EMC / EMI

in

HFSS v8

Jim Sherman
Ansoft Applications Engineer
East Coast

Summary
w

What is EMC / EMI ?

Practical Examples:

Trace over split in ground plane

(HFSS EMI Wizard)

Heatsink Emissions
(HFSS Eigenmode Analysis)

EMI from shielding enclosures

(HFSS user Exercise)

Will be available as download or disk:

Listing of EMI Wizard macro

Complete EMI exercise

EMC/EMI ?
w

EMC - ElectroMagnetic Compatibility

w

EMI - ElectroMagnetic Interference

w

EM Disturbance Level

Ability of equipment to function without error in its

intended EM environment

EM emissions from the equipment that interfere with

normal operation of other equipment

Immunity Limit
EMC Margin
Emission Limit

Equipment

Frequency
3

Three Elements of the EMC Problem

EM Source

Electronics

Path
Conducted
(Electric Current)

Grounding
Cell Phone

Connector

Inductively Coupled
(Magnetic Field)

Cell Phone
Apertures

Capacitively Coupled
(Electric Field)

Lightning
Antenna

Electronics
Transistor

Apertures
Power Line

EM Receptor

Diode
Antenna
Grounding

Radiated
(Electromagnetic Field)

People

Solution
w

HFSS High Frequency Structure Simulator

w
w
w

HFSS
Software

Provide fast, accurate EMC/EMI predictions

Use it early in product development
EM Model
Understand the EM interaction
Data

EMI Lab bench measurements

w
w
w

Uses specialized test equipment

Test done late in product development
EM interaction hard to understand

Test
Equipment

Data

Practical Examples **
w

ACES Standard Problem 2000-2

w

ACES Standard Problem 2000-4

w

Trace over split in ground plane

(HFSS EMI Wizard)

Heatsink Emissions
(HFSS Eigenmode Analysis)

ACES Model Validation Paper

w

EMI from shielding enclosures

(HFSS user Exercise)

** Reference:(ACES) Applied Computation Electromagnetics Society:

http://aces.ee.olemiss.edu/
6

Example 1:**
ACES Standard Problem 2000-2
Trace Over Split in Ground Plane

** Linda Walling - Ansoft AE 1999

7

ACES Problem 2000-2

Problem Description
Dimensions:
Dimensions:
plane
planesize:
size:10
10xx12
12
trace:
trace:55mil
milwide;
wide;10
10long
long
(trace
(traceisis5mil
5milabove
aboveplane)
plane)80
80Ohm
Ohm

substrate:
substrate:FR4
FR4 er
er==4.5
4.5
slot:
slot:8
8long;
long;20
20mil
milwide.
wide.

Stitching
Stitchingcapacitor
capacitor

0.1uF/470pF
0.1uF/470pF
with
with22nH/4.88
nH/4.88nH
nHinductance
inductance

EMI
Source/Load
Source/Load
3.3mV
3.3mV
100
100MHz
MHzto
to22GHz
GHz
50
50Ohm
Ohmload
load

with
with0.5
0.5Ohm
Ohmseries
series
resistance
resistance

Find:
Find:
Maximum
MaximumEMI
EMI3m
3mfrom
fromcircuit
circuit
across
across 100
100MHz
MHzto
to22GHz
GHzBand
Band
8

ACES Problem 2000-2

Model Reduction Tricks

w

Increase substrate thickness and strip width one order of magnitude.

w This helps to relax aspect ratio for smaller mesh.
w Line impedance remains the same.
w Emissions are not affected.

Use a virtual object

w Use mesh seeding to reduce number of adaptive passes.
w Put virtual object in the air above the substrate.

Simplify metal layers

w
w

Use Perfect Electrical Conductors.

Make all conductors 2D objects.

