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 an object from the components catalog.
- Use Metal Catalog to Design Coplanar Waveguide
Use the materials catalog to enable the selection of conductor metals and substrate dielectric materials for PCB objects.
- Create Default Curved Bend Shape
Create custom PCB geometry objects.
- Calculate S-parameters for Wilkinson Power Splitter
Analyze PCB objects.
- Import and View Top Layer Gerber File
Import PCB files.
- Design Chebyshev Hairpin Filter at 1.8 GHz
Design a PCB object around a specified frequency.
RF PCB Concepts
- 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. - 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.
Fundamental RF PCB Analysis
Solvers
Featured Examples
Introduction to Passive Planar Spiral Inductors
Design, visualize, and analyze different types of spiral inductors.
Introduction to Equal and Unequal Split Wilkinson Power Splitter
Design, analyze, and compare an equal and unequal Wilkinson splitter.
Introduction to 4-Port Couplers
Design and analyze 4-Port Couplers.
