Challenges and methodologies in EM simulation with circuit models

Combining circuit elements and complete circuit descriptions level with the EM predicted performance of electromagnetic techniques that generate electrical models of the component interconnects and the packaging or physical environment around the circuits is an area where the theory of engineering meets the art of engineering. The circuit node “0” for ground is a misnomer at times in simulation and adversely limits the understanding of circuit and EM co-simulation results. This coupled with a lack of understanding regarding consistence device (transistor or passive elements) and EM structure excitation can result in structures and simulation results that do not accurately reflect the true physical problem and thus inaccurate results are obtained. In this paper the authors will frame the issues and describe methodologies for combining these two different simulation domains to improve the predicted performance of computer models to guide the designer or design team to reliable and useful simulation results.