5.

1
Example – UHF Probe

The Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Probe

This example is intended to show you how to create, simulate, and analyze a
UHF probe, using the Ansoft HFSS Design Environment.

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Example – UHF Probe

Ansoft HFSS Design Environment

The following features of the Ansoft HFSS Design Environment are used to
create this passive device model
3D Solid Modeling
Primitives: Cylinders, Boxes
Boolean Operations: Unite, Subtract
Boundaries/Excitations
Ports: Wave Ports
Analysis
Sweep: Fast Frequency

Results
Cartesian plotting

Field Overlays:
3D Far Field Plots

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Getting Started

Launching Ansoft HFSS

1. To access Ansoft HFSS, click the Microsoft Start button, select Programs, and select
the Ansoft, HFSS 11 program group. Click HFSS 11.

Setting Tool Options

To set the tool options:
Note: In order to follow the steps outlined in this example, verify that the
following tool options are set :
1. Select the menu item Tools > Options > HFSS Options

2. HFSS Options Window:

1. Click the General tab

Use Wizards for data input when creating new boundaries: ;

Checked
Duplicate boundaries with geometry: ; Checked
2. Click the OK button

3. Select the menu item Tools > Options > Modeler Options.

4. Modeler Options Window:

1. Click the Operation tab

Automatically cover closed polylines: ; Checked

2. Click the Drawing tab

Edit property of new primitives: ; Checked

3. Click the OK button

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Opening a New Project

To open a new project:
1. In an Ansoft HFSS window, click the  On the Standard toolbar, or
select the menu item File > New.
2. From the Project menu, select Insert HFSS Design.

Set Solution Type

To set the solution type:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Solution Type

2. Solution Type Window:

1. Choose Driven Terminal

2. Click the OK button

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Creating the 3D Model

Set Model Units

To set the units:
1. Select the menu item Modeler > Units

2. Set Model Units:

1. Select Units: in (inches)

2. Click the OK button

Set Default Material

To set the default material:
1. Using the 3D Modeler Materials toolbar, choose Select

2. Select Definition Window:

1. Type copper in the Search by Name field

2. Click the OK button

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Creating Annular Rings

Creating a ring is accomplished by creating a cylinder that represents the outer
radius and a cylinder that represents the inner radius. By performing a Boolean
subtraction, the resulting geometry is a ring.
For this model, two sets of rings are necessary. Instead of manually creating
both rings, we will create one ring, copy it, and edit the dimensions of the copy.
Create Ring 1
1. Select the menu item Draw > Cylinder

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the cylinder position

X: 0.0, Y: 0.0, Z: 0.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the radius:

dX: 0.31, dY: 0.0, dZ: 0.0, Press the Enter key
4. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the height:

dX: 0.0, dY: 0.0, dZ: 5.0, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: ring_inner

3. Click the OK button

To fit the view:

1. Select the menu item View > Fit All > Active View. Or press the CTRL+D
key

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Creating Annular Rings (Continued)

Create Ring 1 (Continued)
1. Select the menu item Draw > Cylinder

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the cylinder position

X: 0.0, Y: 0.0, Z: 0.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the radius:

dX: 0.37, dY: 0.0, dZ: 0.0, Press the Enter key
4. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the height:

dX: 0.0, dY: 0.0, dZ: 5.0, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: ring_1

3. Click the OK button

To select objects to be subtracted:

1. Select the menu item Edit > Select > By Name

2. Select Object Dialog,

1. Select the objects named: ring_1, ring_inner

2. Click the OK button

To subtract:
1. Select the menu item Modeler > Boolean > Subtract

2. Subtract Window

Blank Parts: ring_1

Tool Parts: ring_inner
Clone tool objects before subtract: † Unchecked
Click the OK button

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Creating Annular Rings (Continued)

Create Ring 2
1. Select the menu item Edit > Select > By Name

2. Select Object Dialog,

1. Select the objects named: ring_1

2. Click the OK button

3. Select the menu item Edit > Copy

4. Select the menu item Edit > Paste

Change the dimensions of Ring 2

1. To change the dimensions of ring_2, expand the model tree as shown
below. It should be noted that order of the editing is important. If you make
the inner radius > then the outer radius, a invalid object will result and it will
be removed from the model.
2. Using the mouse, double click the left mouse button on the CreateCylinder
command for ring_2
3. Properties dialog
1. Change the radius to: 0.5 in

