I would like to create a filter in microstrip instead of mountered on capacitors and coils. Does anybody know a software program where you can simulate such a thing before making a PCB from the same program?
I find M-Filter from Agilent/Eagleware Genesys suit to be very easy to use. You just tap in your needs and what topology you want and it gives the PCB, and possiblitity to run an EM simulation too!
Only draw-back is it's not free.
AFAIK there is an evaluation licence available on request!
TX-Line is a free, easy-to-use, Windows-based interactive transmission line calculator for the analysis and synthesis of transmission line structures. TX-Line enables users enter either physical characteristics or electrical characteristic for common transmission medium such as:
Microstrip
Stripline
Coplanar waveguide
Grounded coplanar WG
Slotline
TX-Line has an easy-to-use interactive graphical user interface and runs on Microsoft Windows 2000/XP.
Re: Simulation software for filter design using only microst
If the frequency is low, then you may be better off using good RF capacitors and inductors because the microstrip line geometry may be impractical to be implemented on the board. Also, if the filter design is sensitive to the fabrication tolerances (geometry, relative permitivity, temperature, etc.) you may be in for some real headache, too.
Re: Simulation software for filter design using only microst
In my humble opinion, Microwave office and Ansoft Designer offers good 2.5D simulation but lack in filter design capability, Eagleware and Filsyn provides much better filter topology and transformation options. If there is cavity effect to consider, perhaps 3D EM simulation is needed for verification as well. I do recommend adding tuning confetti for contingency.