LINKÖPING UNIVERSITY TNE088

ITN RF Electronics

Simulation with Advanced Design System (ADS)

TNE088 RF Electronics

Laboration 1

Date and signature of the student

Signature of the Lab assistant

Purpose and objectives:

The students should achieve basic knowledge in modern radio frequency (RF) - simulation tools
such as Advanced Design System (ADS) from Agilent Inc. Time domain reflectometer
simulations, and simulation of S-parameters will be treated.

Examination:
To pass the lab, it is required to answer all the questions in the lab-PM, and it is also
recommended to have the lab-PM signed by the Lab assistant. Moreover, active participation
of each student is required. Students can be individually failed if necessary. Finally the
preparation tasks are mandatory and must be handed in before the laboration. Otherwise
participation is not allowed.
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Preparation tasks
#1 Solve the problem 2.13 (2.15, 1st ed.) in the text book. Note: In American 2nd edition it is
also problem 2.15. The problem description should start: “It is desired to construct a 50 Ω
microstrip line…”. An illustration of a microstrip-line and the equivalent transmission-line
model is seen in Fig. 1. The width etc. should be calculated not only be estimated with the
graphs in Ch. 2 (Of course graphs are needed as well.).

Microstrip

P1 Z0 P2
Gnd

(a) (b)

Fig. 1. Microstrip transmission line model, (a) transmission line, and (b) microstrip line illustration.

#2 How many degrees phase shift will the microstrip-line (in Problem #1) provide for a 1
GHz signal transmitted from port 1 (P1) to port 2 (P2), if the line-length is 15 cm?
#3 Define (Write mathematical expression involving phase velocity (vp), line length (l), time
delay (td)) and calculate the delay in ns that it takes a signal from port 1 (P1) to port 2 (P2) if
the (microstrip) line-length is 15 cm and all its other properties are as in Problem #1.
#4 How long should the line be to have an (effective) electrical length equivalent of half a
wavelength? In addition, how many degrees in electrical length (Eeff in ADS, i.e., effective
electrical length) does this line length correspond?
#5 The “50 Ω microstrip-line” (Z0 = 50 Ω) is terminated with 50 Ω as shown in Fig. 2, what
is the reflection coefficient at the load (Γ0), the input impedance (Zin), the reflection at the
input (looking into the line, Γ(d), and the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) at the input?
The line length d = 15 cm, the frequency is 1 GHz, the phase velocity is the same as for the
line calculated in Problem #1 (Hence, the connecting line/source has 50 Ω impedance as
well).

Γ(d)
Zin Z0 ZL
(P1)

d
Fig. 2. Terminated transmission line.

#6 If the load has 5 nH stray inductance in series in the case in problem #5, what is Γ0, Γ(d),
and Zin?

#7 How long time will it take for a 1 GHz signal that is inserted at port 1 (P1) and reflected at
ZL (Line, load setup still as in Fig. 2.) to return to P1, if the line-length is 15 cm? The

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microstrip line is the same as in the previous problems. The load (ZL) is an ideal resistive 1
kΩ load.

#8 Optional but recommended. If this is the first time using ADS; go to a computer hall and
have a look at the program you are going to use. The program should be available in all
laboratories in the fourth floor of house “Täppan” and in TP5021-23. Orient yourself with the
program, arriving at the lab you should be able to create a new empty Workspace project,
with millimeter as unit (Technology; 0.0001 mm layout resolution). How to add a new blank
schematic, and where to find common components. Otherwise it will be hard to finish the
laboration on time.

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Introduction guide
1. Start the program from the start menu Program/Advanced design system 20xx/Advanced
Design System. Note there are more tools in that menu like documentation of the program.
Secondly the exact link in the start menu might vary from computer hall to computer hall.

2. Create folders with explorer on H: for your own projects, i.e.,

H:\RFelectronics\laboration. From ADS program window, create a new project by clicking in
the menu “File/New/Workspace...”. This will start the ADS workspace wizard. Workspace is
the name for projects in ADS.

