High Frequency Simulation
Antenna and Electromagnetic Simulation Software

About HFWorks

HFWorks is an antenna and electromagnetic simulation software for RF, Microwave, mm-wave, and high speed digital circuits. HFWorks solves electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic propagation, electromagnetic resonance, electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and signal integrity (SI) problems for RF/MW frequencies and beyond.  It uses state-of-the-art finite element solvers and meshing technologies to compute fields as well as antennas and circuit parameters. It can simulate single antenna elements as well as multiple array antenna configurations. HFWorks can also be used for time domain computations such as TDR and Eye Diagram. It can predict power handling capabilities of 3D structures and localize potential field breakdown areas. It also provides the capability to simulate RF microwave heating as a function of applied power.

Main Features and capabilities

Versatile High Frequency and High-Speed Tool: Whether your design involves antennas, RF and Microwave components, signal integrity, power integrity, EMC/EMI, chip-packaging, PCB, connectors, cables, RF MEMS, or filters and whether you use planar circuit technologies, standard waveguides or dielectric guides, HFWorks covers your high frequency field simulation design needs for RF frequencies and much beyond. 

Solidworks embedded: HFWorks is seamlessly integrated in Solidworks and Gold Certified by SOLIDWORKS® Corporation.  

User friendly interface and embedded learning materials: Intuitive and easy to use graphical user interface. The demo viewer feature in the software gives you access to extensive training material for fast learning and adoption of HFWorks.

Parametric simulation: HFWorks enables numerous analyses to obtain the best design for your application. Any CAD dimension or a simulation variable can be set as a parameter to study the effect of its changes on your design.

Time Domain Solution: HFWorks comes with a Time Domain Analysis type that helps designers to allocate discontinuities in connectors, adapters, cable transitions and high speed interconnects.

Integrated Electro-Thermal Analysis: HFWorks comes with an integrated Electro-Thermal Analysis. It offers you a coherent environment where you can simultaneously study the electrical and thermal behavior of your high frequency design right on the same model.

Power handling:  HFWorks produces safety factor maps that indicate where breakdown has occurred in the model or where it is most likely to occur for a given level or excitation power or stored energy. 

Grabcad, 3dcontencentral, traceparts: In recent years a burgeoning number of free 3D CAD models -millions- have become available in CAD depositories such as grabcad.com,   www.3dcontentcentral.com, and  www.traceparts.com.  Consequently, you can simply grab a CAD model from the depositories, make necessary changes, and start your high frequency electromagnetic analysis instantly.  

Modeling a dual band 5G filter using HFWorks and SolidWorks

[Webinar] - Simulation of mmWave Filter Designs for 5G Applications Using HFWorks

How can HFWorks help you to design an implantable antenna inside SOLIDWORKS

RF heating simulation using HFWorks inside SOLIDWORKS


HFWorks’ full 3D EM simulator helps design microwave breast cancer detection solutions

Webinar: Fully Embedded High Frequency Electromagnetic Simulation: HFWorks Inside SolidWorks

HFWorks Webinar : Design and Simulation of a Bluetooth Antenna for Wearable Devices Using HFWorks

Spoke Resonator demo in HFWorks


Webinar HFWorks : Solutions to EMI_EMC Problems

3D EM Field Simulation Software HFWorks: Creating an S-Parameter Study

Antenna Simulation Software HFWorks: Creating an Antenna Study

RF & Microwave Simulation Software HFWorks: Creating A Resonance Study


Webinar : HFWorks SolidWorks Simulation of a Microwave Ablation Antenna for Snoring Therapy

Webinar : Predicting Power Handling Capabilities in Passive Microwave Components

HFWorks Webinar : Solution to Temperature Reading in the Presence of Microwave

Webinar: Multi-physics Simulation - Coupled RF/ Microwave and Thermal Simulation in Solidworks


Webinar : Modeling differential pairs in HFWorks/Solidworks

Webinar : Fully Embedded High Frequency Electromagnetic Simulation Inside SolidWorks

