Release Notes for Version 3.x

MANUAL

Chapter 1 consists of some general information about the coplanar design technique and a brief comparison of existing techniques for the design and realization of coplanar circuits.



In chapter 2, theoretical backgrounds are described in more details. Useful information are given due to the implementation of the numerical method of Finite Difference (FDM). Some important and useful hints are also added to this chapter in order to use the software as efficiently as possible.



In chapter 4, the implementation of coplanar data items is described in more detail. A new data item (C_NL_TYP) for the use in coplanar coupled lines is added into this chapter.



In chapter 5, the description of coplanar elements is extended by layout of each element. A new element (C_TAPER) is added into the palette of coplanar elements.



In version 2.3, the chapter 6 contains the documentation of the new palette “Coplanar Coupled Elements”. This palette consists of 10 elements and a data item. 2 to 10 coupled coplanar lines can be calculated (C_2COUP, ..., C_10CUP). IMST plans to add more elements (like couplers and filters) into this palette in the future.



General information due to the use of layout feature are implemented in chapter 3.



Examples in chapter 9 are extended by an example for coupled coplanar lines. The interdigitated coupler described in this example is realized on GaAs. You find more detailed information to this circuit in the paper which will be presented in the digest of MTT-S 98.



The installation procedure is changed. The new procedure is described in chapter 10.

C_GRID

In order to have a first simulation run in a short time, L1 and/or L2 can be set equal to –2 instead of –1 (auto sizing). In this case the box sizes will be adapted automatically to the structure dimensions, but the shielding box is not optimized. This enables the user to get a fast result. For a final simulation run, these parameters should be set to –1. See pages 2-11 to 2-13 as well as pages 4-16 to 4-18 for more information.



The parameter ACC has another effect in version 2.3 as in version 2.2. This parameter is now used as follows: If the user specify a maximum deviation from grid size (ACC in %) greater than zero, the simulator can adapt the incompatible structure dimensions into the grid by changing these dimensions slightly (warnings will be reported). For all dimensions which deviate more than ACC%, the simulator reports error and the next compatible value will be suggested in the error message. In this case, the user has to change either the incompatible dimension (by using the suggested value) or increase the value of ACC. These changes are not considered by automatic layout generation. In order to avoid any discrepancies between simulation and layout, a value of ACC=0 is recommended. See page 4-18 for more information on ACC.

C_TAPER

In version 2.3 a coplanar taper element is implemented in the palette of “Coplanar Elements”. The layout of this new element is also available. See pages 5-26 to 5-28 for more information.

C_NL_TYP, C_2COUP . . . C_10COUP

A new palette “Coplanar Coupled Elements” is added to the version 2.3. This palette consists of 9 elements and a data item. The elements are coupled coplanar line systems with 2 to 10 coupled coplanar lines. For these elements an special data item C_NL_TYP is used. See chapter 6 as well as pages 4-10 to 4-12 for more information. The layout of these element is also available. IMST plans to add more elements (like couplers and filters) into this palette in the future.

C_AIR, C_BEND, C_TEE, C_CROSS

For these elements, the dielectric material used for the applied bridges is taken into account. See pages 4-13 to 4-15 as well as the notes of related element for more information. Please note, that the data calculated in version 2.2 (stored in cache files *.CDB) are no more compatible so that these elements will be calculated again

C_OPEN, C_SHORT, C_GAP, C_STEP, C_MIM

These elements are slightly modified in version 2.3, but the modifications have no considerable effect on the calculated results. However, for existing designs, the data calculated in version 2.2 (stored in cache files *.CDB) are no more compatible so that these elements will be calculated again.