3. Step through the “New workspace wizard” that just was started, settings are suggested
below;
- First page; Introduction: Not important, read the information quickly and click “Next”
- Second page; Workspace Name: Select a suitable workspace name but avoid special
characters etc. Moreover, click on browse and select the folder where you want to store the
project.
- Third page; Add libraries: Check the box “Analog/RF”, leave the rest un-checked and
click “next”.

- Fourth page; Library Name: Typically leave unchanged and click “Next”.

- Fifth page; Technology: Choose: “Standard ADS Layers, 0.0001 millimeter layout
resolution” and click “next”

- Sixth page; Summary: Check that the information seems ok, click “Finish” and the
wizard will be closed. The new project is automatically opened but empty.

 The unit system can also be changed in the program main window under the menu
“Options/Technology/Technology Setup…”

4. To open/create a new schematic/layout window click in the menu “File/new/…”. In the

popup window enter a “Cell” name. Uncheck the box “Schematic Wizard”.

 Several schematic/layout/data-display windows inside a workspace/project can be open

at the same time.

5. In the upper left of the schematic window two scrollbars can be found in which different
group of components can be found. Pick one of the groups of components one will find more
of that component in the iconbar. The components can then be picked and dropped from the
iconbar into the workspace. Connection between the components can be done with the button

or by the hotkey (ctrl+w).

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Solve the problem 2.13 (2.15, 1st ed.) in the textbook using
LineCalc
1. If already haven’t: Create a new ”schematic” according to the introduction-guide.
2. Choose TLines-Microstrip from the scrollbar, see Fig. 3.

3. Pick the component MSUB and MLIN from the iconbar and place them
on the schematic, see Fig. 3.

Component search

Scrollbar

Iconbar

Fig. 3. Schematic window, component placement.

Note: to find more information about the components double-click on the

component and choose help in the pop-up window.
4. Select the component MLIN and click on the menu ”Tools\LineCalc\Send Selected
Component To LineCalc”. The simulation tool LineCalc will open, see Fig. 4.
The simulation tool LineCalc can also be open by clicking in the start menu
”Program/Advanced Design System 20xx/ADS Tools/LineCalc”

Note: Line calc (Program window shown in Fig. 4.) is used for two main
purposes:
- Synthesize; The electrical properties (Characteristic impedance and electrical
length) are known and the physical (Length and width) will be calculated
- Analyze; The physical properties are known and the electrical will be calculated

Material parameters and frequency must be entered in either case.

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5. Change the frequency and characteristic impedance to 1 GHz and 50  respectively.

Fig. 4. The ADS tool; LineCalc.

6. Fill in the values for the rest of the parameters (H = 0.787 mm, Er = 2.23, Cond =
5.8*10^7 S/m) and calculate the conductor width by clicking on the Synthesize button.
(Note: if the width is known and the characteristic impedance wanted to be calculate,
then use the button Analyze. Also if Synthesize doesn’t work, it says error, enter a
reasonable number for width (1 mm) and length (10 mm) and run Analyze, then
change to the desired characteristic impedance and run Synthesize (i.e., to get rid of the
bug, if it works once then the bug is gone for this session.).
7. In the ”Calculated Results” box, you can find the results like effective relative
dielectric constant (K_Eff), effective electrical length (E_Eff = βl), attenuation
(A_DB) and skindepth.

W =_________ mm
eff =_________ (K_Eff)

8. Insert the same line-length as in preparation task #2 (15 cm)

βl =_________ (E_Eff), in the textbook length is written with small l, in LineCalc instead
with L)

9. Use Linecalc to calculate how long one wavelength is in millimeters. Tip: E_Eff is the
electrical length, default unit is degrees in LineCalc.

 =_________ mm

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Time domain reflectometer (TDR)

Short about TDR:
The TDR works on the same principle as radar. A pulse of energy is transmitted down a
transmission line. When that pulse reaches the end of the cable, or a fault along the cable, part
or all of the pulse energy is reflected back to the instrument.
The TDR measures the time it takes for the signal to travel down the cable, see the problem,
and reflect back. The TDR then converts this time to distance and displays the information as
a waveform and/or distance reading.

Continue from previous exercise.

