Ansoft High Frequency Structure

Simulator

NSOFT
Getting Started: An Antenna
Problem

January 2001
 Notice
The information contained in this document is subject to change without
notice.
Ansoft makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including,
but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose. Ansoft shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
This document contains proprietary information which is protected by
copyright. All rights are reserved.
Ansoft Corporation
Four Station Square
Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 261 - 3200
Motif is a trademark of the Open Software Foundation, Inc.
UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX Systems Laboratories, Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft® Corporation
OpenWindows is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

© Copyright 1994-2001 Ansoft Corporation

ii
Printing History
New editions of this manual will incorporate all material updated since the
previous edition. The manual printing date, which indicates the manual’s
current edition, changes when a new edition is printed. Minor corrections and
updates which are incorporated at reprint do not cause the date to change.
Update packages may be issued between editions and contain additional
and/or replacement pages to be merged into the manual by the user. Note
that pages which are rearranged due to changes on a previous page are not
considered to be revised.

Edition Date Software Revision

1.0 November 1998 6.0
2.0 October 1999 7.0
3.0 January 2001 8.0

iii
 Welcome!
This manual is a tutorial guide for setting up a simulation problem using
version 8.0 of Ansoft HFSS, a software package for calculating the high-
frequency electromagnetic behavior of a structure.

Ansoft HFSS Guides

There are several companion guides for Ansoft HFSS:
● Getting Started: An Eigenmode Problem
● Getting Started: A Full-Wave Spice Problem
● Getting Started: An HFSS Optimetrics Problem
● Introduction to the Ansoft Macro Language
For information on all of the Ansoft HFSS commands, refer to the Ansoft
HFSS online documentation.

Installation Guide
Before you use Ansoft HFSS, you must:
1. Set up your system’s graphical windowing system.
2. Install the Maxwell software, using the directions in the installation
guide.
If you have not yet done these steps, refer to the installation guides and the
documentation that came with your computer system, or ask your system
administrator for help.

Other References
For detailed information on the Ansoft HFSS commands, refer to the online
help provided with Ansoft HFSS.
For detailed information on the Control Panel commands, refer to the online
help for the Maxwell Control Panel.

iv
Typeface Conventions
Computer Computer type is used for on-screen prompts and
messages, for field names, and for keyboard entries
that must be typed in their entirety exactly as shown.
For example, the instruction “copy file1” means to type
the word copy, to type a space, and then to type file1.
Menu/Command Computer type is also used to display the commands
that are needed to perform a specific task. Menu levels
are separated by forward slashes (/). For example, the
instruction “Choose File/Open” means to choose the
Open command under the File menu.
Italics Italic type is used for emphasis and for the titles of
manuals and other publications. Italic type is also used
for keyboard entries when a name or a variable must
be typed in place of the words in italics. For example,
the instruction “copy filename” means to type the word
copy, to type a space, and then to type the name of a
file, such as file1.
Keys Helvetica type is used for labeled keys on the com-
puter keyboard. For example, the instruction “Press
Return” means to press the key on the keyboard that
is labeled Return.

v
 Using a Graphical User Interface
If you are familiar with the concepts of using a hand-held mouse, menus, and
other graphical user interface (GUI) tools, skip to Chapter 1, “Introduction.”
If you have not used a GUI before, this section will help you understand some
of the terminology used in this guide. Since GUIs are basically visual, the best
way to learn to use them is by practicing on your system.
Most GUI systems use a “mouse” as a
pointing device, with which you can
select areas on the screen for command
execution and moving from one program
to another. Your mouse may have 2 or 3
buttons; Ansoft HFSS ignores the middle
button on 3-button models, since Ansoft
products do not use this button. You can
program mouse buttons to work in non-standard ways, as you might want to
if you are left-handed. For simplicity, the left-hand button (under your
forefinger if you are right-handed) is referred to as the left mouse button, and
the one on far right as the right mouse button. You will probably find the
terms intuitive once you use these buttons a few times.
Point and Click; Right Click
To choose an item with the mouse, first move it on your desk until the arrow
cursor is on that item; you are now “pointing” at the item. Next, press and
release the left mouse button; this is called “clicking.” Point-and-click is the
most common action you will make with your mouse. Generally, “click”
refers to a left mouse button click.
Sometimes, you can use your right mouse button to access commands. In the
3D Modeler, a right mouse button click causes a menu of commands to
appear. Generally, “right click” refers to a right mouse button click.
Double-Click
Occasionally you may want to select all of the text in a box, or perform a
special task (say, indicating the end of drawing a line). You can do this by
quickly clicking twice with your left mouse button — a “double-click.”
Dragging Objects; Click and Hold
When you are drawing in the 3D Modeler, you can often use your mouse to
enter objects and move around the screen. Frequently, you will click the
mouse button and hold it down until the next part of the command is reached
(the object is moved, the next point is entered, and so forth). If you click and
hold on the edge of a window, you can position, or drag, the window on your
screen. You can often drag objects in the 3D Modeler; experiment to see what
will move.

vi
Menus
Within some screens of Ansoft HFSS are areas which list subsets, or “menus,”
of commands. You can access a menu by clicking your mouse on the word or
button that indicates the menu. The menu is “pulled down”, and lists the
commands available on that menu. Usually, the menu will remain displayed
until you choose a command, or click on the desktop to exit. If the menu does
not remain displayed, click and hold the mouse button, then release the button
to make your choice.

An arrow on the right side of a command indicates that there is a submenu

for that command. An ellipsis (. . .) indicates that a pop-up window appears
after choosing this command.
When you are asked to use a menu command, each level is separated by a
“/”. For example, to zoom in on a drawing, you would choose the View/Zoom
In menu command.
There are also pop-up menus, which appear when you right-click on a
Maxwell modeler window. Choose commands from these menus in the same
way as from menu bars.
For more information on using GUIs, refer to the online help for the Maxwell
Control Panel.

vii
 Tool Bars
Tool bars are shortcut methods for entering commands. There are tool bars in
many of the Ansoft HFSS modules for several commands. To use a tool bar,
click the mouse cursor on the button you want to use. Here is an example of a
tool bar:

● To execute a command, click on the appropriate button.

● To display a brief description of the command in the message bar,
move the cursor to the toolbar icon and hold down the mouse button.

Note: If a tool bar icon appears to do nothing when you click on it, the command

☞ may not be available at the time.

viii
 Table of Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Finite Element Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
The Sample Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Results to be Examined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
2. Creating the Antenna Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Access the Project Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Create a Project Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Create a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Access the Project Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Add the New Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Save Project Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
3. Run Ansoft HFSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Open the New Project and Run the Simulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Overview of the Executive Commands Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Commands Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Display Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
General Procedure for Drawing and Solving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Contents-1
4. Drawing the Geometric Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Select the Solver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Driven Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Eigenmode Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Start the 3D Modeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Side Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Snaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Define the Drawing Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Absolute and Relative Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Grids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Create the Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Draw the Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Draw the 2D Cross-Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Sweep the 2D Cross-Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Save the Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Draw the Radiation Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Subtract horn from abc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Copy the Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Subtract the Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Exit the 3D Modeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
5. Setting Up the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Assign Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Start the Material Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Assign vacuum to horn and abc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Exit Setup Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Set Up Ports and Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Start the 3D Boundary Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Define the Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Select the Surface for the Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Define Parameters for the Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Define the Perfect E Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Define the Perfect H Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Define the Symmetry Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Define the Radiation Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Display the Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Exit the Boundary Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Contents-2
6. Generating a Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Specify Solution Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Generate the Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
View Convergence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
View the S-matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
7. Analyzing the Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
The Post Processors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Access the 3D Post Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Create the Far-Field Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Compute the Far Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Plot the Far Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Create an Animated Cloud Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Exit the Field Simulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

Contents-3
Contents-4
 1
Introduction

Ansoft HFSS is an interactive software package for calculating the electro-

magnetic behavior of a structure. The simulator also includes post-processing
commands for analyzing the electromagnetic behavior of a structure in more
detail. Using Ansoft HFSS, you can compute:
● Basic electromagnetic field quantities and, for open boundary problems,
radiated near and far fields.
● Characteristic port impedances and propagation constants.
● Generalized S-parameters and S-parameters renormalized to specific port
impedances.
● The eigenmodes, or resonances, of a structure.
You are expected to draw the structure, specify material characteristics for
each object, and identify ports, sources, or special surface characteristics. The
system then generates the necessary field solutions. As you set up the prob-
lem, Ansoft HFSS allows you to specify whether to solve the problem at one
specific frequency or at several frequencies within a range.
Ansoft HFSS is available on UNIX workstations running X Windows and PCs
running Windows NT and 2000.

Introduction 1-1
Finite Element Method

Finite Element Method

A sample geometry created with the simulator appears below. This is a
hybrid junction with the unique feature that a signal on port 1 couples equally
to ports 2 and 3 with no coupling to port 4.
In Ansoft HFSS, the geometric model is automatically divided into a large
number of tetrahedra, where a single tetrahedron is basically a four-sided
pyramid. This collection of tetrahedra is referred to as the finite element mesh.
The figure below shows the mesh that was created for the previous hybrid
junction.

Dividing a structure into thousands of smaller regions (elements) allows the

system to compute the field solution separately in each element. The smaller
the system makes the elements, the more accurate the final solution.

