Introduction to XFdtd’s Circuit Element Optimizer

Publications

Full wave matching circuit optimization (FW-MCO) is a new technology that combines full wave, 3D EM simulation with circuit optimization into a novel approach for solving an age-old RF problem: determining which component values provide the desired match for a given matching network layout. This article describes the design process using the design of a matching circuit for a GPS-Bluetooth antenna.

Brochures

Determining the final set of component values in a matching network can be a challenging process. At higher frequencies, especially VHF and above, significant EM effects on the real circuit (inter-connection transmission line effects and coupling between the antenna being tuned, other antennas, and other parts of the structure) are difficult to quantify and account for in circuit schematic simulators alone.

Publications

XF’s Circuit Element Optimizer utilizes full wave analysis to select the component values for a given printed circuit board (PCB) layout. The tool allows design engineers to optimize matching circuit lumped element values directly in the EM layout where the coupling from multiple antennas and the ground return current paths are taken into account. This whitepaper gives an overview of how the Circuit Element Optimizer works and the benefits it provides.