Webinar : Cavity Filters Design using HFWorks SolidWorks

Ali Bostani and Raymond Waterbury
SCP SCIENCE

Design of a Periodic Iris-loaded Filter for AccurateTemperatureMeasurementin a Microwave Digestion System

LACIME Lab.
École de technologie supérieure

Antenna Systems & Technology

Moussa, M.S.
IEEE

A microstrip tag antenna for RFID applications in health care

Chokri Jebali, Riadh Essaadali, Ammar kouki
Department of Electrical Engineering | École de Technologie Supérieure | Montreal, QC, Canada

RFID Reading Improvement Face to Mechanical Vibration

Matthew Libersky
California Institute of Technology

Three-loop two-gap resonator simulation in HFWorks

  • Aaron Rhodes - Mechanical Engineer
    Aaron Rhodes - Mechanical Engineer
    GT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

    We provide equipment and services that support the growth of the solar and LED industries. Our market leadership is based on innovation, deep domain crystallization and material expertise and operational execution. These qualities allow us to enable the evolution and commercialization of new technologies by elevating performance, improving quality and lowering cost. 

    "…I found the onsite training very helpful in getting me started and the people at EMWorks were knowledgeable and friendly. Any time I’ve had a question; the support staff has gotten back to me quickly and helped to resolve any problems. The software is easy to navigate as it is well integrated into SolidWorks and has a good help file"

  • Ali Bostani, Ph.D. Microwave Specialist
    Ali Bostani, Ph.D. Microwave Specialist
    SCP SCIENCE

    At SCP Science, we produce industrial microwave heating systems. We have been using HFWorks since 2012 to design  antennas for microwave heating, RF traps, couplers for our reflectometers, and coaxial-waveguide transitions. Most of these designs were fabricated and the measurement results closely match the simulation results obtained from HFWorks. Being fully embedded inside SolidWorks, HFWorks has given us a distinct advantage. We did not need to export the assemblies to create drawings needed for the machine shop.

    We have been using the Antenna and the S-Parameter features of the software. We are particularly pleased with the speed of the fast sweep. We also found the technical support provided by EMWorks prompt and professional.

  • Robert Larose - Senior Electro-optic Designer
    Robert Larose - Senior Electro-optic Designer
    CMC Electronics Inc.

    “… For our company, the SolidWorks files are the primary source of design information and I needed a high-frequency analysis tool that can seamlessly work with the mechanical software without having to generate another set of files for simulation totally disconnected from the official design information. HFWorks provides a true integration with the mechanical design without compromising on the available features. I used HFWorks to find unwanted resonances in our hybrid packages but also to find complex transfer functions from PCB pads to input pins to internal ceramic network. I can visualize problematic areas using the powerful graphical tools provided. Post-processing TDR function also helps me match design with lab measurements.

    I strongly recommend HFWorks for analysing complex 3D structures when simplistic 2D/2.5D models won’t get you where you wanted”...

  • Chris Jones - Project Electrical Engineer & Matt Bedard - Mechanical Engineer
    Chris Jones - Project Electrical Engineer & Matt Bedard - Mechanical Engineer
    Antaya Science & Technology

    "Antaya Science & Technology, while doing challenging RF modeling for next-generation cyclotron resonators, has relied heavily upon HFWorks and EMWorks for accurate and reliable results. Their software's extensive capabilities, as well as a seamless integration with Solidworks, have proven invaluable in performing numerous complex simulations. The ability to parameterize studies, as well as to quickly and easily communicate results using the built-in template, has made EMW a powerful tool in our design process. In addition, the EMWorks technical team has been exceptionally responsive and quick to assist us with any and all issues. We greatly appreciate your software and dedication to the success of our efforts, and look forward to our continued collaboration."

