Si9000e PCB Transmission Line Field Solver

The Si9000e PCB controlled impedance frequency-dependent boundary element field solver combines powerful impedance calculation over a wide range of structures and unprecedented ease of use:

• Links with Speedstack as Speedstack Si

• Inbuilt impedance graphing

• Graphs conductor, dielectric and insertion loss

• At-a-glance comprehensive S-parameter charting — magnitude, phase and Smith charts

• Single-ended and Mixed-mode S-parameters charting and data tables

• User defined S-parameter source and termination impedance

• Frequency dependent modelling down to 1KHz

• Go/no go via stub check.

With its fast, accurate, frequency-dependent transmission line modelling, the new Si9000e is designed to model transmission line loss, impedance at given frequencies and extract full transmission line parameters over a wide range of popular PCB transmission lines (over 90 structures). Employing boundary element method field solving, the Si9000e extracts RLGC matrices and rapidly plots a range of transmission line information for the structure you are designing. Loss is graphed three ways with clear indication of dielectric, copper and total loss.

With a range of license packages to suit your budget 
Which license is best for me?

Si9000 graphs all losses - conductor, dielectric and insertion loss. The Si9000 caters for both single and multiple dielectric builds, along with the ability to take into account solder mask performance. Mask coverage can be set adjacent, between and above traces. Many Polar customers request frequency-dependent impedance modelling, with particular reference to transmission line losses - the result is the Si9000e. The Si9000e is built on the same proven boundary element field solving platform as the PCB fabrication industry standard Si8000m. Increasing numbers of engineers are using the Si8000m as a rapid and accurate design tool for transmission line impedance - the Si9000e extends the output to extract full transmission line parameters.

Powerful S-parameter graphing

With the Si9000 PCB Transmission Line Field Solver you can view the full range of 2 and 4-port S-parameters in a single chart window.

Click on the links below to display the full range of 4-port S-parameters data series, S₁₁ — S₄₄.

 Magnitude 

 Smith chart 

Mixed mode S-parameters

The Si9000 provides a comprehensive range of data presentation in both tabular and chart form with the option of single-ended and mixed-mode S-parameters.

The differential S-parameters, SDD₁₁, for an edge-coupled surface microstrip are shown below.

Frequency-dependent calculations

Employing its Boundary Element Method field solving, the Si9000 extracts RLGC matrices and 2-Port (single-ended) or 4-Port (differential) S-Parameters and rapidly plots transmission line information for the structure under design. Graphing against frequency is provided for impedance magnitude, loss (conductor loss, dielectric loss and insertion loss), inductance, capacitance, resistance, conductance and skin depth. The Polar Si9000 runs within the Microsoft Windows environment and provides for simple transfer of table data to external programs such as spreadsheets or databases for subsequent analysis.

Si9000 graphs

Impedance magnitude with frequency

Conductance v frequency

Skin depth v frequency

Extended substrate tables

The Si9000 frequency-dependent calculations can be refined using extended substrate data. Assign substrate values by frequency band to accommodate material from manufacturers who specify parameters that vary by frequency. Manufacturers may specify, for example, differing values of Er and loss tangent across a range of frequencies.

Extended substrate data tables

Frequency modelling down to 1KHz

For frequency dependent calculations the Si9000e calculation engine supports lower frequencies down to 1KHz.

Via stub check

The Si9000 incorporates a Via Stub check that provides a simple color coded go/no go check on the potential for signal distortion of a via stub. The effects of the stub will increase as the stub length and Er increase and the signal rise time reduces. The Si9000 Via Stub Check supports three modes:

• Stub Length, Effective Er and Bit Rate Frequency

• Stub Length, Effective Er and Single Frequency

• Stub Length, Effective Er and Rise Time

Click on the link below to view Polar application note AP8166 explaining how to check if, at your desired bit rate or operating frequency, you need to take steps to reduce or remove the effects of via stubs.

AP8166 — Vias, stubs and minimizing their visibility to high speed signals

High layer-count builds

For those working with complex high layer-count builds the Si9000e also links to the Polar Speedstack PCB Stackup Design System and is available in the Speedstack Si package. Using the Speedstack Si allows you to keep all your stack design data in one convenient file - and you can draw library material from your fabricator or from base material suppliers in the Polar Material Partner program.

Designed to save you time compared with traditional methods, the Si9000e lets you choose graphically the structure you need to model and enter the geometric and material data and the range of frequencies under analysis. Select the graphs or table you need and the Si9000e solves for the results. Advanced users may also enter available data for Er and TanD versus frequency - the Si9000e will take these into account.

Impedance Magnitude
Skin Depth
Insertion Loss S21
Conductor Loss dB
Dielectric Loss in dB
Propagation velocity
Propagation delay
SPICE RLGC
2 Port S-Parameters

Impedance Magnitude
Skin Depth
Insertion loss S21
Conductor loss dB
Dielectric loss dB
Differential prop velocity
Differential delay
Odd mode Z Magnitude
Even mode Z Magnitude
SPICE RLGC
4-Port S-Parameters

Polar Field solver Customers include:

Agilent
APW
Cisco Systems
Cirexx
Dell
Graphic
Hewlett Packard
Hitachi
Honeywell
Intel
Lockheed Martin
and more...

LSI Logic
Micron
NASA
Raytheon
Ruwel
Siemens
Sun Microsystems
Taiko Kogyo
Viasystems
WUS
and more...

Please take a look at the controlled impedance application note pages — you will gain maximum benefit from your Si9000 if you read these supporting notes. These brief  articles help you translate the precision output of the field solvers into practical real world PCBs with good production yields. Ask us about support packages for your Si9000.

System requirements

For PC system requirements for Si9000 see AP605