2. Click the OK button

4. Using the mouse, double click the left mouse button on the CreateCylinder
command for the ring_inner1
5. Properties dialog
1. Change the radius to: 0.435 in

2. Click the OK button

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Create Arm_1
To create Arm_1
1. Select the menu item Draw > Box

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the box position

X: -0.1, Y: -0.31, Z: 5.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the opposite corner of the base
rectangle:
dX: 0.2, dY: -4.69, dZ: -0.065, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: Arm_1

3. Click the OK button

To fit the view:

1. Select the menu item View > Fit All > Active View. Or press the CTRL+D
key.

Group Conductors
To group the conductors:
1. Select the menu item Edit > Select All Visible. Or press the CTRL+A key

2. Select the menu item, Modeler > Boolean > Unite

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Create the Center pin

To create the center pin
1. Select the menu item Draw > Cylinder

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the cylinder position

X: 0.0, Y: 0.0, Z: 0.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the radius:

dX: 0.1, dY: 0.0, dZ: 0.0, Press the Enter key
4. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the height:

dX: 0.0, dY: 0.0, dZ: 5.1, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: center_pin

3. Click the OK button

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Create Arm_2
To create Arm_2
1. Select the menu item Draw > Box

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the box position

X: -0.1, Y: 0.0, Z: 5.1, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the opposite corner of the base
rectangle:
dX: 0.2, dY: 5.0, dZ: -0.065, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: Arm_2

3. Click the OK button

To fit the view:

1. Select the menu item View > Fit All > Active View.

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Create the Grounding Pin

To create the grounding pin
1. Select the menu item Draw > Cylinder

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the cylinder position

X: 0.0, Y: 1.0, Z: 0.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the radius:

dX: 0.0625, dY: 0.0, dZ: 0.0, Press the Enter key
4. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the height:

dX: 0.0, dY: 0.0, dZ: 5.1, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: pin

3. Click the OK button

Group Conductors
To group the conductors:
1. Select the menu item Edit > Select > By Name

2. Select Object Dialog,

1. Select the objects named: Arm_2, center_pin, pin

Note: Use the Ctrl + Left mouse button to select multiple

objects
2. Click the OK button

3. Select the menu item, Modeler > Boolean > Unite

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Create the Wave port

To create a circle that represents the port:
1. Select the menu item Draw > Circle

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the center position

X: 0.0, Y: 0.0, Z: 0.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the radius of the circle:

dX: 0.31, dY: 0.0, dZ: 0.0, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: p1

3. Click the OK button

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Set Default Material

To set the default material:
Using the 3D Modeler Materials toolbar, choose vacuum

Create Air
To create Air
1. Select the menu item Draw > Box

2. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the box position

X: -5.0, Y: -10.0, Z: 0.0, Press the Enter key

3. Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the opposite corner of the base
rectangle:
dX: 10.0, dY: 20.0, dZ: 12.0, Press the Enter key
To set the name:
1. Select the Attribute tab from the Properties window.

2. For the Value of Name type: Air

3. Set the Display Wireframe option to ; Checked

4. Click the OK button

To fit the view:

1. Select the menu item View > Fit All > Active View.

Create Radiation Boundary

To create a radiation boundary
1. Select the menu item Edit > Select > Faces

2. While holding the CTRL key, select all of the faces of the Air vacuum
object except the face on the XY plane. Use the rotate button in between
selections to access the back side faces.
3. Once the 5 faces are selected, go to the menu item HFSS > Boundaries
>Assign> Radiation
4. Radiation Boundary window
1. Name: Rad1

2. Click the OK button

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Create Wave Port Excitation 1 (Continued)

To select the object p1:
1. Select the menu item Edit > Select > By Name
2. Select Object Dialog,
1. Select the objects named: p1
2. Click the OK button
To assign wave port excitation
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Excitations > Assign > Wave Port
2. Place Arm_2 in the Conducting Object list and ring_1 in the Reference
Conductor list
3. Click the OK button

Rename the Wave Port and Terminal

1. Double click on WavePort1 under Excitations in the project tree.
2. Rename the port to p1
3. Click the OK button
4. Double click on the terminal named Arm_2_T1
5. Rename the terminal to T1
6. Click the OK button