  • Rui Zhang - undergraduate engineering student
    Rui Zhang - undergraduate engineering student
    Dartmouth College

    I used EMWorks for an undergraduate biomedical engineering project. I am thankful that EMWorks is very well integrated with SolidWorks, which makes constructing 3D geometries straight-forward. The step-by-step tutorial of EMWorks also helped me in learning the software. Many other multiphysics software applications don't have easy-to-use tutorials. Overall, EMWorks has been helpful software for my project.

  • John Lomba, a student
    John Lomba, a student
    University of Massachusetts Lowell

    My First impression of HFWorks right out of the gate was, “ Brilliant”. Having HFWorks integrated directly into SolidWorks saves me so much time when it comes to building and testing coaxial RF connectors. I was very impressed with one click I was able to obtain TDR results of my RF model which really gives me everything I am looking for, especially when other software like HFSS makes it such a pain to get similar results.

Versatile High Frequency and High-Speed Tool: 

Whether your design involves antennas, RF and Microwave components, signal integrity, power integrity, EMC/EMI, chip-packaging, PCB, connectors, cables, RF MEMS, or filters and   whether you use planar circuit technologies, standard waveguides or dielectric guides, HFWorks covers your high frequency field simulation design needs for RF frequencies and much beyond.  Whether you are interested in frequency response, resonance behavior, electromagnetic interference, matching networks, filtering characteristics, attenuation, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic propagation, electromagnetic compatibility issues, you will find this 3D field EM simulation tool accurate, fast, versatile, and easy-to-use.  

It is an antenna software as much as it is a filter, a resonator, an EMC, an EMI, a passive component, a signal integrity, and power integrity software.  HFWorks is equipped with multiple solvers: Antennas, S-parameters, Time Domain and Resonance.  

Solidworks embedded

HFWorks is seamlessly integrated in Solidworks and Gold Certified by SOLIDWORKS® Corporation.  Its seamless CAD integration enables you to analyze the most complex high frequency and high speed electrical and electronics devices and circuits in record time because you do not need to create a special model for the electromagnetic simulation.  Don’t “reinvent the wheel", simply grab a CAD model from the drafting department or colleague and start your 3D EM simulation instantly.  Since it is built on top of the most popular CAD software packages, you can import designs in a wide range of popular CAD and geometry kernel formats including Parasolid, ACIS, IGES, STEP, STL, CATIA, ProE, DXF, DWG, etc,.

User friendly interface and embedded learning materials

Intuitive and easy to use graphical user interface. It allows user to construct and simulate complex 3D models in record time. The demo viewer feature in the software gives you access to extensive training material for fast learning and adoption of HFWorks.

Parametric simulation

HFWorks enables numerous analyses to obtain the best design for your application. Any CAD dimension or a simulation variable can be set as a parameter to study the effect of its changes on your design. This serves as a first step to optimize your designs.

Time Domain Solution

HFWorks comes with a Time Domain Analysis type that helps designers to allocate discontinuities in connectors, adapters, cable transitions and high speed interconnects. It is a very important issue for RF connectors and cables manufacturers.

Integrated Electro-Thermal Analysis 

HFWorks comes with an integrated Electro-Thermal Analysis. It offers you a coherent environment where you can simultaneously study the electrical and thermal behavior of your high frequency design right on the same model with one single finite element mesh. Hence, in addition to the plethora of electrical and electronic design parameters, you can also obtain the temperature, temperature gradient, and heat flux of your high frequency design due to conductor and dielectric losses.  

Power handling

There are two important aspects related to power handling capabilities of passive RF & Microwave structures and HFWorks covers them both. Dielectric breakdown is a key limiter of power handling as it can lead to catastrophic failure. HFWorks produces safety factor maps that indicate where breakdown has occurred in the model or where it is most likely to occur for a given level or excitation power or stored energy. Runaway thermal breakdown can also occur if any part of the design is subject to excessive heat due to RF power losses. HFWorks’ coupled thermal solver is seamlessly integrated with the electromagnetic solver to allow users to explore their model’s thermal behavior as a function of applied power. These features save users costly and time consuming experimental setups that are often required to establish power rating and handling capabilities of their products.

