Genesys Products - Momentum GX Simulation Module

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W1610L Momentum GX brings "first-pass" accuracy and the affordable convenience of fast, integrated co-simulation to independent designers focused on traditional RF Board and microwave components and subsystems.

Momentum GX is a 3D-planar electromagnetic (EM) simulator that enables RF and microwave designers to significantly expand the range and accuracy of their passive circuits and circuit models. The ability to analyze arbitrary shapes, on multiple layers and to consider real-world coupling, resonators, matching elements, and parasitic effects makes Momentum GX an indispensable tool for verifying high-frequency physical design of both passive and active circuits.

Momentum works within the Agilent Genesys environment to compute S-, Y-, and Z-parameters of general planar circuits. Microstrip, stripline, slotline, coplanar waveguide, as well as board traces and pads other circuit topologies can be analyzed quickly and accurately co-simulated with active circuitry using Momentum GX. Vias that connect one layer to another enable design engineers to more fully and accurately simulate multilayer printed circuit boards and hybrids, as well as MMIC metallizations.

The simulator is based on proven, mature Method of Moments (MoM) technology in use by thousands of Agilent EDA users on several EDA platforms, and now supports Genesys. Genesys with Momentum GX gives independent RF & Microwave component designers access to a complete, accurate physical design environment at an affordable price to achieve first-pass microwave design success.

Powerful EM Simulation in a Simple Package

Momentum GX includes two unique simulation modes: an RF, or quasi-static, mode and a microwave, or full-wave mode; both available in 32 and 64-bit flavors. Microwave mode provides a full-wave EM solver capable of full dispersion and radiation simulation. RF mode provides a quasi-static EM solver for significantly faster simulation of much larger circuits without sacrificing accuracy. The quasi-static solver in Momentum RF makes it possible to neglect loss mechanisms such as space and substrate radiation, providing accurate results in a fraction of the time.

Momentum GX is for RF and microwave designers who want to simulate the shape, size, and position of passive distributed circuits, accounting for their proximity. It supplements other simulation tools to let RF and microwave designers significantly expand the valid range and accuracy of their passive circuit libraries, including parasitic models or entire circuits. Unlike conventional circuit simulators, Momentum GX provides S-parameter data where no models exist, or where model ranges are exceeded.

Momentum GX offers an industry proven 3D-Planar EM solvers fully integrated in an easy to use Genesys environment to all RF and microwave engineers to achieve first pass success without needing to leave the Genesys design flow. It brings powerful EM simulation technology to a very accessible high-frequency design environment.

When to Use Momentum GX 3-D Planar EM Simulator

Momentum 3-D planar EM modeling is especially valuable in the following design situations:

• When Parasitic Coupling is Present
  Even when circuit models are physically far apart, unexpected coupling can take place. Examples include stubs that seem sufficiently separated, but are actually inductively couple to each other because of a resonance condition, and surface waves that are bound to substrate interfaces and are excited when the right substrate parameters and frequencies are present. Momentum GX predicts the parasitic coupling and radiation.

• When a Circuit Model Does Not Exist
  Momentum GX should be used when a circuit model does not exist. For example, if a designer wants to analyze a microstrip Y-junction for which there is no model, Momentum GX is the solution.

• When There are Slots in Ground Planes
  Designers remove portions of ground planes for a variety of reasons, such as reducing the capacitance to ground of a spiral inductor, or to allow a via to pass through a ground plane. Momentum GX ability to treat metal slots as easily as metal patterns is an added advantage. For example, Momentum GX performs efficient analysis of coplanar waveguide circuits.

• When the Model Range is Exceeded
  All circuit simulator models are developed with a number of range limited control parameters, (such as width, length, height, or dielectric constant,). Some models break down gradually, while others generate significant errors as soon as the range limits are exceeded. Momentum GX allows designers to generate highly accurate models beyond these built-in range limits.

Momentum GX is part of a very cost-effective design flow that can start from the schematic or layout environment in Genesys. Once the design is in layout, it is meshed and solved to produce S-parameters. These S-parameters can be used as a schematic element for further simulations as part of another circuit to allow RF and microwave engineers at achieve first-pass design success with budget significantly lower than comparable solutions.

How is Momentum GX different from ADS Momentum?

Momentum GX is tightly integrated into the Genesys environment, and its UI is based on the Use Model established by Empower. ADS Momentum serves additional high-performance enterprise applications in IC design, signal integrity, and has expanded solver, licensing, and features, such as Advanced Model Composer that are not available in Genesys. Momentum GX is licensed separately from ADS, only for use with Genesys.

How is Momentum GX different from Genesys Empower?

Momentum GX overcomes the gridded limitations of Empower, and has many more efficient algorithmic advantages that make it substantially more efficient. Momentum GX also has a quasi-static RF mode, that allows for 5x-10x speed advantage over the "microwave mode" for electrically small problems. It is expected that Momentum GX will be typically 10x faster than Empower, as well as more accurate. Empower will continue to be available as a very low cost EM option for certain RF board applications.

Owners of the Genesys Empower simulator are invited to upgrade to Momentum GX at a 20% discount. Try it today!

Video Demo/Training

• Basics of Using Momentum GX in GENESYS - self-paced training course. Flash player required.

Literature

• Advances in EM Modeling for Circuit Designers, June 17, 2008. (PDF, 4.37MB).
• Basics of Using Momentum GX in Genesys - self-paced training course - October 2007
• Momentum GX - Electromagnetic Simulation for Genesys - 4-page data sheet, 18 September 2007 (PDF, 238 KB)

Articles and Publications

• September 19, 2007 -- Agilent Technologies' Latest Genesys Software Provides First-Pass RF/Microwave Accuracy, Shorter Physical Design Cycles
• Agilent Technologies, Premier Planar EM Tool Integrated into Budget-conscious RF EDA Environment, Microwave Journal, September 2007. Current issue: Microwave Journal.
• David Vye, Technical Editor, Microwave Journal Speaks with Todd Cutler, Senior Manager, Agilent EEsof EDA, Microwave Journal, 5 September 2007. Current issue: Microwave Journal.

Configuration

For PC Users

W1610L Momentum GX is a software suite that runs on PCs. Momentum GX helps you save design time by allowing you to perform electromagnetic analysis, layout, and linear analysis of your RF/microwave designs in a single, completely integrated environment.

Momentum GX Platform Compatibility

Momentum is supported on the following PC platforms equipped with Agilent Genesys:

• Windows® XP or Vista.

System Requirements

To effectively run Momentum GX, your system should meet these specifications:

• 512 (minimum) MB of RAM for Windows® XP: 2 GB for Windows® Vista.
• 600 MB hard disk space for complete program and part library installation.
• CD-ROM drive.

For full details on compatible configurations, please visit the Software Versions, Computer Platforms, and Operating Systems page.