ACES Problem 2000-2

HFSS Model
Slot
Air Box
material: air
with radiation surfaces

Trace

50 Ohm
gap source

Virtual Object
material: air
surfaces used in EMI calculation

FR4 and
ground plane

50 Ohm
gap source load

10

ACES Problem 2000-2

Solution Time Reduction Tricks

w

Save time solving multiple geometries

w
w
w
w
w

Reuse the mesh

w

1.Trace centered
2. 0.1 pF capacitor is placed across the slot close to trace
3. 0.1 uF capacitor is placed across the slot close to trace
4. Slot removed
5. Trace moved to 2 from edge of board with slot and no
capacitors

Capacitor 3D object
w First assigned to a vacuum dielectric.
w Perform a solve
w Solved project is then copied
w Mesh remains the same
w Materials can be changed
w Boundaries can be changed
w Only the fast sweep is required again

Use EMI Wizard

11

ACES Problem 2000-2

EMI Wizard
w

EMI Wizard:
w

Field Post Processing Macro

w Full complex vector field solution available
w Data spans the entire fast frequency sweep

Allowed:
w PMLs
w Symmetry Walls

Use inputs for EMI sweep customization

w Adjust frequency step to coarse or fine
w Provides results in dBuV/m
w Finds maximum Etotal, Ephi, and Etheta
w Writes data to ASCII file
w Requires a user supplies face list

12

ACES Problem 2000-2

EMI Wizard
w

The macro: emiwiz.mac **

** will be available as a download or disk

13

ACES Problem 2000-2

EMI Wizard
w

User Inputs

14

ACES Problem 2000-2

EMI Wizard
w

What are phi and theta ?

(Azimuth)
(Azimuth)
Phi
Phiisisrotated
rotatedaway
awayfrom
fromthe
thex-axis
x-axis
(Elevation)
(Elevation)
Theta
Thetaisisrotated
rotatedaway
awayfrom
fromthe
thez-axis
z-axis

Always point the main source of emission in the

project model in + Z direction to take advantage of
field post processing capability in HFSS for radiation
and emission problems.

15

ACES Problem 2000-2

EMI Wizard
w

Specifiy sweep range (must be within fast sweep range)

16

ACES Problem 2000-2

EMI Wizard
w

Specifiy output file and path

17

ACES Problem 2000-2

HFSS Predicted Results

w

E total vs Frequency from Emi Wizard output

3.3mV
3.3mVsource
source

Capacitor
Capacitor
isisvery
very
frequency
frequency
dependent
dependent

Best
BestCase:
Case:No
NoSlot
Slot

18

ACES Problem 2000-2

HFSS Predicted Results

w

Different cases produce modes that radiate in different directions.

Maximum E Total

Angle of
theta
or phi
(deg.)

Results
Resultsfor
for
Cases
1
and
Cases 1 and22

Frequency (GHz)
19

ACES Problem 2000-2

Conclusions

HFSS can be used to simulate EMI test structures.

Only real problem is related to aspect ratio;

w

i. e. 5 mil substrates with 10 inch boards.

The circuit model can be modified to improve aspect

ratio.
w
w
w

Scale substrate and trace width.

Has very little effect on EMI results.
Dont change the slot width. It will change EMI
results.

20

Example 2:**
ACES Standard Problem 2000-4
Heatsink Emissions

** Richard Remski - Ansoft AE 2000

21

ACES Problem 2000-4

Problem Description
Circuit

Air

6
4

3
8

Ground plane edge

Ground Pins

Test
Testcases
cases
Grounds
Grounds
11Only
Only
1,1,22

Heat Sink: 2.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 inch block,

located 6 mm above a 6.29 x 4.74 inch
ground plane (2D conducting sheet)
Ground configurations: 6 mm square
grounds, located in various combinations
of one, two, four, and eight locations at a
time.
Model enclosed in volume of vacuum,
with Perfect_H boundary walls.
First 4 eigensolutions obtained starting at
0.1 GHZ.

3,3,44
1,1,2,2,3,3,44
5,5,6,6,7,7,88
22

ACES Problem 2000-4

HFSS Eigenmode Solution ?

Eigenmode looks for natural modes in structure.

It can be used to simulate resonance effects in EMI

test structures.

