Importing Gerber Files in

ADS 2008U2
By
Rea Schmid


Abstract: This document steps you through importing Gerber Files into ADS layout
editing tool. Once the Gerber layout is imported discrete components are added and full
3-D simulation with components S-parameter models can carried out. This is more
accurate than non-magnetic or Smith Charts to calculate baluns, microstrip lines, or
filters.

Note: Simulations once the models are validated is a true representation compared to
lab measurements. It is very hard to not cause some additional parasitic components to
be added when connecting lab equipment regardless of normalization and calibration.

1. Create a Project by selecting New Project found under the File tab at the top of
the window.

2. Using a window browser make a folder within the project and name it
Gerber_Files. When making names in ADS it requires no spaces between
words so make sure no spaces exist in folder names or file names.


3. Copy your Gerber Files to this location.
4. Open a new layout editor window.



5. Under tab at the top File select Import




6. Under File type select ADS 2006A Gerber Viewer, then depress OK
7. A new window appears but often you must select view all to see the
Gerber Files and their extensions.




8. Select all Gerber File extensions which you want to import. Generally you
only need the top and bottom layer if a 2-layer board is being imported.
All other files pertain to mechanical or solder paste, etc. This is a 2-layer
board so select .GBL and .GTL
9. Use CTRL and place cursor over the desired file name.



10. The Gerber Viewer displays the layers youve selected.


Both layers are loaded and now can be view one at a time by select which layer
under the layer button to display.

11. Translating to ADS layout editor - select tab Tools at the top of window
folder. Then select Gerber Union This opens a new window


You can fine tune the various settings but for most translation the defaults work
fine. Check the Help button for explanation of each setting. Altering the settings
can speed up simulations but one need to understand the rules for changing.
Note the Output File Name at the bottom of the window. This is the file that will
be imported into ADS layout editor. Depress OK and the translation is completed
with a window saying the translation was completed without errors.

12. Close the Gerber View by selecting the x. From the File tab in the
layout editor select Import. Then select in the File type pull down EGS
Archive Format. Depress the Browse and select the filename with path,
no spaces allowed in the name. As you can see this has a space so I use
browser to rename the file and add an underscore for the space. The
layers file name is loaded automatically. Occasionally you must create
this file name in your project directory, Layout.lay, if error appears.


13. A message window appears acknowledging the transfer was completed
OK.




14. You can edit the layers, turn them off and on or change colors by open
the layer editor. The most recent layers are always at the bottom. The
un-used layers can be deleted by placing the cursor on them and
depressing cut.




15. Turn off all layers but the top and the display will show the top layer.


At this point I usually edit out the bottom template so only the layout
remains.





16. After you edit the layout you probably need to size the drawing so that
your selections and scale is easier to see.





17. Sizing the import. Open the Preference found under the Options Tab in
the top window. There are several selections to be made starting with the
layout units.


These settings are for text, snapping, probe size, layout scale etc. Make
sure the settings are what you desire before any edits are done or you will
need to start from the beginning.




18. Select all objects on the layer you are viewing and from the Edit tab at
top of window, select Components and Flatten. Then re-select the
objects {should be high lighted} and from Edit tab select the Merge
then Union. After Union check to make sure objects physically
connected are highlighted when selected. See below:
If you dont see the various traces and grounds highlighted you need to
repeat this step until everything is merged properly.


19. From the component menu select the discrete components from the
vendor series. If you dont have the vendors models loaded you must go
to the manufacture web site and find the ADS libraries to load their
models. Below shows some of the components added.


20. To finish up you add the probes on the pins and follow the setup in
momentum to run a simulation with board.


21. If you choose to build up a schematic and simulate you will fine this
answer slightly different because it doesnt include the fields generated by
the traces. But this is a constant error so the measured points are
accurate to about 5 to 8%. I use a Gerber Viewer to obtain the trace
lengths and widths then place the component models in between each
trace. This is shown below: