The Boundary Element Method (BEM) Field Solver Software Si8000m from Polar Instruments simplifies and refines the modeling of trace geometries on printed circuit boards with respect to the desired impedance values. It supports a large number of layer structures with single and multiple dielectrics.
The software also proves its worth when precise modeling is required, taking into account resin-rich areas between differential lines and local variations in the dielectric constant. New structures can be added as required. The Si8000m Quicksolver calculates both nominal values and worst-case scenarios and enables the process yield to be estimated prior to production start-up.
The Si8000m and Si9000e BEM release versions published in September offer ten new models for designs with a slotted or cutout ground reference layer. The new structures are well suited for thinner multilayer structures with a high number of layers or for flex PCBs where the traces are designed wide enough for higher production yields with reference to non-adjacent layers.
The optimized Si8000m software uses an improved version of the Si6000 quicksolver interface. It offers a target search function and impedance calculation at the click of a mouse. New to the Si8000m Quicksolver is the ability to enter the minimum and maximum process parameters. This allows 'what if' scenarios to be calculated without Excel tables. However, Excel remains a key function of Si8000m for creating customized spreadsheets using the field solving module. Si8000m is based on current field solving methods for modeling all common structures and is a complement to Polar Instruments' manual and automatic CITS and RITS impedance test systems.
PCB designs with exposed reference layer...
. ..based on Si8000m and Si9000e
The new Si9000e Boundary Element Field Solver for lossy transmission lines is based on the Si8000m platform. It enables the precise calculation of more than 90 different lossy transmission line models with frequency-dependent simulation of line losses down to 1 kHz. Si9000e determines RGLC matrices and other properties such as two-port (unbalanced) and four-port (differential) S-parameters (magnitude, phase, Smith chart) for any desired structure and displays the results graphically (impedance, losses, inductance, capacitance, resistance, conductance and skin depth). Homogeneous structures and those with multiple dielectrics are calculated, whereby the resist profile density can be specified next to, between and on the conductor track. Polar Si9000e runs under MS Windows and can be linked to Polar Speedstack.
