Introduction

Several manufacturing processes used to produce RF circuits utilize via arrays or bar via groups to provide the trace metal layer to layer connections. Both of these types of vias present an analysis challenge which drives the Sonnet model memory and analysis time requirements beyond what is practical to analyze. Via simplification provides an approach to via arrays and bar vias that reduce the time and memory requirements without sacrificing accuracy. These two processes are discussed in Via Array Simplification and Bar Via Group Simplification.