Simulation Software Solvers Tackle Multiple Problems

FEKO is well suited for the analysis of antennas, as well as RF/microwave components like filters, couplers, isolators, and circulators. Antenna placement analysis is another capability, as the software can simulate an antenna’s interaction with electrically large environments (see figure). FEKO is also used extensively to perform electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) analysis, especially in the automotive industry. Cable coupling and radar cross-section analysis are additional capabilities.

EM simulation requirements vary in terms of geometrical complexity and electrical size. No single numerical method can efficiently handle the entire range of potential EM problems on its own. Thus, all versions of FEKO include multiple solvers, which are also hybridized. The strengths of the most suitable techniques are combined, resulting in hybrid solutions. Users can therefore solve a diverse range of problems.

To solve geometrically complex problems, the software offers method of moments (MoM), finite-element method (FEM), and finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) solvers. The FDTD solver, which was added in the suite 7.0 release, is well suited for modelling inhomogeneous materials. The multi-level fast multipole method (MLFMM), physical optics (PO), ray-launching geometrical optics (RL-GO), and uniform theory-of-diffraction (UTD) solvers are ideal for electrically large problems.

FEKO has many features that enhance its performance capability. The adaptive frequency sampling (AFS) technique, for example, automatically selects frequency sample points, enabling fast and accurate simulations. Responses are sampled more densely when needed— at resonances, for instance. This ensures that important details are captured.

Users can achieve optimal designs by means of the various optimization methods that are available in FEKO. A number of optimization goals can be specified by users. In addition, several goals can be combined to accommodate multiple optimization requirements.   

The CADFEKO graphical-user-interface (GUI) is where a standard FEKO workflow begins. Users can create their own computer-aided-design (CAD) geometry models. CAD models can also be imported from various formats, such as Parasolid, AutoCAD DXF, Gerber, ODB++, and 3Di files, among others. Another feature is the advanced CAD healing functionality, which enables inconsistencies, gashes, slivers, and spikes to be fixed.

The media library includes both pre- and user-defined materials. CADFEKO also includes a scripting interface that is based on the Lua programming language, enabling the creation of advanced user-specified models. Model setups can be automated via scripts, as well.

The POSTFEKO GUI is where a standard FEKO workflow ends. This GUI allows users to visualize and compare simulation results. Users can also generate reports by exporting an active POSTFEKO session to a PowerPoint, Word, or PDF file. Various image, animation, and data export options are available—JPEG, PNG, GIF, and Touchstone file formats, to name a few.

Finally, POSTFEKO utilizes the Lua programming language to allow scripting for advanced user-specified post-processing. For example, users can create non-standard output types and plot them in the POSTFEKO interface.