Sources are not allowed

HFSS output:
w Resonant frequencies
w Full complex vector field solution

23

ACES Problem 2000-4

HFSS Predicted:
Eigensolution Resonant Frequencies
Coarse
Coarseeigensolution
eigensolution(seeded
(seededground
groundplane,
plane,44
passes
passesper
permodel
modelor
orto
toDelta-F
Delta-Fof
of2%)
2%)yields:
yields:

6
4

3
8

The
Thesource
sourcepaper
paperreports
reportsthat
thatthe
the
heat
sink
grounding
provided
heat sink grounding provided
shielding
shieldingeffectiveness
effectivenessfor
forthe
the
configurations
at
right
up
to
about
configurations at right up to about
0.4,
0.4,0.75,
0.75,0.85,
0.85,1.5,
1.5,and
and2.5
2.5GHz
GHz
(respectively)
when
probe-fed
(respectively) when probe-fedinin
one
oneslightly
slightlyasymmetric
asymmetriclocation
location
beneath
the
heat
sink.
(0.5
beneath the heat sink. (0.5inches
inches
ininXXand
Y
from
the
center
point)
and Y from the center point)

Grounds
F1
Grounds
F1
11Only
603
Only
603MHz
MHz
1,1,22
1.04
1.04GHz
GHz

F2
F3
F2
F3
1.34
1.34GHz
GHz 1.41
1.41GHz
GHz
1.37
1.37GHz
GHz 1.40
1.40GHz
GHz

F4
F4
1.48
1.48GHz
GHz

1.48
1.48GHz
GHz
1.46
1.46GHz
GHz 1.48
1.48GHZ
GHZ
1.46
1.46GHz
GHz 1.48
1.48GHz
GHz

3,3,44
994
994MHz
MHz 1.18
1.18GHz
GHz
1,1,2,2,3,3,44 1.35
1.35GHZ
GHZ 1.38
1.38GHz
GHz
5,5,6,6,7,7,88 1.36
1.36GHz
GHz 1.43
1.43GHz
GHz 1.48
1.48GHz
GHz 1.49
1.49GHz
GHz
More
Moregrounding
groundingpoints
pointsaround
aroundthe
theheat
heatsink
sinkincrease
increase
the
lowest
frequency
at
which
a
true
resonance
the lowest frequency at which a true resonancecan
can
occur.
This
makes
the
structure
less
likely
to
occur. This makes the structure less likely to
generate
generateEMI
EMIififexcited
excitedwith
withsignals
signalsbelow
below11GHz.
GHz.
Resonant
Resonantsolutions
solutionsprovide
provideeigenmodes
eigenmodeswhich
whichcould
could
be
excited
by
sources
in
certain
locations.
A
directly
be excited by sources in certain locations. A directly
excited
excitedmodel
modelmay
maynot
notcouple
coupleinto
intoone
oneor
ormore
moreof
of
these
modes
depending
on
the
excitation
location.
these modes depending on the excitation location.

24

ACES Problem 2000-4

HFSS Predicted E field:

Eigensolution with 1 ground only

F1=603 MHz

F2=1.34 GHz

F3=1.41 GHz

E-field
E-fieldmagnitude
magnitudeon
onthe
theground
groundplane
planefor
forthe
thesinglesingleground
configuration.
Note
that
a
probe
too
close
ground configuration. Note that a probe too closeto
to
centerline
might
not
excite
either
Modes
3
or
4,
but
this
centerline might not excite either Modes 3 or 4, but this
isisnot
notof
oftoo
toomuch
muchconcern
concernsince
sincethe
thefundamental
fundamental
mode
would
specify
the
worst-case
emissions
mode would specify the worst-case emissionsthreat.
threat.

F4=1.48 GHz

The
Thefirst
firstthree
threemodes
modescarry
carrymost
mostof
ofthe
theE-field
E-fieldbeneath
beneath
the
heat
sink,
while
Mode
4
carries
most
energy
the heat sink, while Mode 4 carries most energyon
onthe
the
ground
plane
edges
around
the
sink.
Judging
from
the
ground plane edges around the sink. Judging from the
Mode
Mode44distribution,
distribution,mid-side
mid-sidegrounds
groundswould
wouldnot
notlikely
likely
terminate
this
mode.
terminate this mode.

