Process · Analog, RF & Mixed-Signal
Electromagnetic simulation
Solving the electric and magnetic fields in a layout or package to predict how its conductors behave at high frequency, producing models such as S-parameters that circuit simulation can use.
- Also known as
- EM simulation, EM extraction, Full-wave simulation
- Type
- Process
- Domain
- Analog, RF & Mixed-Signal, RF characterisation
Overview
At radio, microwave and very high data rates, inductors, transformers, transmission lines, pads, bond wires and package traces behave as circuit elements whose effect depends on their exact shape. Electromagnetic simulation computes that behaviour from the geometry and materials, so the circuit can be simulated as it will be built rather than with ideal components.
How it works
The designer gives the solver the drawn shapes of the structure, the layer stack and the material properties. The solver divides the structure into small elements and solves the field equations over the frequency range of interest. Planar solvers suit flat on-chip and substrate structures; full three-dimensional solvers handle bond wires, vias and package features.
The result is usually a set of S-parameters, or an equivalent circuit fitted to them, that is placed back into circuit simulation. In RF design this is done first for each critical passive while circuits are designed, and again on the extracted layout, where coupling between neighbouring structures is included.
The models are checked by measuring test structures and comparing them with the simulation, which shows whether the layer stack and materials in the solver match the real process.
Examples
- Modelling an on-chip inductor and its substrate loss before sizing an oscillator.
- Simulating a transformer and balun in a power amplifier output.
- Extracting the coupling between two closely placed transmission lines in a layout.
- Modelling the transition from die to package to board for a millimetre-wave module.
Why it matters
Ordinary parasitic extraction, which reduces wiring to resistance and capacitance, is not accurate enough where inductance, coupling and radiation matter. Electromagnetic simulation is what lets RF, millimetre-wave, high-speed interface and package designers close performance before silicon. Getting it wrong shows up as shifted tuning, lost gain or poor matching on the first parts.
It matters most to: mmWave IC Design Engineer, Package Signal Integrity Engineer, Parasitic Extraction Engineer, RF Front-End Design Engineer
Common confusions
- Not the same as Parasitic extraction
- Parasitic extraction reduces wiring to resistances and capacitances for large layouts; electromagnetic simulation solves the fields of selected structures and captures inductance, coupling and loss at high frequency.
Sources
- IEEE 1597.1-2022: Standard for Validation of Computational Electromagnetics Computer Modeling and Simulations (opens in a new tab), IEEE Standards Association, 2026-11-10
- The Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society (opens in a new tab), Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society (ACES), 2026-11-10
- Computational electromagnetics (opens in a new tab), Wikipedia, 2026-11-10
Related terms
Part of the Analog, RF & Mixed-Signal glossary, with every term in the topic and the lifecycles, tools and standards that use them.
Where it appears on the Hub
Used on 26 pages of the Hub. In each group, the pages that mention it most come first.
Lifecycle stages and gates
Skills
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Last reviewed . Written by The Semiconductor Hub editorial team. The full glossary