Five Ways to Streamline Electromagnetic Simulation with EMA3D Connect

EMA3D Connect is a tool from Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc. (EMA®) for advanced data processing and visualization. 3D Connect now comes standard in Ansys EMC Plus and Ansys Charge Plus (2026 R1). It is intended to be used alongside Ansys Discovery to make completing simulation both easier and faster.

3D Connect enhances simulation through improved core workflows for:

  • Data visualization
  • Python scripting and automation
  • Convergence monitoring
  • S-parameter analysis
  • PCB import and integration

Launch 3D Connect with just two clicks. In Discovery, users need to click on the EMA3D or Charge tab and then the Connect button in the tool bar, Figure 1.

Assessing and Exploring Results

New data visualization capabilities in 3D Connect help teams quickly see what matters most, making it easier to identify trends, validate decisions, and communicate findings. Interactive 2D plots and 3D render views are available for FEM and FDTD results. Multiple result types can be visualized simultaneously in a single view. Expanded color scales, mesh views, and clipping options offer deeper insight.

Data visualization begins by opening the simulation results. Under the results tab in the right-hand tree, select Plot from Connect, shown in Figure 2. This launches 3D Connect and opens data visualization options.

Python-Powered Custom Analysis

3D Connect includes a built-in Python editor for common workflows enabling faster turnaround and more repeatable results.

Users access the Python editor from the 3D Connect Home tab by clicking the Plus icon. When a script runs successfully, 3D Connect automatically writes CSV files that the data object can recognize. The data is not only saved, but users can also interact with it like any other 2D plot within the interface.

The Python editor supports open-source tools such as Avista and NumPy, making it easy to integrate familiar libraries into existing workflows.

Figure 3 shows a nanosecond discharge example in Charge Plus. A more detailed walkthrough of this model using the Charge Stats over Time template is available in the 2026R1 Nanosecond Discharge Tutorial, accessible through the EMC Plus and Charge Plus user manual.

Smarter Simulation Control

Convergence monitoring is available for both FDTD and FEM simulations, allowing users to automatically stop a simulation when user-defined criteria are met. This capability prevents wasted compute time and shortens simulation turnaround. Users can enable convergence monitoring in simulation settings.

Current convergence strategies include target value and derivative-based thresholds, and users can also stop simulations manually at any time. Future methods will include options such as nodes arced, peak threshold percentage, and more. Figure 4 shows an example using a target value convergence strategy.

S-Parameter Extraction and Visualization

A new S-parameter workflow in 3D Connect streamlines extraction and visualization, helping teams evaluate signal behavior faster and with greater confidence.

To get started, users create a subdirectory for each port and import the top-level parent directory into 3D Connect. Right now, each data set must include a .json file that defines the number of S-parameter ports.

From the results drop down menu, users select S-parameters to view all available ports. Right clicking S-parameters and choosing New Chart generates a matrix based on the number of ports. By default, 3D Connect uses the Touchstone file generated by simulation, but users can also manually calculate S-parameters using probe results.  For manual calculations, users specify reference impedance and maximum frequency. Mixed mode S-parameters is also an option for four port simulations. Figure 5 shows an example of the resulting plots.

Fig. 5. S-parameters results plot.

Streamlined PCB Workflow

The Import a PCB tool directly imports PCB files with just a single click. It simplifies complex PCB geometries to speed up setup and reduce overhead for electromagnetic analysis of boards. Imported data includes layers, nets, components, and meshes.

From the simulation tab, users can add sources and probes. Once the board is ready, clicking Send to Discovery sends the simplified board directly to EMC Plus or Charge Plus. The board appears as a solid block with all probes and sources automatically included, and users can adjust values directly in Discovery. Figure 6 shows all the features in action.

Dive deeper into the PCB import tool by watching the Solving Electromagnetic Challenges webinar “Accelerating 3D Layout-Based PCB Analysis Using Charge Plus and EMC Plus.” Watch on demand here.

Smarter Workflows Start with 3D Connect

3D Connect currently includes two workflows: X-ray analysis and reverse propagation. Additional workflows are expected in the future. Looking ahead, 3D Connect will continue to expand to improve performance, visualization, and usability.

3D Connect represents a shift toward faster, more intuitive, and more powerful engineering tools, designed to reduce friction, improve insight, and help engineers focus on solving hard problems instead of fighting software limitations.

See what 3D Connect can do for you, talk with EMA today. Contact us here.

Newsletter