25

ACES Problem 2000-4

HFSS Predicted E field:

Eigensolution with grounds on 1 and 2

F1=1.04 GHz

F2=1.37GHz

F3=1.40 GHz

E-field
E-fieldmagnitude
magnitudeon
onthe
theground
groundplane
planewith
withtwo
two
grounds
along
the
short
sides.
Peak
for
grounds along the short sides. Peak for
fundamental
fundamentalmode
modeisisbeneath
beneathheat
heatsink,
sink,likely
likely
permitting
good
coupling
in
a
probe-excited
permitting good coupling in a probe-excited
analysis.
analysis. Modes
Modes22and
and33however
howeverhave
havenulls
nullsalong
along
centerline
of
heat
sink
and
could
get
missed
(again,
centerline of heat sink and could get missed (again,
not
notaaconcern
concernififthe
thefundamental
fundamentalmode
modeisisfound).
found).
F4=1.48 GHz

As
Asexpected,
expected,Mode
Mode44appears
appearsidentical
identicalto
tothat
thatfor
forthe
the
single
ground
case,
and
carries
more
energy
on
the
single ground case, and carries more energy on the
ground
groundplane
planeedges
edgesthan
thanbeneath
beneaththe
theheat
heatsink.
sink.

26

ACES Problem 2000-4

HFSS Predicted E field:

Eigensolution with grounds on 3 and 4

F1=994 MHz

F4=1.48 GHz

F2=1.18 GHz

F3=1.46 GHz

E-field
E-fieldmagnitude
magnitudeon
onthe
theground
groundplane
planewith
withtwo
twogrounds
grounds
along
the
long
side.
Here
the
fundamental
mode
along the long side. Here the fundamental modehas
hasaa
relative
relativenull
nullatatthe
theheatsink
heatsinkcenter;
center;therefore
thereforenone
noneof
ofthe
the
modes
might
be
excited
by
a
probe
feed
too
close
to
the
modes might be excited by a probe feed too close to the
center.
center. The
Thereference
referencepapers
papersfeed
feedlocation
locationlikely
likelydid
didnot
not
excite
Mode
1,
but
did
excite
Mode
2.
This
would
explain
excite Mode 1, but did excite Mode 2. This would explain
why
whythis
thisconfiguration
configurationwas
wasreported
reportedto
tohave
havean
an
advantage
better
than
that
of
the
other
2-ground
advantage better than that of the other 2-groundcase,
case,
while
HFSS
shows
the
first
resonance
mode
frequency
while HFSS shows the first resonance mode frequencyisis
actually
actuallylower.
lower.
Again,
Again,Mode
Mode44isisthe
thesame
sameas
asfor
forthe
thesingle-ground
single-groundand
and
the
other
two-ground
case,
as
the
ground
locations
do
the other two-ground case, as the ground locations do
not
notprevent
preventititfrom
fromforming.
forming.
27

ACES Problem 2000-4

HFSS Predicted E field:

Eigensolution with 4 side grounds

F1=1.35 GHz

F4=1.48 GHz

F2=1.38 GHz

F3=1.46 GHz

E-field
E-fieldmagnitude
magnitudeon
onthe
theground
groundfor
forall
allfour
four
side
grounds.
Fundamental
mode
has
side grounds. Fundamental mode has
relative
relativenull
nullbeneath
beneathground
groundplane
planecenter
center
again,
and
may
have
been
missed
in
again, and may have been missed inaaprobeprobeexcited
analysis.
Modes
2
and
3
similarly
excited analysis. Modes 2 and 3 similarly
have
havelarge
largenulls
nullsbeneath
beneathone
oneor
orthe
theother
other
axis
of
the
heat
sink,
making
it
easy
to
axis of the heat sink, making it easy tosee
see
how
a
radiation
model
with
a
fixed
probe
how a radiation model with a fixed probe
location
locationas
asspecified
specifiedininthe
therefererence
refererencepaper
paper
might
not
couple
well
to
them,
either.
might not couple well to them, either.
Mode
Mode44again
againappears
appearsthe
thesame
sameas
asfor
forthe
the
prior
three
cases
illustrated,
as
anticipated.
prior three cases illustrated, as anticipated.