HFWorks Add-ins

HFWorks comes with two add-ins:

  • Mini Atlass: is an analysis and synthesis program for computing electrical and physical parameters of different types of transmission lines. It communicates directly with SolidWorks to create the structure.

  • ECAD Importer:  is an ECAD-MCAD translator that links between HFWorks and other Electronic design software such as KeySight ADS and Cadence Allegro.

 

Grabcad, 3dcontencentral, traceparts

In recent years a burgeoning number of free 3D CAD models -millions- have become available in CAD depositories such as grabcad.com,   www.3dcontentcentral.com, and  www.traceparts.com.  Consequently, you can simply grab a CAD model from the depositories, make necessary changes, and start your high frequency electromagnetic analysis instantly.  

What is HFWorks?

HFWorks is an antenna and electromagnetic simulation software for RF, Microwave, mm-wave, and high speed digital circuits. HFWorks solves electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic propagation, electromagnetic resonance, electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and signal integrity (SI) problems for RF/MW frequencies and beyond. It uses state-of-the-art finite element solvers and meshing technologies to compute fields as well as antennas and circuit parameters. It can simulate single antenna elements as well as multiple array antenna configurations. HFWorks can also be used for time domain computations such as TDR and Eye Diagram. It can predict power handling capabilities of 3D structures and localize potential field breakdown areas. It also provides the capability to simulate RF microwave heating as a function of applied power.

What is new in HFWorks 2021?

Features:
• Adaptive meshing for Sparameters and Antennas with normal and high accuracy,
• New transient thermal solver,
• Linear and non-linear thermal boundary conditions, both temperature and time dependent, ,
• Step and Ramp loading ,
• Possibility to choose the type of thermal loads for each thermal coupling case, dielectric and/or conductor loads,
• Wavelength parameterization for Sparameters and Antennas with normal and high accuracy,
• ECAD Importer to import geometry from other products like ADS and Cadence,
• Streamline 3D plotting for 3D plots,
• Ability to combine Surface and Volume plotting for 3D plotting results,
• Auto-surround structure with PEC or Radiation options,

Enhancements:
• Multicore solver: new solver engine has been added to improve speed/accuracy in certain study configurations,
• Copy the last adaptive mesh into another study with the same or different type from the original study,
• Exclude extracted components on the selected entities when it doesn't have any child solid body,
• Mesh options have been updated to control the default values on manual and adaptive meshing,
• Clean up leftover files for studies that are no longer present when loading an HFWorks document,
• Updated demo models with recent documentation,
• Updated material library with new categories (Biological materials, Mixtures and Composites,..) with adding: Mass density, Specific heat and Thermal conductivity properties,
• Improved Local SAR plotting,
• Add 2D plotting of post-processing Far field parameters versus frequency and versus angle,
• SpeedUp thermal solving for both Steady state and Transient thermal.

What is the minimum system requirement to run HFWorks?

- Operating System: Windows 7 and later, x64 bits- Windows 10 is recommended.
- RAM: 12GB and more.
- Disk space (SSD or faster is recommended): 100 GB free space and more.
- CPU: Core i7 @2.8GHZ and more.

What analysis options are there in HFWorks?

• Resonance
• S-parameters
• Antennas

What is S-parameters Analysis? And what is used for?

Scattering parameters or S-parameters (the elements of a scattering matrix or S-matrix) describe the electrical behaviours of linear electrical networks when undergoing various steady state stimuli by electrical signals. Although applicable at any frequency, S-parameters are mostly used for networks operating at radio frequency and microwave frequencies where signal power and energy considerations are more easily quantified than currents and voltages. S-parameters change with the frequency are readily represented in matrix form and obey the rules of matrix algebra.

