2.5d simulator accuracy - some info

[eirp]

what is 2.5D mean?

Simply said:
2.5D means that your structure contains only
- metal and dielectric layers in 2D plane (say XY)
- and vertical vias (wires, connections) connecting 2 XY planes - this is "0.5D".
For this kind of structures, Green's functions are known and computation is very effective.

 

[JoeSchmo]

Re: finite substrate

I plan to give designer a try pretty soon. I saw the demo of a 54 element simulation. Pretty cool!

Actually, if you are using periodic boundaries, HFSS is very accurate. The only problem is that for a full radiation pattern you need to do a solve for every scan point and frequency. This method, though tedious, was verified by measurement for a notch element in both Co and X-pol patterns.

If you are modeling only 2.5D structure, you may try the Ansoft Designer - Planar EM, it has new functions specially for periodic structures, and also frequency sweep. That is a great feature for designing FSS/PBG. I have simulated some FSS structures, the results are perfect.

 

[Redi]

Re: finite substrate

I plan to give designer a try pretty soon. I saw the demo of a 54 element simulation. Pretty cool!

You should, I found it quite accurate for microstrip antenna design and you don't have to worry about for instance boundary conditions, seting right ports etc. like in full 3d programs.

Greetings,
Redi.