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Integrating ANSYS Maxwell,

HFSS, or Simplorer with optiSLang

– Overview of Coupling Methods

Dynardo GmbH, 2015

2Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Intro

How can simulation projects in Maxwell/HFSS/Simplorer be

investigated with optiSLang?

• ANSYS Workbench can be the integrator

• Maxwell/HFSS/Simplorer simulations can be coupled directly via text files

containing simulation inputs and outputs

• Depending on the coupling method, various benefits can be realized:

• Simultaneous execution and parallelization

• signal processing outside Maxwell/HFSS/Simplorer

• encapsulation and automatized reproduction of complex workflows

aiinvolving multiple programs and tools

• In the following slides only ANSYS Maxwell is mentioned but the

integration with HFSS and Simplorer is equivalent

3Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Process Integration: Maxwell & optiSLang

A) optiSLang inside Workbench B) Direct integration via text files

C) Large-Scale DSO

4Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Process Integration: Maxwell & optiSLang

A) optiSLang inside Workbench B) Direct integration via text files

C) Large-Scale DSOA2) Workbench inside optiSLang

5Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Method A: Using ANSYS Workbench

In Maxwell

• Make input and output variables accessible

from the Workbench Parameter Set

input

parameter

output

parameter

DesignXplorer is the vessel for communicating parameters between the WB Parameter Set and Maxwell.

6Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Method A: Using ANSYS Workbench

Features

• WB multi-physics

• The Workbench Parameter Set can

treat only scalar output variables

• Simultaneous design evaluation via

Python update script and DSO

The optiSLang inside ANSYS plug-in

can be used in two ways:

• optiSLang systems can be created

in the Workbench

• A WB project can be represented as

WB node in the optiSLang GUI

7Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Method B: scripting and ASCII files (direct coupling)

Maxwell

• Batch job including Python script

• Write transient reports into files

signal data accessible

optiSLang

• Text-based batch job node

• Extract signal data with ETK

• Signal data free mathematical

computations inside any optiSLang

system

Simultaneous computation:

• optiSLang spawns Maxwell batch jobs

8Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Method C: Scripted Large-Scale DSO

Large-Scale DSO = simultaneous batch computation with little overhead

• Large-Scale DSO is a special feature of Maxwell/HFSS/Simplorer

• No limitation to the degree of parallelism (tasks & cores)

• Powerful interface for flexible construction of job structures

• Independent jobs with separate result folders containing traces as text files

• In optiSLang the full power of the LS-DSO interface can be leveraged

• Python scripts collect the designs, trigger the jobs, and redistribute the data

into the design folders where optiSLang can find the data with ETK

• Jobs stay in the background; jobs can be distributed over the network

9Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

Process Integration: Maxwell & optiSLang

A) optiSLang inside Workbench

• Straightforward wizards extend

the WB-environment

• Simultaneous design solution

possible via DSO if only scalar

outputs are investigated

B) Direct integration via text files

• The OSL full version offers the

freedom to build manifold custom

workflows (nested systems,

performance maps, …)

• Straightforward parallelization

using multiple Maxwell instances

• Signal analysis

C) Large-Scale DSO

• Enables signal analysis in

combination with simultaneous

design evaluation via Optimetrics-

DSO

• Designs of one iteration of any

OSL algorithm are bundled into

one single LS-DSO job

• Simulation in background

A2) Workbench node in OSL

• Power of WB: multi-physics

(and convenience)

• Power of OSL: freedom to

define complex workflows

10Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

• optiSLang’s process integration enables the combination of different

parallel or sequential solvers in one workflow

Combined Integrations

Tutorial: Help/Tutorials/Workflows/Kursawe

11Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

• Nested systems allow for nested-loop analyses such as coupled RDO

Nested Systems

Tutorial: Help/Tutorials/Oscillator/Oscillator_Robustness

12Integrating ANSYS Maxwell, HFSS, or Simplorer

with optiSLang – Overview of Coupling Methods

© Dynardo GmbH

How to get started

We will tailor the plan that suits you best

• Pilot projects: training & collaborative problem solving on site;

accompanying consulting hours for assistance in data interpretation know-

how transfer, and workflow extension

• Training:

• Training schedule at www.dynardo.de

• We offer individual trainings

• Introductory webinars (see website)

• Support:

• e-Mail: support@dynardo.com

• phone: +49 – 3643 – 9008 - 32