R-L-C structures on PCB

 

Hi,

recently I was assigned with the job to design a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
which does a kind of analog signal formatting through on-board designed
capacitances, inductances and resistances. These components must be designed
not as discrete components (SMD, etc.) but deliberately as stray
capacitances in the form of specially layouted transmission line segments
and 3D arrangements. The material of the PCB is predefined to be FR4.
Surely I can design the circuit with tools like PSpice etc. but when it
comes to design the calculated R, L, C values on the PCB I'm out of luck
with my tools. So my question is: Is there a tool (Mentor?) which contains
both circuit simulation AND PCB layout where I can design my defined
capacitances, inductances and resistances in the form of specially routed
transmission lines? What would be the best way to perform that task, anyway?
In my opinion it must be an iterative process. Has anyone experience in this
particular application field? Any help, suggestions and examples (maybe)
would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance and best regards,

Melanie

 

Melanie Nasic wrote:

Melanie,
I am assuming that you are dealing with microwave frequencies, right?
If so, what you need is an RF design tool, not just a basic analog
simulator.  For my money, take a look at Microwave Office
(www.mwoffice.com) and get the free demo for a month.  It is a lot more
intuitive and usable than many more expensive packages, and a few
friends of mine work there!

Charlie

 


Melanie Nasic wrote:

Just wondering why?  SMD R & C are so cheap and light weight.  PCB area
is more expensive than the parts.

 

Ansoft Designer might do what you want:

http://www.ansoft.com/ansoftdesignersv/capabilities.cfm

Leon

 

Hello Melanie,

up to 2 or 3 GHz it's possible to compute by hand. It works good if i use a
thickness of PCB of 1 mm.

Computation-formulas i've found in ISBN 3-723-6545-0, but only in german
language.

regards

baumann engineering