RF Designs and Simulations

The answer to this question depends to a great extent on the particular antenna problem that is to be analyzed. There are various antenna simulation tools based on different numerical techniques. Software for antenna design can be selected based on antenna type and size. Choosing the right technique for solving an antenna problem is important, as choosing the wrong one can either result in incorrect results, or results which take excessively long to compute. Several key EM simulation technologies have emerged over recent years. Out of these, simulation technique the Method of Moments (MoM), Finite Element (FEM) and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) solutions are used almost in all commercial software like Momentum, HFSS, CST, Sonnet, EMPro etc. Although in principal these technologies could be used to solve the same problems there are often good practical reasons why one particular simulator is better suited to solving a particular problem type. There are many considerations...

Due to project complexity and cost factor, designer first simulates design using commercial EDA tools to get performance data before real production.  Design cycle time plays a big part in determining a product launch schedule. Companies are under enormous pressure to reduce the time and cost of their design cycle.   Simulation tool capability and the way tools are used, plays important role in design cycle time and cost . There are simulation technologies available that can change the way complex integrated array antenna are designed. One solution enables use of different solvers for radiator and 3D feeder networks separately. This hybrid-design technology reduces total design iteration time significantly. Agilent has three most established EM simulation technologies: Method-of-moments (MoM), finite element method (FEM) and finite difference time domain (FDTD). This paper proposes how to use multiple EM simulation solvers along with other techniques thro...