Computer Programs for Electromagnetic Modeling and Simulation of Electronic Packages 

1. Inductance and Capacitance Matrices for N-Conductor Microstrip Line, Stripline or Buried Microstrip Line

This program is designed to calculate the inductance and capacitance matrices of n-conductor planar transmission lines, e.g., microstrip line, stripline and buried stripline of small to moderate thickness. The input parameters are line widths, spacing, thickness of substrate, thickness of conductor, height of substrate and number of lines. This program interfaces with a companion program for calculating the signal integrity and crosstalk noise in a n-line system terminated by digital devices. Can handle up to ten lines. Uses iterative method and FFT and is almost ten times faster than the conventional methods, e.g., the Method of Moments.

The [R] and [G] matrices are computed subsequently by using an efficient perturbational approach.

2. General-purpose Method of Moments Computation of Inductance and Capacitance Matrices of N-Conductor Lines Using Closed-form Green's Functions.

This program utilizes a newly-developed closed form Green's function to compute the [L] and [C] matrices of n-conductor transmission lines whose cross-section can be rectangular, trapezoidal or other shapes. Once again, the [R] and [G] matrices are computed by using an efficient perturbational approach.

3. 3-D Capacitance Solver Using Finite Difference

This is a general-purpose and efficient capacitance extractor for 3-D interconnect type geometries. It uses the finite difference technique to solve for the potential distribution in 3-D space, computes the charge distribution of the conductors and extracts self and mutual capacitances. It uses efficient mesh truncation and iteration techniques to speed up the computation without compromising the accuracy.

4. Frequency-dependent Capacitance and Inductance Matrices

This Program calculates frequency dependent equivalent circuit parameters for an RF or digital circuit, simultaneously, by using a novel technique. The circuit, which is represented by [L] and [C] matrices, can be inserted directly into SPICE.

5. Frequency-Dependent EM Modeling of Complex 3-D Structures Using the Finite Element Method

This is a general-purpose finite element program for deriving field solutions in complex structures, including inhomogeneously-filled regions. It can extract frequency-dependent scattering matrices as well as lumped circuit equivalent circuits for discontinuities in guided wave structures, e.g., microstrips.

6. Finite Difference Time Domain Solution of Fields in Complex Structures

Finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm for solving Maxwell's equations is a very powerful scheme for handling the problem of field solution in arbitrary geometries without the need for matrix inversion, and for extracting the solution for a spectrum of frequencies in one pass. The program has a built in mesh generator for inputting the package geometry in the computer. The output of the program can be frequency-dependent impedance and propagation constant of a transmission line, the scattering matrix for a discontinuity, e.g., a bend or a through hole via, or an equivalent circuit of the discontinuity that can be inserted into a SPICE-like simulation program.

7. Direct Estimation of Dela Lay and Cross-Talk using an Efficient FDTD Algorithm.

This program calculated the delay, as well as cross-talks, in a complex interconnect structure with multiple input and output ports by using a novel form of the FDTD.

8. Crosstalk Prediction in Multiple Lines with Discontinuities

This program predicts the signal distortion and crosstalk in n-line systems, that may either be uniform or one that contain discontinuities, e.g., bends and vias. This is a generalized version of the SPICE. It uses the L and C matrix for n-line systems, and the equivalent circuit of the discontinuity, or its scattering matrix, to derive the time domain simulation of signal propagation in an n-line system. It handles lossy lines as well.

9. Power Plane Modeling

This program models the power and ground planes in the presence of signal lines, vias, etc., and computes the equivalent inductance for subsequent delta-I noise calculations. It is also useful for directly estimating the voltage and current noise ripples with simultaneous switching, and predicting the resonances in power planes.

10. Spurious Radiation Estimation

This program models complex geometries from the point of view of estimating the spurious radiation from these geometries. Radiation from microstrip etches, power planes, backplane connectors, cables, shielded enclosures, etc., are computed over a wide frequency range.