Circuit => Dielectric Layers
Project Editor - Circuit Menu - Dielectric Layers dialog box
Circuit => Dielectric Layers opens the Dielectric Layers dialog box which allows specification of the dielectric layers in the box including adding or deleting dielectric layers. For your convenience, the Project Editor ”level” number appears on the left providing you with an approximate ”side view” of your circuit. A ”level” is defined as the intersection of any two layers and is where your circuit metal is placed. Deleting a dielectric layer also deletes the metal level below the deleted layer.
Thickness: Enter the desired thickness for the dielectric layer in this text entry box. This allows you to change the thickness of a layer without having to edit all the parameters. The dielectric parameters are entered in the Dielectric Editor dialog box.
Editing a Dielectric Layer
Each layer has an entry row in the dialog box which displays the parameters of each dielectric layer; use the scroll bar to access all the parameters. If you wish to change the parameters of a dielectric layer, click on the entry row to select it, then click on the Edit button to open the Dielectric Editor dialog box. The Dielectric Editor dialog box allows you to modify the parameters of the dielectric layer. Note that when you select a dielectric layer, the metal level number associated with that dielectric layer is highlighted.
For a definition of the dielectric constant and loss of a dielectric layer, see How do I specify the loss of a dielectric layer?
Above button: To add a dielectric layer above an existing layer, click on an existing layer, then click on the Above button. The Dielectric Editor dialog box is opened in which you may define the parameters for the dielectric material to be used for the new layer or you may select a dielectric material from the dielectric library
An additional layer will be added above the selected layer as well as a new metal level The new metal level is directly above the selected layer. This will be indicated by the appearance of another row of parameter text boxes and a level number to the left of the row.
Below button: To add a dielectric layer below an existing layer, click on an existing layer, then click on the Below button. The Dielectric Editor dialog box is opened in which you may define the parameters for the dielectric material to be used for the new layer or you may select a dielectric material from the dielectric library.
An additional layer will be added below the selected layer as well as a new metal level. The new metal level is below the new layer. This will be indicated by the appearance of another row of parameter text boxes and a level number to the left of the row.
Delete button: To delete a dielectric layer, click on the entry, then click on the Delete button. If you attempt to delete a layer on which metalization is present, the Project Editor will prompt you for confirmation before deleting the dielectric layer, since any metalization present under the layer will also be deleted.
Using a Library Dielectric
Library button: To use a dielectric material from the dielectric libraries for your layer, click on the Library button to open the Dielectric Library dialog box which allows you to access the dielectric library.
Z-Partitions for the Dielectric Layer
Z-Parts button: To define the Z-partitioning parameter for any dielectric bricks which appear in the this layer, click on the Z-Parts button to open the Z Partitions dialog box.
