Matching Network Design and Simulation in XFdtd

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.

Combines matching network analysis with full-wave results.
Improves workflow efficiency for diplex matched antenna use cases.
Supports simple pi or T matching networks, multi-state and multi-port aperture or impedance tuners, and corporate feed networks with digital phase shifters.
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.

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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.

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Webinars

Overview of XFdtd's Schematic Editor and Optimization for Matching Network Design

This webinar demonstrates the full range of features available to users, with a focus on recent updates that include optimization of component values, impedance and aperture tuners with tune codes, and system efficiency results.
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Webinars

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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Webinars

Introduction to XFdtd’s Circuit Element Optimizer

Remcom’s Circuit Element Optimizer for XFdtd is a unique tool for full wave matching circuit optimization. This webinar introduces the capability and provides an example of how it is used. A GPS/Bluetooth antenna and an LTE antenna are used for the demonstration.
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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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Application Examples

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

Impedance Tuner Matching in XFdtd

This presentation will demonstrate the advantages of using XFdtd for complex matching network design.
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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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Videos

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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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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Publications

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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