1-2 Introduction
 The Sample Problem

The Sample Problem

The rest of this manual describes how to get started in using the software by
guiding you through the setup, solution, and analysis of a dual-mode horn.
The dual-mode horn is composed of two cylinders separated by a conic sec-
tion. The conic section is where the radius of the horn increases from the first
cylinder to the second. At the step where the radius changes, there is a partial
conversion of TE11 mode energy to TM11 mode energy.
This problem is also described and analyzed in the following:
R.H. Turrin, “Dual Mode Small-Aperture Antennas,” IEEE Transactions
on Antennas and Propagation, March 1967.
The general geometry for this problem is shown below; detailed dimensions
are given in Chapter 4, “Drawing the Geometric Model.” Because of the sym-
metry in the problem, you will only need to create half of the geometry.

Results to be Examined
After setting up the antenna problem and generating a solution, you will:
● Calculate the VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) for the horn.
● Plot the far-field antenna pattern.
● Create an animated cloud plot of the magnitude of the electric field.

Introduction 1-3
Results to be Examined

1-4 Introduction
 2
Creating the Antenna Project

This guide assumes that Ansoft HFSS has already been installed as described
in the Installation Guide.

Note: If you have not installed the software or you are not yet set up to run the

☞ software, STOP! Follow the instructions in the Installation Guide.

Your goals in this chapter are as follows:

● Create a project directory in which to save sample problems.
● Create a new project in that directory in which to save the antenna
problem.

Time: The total time needed to complete this chapter is approximately 10 min-
utes.

Creating the Antenna Project 2-1

Access the Project Manager

Access the Project Manager

To access Ansoft HFSS, you must first access the Maxwell Control Panel,
which allows you to create and open projects for all Ansoft products.
➤ Access the Project Manager:
1. Do one of the following to access the Maxwell Control Panel:
■ On a UNIX workstation, enter the following command at the UNIX
prompt:
maxwell &
■ On the PC, click the left mouse button twice on the Maxwell icon.
The Maxwell Control Panel appears as shown below:

If the Maxwell Control Panel doesn’t appear, refer to the installation

guide for possible reasons.
2. Click the left mouse button on the Projects button in the Maxwell Control
Panel to access the Project Manager.

Note: From now on, when you are asked to “choose” a button or a command,

☞ click the left mouse button on it.

2-2 Creating the Antenna Project

 Access the Project Manager

The Project Manager appears as shown below:

Creating the Antenna Project 2-3

Create a Project Directory

Create a Project Directory

The first step in using Ansoft HFSS to solve a problem is to create a directory
and a project in which to save all the data associated with the problem.
A project directory is a directory that contains a specific set of projects created
with the Ansoft software. You can use project directories to categorize
projects any number of ways. For example, you might want to store all
projects related to a particular facility or application in one project directory.
You will now create a project directory in that default directory.
The Project Manager should still be on the screen. You will add the getstart
directory for the Ansoft HFSS project you create using this Getting Started
guide.

Note: If you’ve already created a project directory while working through

☞ another Getting Started guide, skip to the “Create a Project” section.

➤ Add a project directory for the sample problem:

1. Choose Add in the Project Directories box at the bottom left of the win-
dow. The following window appears, listing directories and subdirecto-
ries:

2. Type the following in the Alias field:

getstart
3. Choose Make New Directory.
4. Choose OK.

2-4 Creating the Antenna Project

 Create a Project Directory

The directory getstart is created under the current default project directory,
and getstart now appears in the Projects box. You return to the Project Man-
ager window.

Note: Ansoft HFSS projects are generally created in directories which have aliases

☞ — that is, directories that have been identified as project directories using
the Add command.
➤ To change directories to look at another’s contents:
1. Choose Change Dir from the Project Directories box.
2. Double-click the left mouse button on the desired directory.
(Choose ../ to move up a level in the directory structure.)
3. After you are done, choose OK.
See the online help for the Maxwell Control Panel for more information on
changing directories and other Project Manager functions.

Creating the Antenna Project 2-5

Create a Project

Create a Project
Now you are ready to create a new project named horn in the project direc-
tory getstart.
Access the Project Directory
Before you create the new project, access the project directory getstart.
➤ Access the project directory:
● Choose getstart in the Project Directories box at the bottom left.
The current directory displayed at the top of the Project Manager menu
changes to show the pathname of the directory associated with the alias get-
start. If you have previously created a model, it will be listed in the Projects
box. Otherwise, the Projects box is empty — no projects have been created yet
in this project directory.
Add the New Project
➤ Add a new project:
1. Choose New in the Projects box at the top left of the menu. A window like
the one shown below appears:

2. Type horn in the Name field. Use the Back Space and Delete keys to cor-
rect typos.
3. To select the type of project to be created, click the left mouse button on
the button next to the software package listed in the Type field. A menu
appears, listing all of the Ansoft software packages you purchased. Click
on Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator 8 to select it as the project
type.
4. Optionally, enter your name in the Created By field.

Note: If you are running the software on a workstation, or on a PC using

☞ Microsoft Windows NT, the name of the person who logged onto the sys-
tem appears.

5. Deselect Open project upon creation. When selected, this option opens the
project after you choose OK. However, don’t open the project quite yet.
6. Choose OK to create the project.

2-6 Creating the Antenna Project

 Create a Project

The information that you just entered is now displayed in the corresponding
fields in the Selected Project box. Writable is selected, showing that you have
access to the project.
Save Project Notes
It is a good idea to save the notes about your new project so that the next time
you use Ansoft HFSS, you can view information about a project without
opening it.
➤ Enter notes for the horn problem:
1. Leave Notes selected by default.
2. Click the left mouse button in the area under the Notes option. A cursor
appears, indicating that you can now enter text.

Note: The Model option displays a picture of the selected model in the Notes area.

☞ It is disabled now because you are creating a new project. After you create
the horn problem, its geometry will appear in this area by default when the
horn project is selected.

3. Enter your notes on the project, such as the following:

This sample antenna problem was created
using Ansoft HFSS and the HFSS Getting
Started guide.
When you start entering project notes, the text of the Save Notes button
(which is located below the Notes box) becomes enabled. Before you
began typing in the Notes box, Save Notes was grayed out, or disabled.
4. When you are done entering the description, choose Save Notes to save it.
After you do, the Save Notes option is grayed out again.

Note: Grayed out text on commands or buttons means that the command or but-

☞ ton is temporarily disabled.

Now, you are ready to open the new project and run Ansoft HFSS.

Creating the Antenna Project 2-7

Create a Project

2-8 Creating the Antenna Project

 3
Run Ansoft HFSS

In the last chapter, you created the directory getstart, and created the project
horn within that directory.
This chapter describes:
● How to open the project you just created and run Ansoft HFSS.
● The Ansoft HFSS Executive Commands window.
● The general procedure for creating an antenna problem in Ansoft HFSS.
● The sample problem and the procedures you will use to calculate the field
solution.

Time: The total time needed to complete this chapter is approximately 10 min-
utes.

Run Ansoft HFSS 3-1

Open the New Project and Run the Simulator

Open the New Project and Run the Simulator

The newly created project horn should still be selected in the Projects box. (If
it is not, move the cursor on it and click the left mouse button.)
➤ Run Ansoft HFSS:
● Choose Open from the Projects box.
The Executive Commands window of Ansoft HFSS appears as shown below:

3-2 Run Ansoft HFSS

 Overview of the Executive Commands Window

Overview of the Executive Commands Window

The Executive Commands window acts as a path to each step of creating and
solving the model problem. You select each module through the Executive
Commands menu and the software brings you back to this window when
you are finished with that module. You also view the solution process
through this window. The Executive Commands window is divided into two
sections: the commands area and the display area.
Commands Area
The commands area, located on the left side of the screen, contains the menu
that lets you define the type of problem you are solving and then call up the
various modules you will need to create and solve the problem. The function
of each command will be explained in the section, “General Procedure for
Drawing and Solving.”
Display Area
The display area shows the project’s geometric model. Since you haven’t cre-
ated the model’s geometry yet, this area is blank.
The buttons along the top of the window do the following:
Model Displays the geometric model of the 3D structure. The
Zoom In, Zoom Out, Fit All, Visibility, and Render but-
tons are only available when Model is selected.
Matrix Allows you to view matrices computed for the S-param-
eters, impedances, and propagation constants during
each adaptive solution.
Convergence Displays the convergence information.
Profile Displays the computing resources used in the solution
process.

The buttons along the bottom of the window allow you to change your view
of the model as follows:
Zoom In Zooms in toward the object, expanding the view of the
model.
Zoom Out Zooms away from the object, shrinking the view of the
model.
Fit All Fits the entire model in the view window.
Visibility Displays parts of the model in the view window.
Render Shows the model as wireframe, flat shaded, or smooth
shaded.