1. Use the microstrip-line calculated in the previous exercise, i.e., use the conductor/line
width that was synthesized in LineCalc the get a microstrip-line with 50 Ω
characteristic impedance. See step 2 how to transfer the calculated values from
LineCalc to a schematic automatically. Of course, it is ok to do it manually if one
wishes, but good to know to do it automatically.
2. In the schematic windows select the component MLIN and from the menu click on
”Tools\LineCalc\Update Selected Component From LineCalc”. The component will
automatically update with the values form LineCalc.
* Important: In ADS2011 (Seems to work in ADS2015 and newer) there is sometimes
a bug when transferring the MSUB element. Delete the MSUB and insert a new
substrate block manually. Or delete all THz, from dBase entry and below in the
MSUB setup.
3. In the menu ”Insert\Template\ads_templates:LinearStepRespT” you can pick a TDR
template with step response and place it in the schematic.
4. Connect as in Fig. 5 below, change the line length to 100 mm and simulate, if the
simulation is successful continue:

Fig. 5. Schematic with TDR simulation setup; Step response simulation of a T-line.

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5. Simulate with a few different length for MLIN and write down the result. What can be
said about the delay versus the line length; linear/ non-linear?
6. Consider the signal propagation delay. Compare with preparation task #3. Is the result
as expected? Explain why?
7. Change the schematic as shown in Fig. 6 below:

Fig. 6. Schematic with TDR simulation setup; Step response simulation of a T-line with varying load.

8. Simulate with following resistor values: 0, 25, 50, 100, and 1e6 . Look at the result
on top left graph.
What happens and why?

Using T-line theory (and math), can you explain the relation between the value of
the resistor and the final voltage level?

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TDR continued
1. Create a new blank schematic design and copy MSub and MLIN from previous
exercise.
2. In the menu ”Insert\Template\ads_templates:LinearPulseRespT” you can pick a TDR
template with pulse response and place it in the schematic.
3. Change the trise and period in LinearPulseResp block to 100 respective 1000 ps (1
GHz).
4. Connect the schematic like shown in Fig. 7 below.

Fig. 7. Schematic with TDR simulation setup; Pulse response simulation of a T-line with a stub.

5. Simulate for following conductor length: , /8 and /4 on the conductor, TL2,
connected to ground. Hint: In the first LineCalc task it was seen that physical
parameters (Width and length) could be calculated from electrical parameters
(Characteristic impedance and effective electrical length) and vice versa.
6. Look at the graph at bottom left (Rx5). Explain the phenomena.

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S-parameters
In this section, since we yet have not studied all chapters in the textbook; S11 should be seen
as Γ(d) or Γin. S21 should be seen as forward transmission, compare with transfer function
(H(jω)) in an AC-sweep in regular analog electronics (Vout/Vin).

Short about S-parameter simulations:

S-parameter simulations are used to retrieve S-parameter data for components, circuits etc. To
perform a simulation a S-param simulation block is needed, at-least one termination. The
termination block acts both as termination and source. Hence, to fulfill the conditions given
by the S-parameter definition with respect to terminated ports etc. Anyway the procedure is
automatic, just add a port at desired input, output etc. of the device under test. Remember
though that a termination is a “load”, e.g., a perfect 50-Ω resistor if the default value is used.
In this section S-parameter simulations on schematic level will be conducted. Short
explanation; standard components are represented as equations in polynomial form. For
instance, every object is simulated individually, the result is then combined.

The overall task is to simulate the microstrip-line calculated in the preparations.

#1 Create a new blank Schematic window
#2 Insert a S-parameter simulation template: In the schematic window, in the menu
”Insert\Template\ads_templates:S-params”, should look like Fig. 8 below:

Fig. 8. Setup for S-paramter simulation on schematic level.

#3 Add your microstrip-line and substrate like was done in the first exercise. Components:
MSUB and MLIN from the library T-lines microstrip. Substrate parameters should be the
same as in the preparation problem, not mentioned parameters can be default except
conductor thickness (T) that should be 18 μm. Length should be 15 cm, i.e., like in
preparation exercise #2. Connect as shown in Fig. 9.

