Ansoft Releases Ansoft Designer v1.1 with HFSS Solver on Demand; Industry's First Dynamic Link Between High-Frequency Circuit and 3D Electromagnetic Software

PITTSBURGH--Oct. 1, 20033, 2003--Ansoft Corporation today announced the release of Ansoft Designer(TM) v1.1, software for the design of high-frequency electronic components, circuits and systems. The new version features a Solver on Demand(TM) link between Ansoft Designer and Ansoft's HFSS(TM), the industry-standard 3D electromagnetic (EM) design tool. For the first time ever, designers and engineers can dynamically incorporate the effects of arbitrary 3D structures within their high-frequency electronic simulations.

Solver on Demand goes far beyond traditional data importing by allowing users to control the flow of information between the two products with parametric control of physical dimensions, material properties, excitations and frequency ranges. Results are automatically embedded into Ansoft Designer, greatly reducing the engineering time and product-development costs associated with high-performance components commonly found in telecommunications, aerospace and defense applications. Designers can now fully utilize an advanced schematic-based design flow while incorporating the effects of high-frequency and high-speed components.

"The new Solver on Demand link between Ansoft Designer and HFSS achieves a new milestone in the industry," said Dr. Zoltan Cendes, Ansoft's Chairman and Chief Technology Officer. "Ansoft Designer already had Solver on Demand integration between planar electromagnetic field simulation and circuit simulation. The new dynamic Ansoft Designer-HFSS link greatly advances high-frequency modeling with the ability to solve both planar and full 3D electromagnetic devices parametrically within a circuit simulation environment."

In addition to the Solver on Demand link with HFSS, Ansoft Designer v1.1 includes several new features and enhancements:

-- New behavioral noise and variable time-step models for advanced sigma-delta fractional-N PLL simulation

-- New N-port (S-parameter) import of Ansoft Neutral Files (ANF) with user-selectable DC behavior

-- New multi-variable interpolation for planar EM sub-circuits

-- Enhanced full planar structure Solver on Demand

-- Multiple user-specified data extrapolation types for smooth transient simulation of band-limited, frequency-based data

-- Enhanced NC drill hole export

-- Improved geometry data import dialogs

-- Expanded online documentation

For more information on Ansoft Designer v1.1, visit www.ansoft.com. Register for one of Ansoft's upcoming Ansoft Designer web seminars to see a demonstration of the dynamic link between Ansoft Designer and HFSS, or attend one of the upcoming Ansoft Global Seminars this fall (www.ansoft.com/deliveringperformance).

Editors: To download a high-resolution image of the dynamic link between Ansoft Designer v1.1 and HFSS, go to ftp://ftp.ansoft.com/techsup/download/web/ad-v1.tif.

About Ansoft Designer(TM)

Ansoft Designer seamlessly integrates electromagnetic, circuit and system-level analysis within a single environment. The software supports typical radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications, such as amplifiers, VCOs, mixers, communication systems and antenna designs. To learn more, visit www.ansoft.com/products/hf/ansoft_designer.

About HFSS(TM)

HFSS is the industry-leading tool for 3D high-frequency and high-speed digital physical design. With its precise Electromagnetic-based design automation, the software provides unparalleled design capture, analysis and post-processing, all from within a single, intuitive desktop environment. To learn more, visit www.hfss.com.

About Ansoft

Ansoft is a leading developer of high-performance electronic design automation (EDA) software. Engineers use Ansoft software to design state-of-the-art electronic products, such as cellular phones, Internet-access devices, broadband networking components and systems, integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), automotive electronic systems, power electronics and fuel-cell technology. Ansoft markets its products worldwide through its own direct sales force and has comprehensive customer-support and training offices throughout North America, Asia and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.ansoft.com.