This area also displays solution profile and convergence information while
the problem is solving, as described in Chapter 6, “Generating a Solution.”
Run Ansoft HFSS 3-3
General Procedure for Drawing and Solving

General Procedure for Drawing and Solving

➤ Use this general procedure to define and solve a problem:
1. Select the solver. You may select either the Driven Solution solver, or the
Eigenmode Solution solver.
2. Use the Draw command to access the 3D Modeler and draw the objects
that make up the geometric model.
3. Use the Setup Materials command to assign material characteristics to
each 3D object in the geometric model.
4. Use the Setup Boundaries/Sources command to define the location of
boundaries and sources.
5. Use the Setup Solution command to specify how the solution to the prob-
lem is to be computed. Use this command to:
■ Select the type of solution to be performed — an adaptive, non-adap-
tive, or frequency sweep solution.
■ Enter solution criteria, such as the frequency (or frequency range for
a sweep), port solution accuracy, the number of solution modes, and
so forth.
■ Select which finite element mesh is used for the solution.
6. Use the Solve command to solve for the fields associated with the antenna
problem.
7. Use the Matrix, Convergence, and Profile buttons to view the following
information:
■ The S-parameters, impedances, and propagation constants computed
during each adaptive solution.
■ The difference in S-parameters between each adaptive solution.
■ Statistics on CPU use, memory size, and so forth.
8. Select one of the following Post Processors from the Post Process menu:
Fields Accesses the 3D Post Processor which allows you to dis-
play contour, shaded, vector, value versus distance, and
animated plots of fields.
Matrix Data Accesses the Matrix Data Post Processor which allows you
to view matrices computed for the S-parameters, imped-
ances, and propagation constants during each adaptive
solution.
Matrix Plot Accesses the Matrix Plot Post Processor which allows you
to plot a variety of parameters versus time or frequency.

These commands must be chosen in the sequence in which they appear. For
example, you must first create a geometric model with Draw before you spec-
ify material characteristics for objects with Setup Materials. A checkmark
appears on the menu next to each step as it is completed.

3-4 Run Ansoft HFSS

 4
Drawing the Geometric Model

This chapter shows you how to create the geometry for the antenna problem
described earlier. Your goals are as follows:
● Set up the problem region.
● Create the objects that make up the antenna model.
● Save the model to a set of disk files.
You are now ready to start using the simulator. The Executive Commands
window should still be on the screen.

Time: The total time needed to complete this chapter is approximately 10 min-
utes.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-1

Select the Solver

Select the Solver

Leave the solver set to Driven Solution.
Driven Solution
Select Driven Solution to use the finite element based solver to generate a
solution for a structure that is “driven” by a source. Ansoft HFSS calculates
the S-parameters of passive, high-frequency structures such as microstrips,
waveguides, and transmission lines. The simulator also includes post-pro-
cessing commands for analyzing the electromagnetic behavior of a structure
in more detail.
Using the Driven Solution, you can compute:
● Basic electromagnetic field quantities and, for open boundary problems,
radiated near and far fields.
● Characteristic port impedances and propagation constants.
● Generalized S-parameters and S-parameters renormalized to specific port
impedances.
Eigenmode Solution
Select Eigenmode Solution to calculate the eigenmodes, or resonances, of a
structure. The eigenmode solver finds the resonant frequencies of the struc-
ture and the fields at those resonant frequencies.
The Ansoft HFSS eigenmode solver can find the eigenmodes of lossy as well
as lossless structures, and can calculate the unloaded Q of a cavity. Q is the
quality factor, and is a measure of how much energy is lost in the system.
Unloaded Q is the energy lost due to lossy materials. Because ports and other
sources are unavailable for eigenmode problems, the calculated Q does not
include losses due to those sources.
The following restrictions apply to Eigenmode solutions:
● Emissions may not be calculated.
● The following boundary conditions may not be defined:
■ Port
■ Incident Wave
■ Voltage Drop
■ Current
■ Magnetic Bias
■ Radiation
● Fast frequency, interpolating, and discrete frequency sweeps are not
available.
● Nonlinear materials may not be used.
● Matrix Data and Matrix Plot are not available, and the Matrix button on
the Executive Commands window changes to Eigen Modes.

4-2 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Start the 3D Modeler

Start the 3D Modeler

To draw the geometric model, use the 3D Modeler, which is the portion of
Ansoft HFSS that allows you to create objects.
When you start the 3D Modeler, four distinct windows — known as view
windows — appear. Three of these windows show 2D views of the model
you are creating, while the fourth window displays a full 3D view.
A dot in each window shows the position in the model; this dot is blinking in
the active window. To draw in a window, activate it by clicking in that win-
dow. You can tell which coordinate system a window uses by moving the
cursor over that window and looking at the letters next to the cursor.
➤ Start the 3D Modeler:
1. Choose Draw from the top of the Executive Commands menu. The 3D
Modeler window appears.
2. You are prompted to choose the units of length you want to use:

Select cm from the menu next to Select units.

3. Choose OK to accept centimeters as the units for this problem. The units
chosen are shown at the Absolute/Relative coordinates menu.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-3

Start the 3D Modeler

The 3D Modeler window is divided into several parts:

Menu

Tool bar xy xyz

Absolute/Relative
coordinates xy xyz

“Snap to” settings

Side window
yz xz

yz xz
Status bar

Note: If you require further information on any topic in Ansoft HFSS, such as
☞ the 3D Modeler commands or windows, there are several options for dis-
playing context-sensitive help:
● Choose Help in a pop-up window.
● Press F1, see the cursor change to ?, then click on the item on which
you need help.
● Use the commands from the Help menu.

4-4 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Side Window

Side Window
The area on the left of the 3D Modeler (or on the right, depending on your
preference settings) is referred to as the side window. The side window is
where you can change the coordinates or set the snaps of the model to some-
thing other than the default. This window is also where many command-spe-
cific fields appear.
Use this menu to select the type of coordinate system
to use. You may select from an absolute coordinate
system or a relative coordinate system. The selected
coordinate system appears as the name of the menu.
Use these fields to enter the x-, y-, or z-coordinates
and the radius, distance, or angle. Notice the check-
box next to the coordinate fields. The checkbox
must be selected to enable the coordinate field.
These coordinate fields are used to enter the coor-
dinates for a variety of commands.
Use these checkboxes to select the type of “snap-to”
you wish to employ when selecting objects or object
artifacts (vertices, lines, faces, and so forth). When
you select the Other checkbox, a window appears
allowing you to select from a variety of “snap-to”
options.

Use the blank area under the coordinate section for entering information
for many commands. Fields that appear in this area allow you to enter
information specific to the command you just selected.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-5

Side Window

Snaps
The Grid and Vertex snaps are set by default and already active.
➤ To select the snap-to behavior:
1. Choose Other from the Snap to buttons. A window appears below the
coordinates fields.
2. Select the type of Edge Snap you prefer. You may select from the follow-
ing:
Grid inters. Allows you to set the snap at the point where the grid
intersects an axis.
Edge center Allows you to set the snaps at the central points of the
edges.
Arc center Allows you to set the snap at the center of an arc.

3. Select the type of Face Snap that you prefer. You may select from the fol-
lowing:
Axis inters. Allows you to set the face snap at the point where an
axis crosses the face of an object.
Face center Allows you to set the snap at the center of the face of an
object.

4. Choose OK to accept the snap-to behavior.

4-6 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Define the Drawing Region

Define the Drawing Region

The area containing the model is called the drawing region; the four view win-
dows provide you with different perspectives of the region, which is initially
empty except for the coordinate axis.

Note: Because the window can be customized, it may differ slightly from those
☞ shown in this guide. For instance, if someone has used the 3D Modeler
before you, they may have changed the default position of the tool bar.
Don’t worry if this happens; simply use the windows as they appear in
the program. This guide reminds you to check when default settings are
needed for your project.

In order to draw the model, you must activate a window in which to create it.
➤ Activate the window in which you will draw the model:
● Click in the bottom left (yz) window. The cursor is tagged with the
current window’s coordinate system. This window is where you will
begin to draw your model.
Absolute and Relative Coordinates
In this guide, you will be working in absolute coordinates. If relative coordi-
nates are set, the coordinate system measures from an origin defined by you,
which you can change. If absolute coordinates are set, the coordinate system
measures from a system-defined origin.
➤ Look at the Absolute/Relative coordinates menu in the upper left part of
the 3D Modeler window. Make sure absolute coordinates are chosen,
immediately under the left-hand end of the tool bar. If absolute
coordinates are not selected, do the following:
● Select Absolute from the Rel. [cm] pull-down menu in the side window.
Grids
The 3D Modeler uses grid settings to provide a visual guide as you draw
objects. There are no particular unit types associated with the grid points.
However, you can set up the grid so that each grid point is displayed at a
given number of units. The default settings keep the grid points at about 30
pixels apart, even if you zoom in and out, and start with each grid point dis-
played at 20 cm.
Now you are ready to begin drawing the objects that make up the geometry.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-7

Create the Geometry

Create the Geometry

The geometry for the antenna problem consists of two objects: the horn
antenna and the virtual object for the radiation boundary. The port can be
simulated using boundary conditions rather than physical objects that need
to be drawn.

Virtual object
representing the
radiation boundary.

Horn antenna.
Notice that only
half is modeled. A
symmetry plane is
used to model the
missing half.

