June 12, 2012 -- Agilent Technologies, Inc. today announced the latest release of its Electromagnetic Professional software. EMPro 2012 will make it easier to create 3-D models and analyze the electrical performance of packages, connectors, antennas, and other RF and high-speed components.

The EMPro 2012 update includes a new level of integration with Agilent's Advanced Design System (ADS) software, along with several simulator enhancements to improve performance and accelerate product development.

EMPro's increased level of integration with ADS is based on a shared database approach. Three-dimensional objects in EMPro can now be saved as ADS design database "cells" for use directly in ADS. As an example, a 3-D SMA connector cell created in EMPro now has "cell views" that can be placed either directly in an ADS schematic for circuit/ electromagnetic cosimulation, or in an ADS layout (for an RF PCB, for example) for full 3-D EM simulations in ADS.

EMPro 2012 will also introduce several advances in EM simulation technology. A new low-frequency analysis algorithm improves accuracy below 100MHz, including at DC, in finite-element-method simulations. Previous FEM solvers have had difficulty producing accurate, stable results at DC and low frequencies, which is required in subsequent circuit simulations, even for higher-frequency applications. In addition, Agilent has enhanced EMPro's FEM meshing technology for increased speed (typically 50% faster) and robustness.

Availability and Pricing

The EMPro 2012 release will be available for download in July 2012. Pricing for the EMPro environment starts at $7,000. Interested parties can evaluate the software by applying for a trial version. Application examples covering a wide range of topics, including packaging, antennas, RF PCBs, RF modules, connectors and radar applications can be downloaded from the EM applications section of the Agilent website.