The HFWorks/S-parameters analysis belongs to the high frequency electromagnetic, or the full wave, regime, i.e. Maxwell's displacement current that couples the electric and magnetic fields is significant and thus taken into consideration. The vector wave equation, i.e. combination of the full Maxwell's equations, is solved using vector finite element to obtain the S-parameters and the electric/magnetic fields and related design parameters. It has many practical applications, including:

• Connectors
• Filters
• Couplers
• Attenuators
• Terminators
• Baluns
• Integrated Circuit
• Waveguides
• Power dividers
• Multiplexers
• Power combiners
• Transitions

What is Antenna Analysis? And what is used for?

An antenna is a transducer that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves. In other words, antennas convert electromagnetic radiation into electric current, or vice versa. Antennas generally deal in the transmission and reception of radio waves, and are a necessary part of all radio equipment. Antennas are used in systems such as radio and television broadcasting, point-to-point radio communication, wireless LAN, cell phones, radar, and spacecraft communication.

Using HFWorks/Antenna analysis, antennas of all types and shapes can readily be simulated. The vector wave equation is solved using vector finite element to obtain the near/far antenna fields and all related antenna parameters such as gain, directivity, efficiency, pattern, etc. All sort of antennas can be studied, including:

• Wire
• Printed
• Horn
• Aperture
• Arrays
• Radomes
• Log-periodic
• Reflector
• Yagi
• Patch
• Parabolic

What is Resonance Analysis? And what is used for?

Resonance is the tendency of a system to oscillate with larger amplitude at some frequencies than at others. These are known as the system's resonant frequencies. At these frequencies, even small periodic driving forces can produce large amplitude oscillations, because the system stores energy. When loss is small, the resonant frequency is approximately equal to a natural frequency of the system, which is a frequency of unforced vibrations. Some systems have multiple, distinct, resonant frequencies. Resonance phenomena occur with all types of waves: there is mechanical resonance, acoustic resonance, electromagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance and resonance of quantum wave functions.

In HFWorks/Resonance analysis, we are concerned only with electromagnetic resonance. The vector wave equation, i.e. combination of the full Maxwell's equations, is solved using vector finite element to obtain the natural resonant frequencies and their corresponding electric/magnetic field distributions. It has many practical applications, including:

• Dielectric resonators
• Filters
• Resonators
• Microwave Circuits
• Microwave Ovens
• Food and industrial heating
• Wood drying and processing
• Resonator antennas
• High Q structures
• Linear accelerators

What kind of devices can I model using HFWorks?

All passive components can readily be studied using HFWorks. Below is just a sample list of devices and applications classified by areas:

RF& Microwave
• Antennas
• Connectors
• Filters
• Resonators
• Couplers
• Frequency-selective surfaces
• Band-gap (EBG) structures and meta-materials
• RF coils for MRI

EDA/Electronics
• Signal integrity
• Power integrity
• PCBs and IC Packages
• Chip-Package-Board systems

EMI/EMC
• All EMI/EMC structures
• Simultaneous switch noise (SSN)
• Simultaneous switching output (SSO)
• EM field exposure

What design parameter results can I get out of HFWorks/S-parameters module?

The S-parameters module outputs the following results for each study at each frequency:

• Generalized S-parameters matrix
• Re-normalized S-parameters matrix
• Unique impedance matrix
• Unique admittance matrix
• TDR
• VSWR
• Propagation parameters at each port
• Impedances at each port
• Electric field distribution
• Magnetic field distribution
• Specific absorption rate distribution

What design parameter results can I get out of HFWorks/Antennas module?

The Antennas module outputs the following results for each study at each frequency:

• All antenna parameters including gain, directivity, efficiency, axial ratio, input impedance, etc
• Far field parameters including radiation patterns
• Generalized S-parameters matrix
• Re-normalized S-parameters matrix
• Unique impedance matrix
• Unique admittance matrix
• TDR
• VSWR
• Propagation parameters at each port
• Impedances at each port
• Electric near field distribution
• Magnetic near field distribution

What design parameter results can I get out of HFWorks/Resonance module?

