To expand its electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools, Darmstadt, Germany-based Computer Simulation Technology (CST) GmbH has acquired Flomerics’ EM simulation software business including MicroStripes and FLO/EMC for a cash consideration of £1.6 million, subject to the financial results of the EM business for the year 2007 and other normal terms and conditions.

Article Tools

• 

While this acquisition will give CST complementary EM technology for its users, of particular interest is the transmission line matrix (TLM) method, which will serve as an alternative time domain approach. According to CST, this transaction further increases CST's share in the 3D EM simulation market, and signals the beginning of a strategic relationship between Flomerics and CST.

"Flomerics has decided to focus on maintaining its leadership position in electronics thermal analysis and growing its market share in general-purpose CFD," stated Gary Carter, chief executive of Flomerics. "We chose to sell the business to CST to ensure first-class ongoing support and the commitment to providing the best tools in the business for electromagnetics simulation."

As per the deal, all MicroStripes and FLO/EMC users will continue to receive full technical support from CST. In addition, it will continue to provide further updates for MicroStripes and expects to continue to support and enhance the transfer of geometry from FLOTHERM models to MicroStripes and FLO/EMC.

Also, CST said that it will be working closely with Flomerics to ensure that Flomerics EM staff is offered continuous employment by CST, including those in sales, support, engineering and R&D roles. Thus, ensuring the best possible ongoing support and future migration path for users, noted the supplier. Meanwhile, around 20 people are employed by Flomerics’ EM business worldwide. In the six months ended June 30, 2007, the EM business contributed £0.9 million to the turnover, said CST

"The acquisition of the Flomerics EM business line and its TLM technology follows CST's strategy of providing the most complete technological offering for the high frequency EM market," said Bernhard Wagner, managing director, CST. "We will ensure a high level of continuity for all users of the MicroStripes and FLO/EMC products and are looking forward to working closely with all customers."

Typical applications for MicroStripes and FLO/EMC include optimizing the design and installed performance of antenna/microwave structures and RFID systems; ensuring EMC in electronic equipment; predicting radar cross-section (RCS), EMI/EMP and lightning strike effects on vehicles, ships and aircraft; predicting absorption of EM fields in human tissue, and many more.

In 2004, to bring its 3D EM simulation tools to a wider range of RF and microwave design engineers, CST formed an exclusive alliance with Agilent Technologies. It resulted in the integration of Agilent’s Advanced Design System (ADS) EDA software and CST’s MICROWAVE STUDIO (CST MWS).