28

ACES Problem 2000-4

Emissions Testing: Eigensolution Example:

Results (Corner Grounds)

F1=1.36 GHz

F2=1.43 GHz

F3=1.48 GHz

E-field
E-fieldmagnitude
magnitudeon
onthe
thegroundplane
groundplanefor
forthe
thecorner
corner
grounded
case.
Here,
only
the
first
mode
carries
grounded case. Here, only the first mode carries
significant
significantenergy
energybeneath
beneaththe
theheat
heatsink,
sink,while
whilethe
theothers
others
strongly
excite
the
ground
plane
edges,
but
may
not
strongly excite the ground plane edges, but may not
couple
coupleto
toaaprobe
probebeneath
beneaththe
thesink.
sink.

F4=1.49 GHz

The
Thefirst
firstmode
modeshould
shouldlikely
likelybe
beexcited
excitedby
byaaprobe
probefeed
feed
located
beneath
the
heat
sink,
but
may
not
radiate
as
located beneath the heat sink, but may not radiate asitit
carries
carriesvery
verylittle
littleenergy
energyto
tothe
theground
groundplane
planeedges
edges
unlike
the
prior
fundamental
modes.
Therefore
unlike the prior fundamental modes. Thereforethis
thisisisaa
good
goodexample
exampleof
ofaapotential
potentialon-board
on-board(component
(componentto
to
component
beneath
the
sink)
EMI
issue
which
might
component beneath the sink) EMI issue which might
never
nevershow
showup
upininradiation
radiationmeasurements
measurementsor
oranalysis.
analysis.

29

ACES Problem 2000-4

Conclusions
Grounds
F1
Grounds
F1
11Only
603
Only
603MHz
MHz
1,1,22
1.04
1.04GHz
GHz

F2
F3
F2
F3
1.34
1.34GHz
GHz 1.41
1.41GHz
GHz
1.37
1.37GHz
GHz 1.40
1.40GHz
GHz

F4
F4
1.48
1.48GHz
GHz

1.48
1.48GHz
GHz
1.46
1.46GHz
GHz 1.48
1.48GHZ
GHZ
1.46
1.46GHz
GHz 1.48
1.48GHz
GHz

3,3,44
994
994MHz
MHz 1.18
1.18GHz
GHz
1,1,2,2,3,3,44 1.35
1.35GHZ
GHZ 1.38
1.38GHz
GHz
5,5,6,6,7,7,88 1.36
1.36GHz
GHz 1.43
1.43GHz
GHz 1.48
1.48GHz
GHz 1.49
1.49GHz
GHz
w

Reported
ReportedEffectiveness
Effectiveness
to
to450
450MHz
MHz
to
to750
750MHz
MHz
to
to850
850MHz
MHz
to
to1.5
1.5GHz
GHz
to
to2.5
2.5GHz
GHz

HFSS Eigensolution results appear to fit fairly well with reported Emission Effectiveness
w In first 3 cases, fundamental resonance is above frequency where emissions were not
improved by the grounds
However, HFSS appears to imply that the (3, 4) configuration isnt quite as good as the (1, 2)
w Field plots show how probe may have missed case (3,4)s fundamental mode
HFSS also indicates that there is a lower frequency resonance for the 4-side and corner
grounded cases than shown in the reference
w One should have been excited, but does not couple much to the ground edges to
radiate. The other has a relative null at the reported probe location and may not have
been excited by that technique.
Solutions took very little time (approx 1 hr total on PI450 for 5 combinations)

30

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Example 3:**
ACES Validation Paper (Min Li)
EMI from shielding enclosures
0.085 semi-rigid coaxial feed
Metal Enclosure

50 ohm source

3 cm x 4 cm
Aperature

SMT Termination
47 ohm
** Jim Sherman - Ansoft AE 2001
31

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Problem Description**
w

Shielding enclosures require apertures (holes).

w Heat dissipation
w Unused or open I/O connector ports
w Weight reduction
w Non-metal shielding

Compute EMI at distance from aperture.

w FCC Class B radiation limits

Write Post Processing Macros:

w Compute magnitude of E Field 3m from aperture vs frequency
w Compute power dissipated in load resistor in cavity

** Complete user exercise will be

available as download or disk.
32

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Model and Solution Reduction Tricks

w

Use 2D conductors for all metal.

