
Typically, manufacturing analysis tools should be used on the mechanical CAD model to validate the manufacturability of the parts. Although this list is not exhaustive, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools used along with the above mentioned EM packages can be combined from certain software vendors to make co-simulation easier between engineering teams.


Mechanical, Structural, and Thermal Analysis Toolsįor mechanical CAD, structural, and thermal analysis of the antenna, commercial grade simulation software is recommended. To our knowledge, these are the tools widely accepted by industry standards. This consists of analyzing high power gas ionization, corona, and multipactor at near vacuum. The main differences between the professional-grade simulation tools discussed in this article vs free or open-source tools is the user interface, mesher, and the solver algorithm efficiency, but hey, they’re free! ToolĪ high power (HP) electromagnetic (EM) simulation tool is used to help predict the power handling capabilities of a feed network and antenna. ToolĪs an alternative to professional simulation tools, open-source options exist. Typical solver algorithms include Mode Matching (MM), Finite Element Method (FEM), Method of Moments (MoM), and circuit simulation for touchstone & SWE file analysis. No matter the feed network, this list of tools help simulate and optimize the feed efficiently. It’s definitely possible to use nearly any of the tools mentioned above to design one, but it’s typically suggested to use a tool that is specifically made for the job to reduce overall costs especially for complex high power waveguide feeds and direct radiators. This could range from a simple waveguide matched to a single horn antenna to a multi-band, dual circular polarization corporate feed in an array. The following simulation tools cover Finite Element Method (FEM), Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD), Method of Moments (MoM), Integral Equation (IE), Physical Optics (PO), and Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) solver algorithms with varying efficiencies depending on the problem. We start with a list of tools typically used for general antenna simulation. Related Tags: antenna design software, antenna engineering, antenna product design, Antenna Toolbox, Antenna Tools, commercial antennas, electromagnetic simulation, engineering software, simulation software
