Workflow of an HFSS 3D Layout Design

Setting up an HFSS 3D Layout design is very similar to setting up an HFSS design or an HFSS-IE design. To set up an HFSS 3D Layout design, follow this general procedure. After you insert a design, you do not need to perform the intermediate steps sequentially, but you must complete them before you generate a solution.

Defining a solution setup enables HFSS 3D Layout to compute a solution for a design. You can define multiple solution setups for the same design. If you right-click in on the Project Manager window and select Add Nexxim Solution Setup , select a type of analysis to set up, which opens a solution setup window. You can specify multiple settings in the solution setup window for computing a solution for a design.

1. Insert an HFSS 3D Layout design into a project.
2. Draw the model geometry, specifically:
   1. Create the metal and dielectric layers of the design.
   2. Assign a thickness, roughness, elevation, and material to each layer.
   3. Draw the geometry of the signal layers.
   4. If applicable, create a cavity between two infinite negative signal planes.
3. Assign material characteristics
4. Define the ports or incident waves in the model.
5. If applicable, insert an external device, an N-port, with known S-parameters into your design.
6. Specify how to compute the solution by adding a solution setup.
7. (Optional) Set up any Optimetrics you want to run.
8. Run the simulation. HFSS 3D Layout computes the current inside the structure.
9. View the solution results, post-process results, and reports, and create field overlays.