SIwave is an advanced EM tool used for complex and large PCBs, packages, and silicon interposers. A number of solvers are included in this package, including power integrity solvers, signal integrity solvers, EMI solvers, MTTF, and RLGC solvers.
DCIR solver
DCIR loss is the first concern of any PCB designer. When all the loads (dies) are withdrawing constant current, one must understand how the current flows from the source to the loads, and backwards from the loads to the source via the ground plane. The designer is interested in identifying hot spots, i.e., areas where there is a large amount of current in a small area, and eliminating them. It is also important for the designer to ensure that the maximum current flowing through any via does not exceed the limit. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the DCIR solver.
PI SYZ solver
If the PCB contains an ASIC die, then the current demand is not constant. It is important to take into account the inductance and capacitance of the powerplanes in this case. It is necessary for the designer to optimize the size of the powerplanes, ground planes, as well as the decoupling caps, in order to ensure that the AC impedance seen by the AC current is below a certain value. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the PI solver.
Resonant Modes solver
Even after adding the necessary decoupling caps, some powerplane designs have notches in the Z-curve, i.e. resonance. In some other designs, the EMI analysis indicates that the PCB is heavily radiating at specific frequencies. In this case, the designer should use the Resonant mode solver. The solver searches for all modes and identifies which net carries each mode. In addition, it identifies the center of the resonance. The user can then place the appropriate caps at that location. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the Resonant Mode solver.
MTTF solver
Using the DCIR, the user can run the MTTF, which calculates the median time to failure of the PCB. The information is extracted from the DCIR solver's calculation of power loss. As a result of this information, users are able to identify any possible electromigration issues on the PCB. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the MTTF solver.
Farfield solver
PCBs must comply with emission specifications. In order to calculate the emission curve for any PCB, SIwave uses the SYZ solver, the AEDT circuit, and then the FarField solver within SIwave. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the FarField solver.
Nearfield solver
PCBs must comply with emission specifications. If the Farfield results indicate that there is a violation, then the nearfield solver can be used to identify the source of the radiation. SIwave calculates the nearfield emission using the SYZ solver, the AEDT circuit, and then the NearField solver within SIwave. A plot of the emission can be used to identify its source. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the NearField solver.
Induced Voltage solver
EMC is also an issue in PCB. It is the susceptibility of the PCB to any noise coming from outside. SIwave uses the Induced Voltage solver, to bombard the PCB with a wave of a specific strength, hitting the PCB at a specific angle, and calculates the induced voltage at any port placed in the model by the user. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the Induced voltage solver.
Impedance Scan solver
In the case of large PCBs with thousands of RF lines, the SIwave Impedance Scanner can be used to determine the impedance of all the RF lines. To calculate the impedance, the solver uses physical dimensions and empirical formulas. Impedance scanning can be used to filter out those that deviate from the average by a small or large amount. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the Impedance Scanner solver.
Crosstalk Scan solver
The crosstalk Scanner Solver can be used to check the isolation of the powerplane, RF lines, and control lines. It is as fast as an impedance scanner. The analysis identifies the weak points in each of the nets. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the Crosstalk Scanner solver.
SIwizard solver
The integrity of signals is an important issue for most of the telecommunications industry. With the help of the AEDT circuit tool, SI can be performed in SIwave. Using SIwizard, SIwave collects all the necessary information about the RF nets, the signals used on them, and the IBIS models. Using the information, SIwave constructs the circuit in AEDT, solves for the PCB's S-parameter, and passes it on to the circuit. An automatic transient and eye analysis is performed in the circuit and the results are displayed without any additional effort on the part of the user. The following is a link to a video providing a quick introduction to the SIwizard solver.
TDRwizard solver
It is necessary to use the TDR wizard when it comes to large PCBs that have thousands of RF and control lines that need to be verified for continuity before they are released for manufacturing. This powerful tool performs TDR on all lines to identify discontinuities and their locations. The following is a link to a video about TDR solver.
