Wire Attributes

The Attributes tab is a core component of the Draw dialog box (see Fig. 1). It defines the physical and computational properties of each wire in your model, ensuring the simulation is both accurate and mathematically stable.

Number of Segments

To solve for the electromagnetic behavior, AN-SOF divides every wire into smaller pieces called segments. The software calculates the unknown current on each segment using the Method of Moments (MoM).

• Default Calculation: A default number is suggested based on the wire’s physical length relative to the shortest wavelength ($\lambda$) in your frequency range.
• Automatic Optimization: If you set the Number of Segments to zero, AN-SOF will automatically apply the minimum recommended density.
• Standard Rule: The automatic calculation generally targets 10 segments per wavelength (at the highest frequency) to ensure convergence and precision.

Cross-Section

Because infinitesimally thin wires do not exist in the physical world and would cause mathematical singularities, every wire must have a defined thickness.

• Available Shapes: Circular, Square, Flat, Elliptical, Rectangular, and Triangular.
• Equivalent Radius: For all non-circular shapes, AN-SOF calculates an equivalent radius. This allows the solver to treat the wire as a cylinder while maintaining the electromagnetic characteristics of the original shape (such as a flat PCB trace or a square structural member).
• Constraint: The cross-section radius or width must always be greater than zero.

Universal Application

The Attributes tab is consistent across all wire creation tools. Whether you are drawing a simple Line, an Arc, or a complex Helix, you will find these same features available to define your geometry.