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Introduction to CST MWS

Outline

1. Why 3D electromagnetic simulation tools are needed?

2. 3D simulation methods
3. CST MWS
– Simulation example
4. Summary

521365A Simulations and Tools for Telecommunications

Introduction to CST MWS

D.Sc. (Tech.) Markus Berg

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Why 3D electromagnetic simulation tools are needed? Why 3D electromagnetic simulation tools are needed?
Radiating electric & magnetic fields are described Present-day antennas are not simple structures
by Maxwell´s equations 𝐸 =? • Complex antenna shapes
𝐻 =? • Dielectric material (phone covers, antenna radome)
𝐼0 • User close to antenna –> absorption
 Exact solutions do not exist

𝐿
Analytical calculation by solving the Maxwell´s
equations
• exact or approximation Solution is approximated by using computational
electromagnetic tools
Analytical equations are derived for simple • Numerical solution for the Maxwell´s equations
antenna structures • Do not give exact solution, accuracy depends on the calculation
• dipole, monopole, microstrip antennas Dipole antenna capacity
• Arbitrary antenna shapes and materials can be solved

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Why 3D electromagnetic simulation tools are needed? Why 3D electromagnetic simulation tools are needed?
Solution is visualized for the designer
• Impedance matching
• Radiation properties BW
• Surface currents
• SAR

S11 parameter

User / environment / phone material influence on antenna performance

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) [W/kg]
Protype manufacturing and measurement rounds
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
are replaced by simulations
Optimized antenna solution for every situation
 Speeds up the design flow
• Location
• Size Final goal is an efficient antenna for a specific application Radiation pattern
• Form
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3D simulation methods 3D simulation methods

Excitation signal in a certain location of the 3-dimensional Mesh
space. • Simulated structure is meshed = divided in small subdomains (cubes)
• This is typically antenna feed assuming 50Ω impedance or trianglular parts
• Can be also plane wave e.g. In radar cross section simulations • Mesh type depends on the solver type (time or frequency domain)
• Mesh is dense in critical points
Discrete port 50Ω
Structure is surrounded by boundaries • Surface of the conductors
• Open, electric, magnetic
• Feed area
• Antenna simulations are typically made with open boundaries ->
radiation goes through boundary -> far field approximations are • Small details
based on the power through boundary • High permittivity material
• High loss material
Time or frequency domain calculation is made for the
excitation
• Idea is to calculate wave propagation in simulated structure Open boundaries
• When steady-state situation is met -> solver stopped
• Criteria can be e.g. The energy of back-reflected signal

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3D simulation methods CST Microwave Studio

Method of Moments, MoM Computer Simulation Technology CST
• Full wave solution of Maxwell's integral equations in the frequency domain. • Several products for 3D simulation
• Well suited for models including conductive materials only. One famous • Microwave Studio is for electromagnetic high frequency problems
simulator is IE3D by Zeland
• FDTD method -> large simulations are relatively fast
• Not ideal for high Q resonators
Finite Element Method, FEM
• Frequency domain calculation, ideal for low loss and resonance –type • Lately included also frequency domain solver
structures. Commercial simulator HFSS by Ansoft • Widely used by antenna manufacturer and academia

Finite Difference Time Domain, FDTD

• Time domain simulation, good for broadband antennas. Commercial
simulators SEMCAD-X by Speag and MWS by CST.

Nowadays trend is toward simulation tools with different solvers for

different simulation problems !!! RCS simulation EMC simulation Antenna simulation

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CST Microwave Studio GUI

Navigation tree

Includes definitions for antenna

• materials
• shapes
• feed port
• field monitors

Shows
• exitation signal
• real-time S11 result
• post prosessing results

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Parameter List Message Window Toolbar

User defined parameters for Shows the simulation status
simulation and error messages
Typically parameters for
• antenna dimensions
• material
• permittivity
• conductivity Mesh view
Object drawing & control

Solvers
Local coordinates
Object modifications
feed port & network elements

Unit & boundary settings

Rotating
Zooming

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Antenna Design Flow Simulation steps

1. Open CST MWS
Preliminary antenna Preliminary 2. Use templates or make your own
Specifications
structure dimensioning 3. Draw the antenna model
c – Parametrization
f 
4( w  l ) 4. Define frequency range
5. Define boundary conditions
6. Define mesh
Simulation Optimized Antenna – Lines per wavelength
-Optimization antenna prototype – Local mesh settings
– Subgriding
7. Start simulation
Measurements – Real time S11 results
Not OK Comparison to Ready for 8. Post prosessing
simulated results
manufacturing – Far-field parameters
OK 9. Result analysis
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CST MWS, Simulation example Summary

I have defined one simple simulation example to demonstrate the use of
CST Microwave Studio from the antenna designer’s perspective
• EM simulation software allows us to solve real-life
Dipole antenna electromagnetic problems
• Frequency 1 GHz, bandwidth 100 MHz • CAD is essential in modern wireless
• Drawing telecommunication product development and
• Parametrization
research
• Boundary conditions
• Mesh • CST MWS is an efficient tool for 3D EM simulation
• Optimization enabling high accuracy simulation results for
complex antenna structures

© Centre for Wireless Communications, University of Oulu © Centre for Wireless Communications, University of Oulu

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Further reading

1. http://www.cst.com/content/products/mws/overview.aspx

2. Swanson D.G., Hoefer W. J. R. “Microwave circuit modeling

using electromagnetic field simulation”

© Centre for Wireless Communications, University of Oulu

6.3.2012