Distinguished Lecturer
Mr. Jason Bommer
Distinguished Lecturer
Mr. Jason Bommer
Term 2025-2026
Principal Application Engineer, Ansys
Jason Bommer is a Principal Application Engineer in the electronics business unit at Ansys specializing in RF, antenna, mission, and interference applications. He is also an adjunct instructor at the Science and Math Institute in Tacoma, Washington where he teaches computational physics and engineering. Prior to joining Ansys through the Delcross acquisition in 2015, Jason served as an electromagnetics effects engineer at Boeing for over sixteen years. He holds BS and MS degrees in physics from University of New Orleans and University of Washington, respectively.
Talk 1: A Practical Simulation Approach for RF Desense Mitigation of Consumer Electronics
Abstract: In this age of ubiquitous sensing and data sharing, small size and higher functionality are often at odds leading to uncertainty and risk in product performance. As product designers levy increasingly demanding requirements, such as higher data rates and greater communication range, device footprint shrinks. Risk from interference of co-located digital and radio frequency (RF) systems are at the forefront of product development schedule and cost assessment. While simulation is prevalent in electronics design from chips and packaging to PCBs and antennas, the complexity of models can be enormous. Furthermore, the expectations of obtaining a useful “digital twin” are often lofty and impractical. Still, when simulation is applied properly it delivers enormous insight, exposing risk and pointing the way to mitigation. By applying the appropriate mix of physics-based and behavioral techniques, tractable and useful simulations can guide responsible design. Through the combination of state-of-the-art field solver techniques and system level behavior models a workflow is demonstrated to achieve efficient characterization of complex electronic systems with a variety of mixed signal sources. This talk first provides an overview of the finite element method (FEM) used to obtain the transfer function of all signal sources through complex paths including traces, connector pins, vias, etc. to the antenna. This accounts for all unwanted radiating and conducting interference sources. Next, spectral characteristics of the transient signals are defined in one of two ways: either through analytical estimates of spectral profile or through a Fourier transform of time-domain voltage signals. Once all spectra are obtained, along with the scattering matrix from FEM solution, a complete model of the performance can be made from an interference perspective. Examples of mitigation through isolation and spectral management are discussed.
Talk 2: Antenna Simulation and the Dynamic Mission: A Case Study in Airborne Radar Altimeter and 5G Coexistence
Abstract: Physics-based simulation, such as the finite element method (FEM), has been the cornerstone of antenna design for decades. As computational efficiency improves year over year, so has the demand on size and scale of applications. No longer is simulation of the isolated antenna adequate as vehicle integrators (aircraft, satellites, automobiles, etc.) expect full installed performance assessment via simulation as well. Thanks to myriad computational techniques and the resourcefulness of developers, hybrid methods enable enormous scale that include small RF components and antennas as well as interactions with the much-larger platform. This can be extended farther by including relevant features of the environment including terrain, buildings, and other objects and actors. Furthermore, the combination of installed antenna simulation with digital missions, such as a flight dynamic scenario, increases the fidelity and usefulness of the overall virtual prototype. In this presentation, we provide an overview of simulation techniques and demonstrate the first advantage of large-scale antenna simulations. Next, we demonstrate the power of digital mission engineering using the example of interference characterization and mitigation between a 5G base station and an airborne radar altimeter.
Talk 3: Simulation of Scale: Hybrid Techniques for Virtual Prototyping from Component to System for RF Coexistence and Desense Mitigation
Abstract: Effective communication systems rely on RFI control and mitigation strategies in two areas: onboard, and offboard. From a performance perspective, onboard RFI is typically controlled in the product design stage where signal control and isolation on device or platform can be addressed by levied design and performance requirements. This self-interference is often referred to as RF “desense” for electronics or RF “cosite” for platforms and vehicles. Offboard RFI concerns systems that are external to the device or vehicle. These external “threats” are governed by performance specifications and standards that control spectrum and power among other things. In this talk we demonstrate physics-based and behavioral simulation approaches that allow for practical evaluation of RFI in communication systems at all phases of life cycle. First, common physics-based simulation approaches are discussed in terms of applicable application areas from electrically small to large. Next, we introduce RFI assessment through behavioral modeling approach that combines the spectral characteristics of aggressors to receiver susceptibility of the victim. By accounting for worst-case RFI, an enormous number of interfering cases and channel combinations can be exposed. The talk concludes with application examples involving desense at the device level, as well as coexistence cases involving channel selection and mitigation strategies.
Bonus Talk 4: A Novel Approach to Improving STEM in Highschool Through Electromagnetic Simulation and Co-Teaching
According to a recent American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) study, between 40% and 50% of engineering students drop out or change their majors. Poor advising and difficulty of engineering curriculum are cited as two of the primary factors. This is happening at a time when Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs are seeing widespread adoption in high school. What gives? One working hypothesis is that, while STEM programs inspire, they may too often sidestep academic rigor in math and physics that is foundational to engineering. In this talk we demonstrate a public high school program that uses engineering simulation tools to reinforce and teach calculus and physics while also providing a project-based approach that is critical to STEM. By aligning syllabus and calendar with traditional courses, such as AP calculus and physics, teaching concepts are complemented with simulation that reinforces those basic skills. In a typical class size of 15 students, we focus on electromagnetics and Maxwell’s Equations to introduce concepts such as multi-variable integration, vector operations, and partial differentiation. This is reinforced through canonical simulation models in electrostatics and magnetostatics that are accompanied by class projects in the first semester. This leads to an “accidental” proficiency in the software that is needed for advanced projects to come in the second semester. Simulation is then applied to projects of interest to the school, such as robotics, ROV, and radios. This is done through a co-teaching model where time is split between a state-certified teacher and a professional engineer.
