys --
Agilent ADS, AWR's Microwave Office, and Ansoft's RF Designer -- can do this?

Thanks,
---Joel

 

[qrk]

Does anyone know of a (preferably) standalone 2.5D (or 3D) field solver that
can read in a Gerber data file, be provided with stack-up data (dielectric
constants, loss tangents, etc.), and then let you willy-nilly define ports to
look at S parameters (or similar)? The primary idea is to obtain isolation
data between one trace and another when your board size is prescribed (i.e.,
you can't just move all the signals an inch apart like the manufacturer demo
PCBs do!).

I'm aware that Eagleware, I mean, Agilent's Genesys can do this, although I
haven't had a chance to try it out yet. So perhaps all the Big Boys --
Agilent ADS, AWR's Microwave Office, and Ansoft's RF Designer -- can do this?

Thanks,
---Joel

Mentor HyperLynx can import various PCB formats. Don't know if it can
import Gerber files. Big $$ for Mentor products.

 

[Georg Baum]

Does anyone know of a (preferably) standalone 2.5D (or 3D) field solver
that can read in a Gerber data file, be provided with stack-up data
(dielectric constants, loss tangents, etc.), and then let you willy-nilly
define ports to
look at S parameters (or similar)? The primary idea is to obtain
isolation data between one trace and another when your board size is
prescribed (i.e., you can't just move all the signals an inch apart like
the manufacturer demo PCBs do!).

Ie3D (see http://www.zeland.com/) can import GDSII data. They call it
"AGIF" (Automatic Geometry to IE3D Flow). You once put the stackup data in
a so-called template file, and then you can import layouts, add the ports
with few clicks and simulate.


Georg

 

[Brian Howie]

Does anyone know of a (preferably) standalone 2.5D (or 3D) field solver that
can read in a Gerber data file, be provided with stack-up data (dielectric
constants, loss tangents, etc.), and then let you willy-nilly define ports to
look at S parameters (or similar)? The primary idea is to obtain isolation
data between one trace and another when your board size is prescribed (i.e.,
you can't just move all the signals an inch apart like the manufacturer demo
PCBs do!).

I'm aware that Eagleware, I mean, Agilent's Genesys can do this, although I
haven't had a chance to try it out yet. So perhaps all the Big Boys --
Agilent ADS, AWR's Microwave Office, and Ansoft's RF Designer -- can do

this?


I evaluated something like that some time ago from a German company
,Simlab. Programs were Athos and Aramis
It was compatible with our Mentor toolset and used Boardstation data
directly It supplied Accusim extracted netlists for re-simulation with
boar parasitics.

I couldn't justify the expense based on our PCB throughput.

They still seem to be in the business.

http://www.simlab.de/


Brian

--
Brian Howie
SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Ltd
Sensor Systems Division
Crewe Toll Phase II, 1st Floor,
Edinburgh EH5 2XS
Phone +44 (0)131 343 8769
FAX +44 (0)131 343 8941
Email [email protected]

 

[Robert]

Does anyone know of a (preferably) standalone 2.5D (or 3D) field solver
that can read in a Gerber data file, be provided with stack-up data
(dielectric constants, loss tangents, etc.), and then let you willy-nilly
define ports to look at S parameters (or similar)? The primary idea is to
obtain isolation data between one trace and another when your board size
is prescribed (i.e., you can't just move all the signals an inch apart
like the manufacturer demo PCBs do!).

I'm aware that Eagleware, I mean, Agilent's Genesys can do this, although
I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. So perhaps all the Big Boys --
Agilent ADS, AWR's Microwave Office, and Ansoft's RF Designer -- can do
this?

Thanks,
---Joel

One of the guys on the PADS list posted this one.

http://www.apsimtech.com/

They do say, in their "CAD Links" section that they can read PADs files.

Robert