Introduction to Ansys HFSS

two-day course

This course provides an introduction to the HFSS environment of the Ansys Electronics Desktop (AEDT) Suite. The general problem addressed is that of the high frequency electromagnetic field. The course focuses on the use of the HFSS user interface. This tool is included in the Ansys HFSS Premium and ANSYS Electronics Enterprise licenses. Within this interface, one can create CAD geometry, import CAD geometry, assign material properties, apply excitations, perform solutions, and review analysis results.

The course presents solutions to general electromagnetic problems encountered by most antenna/RF designers. Approaches for calculating characteristic impedance, S-parameters, electric/magnetic fields, and near/far fields are covered. Most workshops begin with projects where CAD geometry has already been prepared or is drawn in the tool as part of the exercise. DRD encourages students to bring ACIS files with them to the training (preferably from their workplace) if they desire to test their own geometry.

Module 1: Overview of HFSS
Workshop 1.1 — Band Pass Filter Simulation03042021_HFSS_1.1.png

This workshop introduces the HFSS application via a previously set up simulation of a microwave band pass filter. 

Module 2: Boundaries and Simulation Space
Workshop 2.1 — Patch Antenna Open Region03042021_HFSS_2.1.png

This workshop starts with a project that does not yet have the open region boundary assigned. The user will create both the region air box and the radiation boundary assignment.

Workshop 2.2 — Coax Bend Finite Conductivity Boundary 03042021_HFSS_2.2.png

This workshop demonstrates how to change the default PEC boundary on an HFSS coaxial bend model to a finite conductivity boundary.

Module 3: HFSS FEM Solution Setup
Workshop 3.1 — SMA Stub Auto Solution Setup 03042021_HFSS_3.1.png
This workshop demonstrates a HF simulation of an SMA Coax Microstrip Stub and the resulting S-parameters.
 

Workshop 3.2 — Band Pass Filter Broadband Mesh 03042021_HFSS_3.2.png

This workshop demonstrates the broadband mesh capabilities of HFSS on a microwave filter simulation.

Module 4: Simulation Post Processing
Workshop 4.1 — Coax Tee S-Parameters and Fields 03042021_HFSS_4.1.png
This workshop on HFSS post-processing focuses on rectangular plots of S-parameters and field plots on a simple coaxial “T” geometry.

Workshop 4.2 — Patch Antenna Smith Chart and Field Plots
03042021_HFSS_4.2.png
This workshop demonstrates plotting the S-parameters of a patch antenna in Smith Chart format, as well as plotting electric fields on a surface.
Module 5: Geometry Construction

Workshop 5.1 — Microstrip Bend Geometry Construction 03042021_HFSS_5.1.png

This workshop demonstrates creating parameterized HFSS geometry from scratch. The geometry created is a microstrip transmission line with a right-angle bend. 

Workshop 5.2 — WR 90 Waveguide Filter Geometry Construction 03042021_HFSS_5.2.png
This workshop demonstrates creating parameterized geometry for a WR 90 X-band waveguide.

Workshop 5.3 — Assigning a Finite Conductivity Boundary to Band Pass Filter 03042021_HFSS_5.3.png

This workshop changes the default PEC boundary on a band pass filter example to a finite conductivity with aluminum properties.

Module 6: HFSS Lumped and Wave Port Basics
Workshop 6.1 — Microstrip Bend Lumped Ports Simulation 03042021_HFSS_6.1.png
This workshop starts with a microstrip transmission line with a right-angle bend built in the geometry and demonstrates creating lumped ports along with calculating the resulting S-parameters.
Workshop 6.2 — Waveguide Wave Ports Simulation 03042021_HFSS_6.2.png

This workshop demonstrates exciting a wave guide with wave ports and post processing the results.

Module 7: Optimetrics and High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Workshop 7.1 — Microstrip Bend Parameter Sweep 03042021_HFSS_7.1.png

This workshop demonstrates a parameter sweep and tuning exercise on a microstrip bend.

Workshop 8.1 — 30mm Coax Construction and Simulation 03042021_HFSS_8.1.png

This workshop is an unscripted exercise to practice HFSS concepts with no detailed instructions. Only a general outline of the problem is provided.

Course Enrollment and Schedule

Introduction to Ansys HFSS