4-8 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Create the Geometry

Draw the Horn

The first object you will draw is the horn antenna. Since you are taking
advantage of symmetry in the problem, you are only drawing one-half of the
horn.
Since the horn has a difficult shape to draw, you will create a 2D cross-section
of the horn, and then sweep it around the z-axis.
Draw the 2D Cross-Section
Draw the cross-section using the Lines/Polyline command. With this com-
mand, you select a series of points and a line segment is drawn between
them. A 2D object is created from the line segments using the Close option.
The geometry and dimensions (in cm) of the 2D cross-section are shown
below:
d2
To draw the horn, you only
need to draw the shaded
object. Sweeping the object
around the z-axis results
in the half of the horn you
l2
are going to model.

λ = 3.0 cm @ 10 GHz
β
d1 = 0.71λ = 2.13 cm
d2 = 1.31λ = 3.93 cm
l1 = 1.0λ = 3.0 cm
l2 = 1.37λ = 4.11 cm
o
β = 30

l1

y d1

The length of the straight, upper section of the horn is set to 1.37 wavelengths.
This length was chosen because it is the minimum length that adjusts the rela-
tive phases and amplitudes of the TE11 mode and the TM11 mode such that
the electric field is cancelled at the aperture.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-9

Create the Geometry

➤ Draw the 2D cross-section:

1. Select the yz view window if it is not already selected.
2. Choose Lines/Polyline. The fields for entering the name of a new polyline
or selecting an existing polyline appear in the side window.
3. Enter horn in the Edit/create field and choose OK. The fields for entering
the polyline appear in the side window.
4. Enter the coordinates for each point of the 2D cross-section in the X, Y,
and Z fields in the side window. Do the following to enter the first point:
a. Select the checkbox next to the X field. This enables the X field and
allows you to enter an x-coordinate.
b. Enter 0 in the X field, if it is not already set to 0.
c. Deselect the checkbox next to the X field to disable it. This locks the x-
coordinate at 0 for the remainder of the points.
d. Enter 0 in the Y field, if it is not already set to 0.
e. Enter 0 in the Z field, if it is not already set to 0.
5. Choose Enter. The first point (or vertex) of the polyline is defined and
appears as an X on the yz view window.

Note: By default, the two modes for adding elements of a polyline are set to
☞ Add Vert, which adds individual vertices, and Straight, which creates
straight line segments between points.

6. Enter the following coordinates, choosing Enter after each point:

Y Z
1.065 0

1.065 3

1.965 4.56

1.965 8.67

0 8.67
7. After entering the last point, choose Close. This closes the polyline by
drawing a line between the last point and the first point entered.
8. Click on the colored box next to Color and select blue.
9. Leave the Covered checkbox selected. This makes the cross-section a 2D
sheet object. You can also make polylines sheet objects using the Sur-
faces/Cover Lines command.
10. Choose Done. You have finished drawing the 2D cross-section. Notice
that the object is too small to see.
11. Choose View/Fit All/All Views (hotkey f) to expand the object until it
fills all the view windows.
You are now ready to sweep the 2D object you just created to form the horn.

4-10 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Create the Geometry

Sweep the 2D Cross-Section

After you have finished drawing the 2D cross-section, sweep it around the z-
axis using the Solids/Sweep/Around Axis command.
➤ Sweep the cross-section:
1. Choose Solids/Sweep/Around Axis. The following message appears, warn-
ing you that the 2D object you are going to sweep will be deleted after
you sweep it:

2. Choose OK to acknowledge the warning. A list of profiles (2D objects)

you can sweep appears.
3. Select horn from the Profiles list.
4. Choose OK. The 2D cross-section is selected and the controls for sweep-
ing it around an axis appear in the side window.
5. Select Z under Sweep Axis. This selects the z-axis about which to sweep
the cross-section.
6. Enter 180 in the Angle of sweep field. This sweeps the cross-section 180
degrees around the z-axis. Since a plane of symmetry is going to be used,
you only need to model one-half of the full horn.
7. Enter 12 in the Number of steps field. This is similar to the number of
segments field used for creating circles and cylinders. It allows you to
approximate curved surfaces using line segments or facets, reducing the
system requirements.

Note: To create a true surface, one that isn’t approximated by line segments or
☞ facets, enter 0 in the Number of steps field.

8. Leave the Draft Angle set to 0, the default. The draft angle indicates the
angle at which the profile expands or contracts as it is swept.
9. Choose Enter. The cross-section is swept around the z-axis and forms the
horn. The 3D object has the name and color of the 2D object it was created
from.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-11

Create the Geometry

The horn appears as shown below. Notice that the horn has 12 facets, corre-
sponding to the number of steps you specified.

Save the Geometry

While you are working on a model, it’s a good idea to periodically save the
geometry to a set of disk files. Ansoft HFSS does not automatically save your
work. If a problem occurs that causes the simulator to crash, regularly saving
your geometry can keep you from having to re-draw your geometric model.
➤ Save the geometry:
● Choose File/Save. A progress bar appears displaying the progress of the
system as it verifies that there are no overlapping objects present in the
model.
After Ansoft HFSS verifies that there are no overlapping objects, the geome-
try is saved to a set of disk files.

Note: If you do not save your geometry at this point, the numbering of the faces
☞ will be slightly different in Chapter 5.

4-12 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Create the Geometry

Draw the Radiation Boundary

To analyze radiation effects, you must create a radiation-transparent surface
sufficiently far from the radiating source. To do so, first create a virtual object
that represents the expanded problem region. Then, assign a radiation
boundary using the Setup Boundaries/Sources command.
Expanding the problem region is necessary because, by default, the system
uses the outer dimensions of the device — not the dimensions of the meshing
region displayed in the 3D Modeler — to determine the problem region. Use
the default problem region when you are not interested in radiation effects —
it saves computing resources. For radiation problems, however, you must cre-
ate a virtual object that explicitly defines the region of interest.
Virtual objects representing radiation boundaries do not have to be spherical.
They should, however, be convex with regard to the structure. To conserve
computing resources, position the radiation boundary so that it is from one-
quarter of a wavelength to one wavelength from the radiating source.
For this problem, draw the virtual object representing the radiation boundary
as a box around the end of the horn. The box has a length of 3.5 cm, a width of
7 cm, and a height of 3 cm. The length is cut in half because of the symmetry
of the problem. To model the full geometry, use a length of 7 cm.
➤ Draw the radiation boundary:
1. Choose Solids/Box to create a rectangular box. The controls for entering
the base vertex of the box appear in the side window.
2. Enable the X field. Enter 0 in the X field.
3. Enter -3.5 in the Y field.
4. Enter 7.67 in the Z field.
5. Choose Enter to set this point as the box’s base vertex. The 3D Modeler
accepts the point, and fields for entering the box information appear in
the side window.
6. Enter -3.5 in the X field under Enter box size.
7. Enter 7 in the Y field.
8. Enter 3 in the Z field.
9. Enter abc in the Name field. It is important to give objects distinctive/
descriptive names to simplify assigning materials, boundaries, and so
forth.
10. Click on the colored box next to Color. A color palette appears. Select red.
11. Choose Enter. The box appears in all the windows; however, it is too
large to see clearly.
12. Type f. The view changes, making the box easier to see.
Since the box partially overlaps the horn, you must create an space in the box
for the horn to fit. You can do this by subtracting the horn from the box.

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-13

Create the Geometry

Subtract horn from abc

If one object partially overlaps another object, the geometry is invalid as the
final model. The system has no way of knowing which object occupies the
shared volume and problems will occur when the system attempts to create
the finite element mesh.
To avoid this problem, you must use a boolean operation to unite, intersect,
or subtract the overlapping region. For this problem, subtract the horn from
the box. This creates a space in the box which exactly matches the part of the
horn that overlaps the box. The horn fits into the space and the two objects no
longer overlap.
However, because you are performing a boolean operation, the object you
subtract (in this case, the horn) will be deleted after the operation is finished.
Therefore, copy the horn and paste the object back into the model. The second
horn will occupy the same space as the first one. Then you can subtract the
second horn from the radiation box.
Copy the Horn
Make a temporary copy of the horn and paste it back into the model.
➤Copy the horn:
1. Choose Edit/Select. A list of objects appears in the side window.
2. Select horn from the list of objects.
3. Choose OK. The horn is now selected and can be copied.
4. Choose Edit/Copy. This copies the horn into the paste buffer.
5. Choose Edit/Paste. This copies the object from the paste buffer to the
geometry. The second horn is given the name horn1 as the default.
Subtract the Objects
Now you can subtract the temporary object from the box. The subtracted
object is deleted and the horn fits into the space it leaves in the box.
➤ Subtract horn1 from abc:
1. Choose Solids/Subtract. A warning message appears.
2. Choose OK to dismiss the warning message. A list of objects appears in
the side window. First, choose the object to subtract from.
3. Select abc from the list of objects. Since you are subtracting the horn from
the box, select the box first.
4. Choose OK. The box object, abc, disappears from the list. Now select the
object to subtract.
5. Select horn1 as the object to subtract.
6. Choose OK. The temporary object is subtracted from the box and deleted.
The horn now occupies the space subtracted from the box.

