De-embedding Techniques in

Advanced Design System

Agenda
Why de-embedding?
2-port de-embedding
Mixed mode S-parameters
Four port de-embedding
TRL based de-embedding
Summary

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

Page 2

Non Insertable Measurements

Die

Reference Plane

Probe SMA

Ball Pad

Reference Plane

Board Response = Total Response Probe SMA Response

Require accurate modeling of Probe SMA response

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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DUT with Test Fixtures

Requires test fixture: Not a part of the back plane structure

How to remove test fixture effects from the overall measurement?

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Backplane measurements
Test Fixture

Backplane Response = Total Response Test Fixture Response

Sometimes it is not feasible to remove test fixture effects using
various calibration techniques
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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De-embedding Requirements in EM Simulation

Moving Reference Plane

Sometimes it is not feasible to move the reference plane in EM tools.

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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What is De-embedding?
H

50 MHzNETWORK
20GHz
ANALYZER

ACTIVE
CHANNEL

Real DUT SP = Measured SP Fixture Characteristic

ENTR
Y

RESPO
NSE

STIMU
LUS

INSTRUMEN
T STATE

R
CHANN
EL

De-embedding : Negating effects of unwanted portion

T
HP-IB
STATUS

PORT
1

PORT
2

DUT
THRU

De-embedding is a mathematical process that

removes the effects of unwanted portions of the
structure that are embedded in the measured data
by subtracting their contribution.

Requires accurate fixture model

Empirical models from measured data
Simulation based models

Before De-embedding

After De-embedding
De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Why use S-Parameters?

O
O
O
O
O

relatively easy to obtain at high frequencies

relate to familiar measurements (gain, loss, reflection coefficient ...)
can cascade S-parameters of multiple devices to predict system performance
can compute H, Y, or Z parameters from S-parameters if desired
can easily import and use S-parameter files in our simulation tools
a 1

S 21

Incident

b 2

S 11
Reflected

DUT

S 21 =

Transmitted
Incident

b1
= a
1
b

= a
1

a2 = 0
a2 = 0

Reflected
Incident

S 12

Transmitted

Reflected
Incident

S 22
Port 2

Port 1

b 1

S 11 =

Transmitted

S 22 =
a 2

S 12 =

Reflected
Incident
Transmitted
Incident

b2
= a
2
b

= a
2

a1 = 0
a1 = 0

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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De-embedding two port network

To de-embed with transfer scattering parameters, the
matrix math is straightforward
Network a

Ttotal
Ta
Tb

=
=
=

Ta

Relationship between S and T-Parameters

Tb

Ttotal
Ta

Network b

-1

Tb
Ttotal

-1

T11 T12 1 S12 S21 S11S22

T T = S
S22
21 22 21
S11
S
21

S12 1 T12
=

S 22 T22 1

S11
1

T11T22 T12T21

T21

Order is very important

De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Getting DUT data using De-embedding

a0

a1

b2

b3

a2

a3

2-port
DUT
b0

[ TA ]
MEASURED

b1

[ TD ]

[ TB ]
ACTUAL

[Tm ] = [TA ][TD ][TB ] ; [TD ] = [TA ] [Tm ][TB ]

1

Let us build a sample network to demonstrate the deembedding process in ADS

De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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De-embedding Example - DUT

a

2-port
1 DUT

High speed
connector model

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Representing the Test Fixture

a2-port b

1 DUT

Test fixture

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Test Fixture plus Connector

Test Board In

Connector

Test Board Out

b
2-port
DUT

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Using 2-Port ADS De-embedding Component

Test Board In

De-embed
Component

Connector

a
1

Test Board Out

b
2-port
DUT

De-embed
Component

Comparison with original Connector Model

(Magnitude and Phase Response)
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Backplane Performance Evaluation

Backplane and
Daughter card

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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D/C

del

Co
nn

Mo

ect

or

ctor

Mo
del

e
Conn

The Simulation Circuit Problem

PROBLEM: Need to remove effect of these

SMAs!

SMA

D/C
SMA

4 Trace

X Trace (4 or 10)

SMA

SMA

4 Trace

4 Trace
Connector

Connector
4 Trace

Backplane

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Solve the Problem with De-embedding

block

Effect of SMAs removed by de-embedding.

