Devices

There are two fundamental devices which are each handled a little differently. Touchstone based models use a simple reference to the file location, plus the value (since multiple models can be aggregated together). Primitive based models refer to their XML-based definition, and typically have several values that need to be defined.

Both File based (Touchstone) and Dynamic (Primitive) components can also be inverted for de-embedding.

Touchstone devices

Devices must either have a parameter of “File” or a parameter of “Primitive”. Whether it is a File or a Primitive, the value must be a file location.

File-based devices may have multiple files associated with them; if so, they must have a parameter of “Value”, and the value must be which file is to be used. If two files are called out, the first file is referenced with “value = 1”, the second with “value = 2”.

Files are allowed no more than one argument.

Furthermore, variables may be optimized with the following format (please pay attention to the semicolon):

Parameter = value ; <opt … /> <stat … />

Where the “…” is the standard Mason definitions, e.g.:

min=”1” max=”2” step=”0.1”

In effect, everything past the semicolon is directly placed into Mason’s XML format.

Dynamic (Primitive) devices

Devices must either have a parameter of “File” or a parameter of “Primitive”. Whether it is a File or a Primitive, the value must be a file location.

Primitive based components may have multiple arguments associated with them. Arguments that are common, for example the microstrip permittivity which is shared among all the microstrip elements, may have their values hidden. The arguments are defined by:

Parameter == value

Furthermore, variables may be optimized with the following format (please pay attention to the semicolon):

Parameter == value ; <opt … /> <stat … />

Where the “…” is the standard Mason definitions, e.g.:

min==”1” max==”2” step==”0.1”

In effect, everything past the semicolon is directly placed into Mason’s XML format.