Latest Enhancements in XF7

Current Version: Release 7.3.1

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The Impossible is Now Within Reach: The Power of MPI + XStream® GPU Acceleration Eliminates Speed and Memory Limits

Remcom continues to improve the performance of XF7 by combining the power of XStream with Message Passing Interface (MPI) technology.  While MPI has allowed XFdtd simulations to be distributed across a cluster of CPUs for a long time, running simulations using clusters of GPU-enhanced machines is now supported as well.  This gives users the ability to simulate gigantic problems that were previously impossible.

New Features in XF7:

MPI + GPU and Unlimited Memory Support
By combining Message Passing Interface (MPI) technology with XStream GPU Acceleration, multiple high-performance graphical processing units (GPUs) in separate computers can be linked together, resulting in tremendous increases in processing speed and available memory. Complementing this technology with unlimited memory support gives XF7 the robustness to simulate massive problems exceeding billions of cells.

External Queue Integration (EQI)
Many XFdtd users work in computational environments that include one or more high-performance computing (HPC) systems. In this environment, a desktop workstation is used to prepare a Project, create simulations and view results, but the simulations are performed on an HPC system. Such a system typically has an existing job control system installed on it such as the Portable Batch Sytem (PBS), Sun Grid Engine (SGE) or Simple Linux Utility for Resource Management (SLURM). Starting with version 7.3.1, XFdtd includes External Queue Integration (EQI) to allow users to queue simulations directly with such systems instead of manually submitting them for execution or queuing them locally.

STL and DXF Export of Geometry
In addition to the suite of solid model formats, XF7 can now export STL and DXF files. These file formats are used primarily for rapid prototyping and are compatible with many software packages.

Bend Solid Geometry and Project a Sheet
These two new solid modeling operations facilitate the creation of conformal geometry. The bend operation wraps geometry around a cylindrical path and the project a sheet operation embeds faces in another object.

Crop ODB++
ODB++ designs are now previewed during import.  In some scenarios only a portion of the PCB is required for the 3D simulation. During preview of the PCB the user can select to import only the area of interest.

Simulation Creation Optimization
For parameter sweeps where the changes in parameter values do not require re-meshing, simulation creation is now many times faster.

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Other Recent Enhancements:

Functionality and Performance Enhancements:

• Waveguide ports
• Active VSWR has been added for ports
• Addition of ODB++ PCB import within the CAD Merge functionality, allowing retention of modifications to the PCB that were applied previously to avoid rework
• Meshing performance has been improved by utilizing multiple CPU cores
• The overall amount of time it takes to create a simulation has been dramatically reduced
• Ability to easily remove extraneous geometry during ODB++ PCB import
• Automatic time domain sampling of results based on Frequency Range of Interest

Usability Improvements:

• Ability to capture screen shots has been enhanced dramatically
• “Zoom-to-selection” has been added in the Geometry View
• Added control over the appearance and visibility of the cutting plane

Additional Output Types:

• Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) and Time Domain Transmission (TDT) output types for signal integrity applications
• Dissipated Power Density is now an available result type
• Group Delay output type for analyzing distortion data during device design

New Modeling Features:

• Stretch and twist geometry
• Enhanced tools for creating and manipulating primitive geometric shapes: Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, Cuboid, Torus, Pyramid, Prism, Frustum and Helix

XStream Enhancements:

• XStream GPU Acceleration for Debye/Drude Dispersive Materials and Time-dependent Materials
• Magnetized Ferrite Materials, Thin Wire Materials and Periodic Boundary Conditions are now accelerated with XStream GPU Acceleration