The Resonance module outputs the following results for each study:

• Resonant frequencies,i.e. Eigen modes
• Dielectric quality factor
• Conductor quality factor
• Overall quality factor
• Electric field distribution
• Magnetic field distribution
• Specific absorption rate distribution

Can you give me some examples of design issues that HFWorks/S-parameters module can address?

The S-parameters module can help study a large number of RF & microwave devices and address numerous dispersion and matching effects. Below is just a partial list:

• Obtain the vector frequency response of arbitrary 3D circuit/structure.
• Examine the TDR of a structure.
• Design around a resonance.
• Distinguish between common and differential modes.
• Achieve a good matching over a frequency range.
• Study the frequency response of a structure.
• Account for both dielectric and conductor losses.
• Study the fidelity of a high frequency structure.
• Achieve or avoid a mode conversion.
• Study the signal integrity of a structure.
• Examine both propagating and evanescent modes.
• Examine both fundamental and higher order modes.
• Optimize pole-zero placement of a filter.
• Study the effect of material and dimension on the circuit and field parameters.

Can you give me some examples of design issues that HFWorks/Antennas module can address?

The Antennas module can help study a large number of antenna structures and address numerous far-field and near-field effects. Below is just a partial list:

•Obtain the vector frequency response of an arbitrary 3D antenna structures.
•Obtain the radiation pattern of an antenna over a frequency range.
•Compute the resonant frequency of an antenna.
•Eliminate the reactance of an antenna.
•Maximize the ratio of the radiation resistance to ohmic resistance of an antenna.
•Achieve a good matching over a frequency range.
•Respect the power rating of a transmitting antenna to avoid sparking and arcing.
•Optimize the noise rejection of a receiving antenna.
•Study the effect of radomes on the antenna parameters.
•Obtain all antenna parameters including gain, directivity, efficiency, axial ratio, input impedance, radiation resistance, etc.
•Account for both dielectric and conductor losses.
•Study the fidelity of an antenna.
•Minimize the side lobes.
•Study the EMI/EMC of a structure.
•Study the effect of material and dimension on the antenna and field parameters.
•Study the effect of the environment on the antenna performance, especially the ground.
•Design efficient radomes to protect and hide the antenna.
•Design radar absorbing materials (RAM).

Can you give me some examples of design issues that HFWorks/Resonance module can address?

The Resonance module can help study a large number of RF & microwave devices and address numerous resonance and loss effects. Below is just a partial list:

• Design a resonator around a specific resonant frequency.
• Predict dielectric breakdown in a dielectric resonator and avoid it.
• Compute conductor and dielectric quality factors separately.
• Account for both conductivity and surface roughness of a conductor wall.
• Design high Q structures.
• Properly dimension the resonators in of multi-pole filters and optimize pole-zero placement.
• Adjust circuit housing to push resonances out the operational band and have a resonance-free structure.
• Compute the specific absorption rate (SAR) in microwave heating applications.
• Predict if a given design will resonate and locate resonance areas.
• Study the effect of material and dimension on the resonant frequency and the field distribution.

How about TDR analysis in HFWorks?

Yes, HFWorks has TDR capabilities.

Can I simulate lossy conductors in HFWorks?

Yes. In addition to conductivity, you may define a surface roughness of the conductor.

For a wide frequency band, do I need to simulate at each frequency point using HFWorks?

No. Simulating at discrete frequency point may take a long computational time. For faster simulation time, you should use HFWorks's Fast Frequency Sweep (FFS) feature.

Can I simulate differential pairs in HFWorks?

Yes.

Does HFWorks have automatic adaptive meshing?

Yes, HFWorks has both adaptive and manual meshing.

Can I model lumped ports in HFWorks?

Yes.

I am only interested in the ports solution to compute the propagation parameters and the characteristic impedance. I don't want to wait for the full 3D solution which can be time-consuming.

No worries. HFWorks allows you to run a ports-only solution which, as you may expect, is much faster than full 3D solution.

Can I have internal ports in HFWorks?

Yes.