Get Started with RF PCB Toolbox

RF PCB Toolbox™ provides functions and apps for designing, analyzing, and visualizing high-speed and RF multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs). You can design components with parameterized or arbitrary geometry, including distributed passive structures such as traces, bends, and vias. Using the frequency-domain method of moments and other EM techniques, you can model coupling, dispersion, and parasitic effects.

With RF PCB Toolbox, designers of RF boards, modules, MMICs, and SiPs can predict PCB performance and verify that the manufactured PCB meets specifications. For RF and antenna designers, the toolbox provides parameterized models of distributed filters, couplers, splitters, matching networks, and Gerber file generation. Toolbox support for ODB++ and databases from Cadence^® Allegro^®, Mentor Expedition, Altium^®, and Zuken enables signal integrity engineers to analyze the high-speed portions of the PCB layout.

Tutorials

• Rat-Race Coupler - Visualize and Analyze
  

  Create and view default rat-race Coupler, plot current and charge distribution, calculate s-parameters.

• Filter Coupled Line - Visualize and Analyze
  

  Create and view default coupled line filter, plot current and charge distribution, calculate s-parameters.

• Interdigital Capacitor - Visualize and Analyze
  

  Create and view default interdigital capacitor, plot current and charge distribution, calculate s-parameters.

• Spiral Inductor - Visualize and Analyze
  

  Create and view default spiral inductor, plot current and charge distribution, calculate inductance.

• Shunt Radial Stub - Visualize and Analyze
  

  Create and view default shunt radial stub, plot current and charge distribution, calculate s-parameters.

RF PCB Concepts

Fundamental RF PCB Analysis

• Scattering Parameters or S-Parameters
  Basics of S-parameters, how to analyze PCB components using S-parameters.
• Behavioral Models
  Accelerate circuit level analysis, behavioral s-parameter calculations, optimize layout and performance.
• Characteristic Impedance of Transmission Lines
  Characteristic impedance of transmission lines; even and odd mode impedances of coupled transmission lines.

Solvers

• Overview of Solvers
  RF PCB Toolbox provides four electromagnetic solvers to support different applications.
• Method of Moments Solver for Metal and Dielectric Structures
  Method of Moments computation technique for metal and dielectrics in a PCB.
• 2-D Field Solver
  The 2-D field solver in RF PCB Toolbox™ allows you to model and analyze the cross-sections of multi-conductor transmission lines in a multi-layered dielectric above a ground plane like a microstrip line.
• Eigenmode-Based Solver for PCB Vias
  Wave generation and propagation in vias, circuit model, equations.
• FEM-based Solver for RF Structures
  This topic explains the use of a Finite-Element-Method-based solver to complex RF structures.
• FEM Solver Setup and Workflow
  

Featured Examples

Introduction to Passive Planar Spiral Inductors

Design, visualize, and analyze different types of spiral inductors.

• Open Live Script

Introduction to Equal and Unequal Split Wilkinson Power Splitter

Design, analyze, and compare an equal and unequal Wilkinson splitter.

• Open Live Script

Introduction to 4-Port Couplers

Design and analyze 4-Port Couplers.

• Open Live Script