Make all metal Perfect Electrical Conductor (PEC).

Use symmetrical H wall to reduce model in half.

Replace complex coax feed with lumped gap port.

Model the resistor load as a 2D surface impedance.

Model the aperture as a simple 2D H boundary.

Model the input probe as a narrow 2D rectangular strip.

Use Fast Frequency Sweep with post processor macro.

33

ACES Validation Min Li 1

HFSS Model
Half
Halfmodel
model

airbox
hole
cavity

res_47

probe

port1
50 ohm
Gap source

34

ACES Validation Min Li 1

HFSS vs Measured Results

TMy201

TMy101

HFSS predicted
after 6 adaptive
passes

TMy111

Measured Data

35

ACES Validation Min Li 1

HFSS vs Measured Results

w

Use the Maxwell Plot Utility to generate plots of delivered power

Vs
Source voltage 1mV
Power delivered to the enclosure:
2

P=

Vs
2
1 S11
8Z 0

Coax Input
Z = 50 Ohm
0

S11

Input Probe

Measured Power Delivered vs Frequency

Inside the enclosure

36

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Using The Plot Utility Calculator

Create and save S11 magnitude plot

w
w

From Maxwell Executive Commands

Select Post Process > Matrix Plot

Plot > New Plot

Data Type S Matrix
Quantity
w Port1,Mode1;Port1,Mode1 (S11)
Cartesian vs frequency
Plot scaling: Unscaled

Plot > Save: s11mag.dat

w
w
w

37

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Using The Plot Utility Calculator

Modify S11 plot to show Delivered Power

w
w
w

From Maxwell Control Panel

Select Utilities
Select PlotData
Plot > Open : s11mag.dat
(located in project directory)
The
Theplot
plotdata
dataprogram
programwill
willopen
open
ASCII
text
files
that
contain
ASCII text files that contain
columns
columnsof
ofdata
datathat
thatare
arespace
space
delimited.
You
can
import
delimited. You can importyour
your
measured
data
simply
by
measured data simply by
opening
openingthe
theASCII
ASCIItext
textfile.
file.

38

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Using The Plot Utility Calculator

Use plot calculator to modify plot

w
w

w
w

Select Tools > Calculator

Perform steps:
w copy s11 to stack
x
w 2 Enter, Y
w 1 CHS Enter, *
w 1 Enter, +
w 1e-3 Enter
w 1e-3 Enter, *, *
w 8 Enter, 50, Enter,
w
*
w /
w 1e-9 Enter, /
Load , Done
Plot > New

Calculate Delivered Power

V
2
P = s 1 S11
8Z 0

39

ACES Validation Min Li 1

HFSS vs Measured Results

Measured Data

HFSS predicted
after 6 adaptive
passes

40

ACES Validation Min Li 1

Conclusions
w

Simplify the model for faster solution and reduced model space.

Repetitive steps can be performed automatically with macros.

Macros can be used to produce additional post processing

results.

The Maxwell Plot Utility Calculator includes

powerful math functions.

The HFSS predicted results are very close after 6 passes.

w
However,
additional passes are required for pinpoint results.

EMC

41

EMC / EMI References

[1] (ACES) Applied Computation Electromagnetics Society:
http://aces.ee.olemiss.edu
[2] EMC at Univ. of Hamburg:
http://www.tu-harburg.de/et1/Emc/index.html
[3] Henry W Ott., Noise Reduction Techniques in Electronic Systems, Wiley
Interscience, 2nd edition, 1988
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