Coplanar waveguide elements for a European CAD environment

One part of the ESPRIT project "CLASSIC" is the application of a three dimensional finite-difference frequency domain calculation to coplanar waveguide elements for commercial microwave CAD. The availability of the CPW elements in this project ranges from simple one ports, such as coplanar opens or shorts, over asymmetrical coplanar cross structures to complex lumped elements such as interdigitated coplanar inductors. The numerical algorithms are combined with pre-defined lumped element networks which are then maintained within a multi dimensional data bank. These mathematical algorithms are finally combined under the umbrella of a CAD environment utilising also element oriented layout and schematic macros. The application of CPW elements in contrast to microstrip components is finally justified by utilising real world examples as well as numerical technology comparison.