SMA

odel

Connec
to

r Mod

el

M
Connector

D/C

SMA
4 Trace

4 Trace
Connector
4 Trace

D/C

Connector
X Trace (4 or 10)

4 Trace

Backplane
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Simulation vs. Measured Data

( Only two port de-embedding element was used)

V=0.417 V

V=0.236 V

ADS Eye
Simulation

ADS Eye
Simulation
V=0.415 V

Teradyne + 18 at 2.5Gb/s
D(sim vs. scope) < 1%

Scope
Eye

V=0.251 V

Teradyne + 18 at 3.125Gb/s
(sim vs. scope) = 6%

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Four Port Measurements

Four Port Fixture: Four Port De-embedding

Differentialmode signal

Differential to
common-mode
conversion

Test Board To Be De-embed

Common-mode
signal

Differential Pair

DUT
Need to account for
coupling

DUT Reference Plane

Measurement
Reference Plane
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Single Ended Simulation of Differential Pins

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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What is Mixed Mode S-parameters?

Nodal S-parameter

S11

S 21
S 31

S 41

S12 S13 S14

S 22 S 23 S 24
S 32 S 33 S 34

S 42 S 43 S 44
reciprocal

Mixed Mode S-parameter

Diff Mode

Common Mode

SDD11 SDD12

SDC11

SDC12

SDD21 SDD22

SDC21

SDC22

SCD11 SCD12

SCC11

SCC12

SCD21 SCD22

SCC21

SCC22

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Driving Mixed Mode S-Parameter from Single

Ended Measurements

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Direct Mixed Mode S-Parameter Simulation

Advantage Mixed Mode S-Parameter Optimization

Balun

Balun
Comparing two techniques

Differential Mode to
Differential Mode Sparameter

Common Mode to
Common Mode Sparameter
De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Connector With Fixture Model

Test Board In

Connector

Test Board Out

b
2-port
DUT

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Using ADS Four Port De-embedding Component

Accounts for coupling between feed transmission lines
Test Board In

Connector

Test Board Out

De-embed

De-embed

Component

Component

Comparison with
Connector Model
Only Response
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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De-embedding Components
Standard de-embedding components in ADS
One Port de-embedding
Two Port de-embedding
New standard de-embedding components in ADS2006A

Aggressor and Victim differential pair characterization requires

multi-port De-embedding
Four port de-embedding
Six port de-embedding
Eight port de-embedding
Twelve port de-embedding
Requirements:
Measured/Simulated S-parameters to be available
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Test Cases?

Fixture S-parameter cannot be obtained directly?

Can one use TRL calibration standards?
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
Page 27

TRL measurement based De-embedded

Component
Used when the test fixture S-parameter response is not available
Ability to fabricate test fixtures and calibration standard
Test fixtures are created using the same feed line structure as in the TRL
standard.

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

Page 28

DUT & Fixture/Calibration Kit

TRL
Calibration Kit

DUT Board

Material - FR4
Er=4.2
Thickness=0.6mm
Tand=0.025
T=18[mm] (Metal Thickness)
S=5.8*107[S/m](Conductivity)

DUT
TRL calibration standard.
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
Page 29

Design of TRL Calibration kit

Thru

Connector

ADS
ADSLine
Linecalc
calc

Thru is mirror connection of feed lines

Reflection

Ze,Zo
Reflect is open
(Open is more suitable than Short)

Line

*Red line is reference plane of DUT

Line

Length of Line must be determined by frequency range

20deg < f < 160deg
* This condition must meet on both Common/Diff modes

De-embedding Techniques in ADS

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Why ADS based TRL De-embedding?

Feed line
coupling not
accounted for

Some test fixture might have significant coupling.

How one can account for the coupling effects?
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Custom De-embedding using TRL Calibration

Standards
DUT with Coupled feed lines

Coupled Feed line1

DUT

4-port De-embedding

Coupled Feed line2

Our New 4-port De-embedding model

created using C code

Custom solution- Not available as standard

feature of ADS
Feed lines can be
Asymmetric

Contact EEsof for details

Can not use TRL on Si Substrate
De-embedding Techniques in ADS

Page 32

New 4-port De-embedding verification results

Comparison between De-embedded S-parameters & DUT without
feed lines.

2 types of S-parameters are completely identical!!

De-embedding Techniques in ADS
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Compare to ADS model

DUT

DUT

Simulated (ADS Coupled line model)

Measured
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
Page 34

Conclusion
Demonstrates the use of ADS for a typical SI problem
Provide powerful measurement based modeling
ADS De-Embedding capabilities
Two port de-embedding
Powerful Multi-port de-embedding essential for bus/ differential bus
( one pair, two pair, & three pair )
TRL calibration based de-embedding

ADS has been used for SI design for over 20 years

ADS has a multitude of accurate built in models
ADS allows you to build accurate physical models
ADS brings IP, simulation and measurement together
Questions?
De-embedding Techniques in ADS
Page 35