COMSOL Multiphysics^® 6.4 Release Highlights

For users of the ECAD Import Module, COMSOL Multiphysics^® version 6.4 introduces PCB file preview in the Graphics window, automatic creation of pad domains during import, and a new PCB to Material Data add-in that provides a simplified PCB representation for heat transfer studies. Learn about these updates and more below.

Previewing PCB Files and Selecting Nets for Import

The layers in a PCB file can be visualized before it is imported using the new Preview button. In the Preview window, it is now also easier to reduce the generated geometry to a few chosen traces by selecting the layers and nets to be read from the file. The new Importing PCBs Tutorial Series demonstrates the use of this feature.

The layers from a PCB file are visualized in the Graphics window before import. The visibility and import of layers and nets can be controlled from the new Preview window.

Creating Pad Domains

Pad domains for selected components and pins can be automatically created during PCB import by using the options in the new Pads section of the Import settings. The attributes attached to the pads can be used in Logical Expression Selection features, making it easier to set up physics definitions. This functionality is demonstrated in the Importing PCBs Tutorial Series.

The settings for a PCB import show the options in the Pads section configured to generate pad domains for all pins of components whose names start with the letter "r". The generated pad domains are highlighted in the Graphics window.

Improved Performance

Boolean operations in 3D that involve many face intersections can now be performed several times faster due to improved multicore support for the COMSOL geometry kernel.

Creating the geometry of a litz wire is now much faster due to the speedup of Boolean operations.

The boundary pair generation for stacked extruded objects is now significantly faster when using the Form an assembly finalization method. This improvement is especially useful for layered PCBs and MEMS devices, but it is applicable to any geometry containing extruded objects stacked in the z-direction.

Accelerated pair detection speeds up finalization of ECAD geometries.

New Tutorial Model Series and Add-In

COMSOL Multiphysics^® version 6.4 introduces a new tutorial series and a new add-in for the ECAD Import Module.

PCB Import Tutorial Series

The three tutorial models in this series demonstrate the import options for copper traces and vias from a PCB file to create and prepare a geometry for meshing. The tutorials also show how to reduce the board geometry to a region that surrounds a few chosen nets and how to create domains for components and pads.

Application Library Titles:
pcb_import_components
pcb_import_nets
pcb_import_shell
Download from the Application Gallery

PCB to Material Data Add-In

The PCB to Material Data add-in automatically generates an interpolation function for the material properties to capture the combined effect of traces and vias in a circuit board. This simplified representation offers an efficient and sufficiently accurate approximation for studies involving heat loads and thermal expansion.