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In this section, we will learn how to handle Touchstone S-Parameter files ADS (Advanced Design System). The Touchstone file format is a standardized file format for storing S-parameter (scattering parameter) data, which describes the behavior of RF networks.

Touchstone files usually end with “.snp”, where “n” refers to the number of ports, for example, “.s2p” is an S-parameter file for a two-port network. These files contain frequency and S-parameter data to describe the characteristics of the network in the frequency domain.

Sometimes, we need to share data with our classmates, friends, and partners. At this time, we need to learn how to generate S parameter files.

We first select “schemat_Murata” and perform simulation:

There are many ways to export S parameter files, one of them is to select “Simulation-S_Param” in the Library Palettes, then select and drop in, modifying the FileName to “MyFilter_Data.s2p”:

Then save and perform S parameter simulation.

We can see that the data has been output to the “data” folder. We open the local directory and see that the .s2p file has been generated:

We can right-click the file and open it with a text editor or software such as vscode, and then we can modify the S parameter file:

However, if we want to conduct actual analysis, it is difficult to start with such a huge data file, so we need to import the data into ADS, and then use visual methods such as images and tables to analyze and compare the designs.

Let’s disable and then simulate “schematic_ideal”:

At this point, we can search for “SNP” in the Library Palettes and then drop it into the schematic.

Then we double-click to open its property settings window.

Then click , select the S parameter file “MyFilter_Data.s2p” we generated, and then click “Apply”, we can see that the Symbol of SnP has changed to . We can also click , and then we can see the content of the S parameter simulation corresponding to the imported S parameter file:

Then we can use SnP in TestBench to perform simulation tests and compare data (set History to On):

Another way to read/generate S-parameter files is to select “Tools – Data File Tool” in the .dds file window:

Then we can choose the mode to be Read data file into dataset or Write data file from dataset. When reading a dataset, we can click to select an existing S parameter file and import it (the file format is Touchstone). Then select the appropriate dataset and click “Read File” to import the file:

Then, select “Write data file from dataset”, name the Output file name “Test_Data.s2p”, select the file format as Touchstone, and then select the corresponding dataset designed “TestBench_MyFilter”.

Click “Write to File” and we can see the newly generated S parameter file in the same path:

In the toolbar of the schematic window of TestBench, right-click to add HSD, then select (S-Parameter Viewer), and then select the generated “MyFilter_Data.s2p” file and open it:

We can convert the S parameter file into a visualization plot.

If we want to compare with the previous design, we can double-click the resulting plot in the .dds window, change the dataset and add parameter values:

Then, we can see that the data in the S parameter file is imported into the plot:

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