CST2013: EDA Import Overview

The following links to EDA tools are available:

• Agilent ADS? Co-Simulation

• AWR Microwave Office? Link

Additionally, a number of PCB/package formats can be imported into CST STUDIO SUITE and transformed into 3D simulation models:

• Agilent ADS files  (Modeling: Import/Export 3D FilesADS Model). Import Agilent ADS data up to version 2011.05 . The geometric complexity of the ADS model can be reduced by using ADS Simplification.

• Altium P-CAD (via ODB++)

• Altium Protel 99SE (via ODB++)

• Cadence Allegro? PCB Editor / Package Designer / Cadence SiP Layout   16.01, 16.2, 16.3, 16.5

• CST PCB STUDIO?

• CST Layout Database

• Mentor Graphics? Boardstation ASCII (via ODB++)

• Mentor Graphics? ExpeditionTM PCB ASCII   v2004, v2005, v2007.1, v2007.2, for later versions, via ODB++ (see this note)

•  Mentor Graphics? Hyperlynx   From version 2.0 and onwards (see this note).

•  Mentor Graphics? PADS? ASCII    v2005.0, v2005.2, v2007.0, v9.0, v9.2, v9.3

• ODB++    6.4, 7.0

• Simlab PCBMod    all versions

• Zuken CR-5000 Board Designer ASCII    12.01 and lower

• Zuken Visula

The EDA import process of PCBs/packages consists of two steps: Firstly, the layout data is converted from one of the above-mentioned formats into a proprietary CST database, which is then saved copied into the present CST project. Secondly, the user prepares the layout for the desired 3D electromagnetic simulation task, which is carried out in a special dialog, covering

• Restriction of full layout to a sufficient sub-geometry (based on nets, layers, and restriction areas)

• Changing the layer stack-up (materials, thickness)

• Modifying R/L/C component specifications

• Defining ports

For details, see the documentation of the EDA import dialog.