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Version 4.0 of the Ansoft SIwave software from Ansys includes new features for signal-integrity, power-integrity, and electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) testing. Its improved desktop graphical user interface (GUI) includes new post-processing of results. Solver enhancements provide accurate solutions beyond 10 Gbits/s. And, automation links SIwave electromagnetics with circuit simulation using Ansoft Designer and Nexxim.

Additionally, a new link between electromagnetics and thermal analysis has been created for board and package thermal effects via the Ansys Icepak software. This link enables accurate characterization of additional heating due to copper-resistive losses that engineers have previously estimated or ignored completely.

SIwave software version 4.0 includes new features for signal-integrity, power-integrity, and EMC testing. The image shows a plot of the magnetic field magnitude above a printed-circuit board when a signal line is driven by a sinusoidal source at 1 GHz.

SIwave technology is an electromagnetic field solver that performs broadband signal- and power-integrity analyses along with dc voltage and current analysis for complete boards and packages. It also offers comprehensive electromagnetic-interference (EMI) analyses and can couple board and package electromagnetic fields with the company’s HFSS technology for complete system-level simulation. 

According to the company, the GUI makes component management easy and allows simultaneous analyses and dynamic zooming. Its reporter feature makes the analysis of results easy and fast as well, Ansys says. Solver enhancements include smart coupling algorithms with an advanced via solver combined with non-uniform (hexagonal and trapezoidal) trace cross-sections that provide accurate solutions beyond 10 Gbits/s.

A new co-planar algorithm within the solver extends accuracy for difficult package designs. Also, a new field solver calculates trace characteristics on the fly. Enhanced near-field and far-field solvers provide an unmatched solution to EMI and EMC problems for data-dependent fields when linked to circuit simulation using Ansoft Designer software, according to Ansys.

Version 4.0’s multiple automation enhancements ease design flows by removing tedious manipulations that, most often, are performed manually. Automated error checking and geometry correction have been implemented within the SIwave software. Schematic creation, transient, and QuickEye analyses setups have been automated for circuit simulation driven by electromagnetics when using SIwave with Ansoft Designer.