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Matching Network Design and Simulation in XFdtd
The process of antenna design simulation has become more complex for RF engineers. Sophisticated wireless devices must be capable of operating in multiple frequency bands. At the same time, device dimensions are shrinking, resulting in crowded internal layouts that must accommodate many components and multiple antennas.
Advanced Matching Network Analysis in XFdtd
Remcom’s XFdtd EM Simulation Software offers unique capabilities to help engineers navigate antenna design challenges with speed and accuracy. In particular, XF includes several innovations that simplify matching network design, including a schematic editor and the Circuit Element Optimizer.
Schematic Editor
XF includes a unique schematic editor specially designed for analyzing matching networks and corporate feed networks. The schematic editor visually characterizes the impact of a matching network design on even the most complex antenna systems.
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Combines matching network analysis with full-wave results.
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Improves workflow efficiency for diplex matched antenna use cases.
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Supports simple pi or T matching networks, multi-state and multi-port aperture or impedance tuners, and corporate feed networks with digital phase shifters.
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Delivers a comprehensive collection of critical full-wave results: near field heatmaps, far zone patterns, system efficiency, and more.
The schematic editor also includes tuning slider bars that enable the manipulation of inductor and capacitor values in real time. Users can adjust component values using the sliders and immediately analyze how the changes affect the circuit’s behavior. Final states can be committed to the schematic permanently or added to a new operating state.
Circuit Element Optimizer (CEO)
XF's Circuit Element Optimizer is a feature that selects the optimal component values for matching network layouts. CEO uses full-wave matching circuit optimization (FW-MCO) to analyze the impact of parasitic effects on full-wave results, including radiation efficiency, system efficiency, and S-parameters.
CEO addresses the challenge of inter-band carrier aggregation and multiple frequency bands by optimizing the lumped circuit elements directly in the physical matching circuit layout where the EM coupling from multiple antennas and the ground return current paths are taken into account.
Matching Network Design Examples Using XFdtd
Simple Matching Network Tutorial Preview
In this tutorial, we demonstrate XF's workflow for analyzing a simple matching network and applying it to full-wave FDTD results using the schematic editor.
Diplex Matched Antenna Tutorial Preview
This tutorial demonstrates XF's workflow for evaluating a diplex matched antenna and analyzing two different matching network states simultaneously.
Tune a Fixed-Band Matched Antenna Using XFdtd’s Schematic Editor Tutorial Preview
XFdtd’s schematic editor includes matching network tuning, enabling users to easily adjust component values to meet design goals and better understand the behavior of a circuit.
Tune a Tunable Matched Antenna Using XFdtd’s Schematic Editor Preview
In this tutorial, we demonstrate the ease of adjusting, or tuning, multiple operating modes so that capacitance values match various frequency bands. Using XF’s schematic editor with tuning slider bars, the correct values can be found in moments.
Dynamic Matched Antenna Using XFdtd’s Schematic Editor
In this video tutorial, an antenna's intrinsic impedance is simulated for two conditions--in free space and against a head. A three-port switch with two possible states is also included.
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Webinars
Matching Network Design Updates in XFdtd
XFdtd includes a unique schematic editor that combines matching network analysis with full-wave results. Watch this webinar to learn about the latest advancements in the tool, including diplex matched antenna, microstrip-based components, SAR post processing, and frequency band specification.
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XFdtd’s Schematic Editor for Matching Network and Corporate Feed Network Analysis
Learn about XFdtd’s schematic editor and frequency-domain circuit solver for analyzing matching networks and corporate feed networks. We explore how to combine matching network analysis with full-wave simulation to view efficiency, near-field results, and far-zone patterns.
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Antenna Design Workflow Using Full-Wave Matching Circuit Optimization
The design of a matched antenna is a fairly involved process. This webinar shows how XFdtd simplifies this process by providing tools to parameterize the unmatched antenna, determine S11, synthesize a matching network topology with Optenni Lab, and determine the final component values using the Circuit Element Optimizer.
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Application Examples
FDTD Simulation: Optimizing an LTE Antenna's Matching Network
A simple antenna for LTE band operation is added to the PC board of a smartphone in XFdtd and the matching circuit is tuned for operation in multiple frequency bands. The component values in the matching network are chosen to maximize system efficiency.
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Full Wave Simulation: Matching Network Design for GPS / Bluetooth Antenna
XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer is used to determine optimal matching component values for a dual purpose antenna.
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Videos
Dynamic Matched Antenna Using XFdtd’s Schematic Editor
In this video tutorial, an antenna's intrinsic impedance is simulated for two conditions--in free space and against a head. A three-port switch with two possible states is also included.
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Tune a Tunable Matched Antenna Using XFdtd’s Schematic Editor
In this tutorial, we demonstrate the ease of adjusting or tuning, multiple operating modes so that capacitance values match various frequency bands. Using XF’s schematic editor with tuning slider bars, the correct values can be found in moments.
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An Overview of XFdtd's Schematic Editor for Matching Networks
This presentation covers XFdtd's capabilities for matching networks, including the schematic editor and frequency domain circuit solver.
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Publications
Full Wave Matching Circuit Optimization Shortens Design Iterations
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.
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Overview of XFdtd's Circuit Element Optimizer
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.
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