Chapter1:Introduction

14. 0 Release

Chapter1.1:Introduction IntroductiontoANSYSHFSS
IntroductiontoANSYSHFSS

Welcome to Ansoft HFSS

What is HFSS?
HFSS is a high-performance full-wave electromagnetic(EM) field simulator for arbitrary 3D volumetric passive device modeling that takes advantage of the familiar Microsoft Windows graphical user interface. It integrates simulation, visualization, solid modeling, and automation in an easy-to-learn environment where solutions to your 3D EM problems are quickly and accurately obtained. Ansoft HFSS can employ the Finite Element Method (FEM), Integral Equation (IE) or Physical Optics (PO) solution techniques. Apply adaptive meshing, and brilliant graphics to give you unparalleled performance and insight to all of your 3D EM problems. Ansoft HFSS can be used to calculate parameters such as SParameters, Resonant Frequency, and Fields. Typical uses include:
Antennas/Mobile Communications Patches, Dipoles, Horns, Conformal Cell Phone Antennas, Quadrafilar Helix, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Infinite Arrays, Radar Cross Section (RCS), Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) Waveguide Filters, Resonators, Transitions, Couplers Filters Cavity Filters, Microstrip, Dielectric Package Modeling BGA, QFP, Flip-Chip EMC/EMI Shield Enclosures, Coupling, Near- or Far-Field Radiation PCB Modeling Power/Ground planes, Mesh Grid Grounds, Backplanes Silicon/GaAs - Spiral Inductors, Transformers Connectors Coax, SFP/XFP, Backplane, Transitions

HFSS is an interactive simulation system whose FEM solution uses the tetrahedron mesh element. This allows you to solve any arbitrary 3D geometry, especially those with complex curves and shapes, in a fraction of the time it would take using other techniques. The name HFSS stands for High Frequency Structure Simulator. Ansoft pioneered the use of the Finite Element Method (FEM) for EM simulation by developing/implementing technologies such as tangential vector finite elements, adaptive meshing, and Adaptive Lanczos-Pade Sweep (ALPS). Today, HFSS continues to lead the industry with innovations such hybrid FEM-IE solution, FEM based transient solution and domain decomposition methods. Ansoft HFSS has evolved over a period of years with input from many users and industries. In industry, Ansoft HFSS is the tool of choice for high-productivity research, development, and virtual prototyping.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-3 2012 ANSYS, Inc.

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593

HFSS - Simulation Technology

HFSS Simulation Technology
Full-wave Electromagnetics

Finite Element Method

3D Method of Moments

FEM Transient

HFSS
HFSS Desktop

HFSS-IE

HFSS-Transient

Direct Solver Iterative Solver

Hybrid FEM-IE
Finite Element Boundary Integral

Eigenmode Solver

Physical Optics

HPC

Multiprocessing Domain Decomposition

Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing Distributed Port Solve

Optimetrics

Parametric, Optimization, Sensitivity, Statistical

Distributed Solve Option

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-4 2012 ANSYS, Inc.

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593

Installing the Ansoft HFSS software

System Requirements
For up-to-date information, refer to the HFSS Installation Guide

Installing the Ansoft HFSS Software

For up-to-date information, refer to the HFSS Installation Guide

Starting Ansoft HFSS

Click the Microsoft Start button, select All Programs, and select the Ansoft, HFSS 14 program group. Click HFSS 14 Or Double click on the HFSS 14 icon on the Windows Desktop

NOTE: You should make backup copies of all HFSS projects created with a previous version of the software before opening them in HFSS 14. New project files are not forward compatible with older version of HFSS
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-5 2012 ANSYS, Inc. 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593

Web Update
WebUpdate
This feature allows you to update any existing Ansoft software from the WebUpdate window. This feature automatically scans your system to find any Ansoft software, and then allows you to download any updates if they are available.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-6 2012 ANSYS, Inc.

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593

Getting Help
Getting Help
If you have any questions while you are using HFSS you can find answers in several ways: HFSS Online Help provides assistance while you are working. To get help about a specific, active dialog box, click the Help button in the dialog box or press the F1 key. Select the menu item Help > Contents to access the online help system. Tooltips are available to provide information about tools on the toolbars or dialog boxes. When you hold the pointer over a tool for a brief time, a tooltip appears to display the name of the tool. As you move the pointer over a tool or click a menu item, the Status Bar at the bottom of the HFSS window provides a brief description of the function of the tool or menu item. The HFSS Getting Started guide provides detailed information about using HFSS to create and solve 3D EM projects.

Visiting the ANSYS Web Site

If your computer is connected to the Internet, you can visit the ANSYS Web site to learn more about the company and products. From the Ansoft Desktop Select the menu item Help > Ansoft Corporate Website (www.ansys.com)

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-7 2012 ANSYS, Inc.

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593

Technical Support
Technical Support
For technical support, please have your ANSYS Individual Customer Number ready, and use one of the following methods. If you do not know your Individual Customer Number, please contact your ANSYS Account Manager. Log into the ANSYS Customer Portal, http://www.ansys.com/customerportal, and click on Submit Support Request If you are not registered with the Customer Portal, please use your Customer number and company information to register for an account. http://www1.ansys.com/customer/New_Login_siebel.asp Call our support hotline @ 1-800-711-7199, enter 1 for Technical Support, and follow the prompts to be connected to an Applications Engineer.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-8 2012 ANSYS, Inc.

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593

Opening an Example Design

Opening a HFSS project
Opening an example HFSS project In an HFSS window, select the menu File > Open Examples Use the Open dialog to select a folder . Click Open button to open a project Opening a New project In an HFSS window, select the menu item File > New. For FEM or hybrid FEM-IE solution, select the menu item Project > Insert HFSS Design. For IE or PO solution, select the menu item Project > Insert HFSS-IE Design

Opening an Existing Project from Windows Explorer

You can open a project directly from the Microsoft Windows Explorer. To open a project from Windows Explorer, do one of the following: Double-click on the name of the project in Windows Explorer. Right-click the name of the project in Windows Explorer and select Open from the shortcut menu

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary 1-9 2012 ANSYS, Inc.

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 1, 2012

February 23, 2009 Release 14.0 Inventory #002593