Field solver type

Method of Moments & Green's Function

Boundary Element BEM

Both industry proven methods, providing consistent, comparable results

Lossless impedance

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Insertion loss

No

No

No

Yes

S-parameters

No

No

No

Yes

Causal modelling

N/A

N/A

N/A

Yes

Svensson / Djordjevic

Low frequency modelling

No

No

No

Yes

Broadband modelling

Skin depth

No

No

No

Yes

Conductor loss dB

No

No

No

Yes

Dielectric loss dB

No

No

No

Yes

Roughness modelling

No

No

No

Yes

Hammerstad

Touchstone™ export

No

No

No

Yes

Speedstack integration

No

No

Yes

Via speedstack clipboard

CGen integration

No

No

From 2015 onwards

For rapid coupon generation

Crosshatch modelling

No

No

Optional XFE module

Enhanced accuracy mode

No

No

No

Yes

For research purposes

Number of trace configurations

12

39

100+ – Additional configurations allow accurate modelling of structures with local variations in dielectric constants

Support multiple dielectric material layers

No

No

Yes – Accurately model layers of different dielectric materials

Support for single DK materials

Yes

Yes

Yes

Easy to use for simple constructions

Support for resin-rich zones

No

No

Yes – Accurately model glass-depleted zones between differential tracks due to resin squeeze-out

Support for variable coating thickness

No

No

Yes – Account for different coating thickness over tracks, substrates and between differential pairs

Activation types

Node locked

Key only

Dongle, node locked e-file, floating/server (Plus annual and quarterly licenses)

Flexible licensing to suit your requirements.

Extended interface "Quick Solver"

No

No

Yes

See the effect of process 
tolerance at a glance

Compatible with Polar Speedstack stackup builder

No

No

Yes – Incorporates stackup and 
controlled impedance data in a single file

Multi-language support

No

No

Yes – English, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, languages supported

Online help

No

No

Yes

Continually updated online help system

Spreadsheet modelling and goal-seeking

No

Yes

Yes – Wide range of advanced functions, e.g. sensitivity analysis; graphical presentation of the effects of parameter value changes

Support for coplanar structures

No

Yes

Yes – Wide range of Coplanar structures modelled;  (with the advantage of single-sided construction  and showing only minor dispersion effects coplanar configuration is ideally suited for surface mounted devices.)

Calculates for local variations on dielectric constant

No

No

Yes – Wide range of Coplanar structures modelled;  (with the advantage of single-sided construction  and showing only minor dispersion effects coplanar configuration is ideally suited for surface mounted devices.)

Surface coating modelling

Basic

Basic

Enhanced – models the solder resist thickness adjacent to, above and between surface traces

More...AP176 - Enhanced modelling of solder mask coatings with the Si8000m

Constant pitch goal seeking

No

No

Yes – S1 parameter adjusted automatically as W1 / W2 trace widths changes to maintain trace separation.

Sensitivity analysis

No

No

Yes – Calculate and plot impedance against a specified structure parameter

Graph constant impedance vs changing X / Y axis parameters

Odd, even impedance modelling

No

Later versions only

Yes – Si8000 models odd, even, common and differential impedance for in depth graphical analysis of interrelationships between structure geometry and odd and even mode

See AP 157 - Introduction to odd and even impedance

Dual coated structures

No

No

Yes – Si8000 provides modelling support for dual-coated controlled impedance structures (v9.01 onwards)

Future development

No

No

Yes

Interfaces with Speedstack layer stack up design system and planned future modules.