4-14 Drawing the Geometric Model

 Create the Geometry

The completed geometry appears as shown below:

Drawing the Geometric Model 4-15

Exit the 3D Modeler

Exit the 3D Modeler

You are now finished drawing the model.
➤ Exit the 3D Modeler:
1. Choose File/Exit. The following window appears, prompting you to save
your geometry and verify the model:

2. Choose Yes. A progress bar appears displaying the progress of the system
as it verifies that there are no overlapping objects present in the model.
You return to the Executive Commands window and are now ready to assign
materials and define boundaries.

4-16 Drawing the Geometric Model

 5
Setting Up the Problem

Now that you have created the geometry for the antenna problem you are
ready to define material properties, ports, and boundary conditions.
Your goals for this chapter are as follows:
● Assign material properties to all model objects — actual and virtual — in
the geometric model.
● Identify the port through which the wave enters the horn.
● Define boundary conditions, such as the locations of radiation
boundaries and the symmetry plane.
Now you are ready to set up the problem.

Time: The total time needed to complete this chapter is approximately 15 min-
utes.

Setting Up the Problem 5-1

Assign Materials

Assign Materials
To completely set up this antenna problem, you must assign material charac-
teristics to each 3D object in the geometric model. To set material properties
for the objects in this problem, you will assign vacuum to the horn and box.
Start the Material Manager
➤ Start the Material Manager:
● Choose Setup Materials. The Material Setup window appears as shown
below:

All objects — in this case horn and abc — are listed in the Object box, and
the materials in the material database provided with the software are
listed in the Material box. The characteristics of the materials are listed
under Material Attributes.

5-2 Setting Up the Problem

 Assign Materials

Assign vacuum to horn and abc

Assign vacuum to both the horn and the box. You will use a perfect E bound-
ary to simulate a perfect conductor on the surface of the horn and a radiation
boundary to simulate an absorbing boundary on the box.
➤ Assign vacuum to the two objects:
1. Select horn and abc from the Object list. The objects are highlighted to
indicate that they are selected.

Note: Multi. Select should be selected by default. This allows you to select multi-

☞ ple objects. If it is not selected, select it.

2. The material vacuum should be selected in the Material list by default. If it

is not, select it.
3. Choose Assign. The material is assigned to the objects and its name
appears under Material in the Object list.
Notice that when you assigned the material, Solve Inside (indicated as SlvIn in
the Object list) was set to Yes. This indicates that Ansoft HFSS will create a
mesh inside the object and generate a solution from the mesh. By default,
SlvIn is automatically set to Yes for all objects with a conductivity less than
105 siemens/meter.
Exit Setup Materials
➤ Exit the Material Manager:
1. Choose Exit. You are prompted to save the material assignments.
2. Choose Yes. The material assignments are saved.
You return to the Executive Commands window, and a checkmark is dis-
played next to Setup Materials, indicating that all objects have been success-
fully assigned material characteristics.

Setting Up the Problem 5-3

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

After assigning material properties, you must define ports and boundary con-
ditions. This specifies the excitation signals entering the structure, the behav-
ior of electric and magnetic fields at various surfaces in the model, and any
special surface characteristics.
Ports
Ports define surfaces exposed to non-existent materials (generally the back-
ground or materials defined to be perfect conductors) through which excita-
tion signals enter and leave the structure.
One port is needed in this problem. It is defined using the Setup Boundaries/
Sources command and represents the signal entering and exiting the model.
Boundary Conditions
Boundaries specify the behavior of magnetic and electric fields at various sur-
faces. They can also be used to identify special surfaces — such as resistors —
whose characteristics differ from the default. Four types of boundary condi-
tions will be used in this problem:
● Radiation. This type of boundary models the surface as being open or
extending infinitely far from the device. In the model, the object abc is
defined as a radiation boundary. This is the virtual object that was
created to simulate a ballooned background.
● Perfect E. This type of boundary forces the electric field to be normal to
the surface. The surface of the horn is defined as a perfect E boundary.
This allows you to model perfectly conducting surfaces.

Note: The portion of the horn exposed to the background object does not need to

☞ be explicitly defined as a perfect E boundary. The background object is, by

default, defined as a perfect conductor. Therefore, that part of the horn is
enclosed in conductive walls.
However, the part of the horn that intersects the object abc does need to be
defined as a perfect E boundary.

5-4 Setting Up the Problem

 Set Up Ports and Boundaries

● Symmetry. In structures that have an electromagnetic plane of symmetry,

the problem can be simplified by modeling only one-half of the problem
and identifying the exposed surface as a perfect H or perfect E boundary.
For this problem, use a perfect H symmetry boundary.
● Perfect H. This type of boundary forces the tangential component of the
H-field to be the same on both sides of the boundary. Only the aperture of
the horn is assigned this type of boundary. Because the aperture is
defined as a perfect H boundary, the E-fields will radiate through it. If it
was not defined as a perfect H boundary, the E-field would not radiate
through and the signal would terminate at the aperture.
The port and boundaries for this problem are shown below:

The radiation
A perfect H boundary on the boundary simu-
aperture of the horn allows lates an absorb-
the E-field to radiate into
space.

The symmetry plane divides

the problem in half through A perfect E boundary on
the port. The symmetry plane the intersection between
includes the faces on this side the horn and the virtual
of the horn and the virtual object simulates a perfect
object. conductor.

The port is the bottom face

of the horn.

Setting Up the Problem 5-5

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Start the 3D Boundary Manager

➤ Start the 3D Boundary Manager:
● Choose Setup Boundaries/Sources. The 3D Boundary/Source Manager
window appears as shown below:

5-6 Setting Up the Problem

 Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Define the Port

The port for this problem covers the end face of the narrow portion of the
horn.
Select the Surface for the Port
Select the surface that defines the location of the port before entering the port
parameters.
➤ Select the face for the port:
1. Using the mouse, click on the surface representing the port.

Notice that the surface representing the 2D cross-section (this may be dif-
ferent depending on where you clicked) may be highlighted. Since this
isn’t the correct surface, you need to select the face behind this surface.
2. Click the right mouse button. A menu appears.
3. Choose Next Behind (hotkey N) from the menu. The end face of the horn
is now selected. The Next Behind command is very useful when defining
boundaries. It can be difficult selecting interior faces in a model without
using such a command.

Note: There are a variety of ways you could have selected the correct face in a sin-

☞ gle step. For example you could have rotated the model until the surface
you wanted to select was visible, or you could have used the Edit/Select/By
Name command and selected the face.

You are ready to define the parameters for the port.

Setting Up the Problem 5-7

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Define Parameters for the Port

Now that you have selected the face for the port, enter the parameters for the
port and assign them to the selected face.
➤ Assign the port to the selected face:
1. By default, Port should be selected as the Source type. Leave Source and
Port selected.
2. Leave the Name field set to port1.
3. Since this problem does not require multiple modes, a polarized E-field,
an impedance line, or a calibration line, leave those set to their defaults.
4. Enter 0.5 in the Imped Multiplier field at the bottom-right corner of the
window. This changes the impedance multiplier for the problem to 0.5.
Since a perfect H plane of symmetry is going to be used, the problem has
the same voltage differential but one-half of the power flow of the full
structure, resulting in impedances that are twice those for the full struc-
ture. Therefore, Ansoft HFSS needs to consider one-half of the calculated
impedances.
5. Choose Assign. The new port appears in the boundary list under Name
and the type of boundary or source appears under Assigned.

5-8 Setting Up the Problem

 Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Define the Perfect E Boundary

Next, define the intersection between the horn and the box as a perfect E
boundary. A perfect E boundary is a boundary on which the tangential com-
ponent of the electric field goes to zero. The main body of the horn is auto-
matically defined as a perfect E boundary because it is exposed to the
background.
By default, all outer surfaces that are exposed to the background are assumed
to be perfect electrical conductors; that is, they are defined to be perfect E
boundaries. Therefore, until you specify the location of ports, visualize the
entire geometric model as being encased by a thin perfect conductor.
➤ Define the boundary of the intersection as a perfect E boundary:
1. Choose Edit/Select/Faces Intersection. The following window appears:

2. Select horn and abc as the objects whose intersection you want to select.

Note: You cannot select the intersection between the background object and a

☞ model object. There are no internal faces on the background object to select
in an intersection.
This restriction also includes any object entirely contained in a second
object. Selecting the intersection between two objects is allowed only when
one object is partially overlapped by a second object. In that case, when you
subtracted the first object, you created internal faces on the second object.

3. Choose Pick Intersection. You are warned that this operation may take
some time.

Setting Up the Problem 5-9

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

4. Choose Yes to proceed with the intersection. The area that intersects
between the horn and the box is then selected.

5. Choose Done.
6. Select Boundary as the type of condition to apply to the objects. Perfect E
should be selected as the boundary type by default. If it is not, click and
hold on the boundary type menu. A list of boundaries appears. Select
Perfect E from the list.
7. Enter intersection as the name of the boundary.
8. Choose Assign. The new boundary appears in the list as intersection.
Now you are ready to define the boundary on the aperture of the horn.

5-10 Setting Up the Problem

 Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Define the Perfect H Boundary

Next, define the end face on the aperture of the horn as a perfect H boundary.
A perfect H boundary forces the tangential component of the H-field to be the
same on both sides of the boundary. For internal planes, this results in a natu-
ral boundary through which the field propagates. For planes on the outer sur-
face of the model, this results in a boundary that simulates a perfect magnetic
conductor (the tangential component of the H-field is zero). This allows the E-
field to radiate through the aperture of the horn and into space.