Jason Bommer is a Principal Application Engineer in the electronics business unit at Ansys specializing in RF, antenna, mission, and interference applications. He is also an adjunct instructor at the Science and Math Institute in Tacoma, Washington where he teaches computational physics and engineering. Prior to joining Ansys through the Delcross acquisition in 2015, Jason served as an electromagnetics effects engineer at Boeing for over sixteen years. He holds BS and MS degrees in physics from University of New Orleans and University of Washington, respectively.
Talk 1: A Practical Simulation Approach for RF Desense Mitigation of Consumer Electronics
Abstract: In this age of ubiquitous sensing and data sharing, small size and higher functionality are often at odds leading to uncertainty and risk in product performance. As product designers levy increasingly demanding requirements, such as higher data rates and greater communication range, device footprint shrinks. Risk from interference of co-located digital and radio frequency (RF) systems are at the forefront of product development schedule and cost assessment. While simulation is prevalent in electronics design from chips and packaging to PCBs and antennas, the complexity of models can be enormous. Furthermore, the expectations of obtaining a useful “digital twin” are often lofty and impractical. Still, when simulation is applied properly it delivers enormous insight, exposing risk and pointing the way to mitigation. By applying the appropriate mix of physics-based and behavioral techniques, tractable and useful simulations can guide responsible design. Through the combination of state-of-the-art field solver techniques and system level behavior models a workflow is demonstrated to achieve efficient characterization of complex electronic systems with a variety of mixed signal sources. This talk first provides an overview of the finite element method (FEM) used to obtain the transfer function of all signal sources through complex paths including traces, connector pins, vias, etc. to the antenna. This accounts for all unwanted radiating and conducting interference sources. Next, spectral characteristics of the transient signals are defined in one of two ways: either through analytical estimates of spectral profile or through a Fourier transform of time-domain voltage signals. Once all spectra are obtained, along with the scattering matrix from FEM solution, a complete model of the performance can be made from an interference perspective. Examples of mitigation through isolation and spectral management are discussed.
Talk 2: Antenna Simulation and the Dynamic Mission: A Case Study in Airborne Radar Altimeter and 5G Coexistence
Abstract: Physics-based simulation, such as the finite element method (FEM), has been the cornerstone of antenna design for decades. As computational efficiency improves year over year, so has the demand on size and scale of applications. No longer is simulation of the isolated antenna adequate as vehicle integrators (aircraft, satellites, automobiles, etc.) expect full installed performance assessment via simulation as well. Thanks to myriad computational techniques and the resourcefulness of developers, hybrid methods enable enormous scale that include small RF components and antennas as well as interactions with the much-larger platform. This can be extended farther by including relevant features of the environment including terrain, buildings, and other objects and actors. Furthermore, the combination of installed antenna simulation with digital missions, such as a flight dynamic scenario, increases the fidelity and usefulness of the overall virtual prototype. In this presentation, we provide an overview of simulation techniques and demonstrate the first advantage of large-scale antenna simulations. Next, we demonstrate the power of digital mission engineering using the example of interference characterization and mitigation between a 5G base station and an airborne radar altimeter.
Talk 3: Simulation of Scale: Hybrid Techniques for Virtual Prototyping from Component to System for RF Coexistence and Desense Mitigation
Abstract: Effective communication systems rely on RFI control and mitigation strategies in two areas: onboard, and offboard. From a performance perspective, onboard RFI is typically controlled in the product design stage where signal control and isolation on device or platform can be addressed by levied design and performance requirements. This self-interference is often referred to as RF “desense” for electronics or RF “cosite” for platforms and vehicles. Offboard RFI concerns systems that are external to the device or vehicle. These external “threats” are governed by performance specifications and standards that control spectrum and power among other things. In this talk we demonstrate physics-based and behavioral simulation approaches that allow for practical evaluation of RFI in communication systems at all phases of life cycle. First, common physics-based simulation approaches are discussed in terms of applicable application areas from electrically small to large. Next, we introduce RFI assessment through behavioral modeling approach that combines the spectral characteristics of aggressors to receiver susceptibility of the victim. By accounting for worst-case RFI, an enormous number of interfering cases and channel combinations can be exposed. The talk concludes with application examples involving desense at the device level, as well as coexistence cases involving channel selection and mitigation strategies.
Bonus Talk 4: A Novel Approach to Improving STEM in Highschool Through Electromagnetic Simulation and Co-Teaching
According to a recent American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) study, between 40% and 50% of engineering students drop out or change their majors. Poor advising and difficulty of engineering curriculum are cited as two of the primary factors. This is happening at a time when Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs are seeing widespread adoption in high school. What gives? One working hypothesis is that, while STEM programs inspire, they may too often sidestep academic rigor in math and physics that is foundational to engineering. In this talk we demonstrate a public high school program that uses engineering simulation tools to reinforce and teach calculus and physics while also providing a project-based approach that is critical to STEM. By aligning syllabus and calendar with traditional courses, such as AP calculus and physics, teaching concepts are complemented with simulation that reinforces those basic skills. In a typical class size of 15 students, we focus on electromagnetics and Maxwell’s Equations to introduce concepts such as multi-variable integration, vector operations, and partial differentiation. This is reinforced through canonical simulation models in electrostatics and magnetostatics that are accompanied by class projects in the first semester. This leads to an “accidental” proficiency in the software that is needed for advanced projects to come in the second semester. Simulation is then applied to projects of interest to the school, such as robotics, ROV, and radios. This is done through a co-teaching model where time is split between a state-certified teacher and a professional engineer.