Segmented Physics-Based Modeling of Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards Using Stripline Ports

Abstract

This paper introduces physics-based stripline ports for a segmented optimization of component footprints on printed circuit boards (PCBs). A segmentation is used for dividing a digital communication system into well-defined parts that are considered to be mostly independent. This technique is widely used in conjunction with generic 3-D electromagnetic field solvers, but it is new to physics-based models that until now only allow for ports at the upper and lower via ends, i.e., on PCB surfaces. Evidence of feasibility is provided by means of correlation with measurements and full-wave simulations up to 40 GHz. Since physics-based models can efficiently capture and simulate even systems of thousands of elements within acceptable computation time, the results of a segmented simulation can easily be compared to the full-board environment. The corresponding results are correlated to investigate limitations.