Application Note Optimizing a Coaxial Connector to Microstrip Transition Overview “Ths application note illustrates the use of the Analyst 3D finite element method (FEM! electromagnetic (EM) simulator, fully integrated ‘within the NI AWR Design Environment platform, for optimizing (matching of) @ coaxial connector microstrip transition. Analyst simplifies, {design by keeping all design data within one project file, including connectors, bonded packages, housing, or any other arbitrary 3D ‘objects. Various transition models from diferent connectors to diferent board substrates can Ikewise be stored as a brary and ‘conveniently used in any subsequent circuit design The Design Inthe schematic (peren document,» printed circuit boer has been drauzn withthe signal trace, The 3D connector thats designed for 20 mi substtates is, technically speaking sub mode! orchid) ofthe parent document, making the design hierarchical The connector rode! alows fr the placement of a port on the coaxial cable end ofthe connector (input pot) an forthe ether port tobe defined as regular wave port atthe end ofthe ricrosti outout port). The reference plane of the output port is maved just after the connector, Itis important to note that when comparing measurement results to simulated ones, the transition from the measurement hardware coaxial cable tothe signal tace of the device under test (UM), as shown in Figure 1, 's commonly assumed tobe ideal In realty, however, this ideal concition can result in data mismatch (simulation data =/ measurements) at higher frequencies. Figure 1: The transition from the measurement hardvrare's coaxial cable to the signal trace of the DUT. Figure 2: The “idea!” assumption is implicitly made as soon as Coax signal in the simulation npuvioutput ports are placed on the trace, in this case the microstrip or coplanar waveguide This ideal assumption is implitly made as soon as the simulation input and output ports are placed on the trace. In this case itis the rmicrostrip or coplanar waveguide, as shown in Figure 2. Here the simulation port is drectly placed on the ricrostrip, thereby neglecting the discontinuity represented by the connector in Figure 1 and thus systematically distorting the sirulated versus measured results While there are multiple methods that can be used to ensure thatthe vansition has as litle reflection as possible, using Analyst for the ‘method described in tis application note enables designers to treat the transition parasitics in an analyte fashion, moving away from the ideal assumption towards a more realistic approach, - NATIONAL ni.com/awr INSTRUMENTS:In Figure 3, the S11 of the transition roveals that the inhorent matching is satisfactory but only up to about 2 GHz. Given that the target design frequency is 10 GHz, the reflection is unacceptable (as high as ~10 dB inthis case} and thus optimization of the transition is ‘warranted, nat only o adress the oss of energy, but also to account for mismatch, ; ‘conte mere Sit — - © 2848.10, oan sorbed P2| Figure 3: The $11 in of the transition in a this coaxto-microstip graph reveals that the inherent matching is good only up te E about ? Gis, Optimization Strategy The transition madel canbe optimized ina schematic within NI AW Design Envonment by using ‘EM document’ as a regula sub made. By inserting a series L parallel C matching ccul, the tanston can be readily optimized at 10 GH. In mictoslp a series Lcan be realzed by a narrow segment of sti, while a parle canbe realized by a wide stip segment. Within NI AWWR Design Envonment softiare itis straightforward to optimize the requied sip dimensions, as shown in Figutes 4 and 5 Figure 4: It isa straightforward process to optimize the required strip dimensions In this tansiton mado! schematic using the EM document as a regular sub model om Figure 6: Reflection coefficient of the transition at coax port using the closed. form models of the matching circuit Igreen curve) |+ous.10 es Mito eben | as. owe eee P2Tho next stop for optimization isto put the matching circuit dimensions into the 3D connactor model and run another verification simulation (shown in Figure 6} ‘cont mie, =o8086.9 |-+oeustt.) 5 Mschngechemae ” -©-0e4st. Couto deented P2 Figure 6: Rotlection coeticiont of the transition at coax port including 2 full 20 ‘aide! of the matching circuit geometry (blue curve) View ancl animate the surface also insightful ure 6, this frst matching otfort results in excellent performance. at 10 GH2(s0e Figute 7}. Figure 7: Surface current annotation of the optimized tranaton at 10 GH Conclusion To summaris this simple matching loss than 20 dB reflection at 10 GHz (the target design frequency). The matching bandwith is now about 2 GHz and is easly and reliably optimized wit available with the optimized geometry as well rcuitfoptimization exercise provides signal transmission from the coax cable into the microstrip with the resulting EM modeled connector using convertional cult models. Final, a full 3D EM verified solution is readily ng design success in this application, The use of Analyst forthe EM simulation provided @ move realistic, reliable aporoach to ac o move smoothiy from ctcuit concept to full 3D EM Analyst 2D FEM technology within NI AWR Design Environment enables designers verification with a single mouse click