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Create Infinite Ground Plane

To create an Infinite ground
1. Select the menu item Edit > Select > Faces

2. Graphically select the face of the Air object at Z=0

3. Select the menu item HFSS > Boundaries > Assign> Finite Conductivity

4. Finite Conductivity Boundary window

1. Name: gnd_plane

2. Use Material: ; Checked

3. Click the vacuum button

4. Select Definition Window:

1. Type copper in the Search

by Name field
2. Click the OK button

5. Infinite Ground Plane: ; Checked

6. Click the OK button

Create a Radiation Setup

To define the radiation setup
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Radiation > Insert Far Field Setup > Infinite
Sphere
2. Far Field Radiation Sphere Setup dialog
1. Infinite Sphere Tab

1. Name: ff_2d

2. Phi: (Start: 0, Stop: 90, Step Size: 90)

3. Theta: (Start: -180, Stop: 180, Step Size: 2)

2. Click the OK button

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Add Length Based Mesh Operation to the Radiation Boundary

Far fields are calculated by integrating the fields on the radiation surface. To
obtain accurate far fields for antenna problems, the integration surface should be
forced to have a λ/6 to λ/8 maximum tetrahedra length.
To create a length based seed on the radiation boundary:
Select the Air object by left clicking it in the drawing window
While the Air object is selected, move the mouse to the project tree and
right click on Mesh Operations > Assign > On Selection > Length Based
Name: LengthOnRadiation
Maximum Length of Elements: 3.5in (this is about λ/6 at 0.55GHz)
Click the OK button

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Analysis Setup

Creating an Analysis Setup

To create an analysis setup:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Analysis Setup > Add Solution Setup

2. Solution Setup Window:

1. Click the General tab:

Solution Frequency: 0.55 GHz

Maximum Number of Passes: 10
Maximum Delta S per Pass: 0.02
2. Click the Options tab:

Enable Iterative Solver: ; Checked

3. Maximum Click the OK button

Adding a Frequency Sweep

To add a frequency sweep:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Analysis Setup > Add Frequency Sweep

1. Select Solution Setup: Setup1

2. Click the OK button

2. Edit Sweep Window:

1. Sweep Type: Fast

2. Frequency Setup Type: Linear Count

Start: 0.35GHz
Stop: 0.75GHz
Count: 401
Save Fields: ; Checked
3. Click the OK button

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Save Project
To save the project:
1. In an Ansoft HFSS window, select the menu item File > Save As.

2. From the Save As window, type the Filename: hfss_uhf_probe

3. Click the Save button

Model Validation
To validate the model:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Validation Check

2. Click the Close button

Note: To view any errors or warning messages, use the Message

Manager.

Analyze
To start the solution process:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Analyze All

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Solution Data
To view the Solution Data:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Results > Solution Data

To view the Profile:

1. Click the Profile Tab.

To view the Convergence:

1. Click the Convergence Tab

Note: The default view is for convergence is Table. Select

the Plot radio button to view a graphical representations of
the convergence data.
To view the Matrix Data:
1. Click the Matrix Data Tab

Note: To view a real-time update of the Matrix Data, set the

Simulation to Setup1, Last Adaptive
To view the Mesh Statistics:
1. Click the Mesh Statistics Tab.

2. Click the Close button

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Create Reports

Create Terminal S-Parameter Plot - Magnitude

To create a report:
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Results > Create Terminal Solution
Data Report > Rectangular Plot
2.Traces Window:
1. Solution: Setup1: Sweep1

2. Domain: Sweep

3. Category: Terminal S Parameter

4. Quantity: St(T1,T1)

5. Function: dB

6. Click the New Report button

7. Click the Close button

Change the x-axis label settings:

1. Double click on the numbers on the plot’s x-axis to bring up the
properties window
2. Change the Number Format from Auto to Decimal

3. Change the Field Precision from 2 to 0

4. Click the OK button

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Far Field Overlays

Create Far Field Overlay

To create a 2D polar far field plot :
1. Select the menu item HFSS > Results > Create Far Fields Report >
Radiation Pattern
2. Traces Window:
1. Solution: Setup1: LastAdaptive

2. Geometry: ff_2d

3. In the Trace tab

1. Category: Gain

2. Quantity: GainTotal

3. Function: dB

4. Click the New Report button

5. Click the Close button

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