Editor's Pick: A simulation toolkit for complete electronics design 

Altair introduces Altair Simulation 2021, which the company says extends its leadership in accelerated simulation of product performance by adding a new robust end-to-end electronic system design toolset. 

The addition means Altair Simulation users can develop complex products that use 5G, fully test electronic board performance and conform to modern manufacturing practices. 

The company says the new electronic design system toolset will allow engineers to fully collaborate on “smart, connected products” for all aspects of physical, logical, thermal, electrical and mechanical design. “This accelerates a variety of applications, from more efficient printed circuit board design review, verification, analysis and manufacture to the design of motors, sensors and actuators with simulation,” an Altair announcement states. 

Key new features include: 

• improved simulation and optimization of wireless connectivity, including 5G and electromagnetic compatibility; 
• visual firmware development now supports more widely used microcontroller families; 
• more capabilities for PCB fabrication, assembly and end-of-line testing; and
• expanded workflows that simplify and automate analysis of structural stress, vibration, thermal and drop-test performance for non-simulation experts. 

The company notes there is expanded modeling and visualization, including workflows that support the entire topology modeling and meshing process. Altair says these improvements cut the typical time on task from “hours to minutes” while offering a more sophisticated and realistic visualization.

Altair says this update allows advanced physics modeling that requires co-simulation of fluids and discrete elements, such as the simulation of particles in an air flow. Studies of the phenomenon of aeroelastic effects—such as aircraft wings—are now possible. 

The company says the SimSolid toolset in Altair Simulation 2021 is now “ten times faster than its original release.” 

“While the software quickly provides accurate simulation and optimization in one step, it does not require any expert knowledge,” says Anthony Reullierm, a digital simulation specialist and CAE leader at Renault. “No expertise in analysis is necessary and especially no meshing is required.” 

The company says the new electronic design system toolset will allow engineers to fully collaborate on “smart, connected products” for all aspects of physical, logical, thermal, electrical and mechanical design. Image courtesy of Altair.

Altair says it introduced the concept of “simulation-driven design for manufacturing” to the marketplace. In this release, Altair says it offers expanded functionality for casting, stamping, molding, extrusion and additive manufacturing processes. The company notes its software is being “increasingly used in process manufacturing during research, development and process improvement.”  

Altair says existing customers may upgrade to Altair Simulation immediately. Elements of Altair Simulation 2021 are available to existing customers through the use of Altair Units.

For more about Altair Simulation 2021, click here. 

For related resources pertaining to the new release, visit this site. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.