Warning: The order in which boundaries are defined is important. Each boundary

➥ assignment overwrites existing ones with which it overlaps. For example,

defining the aperture of the horn as a perfect H boundary and then the
intersection between the horn and box as a perfect E boundary would
cause the aperture to change to a perfect E boundary because it is part of
the intersection.
As a general rule, define larger objects first before proceeding to smaller
objects. Ports, however, are always considered to be defined last, and there-
fore can be defined at any time.

➤ Define a perfect H boundary on the aperture of the horn:

1. Select the end face on the aperture of the horn. You can select in one of the
following ways:
■ Use the mouse and the Next Behind command.
■ Use Edit/Select/By Name, select the end face of the horn, and choose
Done.

2. Leave Boundary selected as the condition type.

3. Select Perfect H/Natural from the boundary type menu.
4. Enter aperture as the name of the boundary.

Setting Up the Problem 5-11

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

5. Choose Assign. The following warning message appears, informing you

that boundaries overlap:

6. Choose OK to acknowledge the message. The perfect H boundary is

assigned to the aperture of the horn.
You are now ready to define the symmetry plane.

5-12 Setting Up the Problem

 Set Up Ports and Boundaries

Define the Symmetry Plane

Ansoft HFSS has a boundary condition specifically for symmetry planes.
Instead of defining a perfect E or perfect H boundary, you define a perfect E
or perfect H symmetry plane.
When you are defining a symmetry plane, you must decide which type of
symmetry boundary should be used, a perfect E or a perfect H. In general, use
the following guidelines to decide which type of symmetry plane to use:
● If the symmetry is such that the E-field is normal to the symmetry plane,
use a perfect E symmetry plane.
● If the symmetry is such that the E-field is tangential to the symmetry
plane, use a perfect H symmetry plane.
The simple two-port rectangular waveguide shown below illustrates the dif-
ferences between the two types of symmetry planes. The E-field of the domi-
nant mode signal (TE10) is shown. The waveguide has two planes of
symmetry, one vertically through the center and one horizontally.
● The horizontal plane of symmetry is a perfect E surface. The E-field is
normal and the H-field is tangential to that surface.
● The vertical plane of symmetry is a perfect H surface. The E-field is
tangential and H-field is normal to that surface.
Electric field of TE10 Mode

Perfect H symmetry plane

Perfect E symmetry plane

Since the antenna used in this guide has a vertical plane of symmetry and the
E-field is tangential to the surface, use a perfect H boundary for the symmetry
plane.

Setting Up the Problem 5-13

Set Up Ports and Boundaries

➤ Define the symmetry plane:

1. Select the two faces that make up the symmetry plane. These faces are the
one face on the box (where the model is sliced in half) and the flat face on
the horn.

Note: To check whether or not the correct faces are selected, use the Edit/Select/By

☞ Name command. When you select the object, the name of the face that is
currently selected in the model is highlighted.

2. Leave Boundary selected as the condition type.

3. Select Symmetry from the boundary type menu. Selection checkboxes
appear in the area below this menu, allowing you to choose the type of
boundary for the symmetry plane.
4. Select Perfect H as the type of symmetry plane.
5. Enter symmetry in the Name field.
6. Choose Assign. The boundary appears in the boundary list.
You are now ready to define the radiation boundary.
Define the Radiation Boundary
To simulate open problems that allow waves to radiate infinitely far into
space (such as antenna models), you can define surfaces to be radiation
boundaries. The system absorbs the wave at the radiation boundary, essen-
tially ballooning the boundary infinitely far away from the structure.
Radiation boundaries model surfaces that represent open space. Energy is
allowed to radiate from these boundaries instead of being contained within
them.
Define the surface of the virtual object you created to be a radiation bound-
ary. Define the external faces only, excluding the face defined as a symmetry
plane and the interior faces created when you subtracted the horn.
➤ Define the radiation boundary:
1. Select the remaining five faces of abc. The sixth face you defined as a sym-
metry plane.
2. Leave Boundary selected as the condition type.
3. Select Radiation from the boundary type menu.
4. Enter radiation in the Name field.
5. Choose Assign. The boundary appears in the boundary list.
You have finished defining the boundaries for this problem.

5-14 Setting Up the Problem

 Display the Boundaries

Display the Boundaries

➤ Now that you have finished defining all the ports and boundaries,
display the boundaries:
1. Choose Model/Boundary Display. When you choose this command, an ini-
tial coarse mesh is created so the system can identify the port surfaces. A
bar appears showing you the progress as the mesh is created. After the
initial mesh is generated, the Boundary Display 3D window appears as
shown below:

Note that the names of the system-defined boundaries and the user-
defined boundaries appear in the Boundary list. The only system-defined
boundary for this problem is outer, which is the boundary defining the
interface between the model objects and the background object.
2. Choose port1 from the Boundary list. Its visibility status is listed under
Visible and the type of boundary selected is listed next to Type.
3. Leave the color set to the default.

Setting Up the Problem 5-15

Display the Boundaries

4. Choose Toggle Display. The surface of the port is highlighted.

5. Repeat this process for each of the boundaries you defined, checking to
make sure that they are defined on the appropriate surfaces.
6. Choose Close when you are finished.
You return to the 3D Boundary Manager and are ready to save and exit.
Exit the Boundary Manager
➤ Exit the Boundary Manager:
1. Choose File/Exit. You are prompted to save your boundary settings.
2. Choose Yes. The following window appears, reminding you that the
impedance multiplier needs to be set when using symmetry boundaries.

3. Since you set the impedance multiplier to 0.5 when you defined the first
port, choose OK.
4. The message warning you there are overlapping boundaries appears.
Choose OK to acknowledge the message.
You return to the Executive Commands window.

5-16 Setting Up the Problem

 6
Generating a Solution

Now that you have created the geometry and set up the model, you are ready
to generate a solution.
Your goals for this chapter are as follows:
● Set up the solution parameters that will be used in calculating the
solution.
● Generate a solution. The system computes the 3D field solution inside the
structure that results from excitation signals at each port. Once the field
solution is obtained, the simulator computes the generalized S-matrix
associated with the structure.

Time: This problem solved in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes on an

UltraSPARC with 512 megabytes of RAM. Depending on the computing
resources you have available, this solution time may vary.

Generating a Solution 6-1

Specify Solution Options

Specify Solution Options

Before you can generate a solution for the antenna problem, you need to spec-
ify the solution parameters. This controls how the software computes the
requested field solution and the frequency at which the solution is computed.
For the antenna problem, specify the following solution criteria:
● Perform 5 adaptive passes at a frequency of 10 GHz.
● Specify that the maximum change in the S-parameters from one pass to
the next be equal to or less than 0.02.
➤ Set up the solution criteria for the antenna:
1. Choose Setup Solution. The HFSS Solution Setup window appears as
shown below:

2. Leave Single Frequency selected and enter 10 as the frequency value.

3. Leave the frequency units set to GHz.
4. Leave Adaptive selected. This instructs Ansoft HFSS to solve the problem
iteratively, refining the regions of the mesh in which the largest error
exists. Enter the following adaptive solution criteria:
■ Enter 5 in the Requested Passes field. In this case, because Requested
Passes is set to 5, the simulator generates five successive solutions for
the problem, refining the mesh before it generates the next solution.
■ Leave the Tet. Refinement field set to 20. This determines how many
tetrahedra are added after each iteration of the adaptive refinement
process.
■ Leave the Max Delta S field set to 0.02. If the magnitude and phase of
all S-parameters change by an amount less than 0.02 from one itera-
tion to the next, the adaptive solution stops.

Note: The solution process stops if either the Requested Passes or Max Delta S is

☞ reached.

6-2 Generating a Solution

 Specify Solution Options

5. Leave the other parameters set to their defaults. For an explanation of

these parameters, refer to the Ansoft HFSS online help.
6. Choose OK. The criteria are saved and you return to the Executive Com-
mands window. You are now ready to generate a solution.

Note: While this problem does not require a seeded mesh on the radiation bound-

☞ ary, an example of how to seed the boundary is presented here. In this case,
seeding the boundary would cause the system requirements for this prob-
lem to increase dramatically. Also, the time needed to generate a solution
with a seeded mesh increases by several hours.
➤ To seed the radiation boundary for this problem:
1. Choose Mesh Option/Initial Mesh from the Mesh Options menu
on the Solution Setup window.
2. Choose Define Seed Operations from the window that appears.
The Meshmaker appears.
3. Select the faces on the radiation boundary using the Edit/Select
Faces command.
4. Choose OK.
5. Choose Seed/Object Face/By Length. This refines the length of
all the tetrahedra’s edges until their length is below the
specified value. The Seed/Refine controls window appears.
6. Select Number of elements to be added to specify the
maximum number of elements added. The software will not
exceed this value. If you select this, enter the maximum
number of elements you want to have in the edit field on the
right.
7. Enter a value, in centimeters, in the Maximum element length
field. Because you selected Seed/Object Face/By Length, this
value represents the maximum length that any edge of a
tetrahedron may have during the refinement process. A
recommended starting value for this quantity is λ/6.
8. Choose OK to accept your values.
9. Choose Seed/Save to save the seed refinement settings. If you
do not save these settings, you will not be able to select Seed
Based Refinement in the Setup Solution window.
10. Choose File/Exit to exit the Meshmaker and return to the
solution setup.
11. Select Seed Based Refinement.
Keep in mind that the system refines each tetrahedron that intersects the
radiation boundary, and does not refine a surface mesh. This requires
much more system resources and time than earlier versions of Ansoft HFSS
used. Because of this, it is recommended that you first solve the problem
without seeding the radiation boundary. If the results are unsatisfactory,
seed the mesh and re-solve.

