Electromagnetic Simulation and Applications

Nowadays, electromagnetic field simulation is a must when designing high-frequency devices, antennas, and modules. The interaction of fields and waves with their environment becomes rather complex there, but Maxwell's equations form a solid basis to describe their behavior. This helps us to design, e.g., the transmission-lines on a chip, the transitions from chip to chip, the stacking of layers routing lines for multi-layer systems, or even the effect of a simple bend of a coplanar waveguide (CPW), which influences the phase.

One of the most widely used algorithms for em simulation is the "Finite Difference" (FD) method, where the Maxwellian equations are discretized on rectangular cells. This method is rather simple but powerful in CAD. We developed an in-house code for this FD-method with emphasis on the frequency domain. This code is applied at the same time for design focusing on planar circuits and their environment. We offer optimized solutions tailored to the customer's needs and provide in-depth understanding of the phenomena present.

The following examples provide an overview on the applications covered:

• Modeling of passive elements in integrated circuits
• Packaging and multi-chip modules (MCM: flip-chip, thin-film techniques, LTCC, housing of coplanar circuits)
• sub-millimeter wave transmission-lines
• MEMS passive devices

Among those, packaging and housing design of mm-wave circuits and modules forms a key area. The FBH is a center of competence in this field, with comprehensive know-how from numerous projects and contracts with industrial partners.