Graphical User Interface (Basic Package):

• Import-2D (DXF 12, GDS 2, Gerber, Excellon, HPGL, Point list, Python script)
• Import-3D (STL, Nastran, Clipboard, Python script, Meta file), external converter STEP, IGES, ACIS, Parasolid
• Export-2D (DXF 12, GDS, Gerber, PS, HPGL, MLS, Excellon, JPEG, PNG, CGM)
• Export-3D (STL, SAT, DXF 12, Clipboard), external converter STEP, IGES, ACIS, Parasolid
• Polygonal lines, cylinders, bodies of revolution (can be parameterized)
• Arbitrary volumes and shells (3D Solids, can be parameterized)
• Selective import, healing and simplify function for imported objects
• Templates of transmission lines, SMDs, inductors, antennas, examples
• Boolean operations, copy, array, move, stretch, scale, oversize, rotate, mirror
• Parameterized move, stretch, scale, oversize, rotate
• Parameterized physical properties (permittivity, permeability, conductivity, resistance, inductance, capacitance)
• Automatic and manual mesh with fast meshed objects preview
• Layer concept for control of objects with common properties
• Priority concept for intersecting objects
• Structure list for creating and editing object properties
• Port Library (Coaxial, CPW, MSL, Triplate, Lumped port, Waveguide port)
• Connectivity check, e.g. for multi-layered circuits
• Context driven tool bar, navigation list, on-line help, Progress bar, Grid bars
• Internal Clipboard with up to 9 selections
• User defined Shortcuts, Dynamic snap, zoom,
• Fast 3D rendering with dynamic transparency control, Pan, Rotate, Zoom
• Object snap on edges, corners, midpoints

Materials (Basic Package)

• Broadband lossy dielectrics, Database extendable
• Broadband lossy conductors, Database extendable
• Ideal conductor, PEC, Absorbers
• Anisotropic dielectric and magnetic lossy material
• Lossy Dielectrics (Debye Model)
• Ideal and lossy Meta materials
• Resistive sheets (Rsquare, advanced skin effect model)
• Line resistance
• Biological tissues with mass density definition
• Diode model

Excitations (Basic Package):

• Concentrated and absorbing ports / feed lines
• Plane waves with arbitrary polarization and incidence direction
• Homogeneous field (two opposite plane waves)
• Templates of excitation functions (Gaussian pulse, sinusoidal, rectangular, linear, user-defined)
• Sequential simulations of multiple ports
• Simultaneous simulations of multiple ports with delays or multi signal
• Rectangular and circular waveguide dominant mode excitation (at boundary or internally)

 

Excitations (Multiple Waveguide Module):

• Port Library (rectangular, circular and arbitrary waveguides)
• TE and TM modes in homogeneously filled waveguides with arbitrary cross section
• Calculation of cut-off frequencies of higher order TE and TM modes
• Generalized S-Matrix calculation
• Mode selection and preview capability

Solver (Basic Package):

• Boundary conditions: Electric, magnetic, PML (adjustable), resistive sheet
• Determination of required number of time steps from structure type
• Automatic convergence check with adjustable threshold
• On-line view of voltage and current time signal progress
• Adaptive on-line code generation, optimized for PC processors
• Multi-core, dual processor support with full access to RAM
• Batch processing (Job queueing, delayed simulation)
• Parameter sweep for variations
• Perfect Geometry Approximation (PGA) for curved and off-axis structures with no impact on simulation speed
• High speed simulation of large problems on HDD (Hard disk drive)

Solver (Optimizer Module):

• Discrete gradient optimizer
• Definition of multiple weighted goals, goal functions
• Optimizing value over frequency, value over angle, value over time

Solver (Remote Control Module):

• Distributing and controlling jobs on remote hosts over LAN
• Batch processing and optimization on multiple computers in network

Solver (Cluster Solver on Linux):

• Solving large scale problems parallel on multiple PCs
• Using complete RAM memory of multiple PCs, e.g. 100 GByte problem on 10x12Gbyte PCs
• Increase performance using multiple PCs inside a network

