Introduction to High

Frequency Structure
Simulator
Pengcheng Jia

Background

Introduced from 90s

Simulation tool for complex 3 D
geometries
Using Finite Element Method
Adaptive Mesh generation & refinement
2 Main VendorsAgilent & Ansoft
Merger from May 1
Transfer to Ansoft HFSS after Nov. 1, 2001

Requirement & Resources

HFSS consume tremendous memory if

fine result is needed
300M+ Memory and 400M+ processor is
recommended
Floating License Key within ECEWIN2K
subnet
Remote access to new Scully which has
1 G RAMBUS400 Memory and 1.7G P4
processor

Agilent HFSS

Ansoft HFSS

Features(1)

Computes s-parameters and full-wave

fields for arbitrarily-shaped 3D passive
structures
Powerful drawing capabilities to simplify
design entry
Field solving engine with accuracy-driven
adaptive solutions
Powerful post-processor for unprecedented
insight into electrical performance

Features(2)

Advanced materials
Model Library-including spiral
inductors
Model half, quarter, or octet symmetry
Calculate far-field patterns
Wideband fast frequency sweep
Create parameterized cross section
models- 2D models

Applications

Antennas
Microwave transitions
Waveguide components
RF filters
Three-dimensional discontinuities
Passive circuit elements

Procedure to simulate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Open or Make new project

Draw objects
Assign material property
Define boundary conditions
Solve
Display result

New project

Project Preferences

Drawing basics

Drawing Lines & 2 D

objects

Drawing 3 D objects

Object Library

Editing Objects

Materials

Metal & Resistor

Boundaries

Boundary Conditions

Add A Boundary

Display Boundary

Calibrating Ports

Solve

Frequency & Meshing

Displaying Results

S Matrix

Plot Field

Result Comparison

r=8.5; Hsub=625 um; W=150um; G=75 um

Z L jZ 0Tan L
Z Z0
Z 0 jZ LTan L

@10G
L=100
um
L=300
um
L=600
um

---Theoretical Equation

Theoretic
al
0.04 nH

HFSS

0.12 nH

0.13 nH

0.24 nH

0.24 nH

0.05 nH

Finite Element Method

Tetrahedron

Impedance Concept

Zpi, Zpv & Zvi

Microstrips use Zpi impedance
2P
1
Zpi
;P
ExHds; I
Hdl
*

I I
2

Slot-type (CPW)
use
Zpv
impedance
*
V V
Zpv
2P

TEM waves use Zvi impedance

Zvi Zpi Zpv

Projects with HFSS

Microstrip Line to Waveguide Transition

EM Field of the transition

Waveguide Combiner
System

Slotline Antenna

Bonding Wire Discontinuity

Packaging for CPW Lines

Field Plot

Useful links

http://www.ansoft.com
http://dutettq.et.tudelft.nl/~hfss/welcome.h
tml
http://wwwinfo.cern.ch/ce/ae/Maxwell/index.
html
Documents for HP HFSS is in Scully
c:/Otherprg/hfss/doc

References

HP High-Frequency Structure
Simulator Users Reference
HP High-Frequency Structure
Simulator Tutorial