Generating a Solution 6-3

Generate the Solution

Generate the Solution

Now that you have entered the solution criteria and specified the solution fre-
quency, the problem is ready to be solved. The solver explicitly calculates
field values at each node in the finite element mesh and interpolates the val-
ues at all other points in the problem region.

Note: Depending on how closely you followed the guide, the results that you

☞ obtain should be approximately the same as the ones given in this section.
However, there may be a slight variation between platforms.

➤ Generate a solution:
● Choose Solve from the Executive Commands window. A sequence of
progress bars appear in the Solution Monitoring area as the solution is
being generated. These allow you to monitor the progress of the solution
process. Note the descriptive messages that accompany the progress bars.
These describe the various stages of the solution process as well as
providing an estimate of the memory and disk usage.

When the solution is complete, the following message appears:

Solution process is completed sucessfully
● Choose OK.
You remain in the Executive Commands window. A checkmark appears next
to Solve, indicating that the solution was completed successfully.

Note: After a solution is generated, the system does not allow you to change the

☞ geometry, ports, boundary conditions, or material properties unless you

first delete the solution. For example, if you change the geometry of the
problem after generating a solution, you must generate a new solution after
you save the changes to the new geometry.

6-4 Generating a Solution

 View Convergence

View Convergence
While the solution is generating, you can view convergence information such
as:
● Number of passes completed and remaining.
● The number of tetrahedra per pass.
● The maximum change in the magnitude of the S-parameters (Max
Delta S) per pass.
● The frequency at which the adaptive solution was generated.
➤ View the convergence:
● Choose the Convergence button from the row of buttons across the top of
the Executive Commands window. The view of the model disappears
and is replaced by the following window:

Take a few moments to look over the convergence information.

Note: Your results will vary somewhat from these, but will be relatively close.

Generating a Solution 6-5

View the S-matrix

View the S-matrix

Use the Matrix button from the top of the Executive Commands window to
view matrices computed for the S-parameters, impedances, and propagation
constants during each adaptive solution.
With the following equation, it is simple to calculate the VSWR (voltage
standing wave ratio) from S11:

1 + S 11
--------------------
1 – S 11

➤ View the S-matrix and calculate the VSWR:

● Choose Matrix from the top of the Executive Commands window. The
following window appears:

By default, the S-matrix for the last adaptive pass is displayed when the
screen appears.

The magnitude of the S11 value displayed is 0.0645, with a phase of 67.280
degrees. Using the equation displayed above, the VSWR value is 1.138,
which is what you would expect for a dual-mode antenna with the aper-
ture sizes defined for this problem.

6-6 Generating a Solution

 7
Analyzing the Solution

Now that you have generated a solution for the antenna problem, you can
analyze it using Ansoft HFSS’s post-processing features, accessed with the
Post Process menu.
You will:
● Plot the far field.
● Create an animated cloud plot of the magnitude of E.

Time: The total time needed to complete this chapter is approximately 15 min-
utes.

Analyzing the Solution 7-1

The Post Processors

The Post Processors

Ansoft HFSS provides three Post Processors for analyzing the results of your
solutions. The following Post Processors are available:
Fields Accesses the 3D Post Processor which allows you to display
contour, shaded, vector, value versus distance, and animated
plots of fields.
Matrix Data Accesses the Matrix Data Post Processor which allows you to
view matrices computed for the S-parameters, impedances,
and propagation constants during each adaptive solution.
Matrix Plot Accesses the Matrix Plot Post Processor which allows you to
plot a variety of parameters versus time or frequency.
In this guide you will use the 3D Post Processor.

Access the 3D Post Processor

The 3D Post Processor can:
● Display shaded or wire frame views of the solved model.
● Display contour, shaded, vector, value versus. distance, and animated
plots of fields.
● Compute derived quantities from the general field solution.
➤ Access the 3D Post Processor:
● Choose Post Process/Fields. The following window appears:

7-2 Analyzing the Solution

 Access the 3D Post Processor

Create the Far-Field Plot

When calculating radiation fields, the values of the fields over the radiation
surface are used to compute the fields in the space surrounding the device.
This space is typically split into two regions — the near-field region and the
far-field region. The near-field region is the region closest to the source. In
general, the electric field E(x,y,z) external to the region bounded by a closed
surface may be written as:

E ( x, y, z ) = ò ( á jωµ0Htanñ G + á Etan × ∇Gñ + á Enormal ∇Gñ ) ds

s
where:
● s represents the radiation surfaces.
● j is the imaginary unit, – 1 .
● ω is the angular frequency, 2πf.
● µ0 is the relative permeability of the free space.
● Htan is the component of the magnetic field that is tangential to the
surface.
● Enormal is the component of the electric field that is normal to the surface.
● Etan is the component of the electric field that is tangential to the surface.
● G is the free space Green’s function, given by:
– jk 0 r – r'
e
G = -----------------------------
r – r'
where:
■ k0 is the free space wave number, ω µ 0 ε0 .
■ r and r' represent, respectively, field points and source points on the
surface.
In the far field where r>>r' (and usually r>>λ0), Green’s function can be
approximated as:
– jk 0 r jk 0 r̂ ⋅ r'
e e
G ≈ --------------------------------------
r
When this form of G is used in the far-field calculations, the fields that result
have an r dependence in the form of:
– jkr
e
-------------
r

Analyzing the Solution 7-3

Access the 3D Post Processor

This r dependence is characteristic of a spherical wave, which is a key feature

of far fields. The far field is a spherical TEM wave with the following equa-
tion:
E = η H × r̂
0
where η0 is the intrinsic impedance of free space.
When you use Radiation/Compute/Far Field, the previously discussed far-
field approximations are used, and the result is valid only for field points in
the far-field region.
Compute the Far Field
➤ Compute the far fields:
1. Choose Radiation/Compute/Far Field. The following window appears:

2. Leave Sphere selected. Since far fields are only plotted on a spherical
grid, this is the only option available.
3. Under Phi from x-axis, do the following:
a. Leave the Start field set to 0. This is the point, in degrees, where the
rotation of phi begins.
b. Enter 90 in the Stop field. This is the point, in degrees, where the rota-
tion of phi ends.
c. Enter 1 in the Steps field. This is the number of steps on the sweep of
phi. For example, entering 1 for the steps causes the sweep of phi to
consist of two points, the Start and Stop point.
4. Under Theta from z-axis, do the following:
a. Enter 0 in the Start field.
b. Enter 360 in the Stop field.
c. Enter 90 in the Steps field.

7-4 Analyzing the Solution

 Access the 3D Post Processor

5. Choose View Points. A window appears displaying the two phi points
and their corresponding theta points that will be plotted.
6. Choose OK to dismiss the View Points window.
7. Choose OK to compute the radiated fields in the far-field region. A
progress bar appears indicating the system’s progress in computing the
far fields.
After the far fields are computed, the Plot Far Field window appears. This
window allows you to specify the plotting parameters of the far field. It is the
same window that appears when you choose Plot/Far Field.
Plot the Far Fields
With the Plot Far Field window on screen, specify the plotting parameters of
the far field and display the plot. The Plot Far Field window appears as
shown below:

➤ Plot the far fields:

1. Select rE Total Field from the Quantity list. This is the radiated electric
field multiplied by the distance, r.
2. Leave the Units set to V (volts).
3. Select dB. This displays the plot in dB.
4. Leave Geometry set to Sphere. Far fields can only be plotted on a sphere.
5. Leave the type of plot set to 2D Polar.
6. Leave the Fixed Variable set to Phi. This is the variable you are holding
constant while varying the other.
7. Choose Select All to select both cuts of phi. These correspond to the phi
points you calculated (in this case, 0 and 90 degrees).

Analyzing the Solution 7-5

Access the 3D Post Processor

8. Choose OK. The following antenna pattern appears:

7-6 Analyzing the Solution

 Access the 3D Post Processor

Create an Animated Cloud Plot

An animated plot is created frame by frame, in much the same way as an ani-
mated cartoon. A series of pictures is taken of a plot, with each picture repre-
senting a different stage of the plot. In this example, you will generate a series
of pictures of the magnitude of the E-field, while varying its phase. Each pic-
ture represents the E-field at a different phase. Displaying the pictures
(frames) in sequence creates the animation.
➤ Create the animated plot:
1. Choose Plot/Field to generate a new plot. The following window appears:

2. Select Mag E from the Plot Quantity list. This selects the magnitude of the
electric field |E|(x,y,z,t) as the quantity to plot.
3. Select Volume -all- mid-way down the On Geometry list. This selects the
geometry on which to plot. For this example, you will be plotting over the
entire volume of the geometry.
Since you have selected to plot over the entire volume, you do not need to
select a specific volume from the In Volume list.
4. Select Phase animation to make an animated plot by varying the phase of
the electric field.

