Hi,

I have modeled with mtline and the LMG in Cadence 5.1 a differential (Zdiff = 100 ohm) microstrip tramsission line (for use in a LVDS-driver testbench). The mtline-model requests a parameter fmax which shold correspond to the max signal frequency. I started just by using 1 GHz.

For evaluation of the model I first have run a SP-analysis on a decent testbench on the mtline with baluns with termination on each side and a port on one side in order to calculate S11 for differential signals. The frequency range for the SP-analysis is 1 to 10 GHz ...

For fmax = 1GHz the result looks "reasonable" - but when I change fmax to 10 GHz then things get wired and I get already strong reflections at frequencies below 100 MHz.

I'm a little bit puzzled beacuse in my understanding a higher fmax shouldn't  change the S-parameter-curve over frequency much - am I wrong ???

I used the lossless models and also the lossy, wide band model - besides "microstrip" I also tried "sublossline" - the only reasonable s-parameter simulation was with fmax = 1GHz - but I have to admit - I don't relay trust it ...

I hope someone can help me out to run transmission line simulations under spectre/cadence as good as with the w-line-model under hspice (where no "fmax" parameter to my nowledge is needed ...

If someone likes to see more of what I have "done" - let me know - and I'll post it ...

Are you providing RLGC matrices to mtline, or using a lumped model?

In recent versions of spectre (MMSIM61, MMSIM62), mtline supports the physical parameters directly on the component and the solver is run from spectre, rather than having to run lmg first.

I think you probably need to post your example, and I'll take a look.

Regards,

Andrew.

btw. are there any restriction towards the possible simulation modes with the mtline model - are there any restrictions towards transient simulation ?