Vector Fields launches a new version of its high-frequency electromagnetic package, Concerto. Many additions to the electronic design automation (EDA) software including enhanced solvers, sophisticated model parameterisation and an enhanced scripting capability, provide the means to create and optimise the most complex radio and microwave designs. Concerto series 6 offers a suite of electromagnetic design capabilities, using geometric modelling to provide 2D and 3D simulation and design optimisation. Component or system models can be imported from CAD programs, or created using a built-in, 3D geometric modeller. To speed the design process, a major enhancement is the inclusion of a 'parameterised history stream', allowing complete models to be easily modified and replayed. This makes it easy to save portions of code, as script-like short cuts for designers who regularly create variations of similar products, such as antennas.
When a design model is ready, users now have a choice of three simulation methods to characterise performance. As standard, Concerto offers a 3D Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulator, which has very broad ranging applicability. A 2D FDTD simulator for axisymmetric geometry is available with this release, allowing rotationally symmetric structures such as some horn antennas or coaxial components to be simulated rapidly. A further time-saving feature comes in the form of adaptive meshing, which allows users to use the most efficient mesh resolution for the accuracy of solution required. Depending on the application, users have two further simulation options. A Method of Moments (MoM) tool provides a very good platform for simulating large environment problems such as installed antenna performance. A suite of interactive post processing tools targeted at antenna design has been added in series 6. These include a tool for investigating coupling/immunity between multiple antennas - developed following many user requests and solving a rapidly growing design need. To this capability, series 6 adds a new Finite Element Method (FEM) tool. Together, this selection gives designers the means to choose the best and fastest approach for solving an extremely diverse range of applications. Models can be parameterised using variables, making it simple to perform 'what if' investigations.
A new version of the package's optimiser tool allows users to set design goals for several parameters simultaneously, and the software will automatically find the best solution to fine-tune performance, cost, real estate or other user-defined characteristics. A feature of Concerto's simulation and optimisation flexibility is the ability to suspend and resume processing at will, and to optimise the computational process. The software additionally allows users to multi-thread execution to allow multiple processors to be applied to speed answers. Multi-physics modelling is becoming increasingly important in designs. Concerto optionally includes coupled thermal FDTD, allowing designers to determine how electromagnetic performance will vary as temperature rises.
The software release also operates with system-level EDA. Users of Applied Wave Research's popular Microwave Office (MWO) software for wireless telecom circuit design can seamlessly call Concerto simulation to characterise critical components in the system model, all from a single user interface. Concerto series 6 is available immediately for use on Windows platforms