Analyzing the Solution 7-7

Access the 3D Post Processor

5. Choose OK to generate the plot. The following window appears, allow-

ing you to specify how to vary the phase:

■ Leave Variable set to PHASE. When you choose Phase animation, the
variable is limited to the phase. If you had chosen an animated geom-
etry, such as AnimSurf xy, from the On Geometry list, other variables
would be present.
■ Leave Start set to 0 degrees. This is the starting value for the phase.
■ Leave Stop set to 180 degrees. This is the stopping value for the
phase.
■ Leave Delta set to 18. This is the amount by which the phase changes
between one plot and the next.
■ Select Store Frames to save the each frame of the animation. From
these saved frames you can create an animated movie.
■ Choose OK. The following window appears, allowing you to specify
the attributes of the plot:

■ Select Use Limits under Plot Scale. This allows you to specify the
upper and lower limits of the E-field strength display. The units for
all field quantities are given in MKS.
■ Enter 1500 in the Maximum field. This sets the upper limit of the E-
field strength display to 1500 V/m.

7-8 Analyzing the Solution

 Access the 3D Post Processor

■ Leave the Minimum field set to 0.

■ Enter 21 in the Divisions field. This defines the number of divisions to
use between the minimum and maximum values. The number of
divisions also defines the color gradation.
■ Leave the other options set to their defaults and choose OK.
A progress bar appears as Ansoft HFSS generates a plot at each phase.
After the plotting has finished, the Animation Plots window appears,
allowing you to manipulate the movie:

This window appears because you selected Store Frames; otherwise, the
controls for the animation would appear in the side window. Each frame
in the Frame List is a plot computed at a different phase. The phase of
each plot is listed next to each frame. The controls at the bottom of the
window allow you to play the animation sequence forward or backward,
or step through it one frame at a time.
6. Choose Make Movie. This creates a replaying movie from the series of
animated plots. Ansoft HFSS generates a series of pixmaps from the
frames in the Frame List, then it animates these into a movie. This will
take some time.
Once the series of pixmaps has been created, a window appears allowing
you to control the movie. You can change the speed, stop the movie, or
access the Animation Plots window again to manipulate the frames.
7. Choose Done when you wish to end the movie.

Analyzing the Solution 7-9

Exit the Field Simulator

Exit the Field Simulator

To exit Ansoft HFSS, follow the steps below:
➤ Exit the 3D Post Processor:
1. Choose File/Exit. The following message appears:
Exit Post Processor?
2. Choose Yes.
You return to the Executive Commands window.
➤ Exit Ansoft HFSS:
1. Choose Exit. The following message appears:
Exit HFSS?
2. Choose Yes.
You return to the Maxwell Control Panel.

7-10 Analyzing the Solution

 Index

3D Modeler, starting 4-3 about 5-4

assigning 5-6
displaying 5-15
A order of defining 5-11
absolute coordinates 4-7 Perfect E 5-4, 5-9
adaptive solution 6-2 Perfect H 5-5, 5-11
alias 2-4 Radiation 5-4, 5-14
animated plot 7-7 selecting surfaces 5-7
Ansoft HFSS Symmetry 5-5, 5-13
commands area 3-3 viewing 5-15
display area 3-3 Boundary Manager, starting 5-6
Executive Commands window 3-2 boxes, drawing 4-13
exiting 7-10
general procedure 3-4
installing iv
C
starting 3-2 click
assigning click and hold vi
boundaries 5-6 double-click vi
materials 5-3 point and click vi
axis coordinates 4-7 right click vi
cloud plot 7-7
commands
B commands area 3-3
background object disabled 2-7
expanding for radiation problems 4-13 Executive Commands menu 3-2
surfaces exposed to 5-9 computing the far field 7-4
boundaries context-sensitive help 4-4
convergence, viewing 6-5
Index-1
converting modes 1-3 Setup Boundaries/Sources 5-6
coordinates Setup Materials 5-2
absolute 4-7 Setup Solution 6-2
axis 4-7 Solve 6-4
relative 4-7 exiting Ansoft HFSS 7-10
copying objects 4-14
creating
geometric model 4-8 F
projects 2-6 F1 key 4-4
cross-section, of problem 4-9 far field
calculating 7-3
far-field region 7-3
D generating 7-4
database, material 5-2 plotting 7-5
display area 3-3 files, saving geometry files 4-12
dragging objects vi filled view 3-3
drawing finite element analysis 1-1
boxes 4-13 fitting model in view window 4-13
defining the drawing region 4-7 free space phase number 7-3
lines 4-9
sheets 4-9
the 2D cross-section 4-9 G
the radiation boundary 4-13 geometric model
drawing region completed 4-15
absolute and relative coordinates 4-7 creating 4-8
defining 4-7 materials 5-2
grids 4-7 ports and boundaries 5-5
drawing units, selecting 4-3 sample problem 1-3
Driven Solution 4-2 saving 4-12
solution parameters 6-2
starting the 3D Modeler 4-3
E graphical user interface vi
Eigenmode Solution 4-2 grayed-out commands 2-7
electric fields Green’s function 7-3
animated, cloud plot 7-7 grids 4-7
behavior at the aperture 1-3, 4-9 GUI, see graphical user interface
behavior on a symmetry plane 5-13
behavior on Perfect E boundaries 5-4
behavior on Perfect H boundaries 5-5, 5-11 H
elements, meshing 1-2 help
excitation waves 5-4 accessing 4-4
Executive Commands context-sensitive 4-4
Draw 4-3

Index-2
I O
impedance multiplier 5-8 objects
installing Maxwell software iv copying 4-14
dragging vi
in the sample problem 4-8
L overlapping 4-14
lines, drawing 4-9 saving 4-12
subtracting 4-14
sweeping 4-11
M opening
Project Manager 2-2
making movies 7-7
projects 3-2
Material Manager, starting 5-2
materials
assigning 5-3 P
material database 5-2
Maxwell Control Panel Perfect E boundary
accessing from a PC 2-2 behavior of E-field on 5-4
accessing from a workstation 2-2 defining 5-9
opening projects from 2-2 Perfect H boundary
menus behavior of E-field on 5-5
about vii defining 5-11
pop-up vii phase animation 7-7
pull-down vii plotting
mesh animated cloud plot 7-7
elements 1-2 far fields 7-5
example of 1-2 ports
refining adaptively 6-2 about 5-4
seeding 6-3 defining 5-7
modeler, see 3D Modeler impedance multiplier 5-8
modes selecting faces 5-7
conversion 1-3 post processors
TE11 1-3, 4-9 3D 7-2
TM11 1-3, 4-9 Fields 7-2
mouse vi Matrix Data 7-2
movies, making 7-7 Matrix Plot 7-2
selecting 7-1
project directory
N creating 2-4
definition of 2-4
near-field region 7-3
Project Manager commands
notes describing project 2-7
Add 2-4
Change Dir 2-5

Index-3
 New 2-6 face snap 4-6
Open 3-2 specifying 4-6
Save Notes 2-7 solution
Project Manager, opening 2-2 frequency 6-2
projects general procedure 3-4
Ansoft HFSS 2-6 viewing convergence data 6-5
changing directories 2-5 Solution Monitoring area 6-4
creating 2-6 solutions
describing (notes) 2-7 adaptive 6-2
displaying geometric model 2-7 changing problem after 6-4
names 2-6 driven 4-2
opening 3-2 eigenmode 4-2
general procedure 6-4
setting solution parameters 6-2
R viewing convergence data 6-5
radiation boundary 5-4, 5-14 solver types
and virtual objects 4-13 Driven 4-2
distance from source 4-13 Eigenmode 4-2
drawing 4-13 selecting 4-2
seeding 6-3 starting Ansoft HFSS 3-2
rE-field 7-5 status bar 4-4
regions, near-field and far-field 7-3 subtracting objects 4-14
relative coordinates 4-7 sweeping objects 4-11
rendering 3-3 symmetry boundaries 5-5
defining 5-13
impedance multiplier 5-8
S perfect E versus perfect H 5-13
restrictions 5-13
sample problem 1-3
saving
geometric model 4-12 T
notes 2-7
seeding the mesh 6-3 TE11 mode 1-3, 4-9
selecting TM11 mode 1-3, 4-9
by name 5-7 tool bar, about viii
drawing units 4-3
faces (for ports) 5-7
post processor 7-1
U
solver type 4-2 units, selecting 4-3
surfaces (for boundaries) 5-7
sheets, drawing 4-9
side window, about 4-5 V
snap-to settings view windows 4-3
edge snap 4-6 viewing

Index-4
 boundaries 5-15
convergence 6-5
views
filled 3-3
wireframe 3-3
virtual objects and radiation boundaries 4-13

W
windows
3D Modeler 4-4
side window 4-5
view windows 4-3
wireframe view 3-3

Z
zooming in and out 3-3

Index-5
Index-6