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Fig. 9. S-parameter simulation of microstrip-line on schematic level.

#4 Change start stop frequency to 0.1 and 3 GHz, respectively, step = 0.01 GHz.
#5 Change “DisplayTemplate” to “S_21_11_wZoom” the one shown in Fig. 9. Display
template opens various data plots automatically. Moreover, data can of-course be plotted
manually, in a data display; just select the kind of plot rectangular Smith, polar etc. and add
the desired data. This goes for all kind of simulations in ADS, not just S-parameters.
#6 Simulate (short-key F7), is the Microstrip-line well impedance matched?
#7 Change the width (W) and simulate 2-3 more times. Reasonable values are half the
calculated width, two and three times the calculated width. Compare and explain what
happens, i.e., both in the Smith Chart (S11) and the (Rectangular plot) transmission plot of S21.
Note: Rectangular plots will scale automatically, i.e., note the scale on the Y-axis before
commenting or even better set the Y-scale to a fixed scale, is done; Double click on the graph:
“Plot Options/yAxis/” uncheck the box “Auto scale” then enter the desired min, max and step
value for the axis.
#8 Finally; set the width back to the calculated value, i.e., that means the value it should have
for good impedance match. If the pre-calculation was wrong a width providing a good match
should be found first. Keep the design as it is and continue to the next section.

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S-parameters - continued
Short about S-parameter simulations on layout level:
S-parameter simulations on schematic level (utilizes expressions/equations in literal form, i.e.,
the same principal as when problems are calculated by hand using the equations in the course
text-book. Typically the models have more terms so should be slightly more accurate.). In
layout the whole circuit is simulated with an electromagnetic solution engine. Hence, the
computer knows nothing about the component; the solution is done from scratch every time.
In ADS the default engine that is used is Momentum. Momentum is a method of moments
that divides the circuit into small pieces (cells), i.e., so small that the pieces have a uniform
current distribution (At-least 10 cells per wavelength, standard is 20, more will ensure higher
accuracy/reliability but will slow down the simulation.). How the different cells effects on
other is solved in a huge matrix (Not visible to the user other than the memory consumption in
the task manager), then when the system has solved the matrix the wave properties, i.e., S-
parameters between different ports are calculated.

#1 Insert pins in the schematic design, at both the terminations, then port will be created
automatically when transferring to layout, see Fig. 10(a) and (b):

(a)

(b)

Fig. 10. Layout preparation of schematic, (a) insert pin, and (b) layout generate ready schematic.

#2 In the schematic window; menu: “Layout/Generate/Update Layout…”, layout generation

settings window should appear and look like Fig. 11, simply click ok, default settings should
be ok: (Note: The default port size is very small when working with mm as project unit

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(a)

(b)

Fig. 11. Layout generation, (a) generation options window, and (b) generated layout.

#3 In the layout open the menu “EM/Simulation Setup” (or simply click F6 and the simulation
setup window will pop up.
#4 In the Simulation Setup window (See Fig. 12) select Substrate and then New:

Fig. 12. Simulation Setup window.

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#5 The window in Fig. 13 should now have appeared. Import the substrate from the
schematic: “File/Import/Substrate From Schematic…”.

Fig. 13. Substrate setup.

#6 The imported substrate should look something like in Fig. 14 below; Note that there are
more mapped layers than what is needed, cond, substrate, the cover layer below, and the air
above is what is important. Save and close the window.

Fig. 14. Imported substrate.

#7 Go back to the simulation setup window, in the substrate menu select the substrate that was
just imported in the drop down bar, the name of the substrate should be the same as the name
of the schematic.

#8 In the simulation setup window select “Frequency plan”, change start, stop to 0.1 and 3
GHz, respectively. Save simulation setup and click simulate. Start simulation can also be done
with “F7” directly from the layout window.

#9 Watch the result, compare with the schematic simulation. If there is time simulate different
widths, look at the various options in the simulation setup. Also remember that layout can
simulate any metal shape, e.g., place a 5x5 cm square in layer cond over the middle of the
wire or draw a random circuit shape.

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