www.feko.info FEKO is a product of EM Software & Systems - S.A. (Pty) Ltd
Antenna Design and Placement with FEKO and Antenna Magus A case study, showing the design of an array antenna for the proximity fuse of an air defence missile, is performed to illustrate the combined use of Antenna Magus* and FEKO. The array synthesis tool in Antenna Magus is used to design a linear array with a 45 scan angle and a Dolph- Chebyshev excitation taper (the latter chosen to control the side lobes to below -20 dB). Due to conformal requirements, a microstrip patch antenna with FR4 as substrate is selected as the radiating element. Antenna Magus is used to estimate the performance of the array. These results are saved in a FEKO le format. The antenna model is exported from Antenna Magus to a CADFEKO le format for further analysis in FEKO. Two simulation methods are used to test the antenna design in FEKO: A model based on the MoM planar Greens function (MoM-GF) to quickly verify the design. This method takes into account mutual coupling, but not fnite ground plane effects. A model based on the FEM-MLFMM, a full-wave solution method that includes both mutual coupling and nite ground plane effects, to accurately determine performance. POSTFEKO is used to compare the antennas predicted performance, estimated with antenna theory in Antenna Magus, to its performance accurately simulated with FEKO. The results show good comparison and conrm that the antenna adheres to design specications. The nal part of the case study investigates the functioning of the antenna in its intended operating environment. The antenna is integrated onto a mock-up of an air defence missile in CADFEKO. The problem can be dealt with effectively using the FEM-MLFMM hybrid formulation, treating the complex conformal dielectric antenna and the cavity it resides in with the FEM and the electrically large missile with the MLFMM. The analysis shows that the antennas performance is not degraded signicantly by conforming it to the missile body and little spurious effects are introduced by the proximity of the missile. Estimation of array performance using the array synthesis tool in Antenna Magus The currents owing on the missile body and the farelds radiated by the conformal array, plotted in POSTFEKO *Antenna Magus is a product of MAGUS (Pty) Ltd. It can be obtained through FEKO distribution channels. The main lobe of the mounted antenna (blue) has the required 45 squint, comparing well to the planar antenna (red) CADFEKO model of a mock-up air defence missile with conformal microstrip antenna array www.feko.info Copyright 2013 EM Software & Systems - S.A. (Pty) Ltd THE FIRST ANTENNA DESIGN TOOL OF ITS KIND Antenna Magus* is a software tool that assists engineers in the process of designing and modelling antennas. It has an extensive, searchable collection of antennas that can be used with ease to design an antenna for a given set of specications. The models of the designed antennas can be exported to FEKO for further analysis. Antenna Magus is suitable for a broad range of applications due to the large, ever increasing number of antennas in its database. Its feature set is aimed at helping engineers in the early stages of a design by providing a comprehensive overview of literature, general information, design guidelines and rst approximation results. Customised antenna designs and information can be added by the user, for later redesign or to share with colleagues. Antenna Magus also provides antenna engineers with utilities such as an array synthesis tool, a chart tracing tool and substrate and waveguide libraries. Its seamless integration with FEKO quickly leads the design engineer to the customisation phase of an antenna design. After visualising performance graphs and validating the initial design, a parametric model can be exported to FEKO for customisation and in-depth analysis. These features simplify the day-to-day work of antenna designers and creators of electromagnetic models, ensuring that projects are completed within specication and on time. The combination of Antenna Magus with FEKO also provides a powerful solution for antenna placement analysis. Representative models of customised or standard third party antennas can easily be exported from Antenna Magus into FEKO where they can be placed onto platforms for comprehensive performance analysis in their operating environments. Verify performance by simulating accurately Customize for optimised performance Consider operating environment Create nal design Build and measure prototype Select suitable antenna conguration Create rst order design Estimate performance Export parametric CADFEKO model Dene system specications Antenna Magus Explore Estimate performance Design Export *Antenna Magus is a product of MAGUS (Pty) Ltd. It can be obtained through FEKO distribution channels. Where does Antenna Magus t into the design process? FREE EVALUATION AND MORE INFORMATION If you are interested in learning more about Antenna Magus, please visit the Antenna Magus section of the FEKO website.