 

Solver (Low Frequency Module):

• Accelerating simulation for quasi static fields in biological tissues
• Low frequency algorithm (Gabriel Model)

2D Post Processing (Basic Package):

• Automatic generation of S-Parameters, impedances, voltages and currents over frequency
• Frequency range and number of points can be modified after simulation
• Autoregressive Resonance (AR) system estimation for high-Q structures
• Graph display: Zoom, scale, range, editable labels, multiple markers, curve selection
• Import of external data, e.g. measurements, for comparisons
• Results in plain text (ASCII format)
• Smith chart impedance plot
• User defined equations with templates for VSWR, inductance, Q factor, TDR, etc.
• Y and Z Matrix calculation
• Spice parameter extraction
• Touchstone file generation (S-matrix)
• De-embedding capability
• Field path calculation, interpolation, integration

3D Post Processing (Basic Package):

• Field recording in time or frequency domain in user defined volumes or planes
• Electric and magnetic field, surface current, current density, power flow
• 3D radiation pattern
• Display of colored contour, hill plots relative to structure
• Display of colored field vectors
• Current density on arbitrary surfaces
• Animations (Loop over angle, frequency, time steps)
• Export of field values in plain text (ASCII format)
• Superposition of near and far field results

2D Post Processing (Far Field Transformation Module):

• Antenna radiation pattern (theta-phi polarization, left right polarization, axial ratio)
• Unlimited number of frequency points
• Directivity, Gain, Absolute, Maximum normalizations
• Mirroring at boundaries, de-selection of boundaries
• Array definition with amplitude, phase, linear or angular displacement
• Co-ordinate system rotation and phase center translation
• Frequency dependent results
• Efficiency calculation
• RCS calculation
• ESA conformal far field ibrary
• Phase center calculation

3D Post Processing (SAR Calculation Module):

• SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) calculation with mass averaging and maximum location (C95.3, P1528)
• ACD (Average Current Density) calculation with area averaging and maximum location
• SAR/ACD precalculation

Voxel Editor (Voxel Editor Module):

• Editing and visualization of meshed body models
• Resize, rotate, shift, flood functions
• Gabriel parameter material calculations
• Slice through multiple planes

Operation System recommendations:

• Windows XP 32 bit, XP 64 bit, Vista 32 bit, Vista 64 bit, Windows 7
• Suse Linux 10.3 and higher, 64bit
• Redhat Fedora Linux, 64 bit
• Ubuntu Linux, 64 bit
  

Minimum Hardware requirements:

• Pentium 4, Pentium D, Core, Core 2, Xeon, Athlon FX
• 512 MB RAM or more
• Graphic card “OpenGL certified”
• Nvidia GEForce 5500 or better
• Hard disk space 500 MB
• Graphic resolution 1024*768 Pixel or more
• Three button wheel mouse

PC recommendations:

Workstation (eg. Dell Studio XPS 8100):

• 64bit Quad Core, Intel Core i7
• At least 3 Memory Modules

Multi CPU Workstation (eg. Dell Precision T7500):

• 64bit Quad Core, Intel Xeon Series 5600
• At least 3 Memory Modules

LAPTOP (e.g. Dell Precision M2400 or M6500):

• Intel Core2 Duo, or Intel Core i7 Quadcore
• 2 Memory Modules

Licensing Options:

• Basic Package, Optimizer, Remote, Waveguide, Far Field, SAR, Low frequency, Voxel, GUI, Cluster Solver
• node-locked to DISK serial number, MAC address, Dongle (Windows)
• node-locked to MAC address (Linux)
• floating (concurrent) (single or multiple licenses)
• Multiple Servers, multiple clients licensing
• yearly renewed (license may be transferred to other hardware) or
• permanent license (license may not be transferred)

Documentation:

• EMPIRE XCcel Short Manual (Getting started, main features)
• EMPIRE XCcel Full manual (Administration, User Interface, References, Theory)
• EMPIRE XCcel Application notes
• EMPIRE XCcel Tutorials
• EMPIRE XCcel Technical Specification